Apple has released an update to its TV operating system. tvOS 10.1 includes the new 'TV' app that is designed to give you a full overview of all the content you have access to in one unified interface.
tvOS 10.1 with new ‘TV’ app
The Apple TV box is available across the world but the new ‘TV’ app will only be available in the US at launch. Apple is laying the foundation for a simpler and more intuitive user experience on the TV.
To enable the new ‘TV’ app, Apple introduced single sign-on last week. Single sign-in allows you to more easily authenticate pay TV services and once you have done that you can see all the content that you have access to in the ‘TV’ app. It gives you an overview of what you are currently watching. It also recommends new shows and movies and lets you search for content using Siri.
At least that is the idea because at the moment not all apps are included in the ‘TV’. One of the notable omissions is Netflix who has decided not to support Apple’s plan – at least for now. Also missing is Amazon Video that has yet to launch on Apple TV in any form.
An important step
Still, the ‘TV’ is an important step forward in a TV industry that is still stuck in a “channel” mindset and which only recently began the transitions to apps. The US is further along than many other countries so Apple is hoping to ride that wave for many years to come as it expands availability. The ‘TV’ app is a unified experience that Apple says “will completely change how you watch TV on your Apple TV, iPhone and iPad”.
The TV app is also available on iPhone and iPad in the newly released iOS 10.2 where it replaces the ‘Videos’ app. Apple has not said when it intends to launch the app in other regions.
tvOS 10.1 follows up on tvOS 10 that brought with it new features such as a dark mode, Continuity text input from an iPhone, expanded Siri, and more.
