Apple making its app available for devices not made by it is something rare. But Apple has little choice but to make its Apple TV app available to third party TV OEM as Apple has no intentions to launch its own television range. Now Apple has announced that the Apple TV app is now officially available on AirPlay-2 enabled Samsung smart TVs. Going forward, select TV models from VIZIO, LG and Sony will also get AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support later this year.
With AirPlay-2 supported TVs, users can play videos and other content from their iPhone, iPad or Mac directly to their smart TVs. For this, users will have to update to iOS 12.3 or macOS 10.14.5 to play or mirror to AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs.
All new Samsung smart TVs will have Apple TV and AirPlay-2 support out-of-the-box and users can access content by using Samsung’s search functionality on the TV natively. Also, the same will work with Bixby Voice too. If you own an older Samsung smart TV, then it would be a good idea to check for a firmware update from Samsung. To check for new updates, head to the ‘Software Update’ section under Settings menu
The latest free iOS 12.3 and tvOS 12.3 software update will allow users to subscribe to Apple TV channels within the Apple TV app — paying for only the ones they want — and watch on demand directly in the app. In the US, Apple TV channels include popular services such as HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade and new services like MTV Hits. Also, through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share subscriptions to Apple TV channels using just their Apple ID and password. Subscribers can watch and download shows and movies both online and offline.
