The reach of the Apple TV app, and by extension the company’s Apple TV Plus streaming service, continues to grow. LG has announced the app is now available for its 2019 smart TV sets.
The app includes access to the iTunes movie store and access to and movies and TV shows that may have already been synced to iTunes or purchased via the store.
As well as Apple’s original shows, the sets are also being upgraded with Apple’s AirPlay 2 casting technology, which will enable iPad and iPhone owners to mirror their displays and send video content to the TV set without the need for a connected Apple TV box.
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It also brings the HomeKit smart home protocol, enabling users to control their television set’s basic functionality via Siri, or the Apple Home app. Compatible TV owners will be able to power their TV on and off, alter the volume, switch inputs and much more.
The company’s 2019 OLED TVs, NanoCell TVs (series SM9X and SM8X) and from next month select UHD TVs (series UM7X and UM6X) can all access the app now. The firm’s 2020 sets will have access to the app out of the box. 2018’s top LG tellies will receive the functionality via a firmware update later this year.
The news comes as Apple continues to push availability of previously in-house services like AirPlay and HomeKit. While iTunes has been available on the PC for the longest time, it was largely an Apple-only platform until last year when Apple began bringing the new app to a wide range of TV manufacturers.
The driving factor, of course, is boosting subscriptions to the Apple TV Plus streaming service as Apple seeks the widest possible audience in the battle with the ubiquitous Netflix. Frontline shows like The Morning Show, See, Servant and Little America are enjoying relative critical praise.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.