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Apple TV Adds ABC, Sony Crackle, Bloomberg and Korean TV Apps

Apple continues to lure more content partners to its $99 streaming-video box, adding access for Apple TV users to new apps for Disney’s Watch ABC, Sony’s Crackle, Bloomberg and Korean TV service KORTV.

The new services became available Wednesday, according to Apple’s website, as first spotted by 9to5Mac. Apple TV now offers 27 content apps, including HBO Go, Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Watch Disney Channel, WatchESPN, PBS and Yahoo Screen.

Watch ABC provides access to full episodes from the Alphabet net — as well as live TV in select markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia – to subscribers of participating cable and satellite providers. The ABC streaming service, also accessible online and via iOS apps, is currently available through Comcast, AT&T U-verse, Charter, Cox, Cablevision and Verizon FiOS.

The Bloomberg app provides free access to live and on-demand programming from the financial news net, and Crackle offers hundreds of free movies and TV series including originals. KORTV offers 10 free and seven premium South Korean channels, with each premium network priced at $1.99 to $3.99 monthly.

http://variety.com/2013/digital/news...ps-1200944756/

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Sources say new Apple TV box likely coming soon, App/Game Store possible

We’ve learned that Apple is making progress on its development of a successor to the current Apple TV and that the device is well into testing. We are led to believe that the new device, which is said to be a set-top box rather than a full-fledged TV set, will likely be introduced in the first half of 2014. We understand that the product will include a revamped operating system that will be based on iOS. Of course, release timeframes with these type of products can quickly change due to the content partners that are involved in such products…

Our sources previously indicated that Apple is experimenting with new input methods for TV-related products such as motion controls, but it is unclear if that Kinect-like interface is in the cards for this year’s Apple TV product. iLounge reported earlier today that Apple is preparing an update to the Apple TV that will add gaming content. We understand that the new Apple TV will include new types of content, leading us to believe that an App Store or a “Game Store” for the device is under consideration. Apple will likely promote this new store with the new hardware, but the company has definitely considered allowing users of the current-generation Apple TV to update to the new software redesign.

We’ve previously profiled Apple’s work on allowing content makers to make channels/apps for the current Apple TV. Apple has been streamlining the development process of Apple TV apps in recent months and making it easier for its partners to build apps for the platform, but its current SDK still only consists of XML templates and guidelines for mostly video streaming apps. Apple senior executives are said to have been against adding a full-fledged App Store experience to the Apple TV, but perhaps those feelings have changed.

FULL ARTICLE - http://9to5mac.com/2014/01/23/new-ap...tore-possible/

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Reports: Apple TV to add games in coming update

iLounge has heard from reliable industry sources that Apple TV will soon be getting proper game support in an update, likely to come in March or earlier. We’ve heard that developers are currently working on Bluetooth controller options, and it’s expected that games could be downloaded directly to the Apple TV rather than relying on another iOS device as an intermediary. One developer has suggested that game support could be backward-compatible with the current-generation Apple TV. However, it’s unknown what current Apple TVs would use for storage — it’s possible iCloud could be part of a solution. This update would effectively put Apple TV on par with the latest Roku devices, which have already had their own app stores for some time. An Apple TV App Store has been awaited for years.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/new...coming-update/

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Apple TV 6.1 update makes it easier to hide unwanted channels

A new Apple TV software update was issued on Monday, giving users the ability to reduce the plethora of channels on the device's home screen if they so choose.

Users could previously hide channels from the Apple TV home screen through the device's Settings application. But Apple TV Version 6.1 now allows this to be accomplished in a simpler fashion, direct from the home screen.

After updating, users can hide icons by holding the select button, causing icons on the screen to jiggle. Once activated, users can press the play/pause button on their remote to bring up a menu that allows users to hide the icon.

After a channel has been hidden, users can reactivate it through the Settings application.

FULL ARTICLE - http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/...anted-channels

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Apple adds A&E, History Channel, and Lifetime channels to Apple TV

Apple today has added three new channels to the Apple TV lineup: A&E, The History Channel, and Lifetime. Each channel does require a cable subscription to unlock full content, but it appears the most recent episodes of shows are available without unlocking the channels. At the time of launch, each channel only supports DirecTV, Verizon FiOS, and Cablevision Optimum, but the network says it will add support for more providers soon.

FULL ARTICLE - http://9to5mac.com/2014/04/21/apple-...s-to-apple-tv/

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Netflix says fix for Dolby Digital 5.1 on its Apple TV channel coming soon

Following the release of Apple TV update version 6.1 alongside the release of iOS 7.1 in early March, we’ve received several reports of an issue with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in the Apple TV’s Netflix app. Following the update, users with 5.1 systems are only able to get stereo output from Netflix on the Apple TV. There have been an increasing number of complaints online in several Apple support forums as recent as this morning, but up until now Netflix and Apple have been quiet on the issue.

We’ve reached out to Netflix several times since the release of the Apple TV update and this morning the company acknowledged it’s aware of the problem and working to roll out a fix: “We are aware of the issue and are working to deploy a fix.”

It’s not providing any additional info or an ETA on when you can expect the fix, but at least you now have confirmation a fix is finally on the way three months after initial reports.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/05/27/netfli...le-tv-channel/

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Apple brings iTunes Extras to Apple TV, HD Extras to Macs today & iOS 8 in fall

Apple today released iTunes version 11.3 and with it is making its iTunes Extras feature available for HD movies on Macs. Apple also announced today that the feature is now available for Apple TV with update 6.2 and will arrive on iOS 8 this fall.

While we’ll have to wait for iTunes Extras to arrive on iOS with the release of iOS 8 this fall, the Apple TV OS 6.2 update rolled out late last month to users alongside iOS 7.1.2.

iTunes Extras offers an interactive experience for some video content on iTunes that often includes behind-the-scenes videos, image galleries, commentary from the creators, cast interviews, exclusive clips, short films, and more. Content creators decide whether or not to offer the iTunes Extras feature and create the experience using templates provided by Apple. Apple also notes that “new iTunes Extras will be automatically added to your previously purchased HD movies as they become available- at no additional charge.”

The iTunes update, version 11.3, is available now through Software Update in the Mac App Store. The Apple TV update, version 6.2, which also brought general performance and stability improvements, is available now as an over-the-air update.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/10/apple-...ios-8-in-fall/

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Apple TV adds CNBC, Fox Now

Apple on Tuesday said it grew its lineup of channels on its Apple TV set-top box, this time with CNBC, Fox Now, and two regional channels.

With Tuesday's additions, Apple's set-top box now carries offerings from more major networks. The CNBC channel will provide real-time streaming of daily programs and on-demand video clips. To view live CNBC content and full episodes, Apple TV users will need to authenticate through their cable or satellite providers. Fox Now will offer full episodes of shows such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Sleepy Hollow, New Girl and Glee. The Fox service, as well, requires authentication of a Fox subscription.

Also, Apple TV added Esporte Interativo, a sports channel available in Brazil that becomes the device's first local channel in Latin America. TV 2 Sumo, a sports channel available in Norway, will be Apple TV's first local channel for the Norwegian region.

FULL ARTICLE - http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-tv-adds-cnbc-fox-now/

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Apple TV overhaul not expected to debut until 2015

A new report from The Information published today discussing the next generation of Apple TV says the new set-top box won’t be ready for prime time until at least 2015. This expectancy timeline aligns with previous 9to5Mac reporting on the Apple TV development progress.

According to the report, Apple employees managing the project have informed Apple TV engineers working on the next generation set-top box that it is currently not expected to reach completion in time to debut in 2014.

The new Apple TV product, which is said to tackle content access more aggressively than the current product offered, is taking longer than previously expected due to deals with cable companies as well the Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger currently pending.

FULL ARTICLE - http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/30/apple-...ut-until-2015/

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NFL Now app coming to Apple TV this month

The NFL will be launching a new NFL Now service later this month, and it will be coming to the Apple TV with a dedicated application, according to an image of the app in testing taken by an NFL employee. NFL Now was introduced in January, and it is a personalized NFL content application with on-demand highlights, extensive archives, and news broadcasts.

The launch will occur later this month in order for fans to prepare for the 2014-2015 NFL season, and a source says that the debut may even occur later this week.

The NFL Now application will be the first app on the Apple TV dedicated to football, but, of course, NFL content has been previously available via application such as ESPNNow. NFL Now will also launch on the iOS App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and it will be available on the web and Apple TV competitors like the Roku and Xbox. The NFL will also be conducting a digital push for NFL Sunday Ticket this fall, but there have been no indications that Sunday Ticket will, too, arrive on the Apple TV.

FULL ARTICLE - http://9to5mac.com/2014/08/04/nfl-no...tv-this-month/

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New Apple TV 'stalls' because of cable companies & content deals, likely not arriving until 2015

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Earlier reports had suggested that a revamped Apple TV set-top box was on track for release this year. Wednesday's report suggests that was Apple's intent, but snags in negotiations behind the scenes for content may have prompted the company to delay its launch past the lucrative holiday shopping season.

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