Apple TV App

Deal: Alto’s Adventure is 66 percent off today only

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 2, 2016

Alto's Adventure, an endless snowboarding odyssey, is currently available at a deep 66 percent discount as part of a Spring sale developer Snowman has been having since five days ago. The game is currently available for just 99 cents on the App Store, down from its usual asking price of $2.99 a pop. Alto's Adventure is a universal app so that's 99 cents to play this remarkable well executed triple-A on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV.

I have confirmed with Snowman that the discount will be up for at least another 24 hours so now's the perfect chance to grab this premium game if you haven't already.

Use Apple Maps and plan trips on the big screen with TV Maps for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 20, 2016

Since learning that Apple's software development kit now includes a new MapKit framework for tvOS, I've been eagerly awaiting to see what Apple TV developers are going to do with it. I salivated at the prospect of Apple Maps on a big screen telly because it sounded too good to be true.

Even better, Apple's SDK supports advanced features like map annotations, adding overlays and performing reverse-geocoding lookups to determine placemark information for map coordinates, among other features.

With TV Maps by Arno Appenzeller—to my knowledge, this is one of the first of MapsKit-enabled apps for the new Apple TV—you can browse Apple Maps from the comfort of your couch. At long last, planning trips on the big screen has become a reality for those of us who're invested into the Apple ecosystem. The experience of using maps on a television is much cooler than you could imagine: this is the first tvOS app that has made me wish that the Apple TV supported hand gestures so that I could explore maps Minority Report-style.

Apple begins enabling web previews for Apple TV apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple has begun rolling out iTunes web previews for fourth generation Apple TV apps. The move, which was first spotted by Jeff Scott (via MacStories), will allow both users and developers to easily share links to Apple TV apps on the web.

It doesn't appear that web previews are available for all apps yet, and it's unclear which apps it's working for—Apple isn't advertising them anywhere. If you want to see what they look like, here's a link to Scott's app for Beergeek.com TV.

Cable network Starz launches $9 per month streaming package for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 5, 2016

Starz, a premium cable and satellite television network, today announced a brand new video service which permits owners of the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV to stream shows for a low monthly fee of just $8.99 per month.

A companion iOS app lets subscribers download full episodes to watch offline but does not offer live streaming. On the fourth-generation Apple TV, it supports universal search so you can ask Siri for shows to watch, including original ones like “Outlander”, “Power” and the upcoming “American Gods”.

Real Racing 3 gains three new cars, adds fresh new events and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 5, 2016

Electronics Arts and Firemonkeys today pushed a brand new content update to Real Racing 3, their popular racing game for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and Apple TV.

Bumped to version 4.2, the game has introduced three new powerful cars: the Hennessey Venom GT—the fastest accelerating production car in the world according to Guinness—along with the 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R and 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL.

In addition, players can now take on the all-new Front Runner special event for their chance to win the aforesaid Hennessey Venom GT and participate in other events to bring home that classic 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL or the new 2015 BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R.

Disney Infinity drops support for the new Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Less than five months after Apple started selling Disney's Infinity 3.0 starter kit, the interactive division of the Mickey Mouse house has decided to stop supporting the Apple TV edition of Infinity.

According to a message posted on the official Disney Infinity boards by its moderator, “the team is currently focusing on the traditional gaming platforms” and there are “no plans for further updates to the Apple TV version of the game”.

Infinite Skater, a gorgeous endless runner, has gone free in the App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2018

Infinite Skater, a drop dead gorgeous endless runner has been slashed to zero bucks temporarily in the App Store. Regularly $2.99, this visually stunning game can now be yours at no charge. Available for the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and—yes—the fourth-generation Apple TV, Infinite Skater is “a magic adventure like nothing you've ever seen” and that's not just marketing talk.

Sega’s Sonic the Hedgehog speeds on to Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 17, 2016

Japanese gaming giant Sega is making its long-expected move to bring some of its most popular mobile games to the living room. Fans can now play some of their favorite Sonic titles on the fourth-generation Apple TV for the very first time.

Starting today, Sonic 1 is compatible with the new Apple TV. Next Thursday, March 24, fans will be permitted to grab Sonic 2 for Apple TV from the tvOS App Store. In addition, Sonic CD for Apple TV will release on Thursday, March 31.

Apple Events app launches on tvOS App Store ahead of Monday’s ‘Let us loop you in’ media event

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 17, 2016

Apple has scheduled its 'Let us loop you in' media event on Monday, March 21. Ahead of the invite-only press conference, the company has released a native application, aptly named Apple Events, for the fourth-generation Apple TV in the tvOS App Store.

The app makes it easier for Apple fans to stream the company's media events live and watch replays of previous broadcasts on their box.

Ahead of the big tournament, March Madness Apple TV app gains split-screen functionality

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 8, 2016

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced that fans will be able to enjoy the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship tournament action across more places than ever before.

The official NCAA March Madness Live app now supports a dozen platforms such as the Apple TV, the Apple Watch, Amazon's Fire TV devices, Android tablets and smartphones, Windows devices, Roku players and more.

The Apple TV app promises a redesigned GameCenter experience, support for wireless streaming from a mobile device via Google Cast or AirPlay, enhanced VoD capabilities and an updated Bracket Challenge Game for further access to tournament content.

In addition, the app offers an exclusive Apple TV feature which permits fans to enjoy two live games at once with the split-screen feature.

tvOS App Store gains ‘Not on This Apple TV’ listing in Purchased section

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 23, 2016

Apple has quietly issued a backend update to the tvOS App Store, adding a new 'Not on This Apple TV' option to the Purchased section, making it easier to spot apps that users previously purchased on their iPhone and iPad which have since been updated to support the fourth-generation Apple TV.

As mentioned, the new option should appear on users' fourth-generation Apple TV boxes without requiring a software update.

Vevo’s beautiful new Apple TV app brings 150,000 HD music videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 11, 2016

Vevo today began shipping a refreshed Apple TV app. Redesigned from top to bottom, it provides access to more than 150,000 music videos in high-definition and exclusive original programming. The revamped software upgrades the experience for users over the old app in many respects.

According to CEO Erik Huggers, Vevo wants to become the MTV for the digital age. “We continue to invest in what we believe is the premium platform for music videos and related original content,” he said in a media release.