Android users eager for a better way to stream Apple TV Plus content on their devices have reason to celebrate. A recent job listing on Apple’s career site, spotted by Bloomberg, hints at the tech giant’s plans to launch an Apple TV app for Android.
The listing seeks a senior Android software engineer to join the Apple TV app team. The role involves developing new features and enhancing the application, which is already used by millions to watch and discover TV shows and sports. This marks a significant step for Apple, which has yet to officially announce an Android version of its Apple TV app. Historically speaking, Apple has been extremely choosy in bringing its apps to rival platforms.
Currently, the absence of an Apple TV app on Android devices limits users to accessing Apple TV Plus—iPhone maker’s answer to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video—via the web at tv.apple.com. Although the Apple TV app is available on Android TV and Google TV, it lacks in-app purchasing capabilities, requiring users to log in with their Apple ID to view purchased, rented, or subscribed content.
The delayed introduction of an Apple TV app for Android has puzzled many. While Apple has kept its proprietary features such as iMessage and FaceTime exclusive to its ecosystem, extending Apple TV Plus to Android devices would tap into a broader market and potentially increase subscription revenue. Apple Music, too, was a long time coming. A stand-alone Apple Music Classical app was recently added to the catalogue.
Speculation is rife that more details might be revealed during the upcoming WWDC 2024. The event, commencing with a keynote address on June 10 at 10 am PDT (10:30 pm in India), could provide the perfect platform for Apple to unveil its plans for expanding the Apple TV app to Android users.
The move, when confirmed, will mark a strategic expansion for Apple’s streaming service, potentially boosting its competitive edge in the increasingly crowded digital entertainment landscape. Slowly and gradually, Apple has been ramping up on shows—originals—with new additions like Sugar and Monarch Legacy of Legends while at the same time shows like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show have come to home a cult status. Moreover, a push into live sports recently gave Apple more firepower to compete with legacy brands like Netflix and Disney. Apple TV app for Android could expand reach further and make the service accessible to more people increasing Apple’s services business, which has been the rare “green”
spot amid dwindling iPhone sales.
