Android phones got an official Apple TV+ app on Wednesday. This makes it easier for people around the world to watch Severance, Silo and other popular series on the streaming service.
There are already versions of the application for Roku, Google TV and more.
Apple TV+ app arrives on Android phones
Apple TV+ has had a string of hit series — and that goes beyond the huge success of Ted Lasso. Presumed Innocent and Dark Matter were both very popular last year, for example. And while the streaming service pulls in plenty of money, it accounts for only 7% of the U.S. streaming market.
Clearly, there’s room for growth. Android users are an obvious potential audience, especially considering all the people for whom a handset is their primary TV. While it was possible to watch Apple TV+ on Androids in a web browser, there was no official app for handsets or tablets running Google’s OS.
That finally changed on Wednesday. An app that gives Android phones, tablets and foldables access to the Apple TV+ streaming video service can now be downloaded.
“Available around the world, the Apple TV app for Android was built from the ground up to deliver Android users a familiar and intuitive interface,” said the iPhone-maker. In addition to streaming video over Wi-Fi and cellular connections, the Android app includes the ability to download episodes and films to watch offline.
The obvious intention is to get more people paying $9.99 per month for an TV+ subscription. Or pay $99 to watch a season of soccer with an MLS Season Pass.
Great TV for all
While this is a significant development for Android users who want access to Apple’s popular TV series, it’s not really a change in strategy. Apple TV+ can be watched on iPhone, Mac and iPad, of course, but it’s never been reserved for those. There are already versions of the necessary software for a wide variety of smart TVs and streaming sticks. That even includes Android TV and Google TV. And before today, Android phone and tablet users could watch the streaming service by going to tv.apple.com.
But an application for Android had been lacking. Not any more, though.
Still, it’s hardly “Like ice water in hell,” which is how Apple co-founder Steve Jobs described porting iTunes to Windows.
Via: Apple
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
