8 ms·

Apple is putting iTunes on Samsung TVs

44 points by bkmn 8y ago

mephitix 8y ago
I hope they allow playback of 4K content... right now they only do that for Apple TV. I purchased a bunch of movies from iTunes and was excited when they announced they’d upgrade it all to 4K for free (until they said it could only be played on Apple TV)
- intopieces 8y ago
  Hm. What device were you looking to play back 4K content, if not a TV? Wouldn’t the viewing distance for a computer monitor need to be quite close to make it discernible?
  - mephitix 8y ago
    I want to be able to play back the iTunes movies I bought on my 4K TV without having to buy an Apple TV device. We just recently got a 4K OLED and the difference between that and my old HD plasma (especially with HDR features) is huge.
petepete 8y ago
Samsung also add advertising to their Smart TV UI. I'd recommend avoiding at all costs. I wrote a guide on blocking them via DNS here, these days it's probably easier just to get a Pi-Hole. https://gist.github.com/peteryates/b44b70d19ccd52f62d66cdd4bcef1e52 https://gist.github.com/peteryates/b44b70d19ccd52f62d66cdd4b...
- kuhhk 8y ago
  I just never connected my TV to the internet. There’s plenty of other ways to make your tv “smart”... but you’re right, a PiHole would be useful to block the ads on those streaming devices too
  - petepete 8y ago
    The Prime, YouTube and iPlayer apps work just as well on the TV as the Chromecast (the TV just appears in the cast to list) and overall does a very good job. I just dislike the ads from Samsung. They weren't there for the first six months after I bought the TV and were released in a firmware 'upgrade' without warning. Shitty behaviour at best. I'm no longer going to buy anything Samsung and ever time a Samsung TV related post is made here or on Reddit, I'll post my link.
lambada 8y ago
Is this a sign that Apple might be preparing to kill the Apple TV box? Perhaps they see the future as being native smart apps inbuilt into the TV.
- heavymark 8y ago
  Can't see how that would work. As that would be like Apple putting Apple Music on Android and killing the iPhone. The samsung method will be a degraded experience but one they are willing to allow to increase growth. Like when they allowed iTunes on PC finally even though they knew it wouldn't be as good of an experience but was there only way to continue to grow. I think it's a great move on their part if they have a chance with competing with Netflix.
  - lambada 8y ago
    Apple Music is already on Android, and has been for a while https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.android.music&hl=en_GB https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.andr...
    - e1ven 8y ago
      I think that was his point- Apple Music on Android doesn't mean Apple is discontinuing the iPhone, and similarly, putting Apple Movies on the Samsung TV doesn't mean they are discontinuing the AppleTV
- tareqak 8y ago
  I see it is as a sign of them giving up on making their own TV (I thought it might have been a rumour, but I might be wrong). What I find more interesting though is the timing: a deal like this would probably have been in the works for months in advance of the Tim Cook investor update earlier in the week. Apple would have also had to make the software for this version of iTunes too. What chipsets do these Samsung TVs have? Is it similar to one for an Android phone? Could iTunes/Apple Music show up on Android next?
  - 8y ago
plolio 8y ago
Are people still using iTunes?
- heavymark 8y ago
  By iTunes I believe they are referring to the ability to watch movies from the Apple iTunes Store which is available on Mac, iPhones, iPods, and AppleTvs. Not referring to the iTunes Mac/Windows software, though yes, still very popular.
- tareqak 8y ago
  I am. I bought a bunch of music on it before Spotify was around, and I still have an “ownership” mindset with respect to content that I think I really like. I still have buyer’s remorse on certain albums and tracks, but that’s just the nature of things for me.
  - soylentcola 8y ago
    Not trying to be snarky, but why would you have to use iTunes to play music you own? Can't you just play it on whatever device with whatever software you choose? If your player of choice is iTunes then sure, go for it! But I read your comment as a choice between iTunes or Spotify/other streaming. I also have loads of music purchased from various online stores and (even more) ripped from the many, many CDs I bought over the years. I don't subscribe to Spotify and listen to my purchased music as much as anything else. I still haven't touched iTunes in years.
    - tareqak 8y ago
      Sorry, I should have been more clear. I bought the music using iTunes as well. I also bought many tracks and albums using Beatport. I only really started using iTunes after I got an iPhone because it is easier to sync music to the iPhone using iTunes.
- huhtenberg 8y ago
  Are there people who allow their TVs connect to the Internet?
cityzen 8y ago
Considering I can hardly run iTunes on a new iMac, I can't wait to watch my Samsung "smart" tv burst into flames trying to open it.
joncrane 8y ago
Funny, the headline I read earlier said "Samsung Smart TVs will add iTunes...." Simply switching the subject of the sentence makes a huge difference in how the story is interpreted.
0x0 8y ago
Hopefully this means there's a chance airplay2 support can make it into shairplay/shairport or Kodi as well sometime soon then.
innagadadavida 8y ago
This is very much related to Netflix pulling out of the iTunes store pay option. Looks like there is a war brewing between Netflix, Apple, YouTube, Amazon to become King of media. I predict when Netflix announces syndication of their content, they are admitting to have lost to the giants.
kingosticks 8y ago
Wasn't it Samsung that removed the 3.5mm headphone port from their latest TVs? That's spooky.
wkearney99 8y ago
Wait, shitty software from apple instead of the shitty software that's already on the Samsung TVs? No thanks.
headShrinker 8y ago
Samsung software is really bad. Their screens are really good. This move will deplete Apple's cachet further. We've seen this Apple before, in the 90s. The problem with Apple isn't the removal of the 50 year old 1/8 inch headphone jack, of which the cords have ripped the buds off my ears more than 100 times. The future is cordless and there are cordless headphones that work great for 20 or more hours per charge. Removing the headphone jack was a strong product decision, likely made by some of the leaders in product design and technology, the world around. The problem lies in a company that can't make a strong big corporate direction decision. Apple clearly attempting to shift to services because they can't come up with a new killer device. Services are safe, and safety kills good hardware companies. Their most important software, iTunes and iPhone iPod app has become nearly unusable due to the strong sales funnel aimed at Apple Music. Which I don't use but is trogan-horse-adware that causes popups everyday on my iPhone. Apple Presents confusing product lines highlighting numerous similar items weakens the entire line. Selling high-quality products and at the same time filling those devices with popup sales for services is indicative of a company that can't commit. These are clear signs of an Apple devolving to a state similar to where Steve Jobs found Apple Inc in 1997, which is scary.
- scarface74 8y ago
  Everyone acts as if it’s possible to come up with an electronic product in a category that’s more massive than the mobile phone. 5 years before the iPhone was introduced, it was clear that the world was getting to a point that almost everyone would have a phone. Since the iPhone was introduced, no one has come up with a product larger than the smart phone.
  - headShrinker 8y ago
    Hopefully it isn't just about cellphones, though that was a big one. There are tons of sectors waiting to be disrupted and markets yet to be created. No one knew they wanted an iMac, iPod, or an iPad. Apple created those markets. meanwhile after Jobs, the Apple Watch isn't doing that well. iPod sold more units in one year than the entire history of Apple Watch. The home pod is a wash. Beyond that, there are no Apple hardware success stories. I think that's because Jobs took huge risks, had huge vision and put huge pressure on staff and the tech and media industries. No one is doing that anymore. except Elon Musk
ninedays 8y ago
You know something is wrong when Apple gives up control of their experience to Samsung even if it is only a part of it.
256TiB 8y ago
So, then I would have to enter my Apple ID into an app on a platform Apple does not control? While Smart TV's are far from hardened devices? While that Apple ID is central and crucial to the security of my Apple devices and services? I think not.

44 points by bkmn 8y ago

I hope they allow playback of 4K content... right now they only do that for Apple TV. I purchased a bunch of movies from iTunes and was excited when they announced they’d upgrade it all to 4K for free (until they said it could only be played on Apple TV)

intopieces 8y ago
Hm. What device were you looking to play back 4K content, if not a TV? Wouldn’t the viewing distance for a computer monitor need to be quite close to make it discernible?
- mephitix 8y ago
  I want to be able to play back the iTunes movies I bought on my 4K TV without having to buy an Apple TV device. We just recently got a 4K OLED and the difference between that and my old HD plasma (especially with HDR features) is huge.

petepete 8y ago

Samsung also add advertising to their Smart TV UI. I'd recommend avoiding at all costs. I wrote a guide on blocking them via DNS here, these days it's probably easier just to get a Pi-Hole. https://gist.github.com/peteryates/b44b70d19ccd52f62d66cdd4bcef1e52 https://gist.github.com/peteryates/b44b70d19ccd52f62d66cdd4b...

kuhhk 8y ago
I just never connected my TV to the internet. There’s plenty of other ways to make your tv “smart”... but you’re right, a PiHole would be useful to block the ads on those streaming devices too
- petepete 8y ago
  The Prime, YouTube and iPlayer apps work just as well on the TV as the Chromecast (the TV just appears in the cast to list) and overall does a very good job. I just dislike the ads from Samsung. They weren't there for the first six months after I bought the TV and were released in a firmware 'upgrade' without warning. Shitty behaviour at best. I'm no longer going to buy anything Samsung and ever time a Samsung TV related post is made here or on Reddit, I'll post my link.

lambada 8y ago

Is this a sign that Apple might be preparing to kill the Apple TV box? Perhaps they see the future as being native smart apps inbuilt into the TV.

heavymark 8y ago
Can't see how that would work. As that would be like Apple putting Apple Music on Android and killing the iPhone. The samsung method will be a degraded experience but one they are willing to allow to increase growth. Like when they allowed iTunes on PC finally even though they knew it wouldn't be as good of an experience but was there only way to continue to grow. I think it's a great move on their part if they have a chance with competing with Netflix.
- lambada 8y ago
  Apple Music is already on Android, and has been for a while https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.android.music&hl=en_GB https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.andr...
  - e1ven 8y ago
    I think that was his point- Apple Music on Android doesn't mean Apple is discontinuing the iPhone, and similarly, putting Apple Movies on the Samsung TV doesn't mean they are discontinuing the AppleTV
tareqak 8y ago
I see it is as a sign of them giving up on making their own TV (I thought it might have been a rumour, but I might be wrong). What I find more interesting though is the timing: a deal like this would probably have been in the works for months in advance of the Tim Cook investor update earlier in the week. Apple would have also had to make the software for this version of iTunes too. What chipsets do these Samsung TVs have? Is it similar to one for an Android phone? Could iTunes/Apple Music show up on Android next?
- 8y ago

plolio 8y ago

Are people still using iTunes?

heavymark 8y ago
By iTunes I believe they are referring to the ability to watch movies from the Apple iTunes Store which is available on Mac, iPhones, iPods, and AppleTvs. Not referring to the iTunes Mac/Windows software, though yes, still very popular.
tareqak 8y ago
I am. I bought a bunch of music on it before Spotify was around, and I still have an “ownership” mindset with respect to content that I think I really like. I still have buyer’s remorse on certain albums and tracks, but that’s just the nature of things for me.
- soylentcola 8y ago
  Not trying to be snarky, but why would you have to use iTunes to play music you own? Can't you just play it on whatever device with whatever software you choose? If your player of choice is iTunes then sure, go for it! But I read your comment as a choice between iTunes or Spotify/other streaming. I also have loads of music purchased from various online stores and (even more) ripped from the many, many CDs I bought over the years. I don't subscribe to Spotify and listen to my purchased music as much as anything else. I still haven't touched iTunes in years.
  - tareqak 8y ago
    Sorry, I should have been more clear. I bought the music using iTunes as well. I also bought many tracks and albums using Beatport. I only really started using iTunes after I got an iPhone because it is easier to sync music to the iPhone using iTunes.
huhtenberg 8y ago
Are there people who allow their TVs connect to the Internet?

cityzen 8y ago

Considering I can hardly run iTunes on a new iMac, I can't wait to watch my Samsung "smart" tv burst into flames trying to open it.

joncrane 8y ago

Funny, the headline I read earlier said "Samsung Smart TVs will add iTunes...." Simply switching the subject of the sentence makes a huge difference in how the story is interpreted.

0x0 8y ago

Hopefully this means there's a chance airplay2 support can make it into shairplay/shairport or Kodi as well sometime soon then.

innagadadavida 8y ago

This is very much related to Netflix pulling out of the iTunes store pay option. Looks like there is a war brewing between Netflix, Apple, YouTube, Amazon to become King of media. I predict when Netflix announces syndication of their content, they are admitting to have lost to the giants.

kingosticks 8y ago

Wasn't it Samsung that removed the 3.5mm headphone port from their latest TVs? That's spooky.

wkearney99 8y ago

Wait, shitty software from apple instead of the shitty software that's already on the Samsung TVs? No thanks.

headShrinker 8y ago

Samsung software is really bad. Their screens are really good. This move will deplete Apple's cachet further. We've seen this Apple before, in the 90s. The problem with Apple isn't the removal of the 50 year old 1/8 inch headphone jack, of which the cords have ripped the buds off my ears more than 100 times. The future is cordless and there are cordless headphones that work great for 20 or more hours per charge. Removing the headphone jack was a strong product decision, likely made by some of the leaders in product design and technology, the world around. The problem lies in a company that can't make a strong big corporate direction decision. Apple clearly attempting to shift to services because they can't come up with a new killer device. Services are safe, and safety kills good hardware companies. Their most important software, iTunes and iPhone iPod app has become nearly unusable due to the strong sales funnel aimed at Apple Music. Which I don't use but is trogan-horse-adware that causes popups everyday on my iPhone. Apple Presents confusing product lines highlighting numerous similar items weakens the entire line. Selling high-quality products and at the same time filling those devices with popup sales for services is indicative of a company that can't commit. These are clear signs of an Apple devolving to a state similar to where Steve Jobs found Apple Inc in 1997, which is scary.

scarface74 8y ago
Everyone acts as if it’s possible to come up with an electronic product in a category that’s more massive than the mobile phone. 5 years before the iPhone was introduced, it was clear that the world was getting to a point that almost everyone would have a phone. Since the iPhone was introduced, no one has come up with a product larger than the smart phone.
- headShrinker 8y ago
  Hopefully it isn't just about cellphones, though that was a big one. There are tons of sectors waiting to be disrupted and markets yet to be created. No one knew they wanted an iMac, iPod, or an iPad. Apple created those markets. meanwhile after Jobs, the Apple Watch isn't doing that well. iPod sold more units in one year than the entire history of Apple Watch. The home pod is a wash. Beyond that, there are no Apple hardware success stories. I think that's because Jobs took huge risks, had huge vision and put huge pressure on staff and the tech and media industries. No one is doing that anymore. except Elon Musk

ninedays 8y ago

You know something is wrong when Apple gives up control of their experience to Samsung even if it is only a part of it.

256TiB 8y ago

So, then I would have to enter my Apple ID into an app on a platform Apple does not control? While Smart TV's are far from hardened devices? While that Apple ID is central and crucial to the security of my Apple devices and services? I think not.