Apple is reportedly ready to overhaul the Apple TV app. On Tuesday, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reported that the company plans to consolidate its video offering, placing it exclusively in the TV app on all its devices. Citing “people with knowledge of the matter,” Gurman reports that the company will release a new version of the app “around December” as part of an upcoming tvOS software update.
As part of the move, Apple will reportedly remove its dedicated Movies and TV Shows apps (based on iTunes) from the Apple TV set-top box interface. Additionally, it plans to remove all video-related sections from the iTunes app on iOS and iPadOS. The TV app already doubles the functionality of renting and purchasing digital video content, making the supposed change more about simplifying and eliminating redundancies than altering any core features.
The updated app will reportedly include a left-side panel for video categories, similar to what is found on Netflix and other streaming rivals. The Apple TV app consolidates video content from the Apple TV+ subscription service, rented and purchased movies, live sports networks, and supported third-party services like Amazon Prime, Paramount+, and Starz.
Apple has increasingly invested in video content, spending billions on programming like Martin Scorsese. Flower Moon Killers, which opened in theaters last week. (The film will come to Apple TV+ “at a later date.”) Original series on Apple TV+ include Ted Lasso, Breaking off, The morning program, Silo and Base, among others. The company reportedly (and abruptly) canceled The problem with Jon Stewart this month following disagreements over Stewart’s planned editorial content around ai and China.
In other Apple developments, the company sent out invitations today for an event on October 30. The “Scary Fast” streaming event is expected to focus on new Macs. These could include a refresh of the aging iMac and MacBook Pro line, possibly with a new M3 chip.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-reportedly-plans-to-totally-redesign-its-tv-app-194506208.html?src=rss
