New Apple TV Gains Charts for Top Paid, Free and Grossing Apps

[MacRumors]

The new Apple TV launched on Friday with an all-new App Store, but early adopters were quick to realize that app discovery was limited to a single featured section and a manual search option -- unlike the App Stores on iPhone, iPad and Mac, which have several genre-based categories and top charts for apps.

Apple has partially addressed this issue today by adding top charts to the tvOS App Store, listing the top paid apps, top free apps and top grossing apps. Confirming our previous report, games make up the majority of the top spots so far, while apps from content providers such as HBO, FOX and CBS are also popular.

Top Free Apps
1. Rayman Adventures
2. Crossy Road - Endless Arcade Hopper
3. HBO NOW
4. The Nat Geo TV
5. FOX NOW
6. SHOWTIME
7. HISTORY
8. CBS
9. CNNgo
10. Asphalt 8: Airborne

Top Paid Apps
1. Beat Sports
2. Simple X - for Plex
3. Galaxy on Fire - Manticore RISING
4. Does not Commute TV
5. Lumino City
6. Alto's Adventure
7. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved
8. Battle Supremacy: Evolution
9. CARROT Weather: Talking Forecast Robot
10. Oceanhorn

Top Grossing Apps
1. Beat Sports
2. Galaxy on Fire - Manticore RISING
3. Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved
4. Oceanhorn
5. Simple X - for Plex
6. Lumino City
7. Battle Supremacy: Evolution
8. Does not Commute TV
9. Transistor
10. CARROT Weather: Talking Forecast Robot

Restarting your Apple TV or force closing the App Store may be required to view the new Top Charts section. The category may still be rolling out to all users at this time.

Eric Slivka contributed to this report.

Article Link: New Apple TV Gains Charts for Top Paid, Free and Grossing Apps

 

[Jeremy1026]

Moving in the right direction.

 

[mellomike]

The power of TVML ... Apple can dynamically update apps without pushing out a new version of the OS. I love it.

 

[Lancetx]

So long to "Simple X - for Plex" being on the top paid chart beyond today...

 

[ButteryScrollin]

They need to allow games that only work with an MFi controller, Siri remote sucks as a d-pad.
Timmy plz.

 

[iMerik]

I imagine we'll see Plex on the Top Free Apps list soon enough.

 

[ECJ]

I'm just glad they can update tvOS much faster and easier, to add more features and enhancements.

 

[haruhiko]

PSA: The real official Plex app is free. Simplex is a third party paid application.


Back to the topic. It means that the App Store on the Apple TV is basically a giant webview, so Apple can update the layout of the App Store on the server side without the need to update the tvOS. Good. But the part which needs updating, namely the horrible experience of typing passwords, is still outstanding and most likely will require an update to the tvOS.

I listened to the Upgrade podcast today and the host mentioned that Apple's staff told him there won't be an update to the Remote app to support the ATV4. I guess Apple really wants you to use your Siri Remote.

 

[Rogifan]

They need to allow games that only work with an MFi controller, Siri remote sucks as a d-pad.
Timmy plz.

What exactly has to work with the Siri remote? Every aspect of the game?

 

[shiseiryu1]

big question is...are there any games on the store which are worth a darn yet? The beats game looks like some dumb Wii game. I'd like some games with more depth or strategy.

 

[vc2020]

What exactly has to work with the Siri remote? Every aspect of the game?

Guidelines state that a game must work entirely with the Siri remote and should not require a 3rd party controller but if it works with the Remote then it can also be used with a 3rd party controller.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

What exactly has to work with the Siri remote? Every aspect of the game?

Yes, full game has to work with the Siri remote which is essentially a d-pad and a couple of buttons.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I find it hard to believe that Netflix isn't in the top 10 free apps...

 

[2010mini]

big question is...are there any games on the store which are worth a darn yet? The beats game looks like some dumb Wii game. I'd like some games with more depth or strategy.

for a casual game it is nice. My 6 year old loves it. That was the main goal of getting this Apple TV. fun and easy family games

 

[Futurix]

I find it hard to believe that Netflix isn't in the top 10 free apps...

I think it's bundled with tvOS - so won't appear in charts.

 

[ipedro]

One way to fix app discovery is for Apple to make a section for AppleTV apps on the iOS App Store accessible from an iPhone or iPad. Either buy the app there and have it appear on your Apple TV or you could add it to a wish list that would be visible for later downloading on the AppleTV of your choice.

 

[Even Longer]

Moving in the right direction.

Straight down?

 

[carld]

I think it's bundled with tvOS - so won't appear in charts.

Netflix is not bundled with tvOS.

 

[coolfactor]

How are people finding the readability of the new Apple TV? Is it an improvement over the previous generation? My elderly mother still needs to move closer to her 55" screen just to read some of the text, and this new one seems to have even poorer contrast. White text over grey? Who at Apple thought that was a good idea? Did they do extensive usability testing?

big question is...are there any games on the store which are worth a darn yet? The beats game looks like some dumb Wii game. I'd like some games with more depth or strategy.

Day One and you're expressing first-world-problem disappointment? Let me repeat: Day One.

Better yet... go design a game! Contribute a solution to the "problem".

 

[crushna]

Netflix is not bundled with tvOS.

Thats what is so puzzling..Almost everyone has netflix. Why is not netflix numbr one

 

[Tech198]

Not to shabby..

There are only about 2 apps i'd pick from that list :Crossy Roads. and Asphalt 8: Airborne, namely cos all the rest require cable subscription,, and/or i refuse to watch HBO Now over VPN.. as there is better ways to get their content *hint hint*

No Netflix ? *shocked*

I guess that why these are downloadable apps then like on iOS.. I'm only sticking with 3rd gen because there is no optical out, but by the same token, i also want Apple music which is Only on the latest ATV...

 

[crushna]

Day One and you're expressing first-world-problem disappointment? Let me repeat: Day One.

Better yet... go design a game! Contribute a solution to the "problem".

You release a product claiming you can play games and you do not have a solid game? thats bad!! especially for apple's standards

 

[CarlJ]

The biggest surprise is the entire last half of the top paid list is fireplace apps. Dozens of them.

 

[seamusk]

lol there were a lot of fireplace apps. It does seem that the early app store is dominated primarily by easier to build apps. Many of these are from smaller developers. They have their uses, but it probably reflects the idea that maybe a lot of outfits needed more time to pull together the resources to build out their apps, but also that maybe a bunch wanted to get a feel for what the market would look like first. Seems wide open to me.

 

[Andrei90]

PSA: The real official Plex app is free. Simplex is a third party paid application.


Back to the topic. It means that the App Store on the Apple TV is basically a giant webview, so Apple can update the layout of the App Store on the server side without the need to update the tvOS. Good. But the part which needs updating, namely the horrible experience of typing passwords, is still outstanding and most likely will require an update to the tvOS.

I listened to the Upgrade podcast today and the host mentioned that Apple's staff told him there won't be an update to the Remote app to support the ATV4. I guess Apple really wants you to use your Siri Remote.

Apple has always done this. Is nothing new. They also introduce new features to the iOS Appstore without needing to update the phone.