Apple has abruptly removed the option to rent or buy movies through its Apple TV app on Android TV devices. This also affects devices running Google TV, such as the 2020 Chromecast and recent TVs from Sony, TCL and others. As noted by FlatPanelsHD and 9to5Mac, the previous ability to rent or buy content directly has been removed. Apple TV Plus subscriptions on the device are also no longer allowed, The Verge found.
Instead, there’s now a “how to watch” button that directs people to Apple products “or other streaming devices” for rentals, purchases, and Apple TV Plus subscriptions. The changes haven’t been reflected on Apple’s Android TV support page, which still lists direct transactions as support. Users of the Nvidia Shield first started noticing rental and purchase losses a few days ago.
The top navigation panel of the app has removed the previous “Movies” and “TV Shows” sections (or in some cases the “Store”), leaving only Watch Now, Apple TV Plus and Library. All the same movie and TV show listings are still there and searchable. But on any title you pull up, the only options right now are the “How to watch” button and “Add to next.”
The Apple TV app first started coming to select Android TV devices in late 2020 and became widely available on the platform last June. Less than a year later, Apple is now rolling back direct rentals, purchases and subscriptions — letting the app serve as a gateway to content you pay for elsewhere. On its website, Apple says: Not all devices support on-device transactions, so you may not be able to buy, rent, or subscribe to shows or channels directly.
Using the Android TV app, you can still access your existing library and any movies and shows purchased/rented on another device. That’s a good thing, as Apple often offers higher bitrate streams than some competing entertainment services.
The Verge has reached out to Apple and Google for comment on the situation. It is suspected that this may be a case where Apple no longer wants to give Google a cut from these individual in-app purchases. Platform fees are a point of contention that Apple itself is all too familiar with. For similar reasons, the Apple TV app on Amazon’s Fire TV platform has never allowed movie rentals or purchases. What annoys people about this situation is that Apple, which originally offered all of these features, seems to have changed its mind.
After this change, you’ll still have the option to rent or buy from the Apple TV app on Roku devices, Samsung and LG smart TVs, Xbox and PlayStation game consoles, and, of course, Apple’s own products.
Further reading:165W fast charge has appeared, Apple has not upgraded, there are practical reasons other than safety considerations▼▼▼
Further reading:Wrong use habits consume the battery life of the mobile phone, while playing and charging, 4 tricks to teach you proper maintenance▼▼▼
[ThisarticlewasZhongguancun Online“Reprinted with permission. 】