Apple TV hasn't been the winner that Apple was hoping for. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
Remember when we all got excited about Apple TV and how it had the potential to change TV as we know it?
It seems that fewer and fewer people do. New data from eMarketer suggest Apple is currently “at the bottom of the U.S. connected TV market, behind Google Chromecast and Roku, with its share shrinking.”
Single sign-on gets another big supporter. Photo: Apple
HBO Go is now compatible with Apple’s single sign-on feature on Apple TV and in the TV app for iOS 10. The feature, which was added back in December, means users are no longer required to sign into each app using the credentials assigned by their cable provider.
Iovine says Apple Music isn't just about music. Photo: Apple
Jimmy Iovine is hinting that Apple may indeed be looking to follow Amazon and Netflix down the original TV programming route, telling The Hollywood Reporter that the company is “going to do whatever hits popular culture smack on the nose.”
“At Apple Music, what we’re trying to create is an entire cultural, pop cultural experience, and that happens to include audio and video,” Iovine said.
The new Apple TV is about to be unveiled. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
If you’re a decent person (we’ll assume you are since you’re a Cult of Mac reader), you don’t leave your old TV on the sidewalk when it’s outlived its usefulness. The same consideration for your neighbors and the environment should extend to your old Apple TV.
Whether you’re abandoning your old Apple TV to upgrade, replace a busted unit or to give up TV entirely (yeah right), the Cult of Mac buyback program will make sure you get the most money possible. Even better-known companies like Gazelle and Walmart can’t offer as much, and you’ll be making sure your dated or defunct device ends up in the right place.
Apple TV apps can now be 4GB right from the start. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s plan to make the modern TV experience all about apps has just gotten a big boost, with Apple upping the size limit of tvOS apps from 200MB to 4GB.
For those keeping track at home, it’s a whopping 20x the original size limit — and means that Apple TV apps can now be as big as the ones developers can submit for iOS.
Could Apple challenge shows like Netflix's Stranger Things Photo: Netflix
Move over The Crown and Stranger Things! Apple is planning to enter the original TV shows and movies market, according to a new report.
The Wall Street Journal claims Apple has been in talks with “veteran producers” over the past few months about buying the rights to existing shows, and has also told them that it has plans to create its own programming — although those efforts are still in the early stages.
iOS sales are about to hit a major milestone. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s revenues generated from the iOS ecosystem will surpass $1 trillion sometime this year, according to one analyst.
By mid-2017, the company is forecast to have sold a whopping 1.2 billion iPhones, while collective sales of all iOS devices will surpass 1.75 billion units.
Missy and Michelle be puttin' it down in Carpool Karaoke. Photo: CBS Studios
Instead of having a single host, Apple’s upcoming TV show Carpool Karaoke will put someone new in the driver’s seat each episode.
The company also plans to add more interview elements to the show, which was created by Late Late Show host James Corden. The show will pair different musicians and celebrities for each of the first 16 episodes during Season 1.
A new iOS 10 beta is here. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The first big batch of beta updates of 2017 have finally arrived from Apple, bringing developers a slew of bug fixes and performance improvements on the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV.
Apple’s betas come nearly three weeks after the last batch of updates. The new software updates includes the third betas for iOS 10.2.1, macOS 10.12.3, tvOS 10.1.1 and watchOS 3.1.3.
The Smart Cycle comes with games that require peddle power. Photo: Fisher-Price
Many of today’s toddlers are addicted to tablets, which means they like to sit around for hours on end playing games and watching videos. Fisher-Price wants to make this activity a little less sedentary with the Think & Learn Smart Cycle.
Unveiled at CES 2017 in Las Vegas this week, it’s a stationary bike for kids with a built-in tablet stand that lets them cram in some much-needed exercise while their little minds remain focused on other things.
Affordable first drones and our favorite gadgets on The CultCast! Photo: 3DR
This week on The CultCast: It’s our epic final episode of 2016! We’ll wrap up the year with our hands-on review of the hotness themselves, Apple’s AirPods. Then … is Apple’s “Golden Era” drawing to a close? We discuss. And finally, ya’ll know we review a lot of products during the year — we’ll reveal our absolute favorite gadgets of 2016!
Apple's 2016 wasn't exactly inspiring. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
2016 hasn’t been Apple’s best year by a long shot. While the company is still making money hand over fist and has seen its Services division go from strength to strength, Apple also consistently stumbled for the first time in years.
While we remain loyal to the Apple brand, here are our picks for the year’s biggest disappointments.
Handbrake is our favorite video converter. Photo: Michael Steeber/Cult of Mac
Handbrake has been our go-to tool for all types of video conversion how-tos for years and now after 13 years in ‘beta’ the free software is officially ready for its official launch.
You want innovation? Look no further than Apple's advertising. Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple may not have launched its most innovative products in 2016, but when it comes to marketing, Cupertino is still killing it.
By utilizing celebrities, musicians, athletes and everyday iPhone owners, Apple created some of its most memorable ads ever in 2016. Whether they were touting Apple TV with Kobe Bryant, or using the story of an autistic boy to show how technology can change the world, Apple ads entertained us and gave us all the feels.
The popular building and exploration game is finally on tvOS. Photo: Mojang
2016 is certainly ending with a bang for Apple customers. Just days after Nintendo dropped Super Mario Run for iOS, Mojang’s smash hit Minecraft has landed for Apple TV.
Costing $19.99, Minecraft: Apple TV Edition isn’t cheap, but it’s something which is sure to be very popular among the game’s ultra-passionate fanbase.
AirPods aren't the only wireless buds in the game. Photo: TBS
This week on The CultCast: An honest look at Super Mario Run; we review better-sounding AirPods alternatives; the cool new stuff in the iOS and tvOS updates; and we reveal the hands-down best TV shows of 2016!
This episode supported by: Jamf Now, the affordable, cloud-based solution you can rely on to manage the iPads, iPhones and Macs in your workplace. Manage three devices for free at jamf.com/CultCast.
The new Apple TV videos are incredible. Photo: Apple
One of the best things about owning an Apple TV — staring at the hypnotically beautiful screen savers — just got a whole lot better.
Apple published 21 gorgeous new videos today that give Apple TV viewers a bird’s-eye view of fantastic cityscapes in Hong Kong, China, Dubai and other beautiful locales.
Would you buy an Apple console? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple’s product portfolio is crying out for something new. Fans and investors are itching to see where the company will go next, and whether it can revolutionize yet another industry. Should a games console be top of its list?
Some fans may not know this, but Apple has produced a console before. It wasn’t too successful, but Apple is a different company now, and it’s already serving hundreds of millions of avid gamers with its Apple TV and iOS devices. In some ways, a console makes a lot of sense.
But could Apple really topple the PlayStation or Xbox? Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we battle it out over whether Apple should build its own console!
A new iOS beta is here! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Developers received a fresh new batch of beta software from Apple today, just two days after the company launched iOS 10.2 and tvOS 10.1 to the public.
The new first betas for macOS 10.12.3, iOS 10.2.1 and tvOS 10.1.1 all come with a number of bug fixes and performance enhancements, but they likely don’t contain any major new features.
Get your swipe on in front of everyone. Photo: Tinder
Finding the love of your life on Tinder should be a very personal thing. But thanks to the new Tinder app for Apple TV, you can now enjoy the unsolicited opinions of friends and family while you get your swipe on in front of everyone.
Apple TV owners can finally start using the new TV app that Apple unveiled at a keynote in October.
Apple released tvOS 10.1 to the public this morning, giving users their first taste of the grand TV-watching experience Cupertino hopes to create by wrangling all your favorite video content into one app.
Apple just added four new TV providers to its single sign-on feature. Here's how to get set up. Photo: Apple
Apple’s new single sign-on feature can be a serious timesaver. Just sign in to your cable, satellite or internet TV accounts — like Dish, DirecTV, Sling TV, etc. — via your iPhone or Apple TV. Then you’ll be automatically logged in to any app that’s compatible with your service.
No more fumbling around trying to remember your user name and password when you just want to watch some video!
Christmas is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start shopping for your loved ones. If one of them is a hardcore Apple fan, that might be easier than you think.
Apple products aren’t cheap, but there’s something sweet at every price point, from maxed-out Macs that cost an arm and a leg, to the latest iOS devices for someone really special, and awesome accessories that fit into any budget.
In this week’s Friday Night Fight, we’re putting away our pitchforks for one week only and focusing on great gifts for every Apple fan.
You won't find CBS on DirecTV Now. Photo: Buster Hein/Cult of Mac
The biggest hole in DirecTV Now’s lineup may finally get filled by CBS, but it’s going to take awhile.
CBS CEO Les Moonves said today he’s confident his company will be able to make a deal with AT&T’s DirecTV Now service. However, CBS may delay and wait for a better deal.