Apple TV App Arrives on Android Devices

Apple has announced that its Apple TV app, including its Apple TV+ streaming service and MLS Season Pass, is now available on Android devices. The app will support a range of Android-based devices, including phones, tablets, and even foldables.

Key Features and Changes

The newly released app will offer a broader range of features and functionality than its previous version for Google TV. For example, users will now be able to create an Apple account on their device and pay for the service using Google Play billing. The pricing for Apple TV+ remains the same at $9.99 per month.

Content and Availability

The Apple TV+ service offers a range of top shows, including "Severance," "Slow Horses," "The Morning Show," and "Ted Lasso," among others. The service also includes Apple Original films like "Wolfs" and "The Instigators." MLS Season Pass is available as an optional add-on, with all 30 MLS clubs available starting the weekend of February 22.

New Features and Enhancements

The Android version of the TV app will offer access to commonly used features, such as offline downloads, saved watchlists, and a "continue watching" feature that syncs your watch history across devices. Users will also be able to see when new episodes or TV seasons drop. However, the app does not yet offer native notifications to alert users to updates and new arrivals.

Sports and Live Content

Friday Night Baseball’s live sports broadcast is also available to Android users. MLS Season Pass is available as an optional add-on, with all 30 MLS clubs available starting the weekend of February 22.

Differences Between Android and Apple Versions

One key difference between the Android and Apple versions of the app is that Android users will not have access to the in-app Store, where users can rent and buy movies and shows.

Design and Optimization

The app has been optimized for Android, using Android’s Material Design principles, including adaptive layouts that adjust to different screen sizes like phones, tablets, and foldables.

History and Impact

The app arrives five years after Apple launched Apple TV+ worldwide, its first foray into original streaming content. Apple’s premium streaming service has garnered a reputation for having high-quality content, particularly in categories like drama and sci-fi. It has also received critical acclaim, including winning an Academy Award for Best Picture with its 2022 win for "CODA" and earning nominations for 2024 Emmys in all major categories.

Availability

The Apple TV app for Android is rolling out to Google Play users starting Wednesday.