AppleInsider Staff
A report claims that Sony began to roll out a software update containing the Apple TV app to a handful of smart television sets, enabling access to the upcoming Apple TV+ service — but Sony denies that this is the case.
Sony TV owners are reporting the company's latest firmware update delivers the Apple TV app to select models released in 2019, according to 9to5Mac. The capability appears to be rolling out in waves, as the software is not yet available to users in certain regions.
Compatibility is also unknown, though Sony is presumably seeding Apple's app to models that support AirPlay 2. Specifically, the company's A9G, Z9G, X850G and X950G series gained AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features this summer.
Apple announced third-party hardware availability for the new Apple TV app at a special event in March, enabling owners of smart TVs the ability to access the service without an Apple TV streaming device. Samsung was first to integrate Apple's streaming app in May, followed by LG and Vizio in July.
Apple TV hardware competitors Roku and Amazon also integrated Apple's streaming media hub software in respective updates earlier this month. Select Roku boxes received the Apple TV app in an update on Oct. 15, while Amazon issued similar software updates to current-generation Fire TV Stick streamers last week.
The arrival of Apple TV on Sony TVs comes just days ahead of an Apple TV+ launch. Apple's first foray into original content debuts on Friday with a slate of about ten shows, series and specials for $4.99 a month.
AppleInsider reviewed five hotly anticipated series this week, including "Dickinson," "The Elephant Queen," "For All Mankind," "The Morning Show" and "See."
Update October 30, 3:05 PM Eastern Time A Sony representative has contacted AppleInsider and has said that the television depicted in the original report is not a Sony television, making the original report erroneous.
Malcolm Owen
Oliver Haslam
Andrew O'Hara
Wesley Hilliard
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
5 Comments
So Apple are getting out of the STB hardware market? Unless they produce an advanced ‘gamer’ version, what’s the point in having their own hardware?
They should produce ATV-on-a-stick for TV vendors to integrate.
The internet, weary of Apple Is Doomed clickbait, has switched to AppleTV+ Is Doomed clickbait.
LG added Airplay2, but as far as I know, the Apple TV app is still not available for LG TVs.
That icon is so tiny. I'm betting they accidentally released the app too soon.