Some smart TVS have built in browsers for playing content on the web which lacks a Apple TV app. I wish Apple TV had Safari so one can play such content. We use a smart tv in church all the time instead of using DVDS to play educational content in SS.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Web browser
- Thread starter jwolf6589
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This has been on my ATV wishlist since tvOS launched.
While is will still wish for it, I wouldn't count on it happening.
But then you need an additional device involved. If would be so much nicer if Safari was natively on tvOS.
Besides, not all content will AirPlay, some stuff is blocked from AirPlaying.
Last edited:
What makes you think that content wouldn’t be blocked in an TVOS browser too? Content is blocked from AirPlay because the owners of that content don’t want you viewing their stuff on a big screen TV for free. For example: Comcast has a very good streaming app that lets you watch their content on small screen iOS devices. But you can’t AirPlay it. If you could no one would pay them to rent their TV box. It’s always about the money.
Because a certain ministry website allows their video content to be played in a browser which can be played in full screen mode on a smart TV.
But apparently the one website you care about DOES support it. So why not AirPlay it. Apple isn't going to put a browser, or allow a 3rd party browser, on the AppleTV. The way Apple sees it the ATV is a video streaming device... period. They make other products, which they will gladly sell you, for surfing the internet. You would have a better chance of getting that ministry site to write an AppleTV app to stream their content than getting Apple to put a browser on the ATV.
.
I don't think it will ever happen either, as there is very little incentive for Apple to have Safari on the ATV.
Well, other than many of their customers want it.
I don't think this is necessarily the reason, as many other streaming devices include a web browser.
IMO, the reason why Apple probably will not put Safari on tvOS is because this creates a way to bypass the App Store, and Apple loses some control over things. This also risks cutting into Apple's App Store revenue.
I think the OP will, but the OP was just wondering about alternatives to AirPlay. It is a valid question.
Personally, I would much rather have stuff play natively over the ATV than have to AirPlay it, and I think the OP feels the same.
Some websites block AirPlaying, there tend to be more playback problems with AirPlay than native playing, and it is just inconvenient to use AirPlay when compared to native playback.
Maybe this might be the case, but maybe not. But, that really isn't the point.....
I think the real question should be, as an user why would a tvOS web browser be a bad thing?
This is true for the Xfinity App on iOS devices, but you can AirPlay Comcast content using a browser on a Mac.
They have a ATV app but one is not able to stream content that one purchases so the app needs updating.
IMO it's best to buy a dumb TV with a great picture, and connect a computer to it. Then you control everything it does and runs.
Yep, which you need a separate device for.
Perhaps web browsers on TV's has never been the way Apple wanted to go, even despite it would be ok for some. Obviously the the voices aren't loud enough to have a web browser on Apple TV.