Apple has added several new channels and cable internet services onto the new Apple TV universal search and Siri search today, following the addition of Fox and National Geographic earlier in the month. Today’s enhancements brings Watch ABC, Disney Channel, Disney Jr and Disney X.D into the mix allowing users to quickly search across these services in the Apple TV UI. As shown in the screenshot, Modern Family now lists ABC as a viewing option alongside Netflix, iTunes and Hulu. Selecting Watch ABC takes the user directly to the app with the show ready to watch.
Unfortunately, international Apple TV users continue to be left in the dark regarding ‘universal’ search. Outside of the US, a handful of countries get iTunes + Netflix integration in search results … the remainder only get iTunes.
Apple has been expanding the supported services list since the Apple TV’s launch in October. As well as the channel providers listed above, Apple has added Fox, National Geographic, FX Now, PBS and PBS Kids to the United States’ universal search in 2016.
The complete channel list is now up to 15 sources in total: iTunes, HBO GO, HBO NOW, Hulu, Netflix, PBS, PBS Kids, Showtime, Showtime Anytime, FOX Now, FX NOW, Nat Geo TV, Disney Channel, Disney X.D, Disney Jr and Watch ABC.
Although this is marketed primarily as an Apple TV feature, it is not wholly exclusive to the platform. iPhone users can use Siri on their phones to also see these universal search providers in action, when contextually appropriate.
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Also, supposedly they were going to open up the API? Allow apps into universal search that are not hand picked by Apple? If I could use Siri to find stuff in the Plex app that would be amazing.
“Open” is a relative term when its Apple. Like most everything in the App Store it has to be vetted by Apple first, which is just fine by me. I’d prefer the API be properly tested so as not to crash the system or break something else.
Depressing to see the new Apple TV is nearly as US centric as its predecessor.
It’s early days perhaps, but this product already smells like it’s going off to me. Few new apps of note (none really), no buzz around it, no 4K, underpowered hardware, crippled gaming due to the idiotic Siri controller, no Amazon, and a total lack of international Siri support. I was hoping things would be different this time.
Mine is now just for playing iTunes movie purchases on. For all my other streaming needs I use my PS4, which is bizarrely a vastly superior streaming box. It also lacks voice search, but is has something far more important – apps, including all the important ones. Plus the apps are far, far higher quality than their Apple TV equivalents (if there is an ATV version, which there usually isn’t). Compare iPlayer or Now TV between the two devices, – the difference is night and day. Even Netflix is better on the PS4.
I’m assuming that these services still require a cable / satellite subscription?
That said, would love if 9to5 and other sites would start tracking these “channels” separately: those that require cable subscriptions and those that don’t.