Malcolm Owen
The Fox Now app is now no longer supported by the third-generation Apple TV, with the streaming app now only accessible on the fourth-generation Apple TV and newer models.
In May, Fox said it was dropping support for the Fox Now app on the third-generation Apple TV from June 17. It appears that Fox has followed through with its announced change.
First reported on Saturday by Appleosophy, the Fox Now app is no longer accessible on the third-generation Apple TV. It also appears that previously-installed versions of the app are removed from view on the set-top box.
While the app is no longer usable on the third-generation Apple TV, those using the fourth-generation model and later with tvOS can download and install the app onto their set-top boxes for viewing.
It is still possible to watch content from the Fox Now app on the third-generation Apple TV, albeit indirectly. To do so, users will have to use the app on their iPhone or iPad and use AirPlay to stream it to the Apple TV.
The removal of support follows after other apps performing the same move. Earlier in 2021, the third-generation version lost support for the MLB app, CBS All Access, and YouTube.
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William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
5 Comments
So who’s guilty of ‘planned obsolescence’ in this case? Gen 3 Apple TV owners are complaining about a lot of stuff these days with app developers abandoning the olde box.
We are certainly seeing new forms of obsolescence these days. Apps that are tied to contemporary content or logic, like YouTube and TurboTax, can implicitly drop support for older hardware platforms when the app developers decides to start using system features, APIs, etc., that are not supported on older hardware. There’s not much you can do about it either, not when the app itself has little or no value without access to contemporary content and/or business logic. There’s no way to completely avoid obsolescence. Either you learn to live with a diminished elderly product or you crack open the wallet and start the cycle over again. I had to decommission my 3rd Gen Apple TV earlier this year and my 2011 i7 MacBook Air is in hospice care until I can acquire the new M1 iMac I’ve earmarked as its replacement. The hardware never failed me, but the required software dried up.
Pla
nned, or couldn’t be bothered updating the app anymore as so few people are using an ATV3 still ( I admit I still do, but I suspect it is unusual)?