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Apple TV gains Siri + universal search for Fox Now, FXNow, and Nat Geo content

Screen Shot 2016-02-04 at 4.54.46 PM

When Apple initially announced the fourth-generation Apple TV, the company made a point to focus on a new feature called universal search. This capability allows users to perform a single search using Siri or the Search app and see content across multiple channels. Until today, the feature was limited to Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, PBS, PBS Kids, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, HBO Go and HBO Now, but now, three new apps have gained support for universal search: Nat Geo TV, Fox Now, and FXNow.

With support for universal search having been added to these apps, their content will now appear in search results done using the Siri or Search app interfaces. For instance, if you say “Siri, show me The Simpsons,” Fox Now and FXNow are now listed as options, in addition to Hulu and iTunes. The same goes for saying, “Siri, show me Grandfathered.” Likewise, asking Siri to show you Drugs Inc. will take you to a results page with Hulu, iTunes, and Nat Geo TV listed as sources.

Apple has a webpage dedicated to listing all of the apps that support universal search, but it has yet to be updated to list the additions of Nat Geo, Fox Now, and FXNow. Last October, Tim Cook noted that Apple is working to expand support for universal search beyond its initial key partners to integrate universal search into their respective services.

You can try out universal search on Apple TV by either pressing the Siri button on the Siri Remote or by using the dedicated Search app in tvOS. As time progresses, we should expect to see the feature rollout to even more apps and providers.

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Comments

  1. “Hey Siri, what’s on the Koch Channel?”

  2. vtcajones - 8 years ago

    Pretty cool, now if they would only update Siri to search shared library content my life would be complete.

    • Robert Wilson - 8 years ago

      Yep never understood why this not already there. Also been a gripe on the phone and iPad that Siri dosnt see the home share on them either.

  3. applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

    I’m gonna wait 5 years before I get a new Apple TV. I’ve tested Siri on the latest Apple TV and it’s extremely limited. And to me, Siri support on the newest Apple TV is the only reason to get it, that is why I will just wait for it to evolve.

  4. I would love in app Siri support so you can do searches in specific apps, such as when you have Netflix open, you can say “Show me Orange Is The New Black” or something, and it will bring you to the title screen within the App.

    • Max - 8 years ago

      Not necessarily Siri support, but just voice dictation would do the job for me, in any app, instead of having to type through search screens.

  5. PMZanetti - 8 years ago

    Please Please Please Let Plex get Siri support. Not just these “official partners” that are buying their way into features.

  6. Apple TV4 is taking exactly the same direction as most of Apple’s products and services. All this is fine and possibly great news if you live in America. I get the sense that Apple’s efforts in securing better a user experience in any other countries (like here in the UK) is way down the list of priorities.

    I’ve paid an equivalent amount of money for the Apple TV to my American counterparts. Why have I got a weaker service? Massively limited Siri use, no equivalent deals negotiated with any of the British Broadcasters for Sports coverage etc. I dunno. Just makes you feel like Apple is only bothered about it’s home customers.

    I hoped the rate of improvement in Apple TV4 would be fast-paced. Doesn’t seem to be here in the UK…

  7. Paul Van Obberghen - 8 years ago

    Dis Siri! Quand seras-tu disponible en Français sur l’Apple TV 4? Merci d’avance.

  8. kingsleyzissou04 - 8 years ago

    Does Siri search local content stored on your iTunes through homesharing? No, no she does not. She is utterly worthless to me until that feature is added. I think it’s pathetic that they are adding third channel party partners before they even support their own apps.

    • Jonny - 8 years ago

      Out of curiousity, do you think there are more users using the Home Sharing feature or the third party channels (Netflix, HBO Now, Youtube, etc)? As much as people on these blogs (myself included) probably use Home Sharing way more than the third party streaming services, I bet the usage numbers show a very heavy bias towards the apps vs Home Sharing… of course they’re adding this stuff for those apps first.

  9. Kristin Maling - 8 years ago

    I just wish we had Siri support for searching local content. Everyone I know who owns an ATV (first generation through current) relies on Home Sharing local content just as much as they do Hulu and Netflix. I don’t think it’d be all that difficult to implement, as long as people had their local content tagged correctly. But, I don’t think it’s a “technical roadblock” that’s stopping Apple from rolling this out… ;)

  10. Pete M. (@petem222) - 8 years ago

    Does this mean I can request a Simpsons episode with Siri now? “Show me the one where Homer gets drunk and neglects his family”

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is an editor for the entire 9to5 network and covers the latest Apple news for 9to5Mac.

Tips, questions, typos to chance@9to5mac.com