The most hotly-anticipated return on Apple TV Plus is here, with Slow Horses season four landing on the small screen this week. 

Apple's immensely popular spy thriller with a twist of dark humor has wowed audiences in its first three seasons, and if season four reviews are anything to go by, Apple has another smash hit on its hands. 

Episode one landed on Wednesday and picked up right where the last season left off, both literally in terms of the plot, but also in terms of the broad strokes of genius that have made the show a success so far. It was an absolutely gripping first hour that I loved, but don't just take my word for it. Slow Horses season four already has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks to a glowing sweep of reviews from critics who've seen the season in full. 

Slow Horses off to a fast start

"If anything, each series improves slightly on the last. Watching it is pure pleasure. There isn’t a wasted scene or a duff piece of dialogue. Every performance is perfectly calibrated..." the Daily Telegraph's Anita Singh said, scoring the show a perfect 5/5. Epoch Times' Michael Clark hailed director Adam Randall for not messing with the formula: "Randall’s biggest achievement here is in not messing about with what came before. As with the directors of the previous seasons, Randall strictly adheres to Smith’s vision of what the latter has described as the 'anti-Bond.'"

Rolling Stone's Alan Sepinwall described the new series as "enormously entertaining." As expected, there's plenty of praise for the show's undisputed star Gary Oldman, who plays beleaguered head of the Slough House division Jackson Lamb. Oldman returns to season four with all of his trademarks, immense wit, a disdain for personal hygiene, and flatulence. 

 Slow Horses season four is another six-episode number, with episodes debuting every Wednesday through October 9 on Apple TV Plus. Undoubtedly, it's the best show on Apple TV Plus. 

Fans of Napoleon, the Ridley Scott movie available to stream on Apple TV Plus, now have more content to enjoy. Apple has announced Napoleon: The Director's Cut, a new version of the movie that includes an extra 48 minutes of footage.

The never-before-seen footage is only available to Apple TV Plus subscribers and includes a new, unreleased Battle of Marengo scene. Viewers will also learn more details about Napoleon's demise including his failed attempt to invade Russia and an attempted assassination attempt.

The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor and received BAFTA Award nominations for Outstanding British Film, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up & Hair, and Best Special Visual Effects.

Ridley Scott doing Ridley Scott things

Ridley Scott of course has a reputation for turning long movies into even longer ones via directors cut releases and it's no surprise that Napoleon has its own directors cut. But its release will no doubt be big news for fans of a movie that Apple describes as "a fresh and personal look at Napoleon’s origins and swift, ruthless climb to emperor, viewed through the prism of his addictive and often volatile relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine, played by Vanessa Kirby."

Alongside the additional content already mentioned, viewers will also enjoy a deeper dive into Josephine's origin story as well as "more extravagant costumes" and "new larger-than-life sets."

Viewers can now take in Napoleon: The Director's Cut via the Apple TV app on just about anything with an internet connection including iPhones, iPads, the Apple Vision Pro, and more.

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In case you hadn't heard, Ted Lasso looks to be coming back for season four. But if you've been missing the AFC Richmond Greyhounds, there could be a major change in the upcoming season: less Ted.

According to Matt Belloni on The Town podcast, the much-anticipated return of the beloved Apple TV+ series is indeed happening, but with a twist. Jason Sudeikis, who played titular character Ted, might not be as front and centre as in the previous seasons. In fact, Belloni hints that the upcoming season could feature a lot less Ted and a lot more of the supporting characters we’ve grown to love.

Sudeikis, who also serves as the show’s co-creator, apparently always envisioned the show with a three-season arc. With that arc now neatly wrapped up in a bundle of life lessons and emotional growth, it seems he’s a bit hesitant to dive back into the character full-time. If Belloni’s sources are to be believed, Sudeikis has given a “reluctant green light” to the new season, which means Ted will still be around, just not as much.

So, what does this mean for the show? Well, it’s likely that the focus will shift to the ensemble cast – the rest of the AFC Richmond team. Belloni even suggests that the writers' room is slowly gathering steam, with options being picked up for other stars. Some other cast members are negotiating to return, such as Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Walton), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins), but with another major exception. Phil Dunster might be dealing with scheduling conflicts, so his presence is still up in the air. 

Is Ted Lasso coming back for season 4?

While we've had previous hints that Season 4 could be on the cards for the ragtag group of Premier League players and staff, the Apple TV Plus show could be set for a return following a more concrete report from Deadline. And Matt Belloni has this insider info from sources close to the show. While it would appear things aren't quite concrete yet, it looks like the new season is going full steam ahead.

Spin-offs have been hinted at, too, continuing the story without Sudeikis, but Deadline suggests he is "on board for a new instalment as the studio would not have proceeded without his consent." Quite what Ted Lasso will look like with less of its titular character remains to be seen.

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If you've been missing the AFC Richmond Greyhounds since Season 3 of Ted Lasso wrapped up last year, then you may be in line for some positive news.

While we've had previous hints that Season 4 could be on the cards for the ragtag group of Premier League players and staff, the Apple TV Plus show could be set for a return following a more concrete report from Deadline.

The outlet reports that cast negotiations are underway for a return to Nelson Road, and that Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca Walton), Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent) and Jeremy Swift (Leslie Higgins) are already signed on.

The big question

Collider previously discussed the potential for a fourth season of Ted Lasso with co-creator Bill Lawrence, and he suggested it would be down to Jason Sudeikis, who stars as Ted himself.

Spin-offs have been hinted at, too, continuing the story without Sudeikis, but Deadline suggests he is "on board for a new instalment as the studio would not have proceeded without his consent."

The show was a huge success in the early days of Apple TV Plus, earning 13 Emmy Awards across its three-season run, as well as individual awards for Sudeikis, Goldstein, and Waddingham.

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Are you fed up with poor VAR offside decisions in the English Premier League taking forever? Well, it looks like the world's most popular soccer division will introduce a fleet of the best iPhones to take charge of offside calls.

According to WIRED, the League is set to introduce a "new semiautomated offside tech later in the 2024–25 season," using a new "smartphone-based system known internally as 'Dragon.'"

The system is made by Genius Sports and its subsidiary Second Spectrum who provide lots of tracking data in the NBA. 'Dragon' will use "dozens of iPhones" capturing "high-frame-rate video from multiple angles." This will completely replace the current Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology which is often slow and sometimes even incorrect.

WIRED claims this is just the beginning and could introduce "new motion-capture and artificial-intelligence models across many other sports."

28 iPhones on the pitch

Genius Sports claims 'Dragon' will use at least 28 iPhone cameras in every Premier League stadium, with some stadiums getting more iPhones depending on the size. The exact model of iPhones expected to be used is unclear but they will be iPhone 14 and newer, so expect to see some iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cameras on the sidelines this season.

WIRED's exclusive report states, "Once the iPhones are positioned around the pitch, together they capture a constant stream of video from multiple angles. Camera mounts can be moved to change coverage zones in certain facilities, per Genius, but will typically be stationary during actual play to ensure proper coverage and avoid recalibration needs on the fly. This wealth of visuals apparently gives Dragon the ability to track between 7,000 and 10,000 points on each player at all times."

'Dragon' captures video at 200 frames per second (fps)with the initial Premier League system capped at 100 fps. That's an insane amount of data points that will hopefully drastically improve offside calls in the Premier League that kicks off its new season on Friday evening with Manchester United vs Fulham at Old Trafford.

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Apple's first three seasons of Slow Horses are some of the highest-rated programs on Rotten Tomatoes, with one even scoring a coveted 100% score. The show has won two BAFTAs from nine nominations. The spy thriller is coming back for a fourth season later this year.

Apple has confirmed that Slow Horses season 4 will premier on Apple TV Plus on September 4. The BAFTA-winning drama, which stars Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden alongside Kristen Scott Thomas, and more will drop its first two episodes on the premiere date, with weekly releases thereafter through October 2. That means we can expect another six-episode season, in line with the previous three.

While Apple previously shared a first look at Slow Horses season 4, we've now had a much better look at what to expect. There's finally an official trailer for the new season, which you can watch here:

What will happen in Slow Horses season 4?

Apple's official synopsis for the new season of Slow Horses doesn't give much away. It reads: "Threat levels are critical, no time for a shower. This quick-witted spy drama follows a dysfunctional team of MI5 agents—and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb—as they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces." Apple previously said season four "opens with a bombing that detonates personal secrets, rocking Slough House's already unstable foundations."

But the trailer gives is a better look. In the trailer, Gary Oldman reprises his role as Jackson Lamb, the leader of the MI5 agents known as 'The Rejects.' MI5 Deputy Director Diana Taverner (Kristin Scott Thomas) once again ropes him in to tackle a case, this time involving a potential terrorist attack on a shopping mall. Meanwhile, the rest of the team grapples with personal dramas, family troubles, and street riots. And if that wasn't enough, the season's new addition, Frank Harkness (Hugo Weaving), is hot on The Rejects' trail.

For anyone that hasn't seen the show before, Slow Horses is an espionage drama that tells the story of misfit British Intelligence agents dumped in an exile office by the name of Slough House. The team is headed up by Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), a weathered and scruffy veteran with a penchant for flatulence and deprecating his team of castoffs.

You'll need an Apple TV Plus subscription to watch Slow Horses. Apple TV Plus is available on all of Apple's best iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the best TVs for Apple TV, as well as the web. 

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Apple TV Plus is the one streaming service my kids skip over on movie night. It’s straight to Netflix or Disney Plus for them. Apple TV Plus might be winning awards for its solid library of original programming, but the service seems to be falling short when it comes to children’s content.

This is rather strange because Apple TV Plus has some real bangers when it comes to adult programming. The Morning Show, Ted Lasso and Severance are some of the best shows out there, and Apple has won hundreds of awards for its original programming in only four short years. Yet, it relies on old Peanuts episodes and a reboot of Fraggle Rock for the kids.

I wanted to find out why. So I set out on a fact-finding mission to understand why Apple struggles with kids’ programming, how the competition excels, and what Apple has planned for the future in this area.

Where are the kids programs?

Apple TV Plus hit the ground running when it first launched in late 2019. Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, and Steven Spielberg all took the stage at Apple’s special event to announce the new service. Several shows had been in production since 2017, so a handful of quality programs were ready to go when Apple TV Plus became available in time for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Morning Show, See, Oprah Winfrey, and For All Mankind were instant hits with the adults. More shows and movies dropped on the service every month, all of them amazing originals.

Today, there are 243 titles on Apple TV Plus, including 33 movies. These have won 499 awards and earned more than 2,200 nominations. Yet of the 210 series on the service, only 59 of them are rated for children. That’s 25% of the total, which seems like a lot, but 16 of these are various iterations of The Peanuts, and two are Fraggle Rock. The actual number of original kids programs is just 40 titles. Only Ghostwriter and Jane have earned a positive reception from audiences. My kids will only watch the new WondLa series, and occasionally Jane.

It gets worse when you look at feature-length movies. Apple has released 33 movies, including box office hits such as Napoleon and Argyle. Yet, there are only three children’s movies, none of which went to cinemas. Wolfwalkers is the only one to earn an award. Anecdotally, my kids only enjoyed Luck.

Apple creates amazing original programs for adults, but relies on a lot of recycled older titles for the kids. There’s a serious scarcity here.

Comparing Apples to oranges

When you look at the competition and you get a different picture. Netflix has a mind- blowing number of titles, 55% of which are originals. That comes out to more than 6,000 Netflix-branded series and movies. 160 are dedicated to kids. That might only be 5% or so of their content, but when you factor in the 500+ non-Netflix kids titles on the platform, there’s enough there to appeal to practically every kid. It’s the go-to platform for families.

Amazon Prime Video is another heavy hitter, with more than 200 kids titles, including 30 original series and movies aimed at children. Hulu may not have a mass of original titles, but their gigantic library from hundreds of studios ensures there’s always something there for the kiddos.

But Disney Plus is the undisputed boss in the family streaming market. 60% of Disney’s 8,000 titles are rated for kids. An enormous chunk of that is original programming. Of course, Disney has a head start over everyone else here, having been in the business of making family movies since the 1930s.

It’s no wonder that my kids go right to Netflix or Disney Plus when they get screen time. Apple TV Plus doesn’t factor into their entertainment choices at all. I’m sure most other kids feel the same.

The future of family programming on Apple TV Plus

Apple TV Plus is facing a pivotal moment. It started with the layoff of eight people involved in making kids content for Apple TV Plus back in January. Then Bloomberg recently dropped the bombshell news that Apple TV Plus was reigning in its spending. Eddy Cue, Apple's services boss, held several high-stakes meetings with studio chiefs and creative partners to cut budgets.

To be fair, Apple TV Plus does have a few children’s titles in the pipeline. Yo Gabba Gabbaland! is set to premier on August 9. My own kids are too old for this popular Nick Jr show, but I’m kind of excited for Apple’s adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. There’s no release date for this one, but I loved this book as a kid. Apple is also releasing yet another Snoopy title.

The newest release was Time Bandits, starring Lisa Kudrow. It’s made for older kids, which is great. My son can only watch so much Harry Potter. But that’s it.

“The award-winning slate of original series and films for kids and families on Apple TV Plus includes the celebrated live-action animated hybrid special, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Apple said in a press release. “The Academy Award and BAFTA Award-winning animated short film “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”; star- studded animated adventure film “Luck” from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation; and BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated animated film “Wolfwalkers.”

I’m not convinced my kids will be interested in any of these shows. 

There’s a gap in Apple’s programming

It’s undeniable that Apple TV Plus excels in producing high-quality content. So where are all the amazing children’s shows? The service has a limited selection of great kids’ content and seems to rely on older franchises like Peanuts and Fraggle Rock to fill the gap. That doesn’t work when the Netflix and Disney Plus apps are there on my Apple TV box.

Apple needs to invest in creating engaging children’s content. It knows how to make good programs. Of course, with layoffs and talk of budget cuts, I’m not holding my breath. I think my kids will continue bypassing Apple TV Plus and going right to Netflix for the foreseeable future.

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The cinema will always hold a special place in the hearts of movie lovers. It’s the place you go to zone out from the world around you, the place you had your first date, the place you watch the biggest film releases with other fans, and it’s the place you visit to see the best Apple Original movies on offer.

Well, that could all be about to change. A new report from movie journalist Jeff Sneider, says Apple could be done with movie releases for good, opting for straight-to-streaming like its biggest competitors. A source reached out to Sneider stating, “Apple is done with wide theatrical releases for all of its movies.” And if accurate, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

Wolfs, one of Apple TV Plus’ biggest releases of the year starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney was set to release in theaters on September 20 but will now have a smaller limited release before arriving on the streaming service the week later. Why would Apple want fewer people watching its major release on the silver screen?

No more Apple at the cinema?

The source says there’s one exception to this rule, F1 starring Brad Pitt. This huge release about the world of Formula One racing releases next summer and will be distributed by Warner Bros — after that, Apple will be done for good with the cinema.

The source added, “Apple’s all about good PR, and they don’t need the bad PR from all these movies not doing well, is how the individual explained it to me, though they noted that the decision wasn’t a reflection on Wolfs, which was “actually pretty good, [and] would’ve done fine.”

So it looks like the best movies on Apple TV Plus could release directly on the streaming platform after summer 2025. While that’s a very exciting prospect for subscribers, it’s not good news for the cinema. Equally, it’s worth noting that Apple’s decision to stop releasing films at the pictures is because ticket sales have been far from a success — so are cinemas really missing out?

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Are you impatiently waiting for the return of AFC Richmond? Unfortunately, you won’t be seeing everyone’s favorite London-based soccer team in the Premier League this season but there’s still hope for a Ted Lasso season 4 appearance on Apple TV Plus.

Speaking to the entertainment outlet Collider, the show’s co-creator Bill Lawrence said all future projects related to the Ted Lasso character are on hold until Jason Sudeikis wants to get involved again.

Lawrence said, “Whatever Jason feels like doing and whatever his decision is, we’re all down with it…Not only is he the star, he’s the head writer, and he’s also the dude whose life just has to be completely overhauled and moved to a foreign country with young children. It’s a big deal. So, as a fan, if someone’s like, ‘Oh, it’s gonna happen again,’ I’ll go nuts. As a partner, I’m down for whatever he wants to do.”

So it sounds like Ted Lasso’s co-creator is on board, now fans just need to wait for the man himself to give the green light and get back on the field.

Ted Lasso season 4?

Ted Lasso is one of the best shows on Apple TV Plus. It ended in 2023 after an emotionally charged season 3 finale. The show follows Lasso as he makes the jump from College football in the U.S. to soccer in England, navigating a new sport, new teammates, and his personal life all at the same time.

The show received huge accolades including 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and a record-breaking 61 nominations. Ted Lasso is one of, if not the, biggest success of Apple’s streaming endeavors so far — another season could be the best trick up Apple’s metaphorical sleeve. 

Apple TV Plus continues to push its excellent sporting content including the return of Friday Night Baseball next month, but for all the Ted Lasso fans nothing will quite scratch the itch until Ted and Coach Beard reunite once more.

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Wolfs starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney is already gearing up for a sequel as Apple gambles on the movie’s success before it even hits the silver screen.

The action comedy directed by Jon Watts, known for his work on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy, is set to release in theaters on September 20 and hit Apple TV Plus the following week. The film, which gets its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, tells the story of a “professional fixer (Clooney) hired to cover up a high-profile crime. But when a second fixer (Pitt) shows up and the two ‘lone wolves’ are forced to work together, they find their night spiraling out of control in ways that neither one of them expected.”

According to a new report from Patently Apple, Apple has already reached out to Jon Watts to write a sequel. While there are no reviews of the upcoming Apple Original Film yet, the star-studded cast hints at another huge success for Apple’s streaming service.

Wolfs looks to follow in the same footsteps as some of the best movies on Apple TV Plus like Killers of the Flower Moon, Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated epic, and Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix.

The best deal in streaming

Apple TV Plus is available for $9.99/month and has a whole host of content outside of the world of cinema. Some of the best Apple TV Plus shows include Ted Lasso and Severance, and sports fans can also access Friday Night Baseball throughout the MLB regular season for free.

Apple’s track record with major motion pictures is incredibly strong with Apple TV Plus becoming the first streaming service to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards thanks to CODA, the 2021 drama about a young girl following her passion for music as the only hearing member of her family. With Wolfs and a potential sequel adding to its ranks, Apple TV Plus continues to be the best value option in the world of streaming services.

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When you're shopping in the world of streaming devices the Apple TV 4K is very much at the top of the pile. It's the best Apple TV device that Apple has ever made, with a fast Apple-designed A15 Bionic chip as well as support for 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content. There's Dolby Atmos support for high-spec audio fans, while you'll also get the upgraded Siri Remote with actual buttons rather than the terrible touch-sensitive panel of older versions. But it might have some new competition from Google.

The device is sleek, coming in porcelain and hazel colours – quite the upgrade. The reason for ditching the dongle design? There's a Thread border router and support for Matter smart home gadgets crammed inside. Under the hood, there's a chipset with 22% more processing power and twice the RAM compared to the Chromecast with Google TV, promising a smoother experience when navigating the Google TV UI. Despite this boost, Apple TV 4K still holds the crown for gaming performance.

Around the back, you'll find HDMI 2.1a, gigabit Ethernet for those who despise buffering, and USB-C power delivery. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1 may seem a tad outdated, but they’ll handle Chromecast streaming.

The Streamer also comes with Google's new Gemini AI, which provides show summaries and user reviews to save you from the agony of binge-watching a terrible series. The generative ambient mode screensavers give you an extra option, when the screen fades off. Google's remote has had a revamp, too. Volume buttons have moved to the front – no more fumbling around the sides – and there's a customisable button that defaults to launching the Google Home panel. For those prone to losing the remote, a button on the back of the streamer makes it beep until found.

The Google TV Streamer will hit the shelves in the US on 24 September for $100. No word on global availability just yet. But how does it compare to the Apple TV 4K?

Google TV Streamer vs Apple TV 4K

Google’s offering is a cool $100, while Apple TV 4K comes in at $179. If your wallet’s feeling a bit light, Google has the upper hand here. Both devices support 4K HDR content, both with Dolby Vision support.

In terms of design, both devices are sleek, but Google’s porcelain and hazel colours might have the edge if you’re looking for something that blends seamlessly with your decor. When it comes to processing power, Google’s new chipset boasts 22% more power than the old Chromecast with Google TV, but Apple TV 4K’s A12 Bionic chip is still the champ, especially for gaming.

Connectivity-wise, Google TV Streamer includes HDMI 2.1a and gigabit Ethernet, while Apple TV 4K also sports HDMI 2.1 but goes one better with Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth 5.1 on Google’s box might feel a bit archaic compared to Apple’s Bluetooth 5.0, but it gets the job done.

Smart home integration is where Google TV Streamer shines, with a Thread border router and Matter support. Apple TV 4K has HomeKit and can act as a Matter hub, but Google’s integration feels more robust, especially with the Gemini AI for show recommendations and smart home control right on your screen.

Google’s revamped remote is a hit with its customisable button and front-facing volume controls. Apple’s remote, though, is no slouch with its Siri integration and touchpad. However, the Google remote’s ability to beep when lost is a simple but genius feature that we've been asking Apple to add for years.

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The latest beta version of tvOS, released on August 5, introduces a new feature to wirelessly send web links from an Apple TV to an iPhone.

In a post on Threads, Sigmund Judge explains how some immersive videos, designed for Apple Vision Pro, can be sent as a web link via AirDrop to the best iPhones or iPads. In tvOS 18 beta 5, Judge demonstrates a new button that enables users to wirelessly send a link to a video to their iPhone, which will open in Apple’s Safari web browser. For those unaware, AirDrop is a feature that allows users to wirelessly send types of media or a link to another device, such as a photo, contact information, and more. This new feature may suggest that Apple wants to make it easier to send links from Apple TV to other devices thanks to AirDrop, but the company could be laying the groundwork for more.

Judge notes that the latest beta of tvOS 18 has code that hints at the “ability to distribute related media like books, soundtracks and AR experiences to iPhone and iPad.”

With new features like Distraction Control in Safari now available in the latest betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, it’s good to see a new feature come to tvOS as well. 

However, time will tell if the ability to send web links via AirDrop will expand to other media types, as Judge mentioned, by the time the update is released.

Apple says that tvOS 18 will be available for compatible Apple TV devices later this year.

What else is new in tvOS 18?

tvOS 18 didn’t receive as many new features compared to iOS 18, but there are still some updates worth mentioning. First, Insight allows users to check the actors in a show they’re watching, similar to Amazon Prime Video’s X-Ray feature. Apple’s version goes further by recognizing the music being played in certain scenes, allowing users to play the track in Apple Music.

Enhanced Dialogue, a feature that can raise the volume of characters speaking in a scene, has seen a big improvement. Previously, this feature was only available when Apple TV was connected to a HomePod. In tvOS 18, Enhanced Dialogue can be used with TV speakers, a soundbar, and more. In addition, Screensavers have been redesigned to feature scenes from the best Apple TV Plus shows. 

Overall, tvOS 18 looks to be a collection of small improvements to make a big impression in the upcoming update. If you use Apple TV daily, you’re likely to benefit from what tvOS 18 will offer when it becomes available later this year.

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Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video have come under fire by hiking prices and introducing ad-supported subscription tiers to soften the blow and it looks like Apple could soon be doing the same.

According to a new report from The Telegraph, Apple executives have met with the UK ratings body Barb to “discuss options for tracking advertising.” This would imply that Apple is looking to introduce an ad-supported tier similar to its competitors in the near future.

Netflix, Disney, and Amazon already work with Barb and have introduced cheaper subscription tiers with ads before content and sometimes during content to make up for the cheaper price. Apple, however, has increased the cost of Apple TV Plus over the years from $4.99 to $9.99 without a lower-end ad tier as of yet. 

Introducing ads to Apple TV Plus could allow for a cheaper subscription closer to the original $4.99 a month cost which would allow those who don’t mind watching an ad or two to save on the subscription fee.

With Severance season 2 on the horizon, introducing a cheaper option for those who want to watch one of the best shows on Apple TV Plus at a lower price could prove incredibly lucrative for the company.

It’s an ad-supported world and we’re just living in it

It’s looking all but confirmed that Apple TV Plus will introduce an ad-supported subscription tier and while there was uproar when other streaming platforms adopted the strategy it's becoming the industry norm. 

Ad-supported tiers allow streaming services to increase the monthly cost of ad-free tiers without alienating customers. It’s a shoddy tactic in my opinion but if this is the route we’re going down then more options with cheaper prices at least give the consumer the choice. 

However, introducing lower price tiers opens the door for other differences between subscriptions, not just a cheaper price because of the inclusion of ads. For example, Netflix’s lower-priced ad-supported streaming option limits the amount of devices you can watch on and the quality of the stream compared to the most expensive option. Apple could do something similar, removing the fantastic perk of Family Sharing that makes Apple TV Plus the best streaming deal on the market. While there is no indication that this would be the case, it feels like the inevitable destination considering the overall landscape of the streaming service world.

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One of Apple TV Plus' best shows, Silo, just got a big update for anyone hooked after the conclusion of season 1 - and it's good news all around.

Revealed at Comic-Con 2024 yesterday, Silo Season 2 will debut on November 15 on Apple TV Plus, with new episodes streaming weekly through January. The season will be comprised of ten episodes.

Viewers can also expect Steve Zahn, previously of The White Lotus and The Righteous Gemstones to make an appearance in the next season, adding to an existing cast that already includes the likes of executive producer Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, and Rashida Jones.

Apple TV's big 2024

Apple's upcoming TV and movie slate is starting to look much more full, with Matt Damon's movie The Instigators arriving next month, and the likes of Slow Horses kicking off its fourth season in September.

Where's Wander arrives in October, and now Silo has slotted in nicely for November alongside Blitz, before Severance starts 2025 off by seemingly becoming the most expensive TV show ever when its second season kicks off.

How are you feeling about Apple TV Plus' offerings? If you've not checked it out, we covered a new deal to net you a three-month subscription in conjunction with Twitch.

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If you've spent so much time watching Twitch that you're behind on some of Apple TV Plus' best shows, then this new deal from the Amazon-owned streaming platform might be just what you need.

Twitch is offering three months of Apple TV Plus for anyone subscribing to or gifting a subscription to a streamer.

That means that whoever you enjoy watching on Twitch, your subscription to them can net you free access to a service that would otherwise set you back $9.99 per month.

How to get Apple TV Plus for free with Twitch

As per Twitch's blog, you'll need to subscribe or gift a sub to a streamer from July 30 at 12PM PT until August 19 at 12PM PT.

Once you've subscribed or gifted, you'll receive a code to your Drops & Rewards Inventory page, but it's worth noting that Prime Subs (subs included with Amazon's own Prime suite of benefits) are not eligible.

The code is also only usable for anyone not currently subscribed, but that does mean you'll have a chance to catch up on the likes of Silo, Palm Royale, Slow Horses, and Ted Lasso.

And hey, if you like it, you might want to subscribe for yourself in time for Severance Season 2, now dated for January 2025. In fact, it'll be one of the most expensive TV shows of all time.

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Despite the rough state that Resident Evil 4 Remake appears on my iPhone 15 Pro Max, it’s still a fantastic time. The same feeling applies when I switch to my Mac or iPad to continue my progress. Yet there’s one Apple device that’s starting to stick out like a sore thumb.

Yes, it’s the Apple TV 4K, the company’s set-top box that’s meant to sit aside your television so you can watch the best Apple TV Plus shows, play the best Apple Arcade games, and more. I do exactly this, as well as using the great feature that lets me FaceTime my wife on the TV using my iPhone’s camera when she’s away.

It is a great device, yet the more I play games like Resident Evil and Death Stranding on my iPhone, the more puzzled I become as to why I can’t carry on my progress on my Apple TV. You might think, “Why not just use AirPlay mirroring to send your iPhone or Mac’s display to your Apple TV?” This is something I’ve done, and it doesn’t work well. The Apple TV gets confused with my Mac’s resolution, especially when a game launches and forcibly changes the resolution, making everything dim and pixelated. Essentially, it’s a hassle.

It’s clear to me that it’s high time for Apple to release a new Apple TV that focuses on games being offered by developers like Capcom and Kojima Productions. This way, I can play these AAA games in my living room, just like millions of gamers do with their Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox consoles.

The Ghost of Pippin

If you’ve been an Apple fan in the last few decades, you may remember the company’s efforts in the early 90s when it tried to enter the gaming market with its own console, called the Pippin.

This gaming console looked like the result of a special hug between the Sony PlayStation and SEGA Saturn consoles. A white box with many buttons on the top, its controller was wireless — innovative for its time but was awkward to hold, due to it resembling a boomerang. This design wasn’t too dissimilar from Sony’s prototype controller for its PlayStation 3 console almost ten years later, which was quickly scrapped.

Apple partnered with Bandai, a Japanese toy manufacturer, to help build the console. It was eventually made available in Japan in March 1996, followed by a release in the U.S. market in October 1996, priced at $599.

The games made available for the Pippin were, unremarkable. The library mostly consisted of titles from Bandai that focused more on educational subjects like Math and English. Safe to say, the console failed in 1996.

Why am I mentioning this, you say? Because Apple has never taken games as seriously as it does now. The company’s efforts with Game Porting Kit, which allows developers to easily port games to Apple devices, has opened up how modern games can run on Macs. In addition, features like ray-tracing debuting on the A17 and M4 Apple silicon chips have highlighted Apple’s new commitment to gaming. After so long, the pieces seem to be in place for a new Apple TV to make a huge impact on the company’s gaming efforts.

What can a new Apple TV offer?

The current Apple TV has been out for two years now, which is enough time for an upgrade. Not only could a new model include a powerful M4 chip but also offer exclusive features, to take advantage of the fact that it’s always plugged into a wall socket instead of running on a battery.

This constant power source could allow for an M4 chip with a faster clock speed, without worrying about a battery being drained. Additionally, there’s also the factor of games needing to run at higher resolutions than they do on the best iPhones, iPads, Macs. Most televisions display in a 4K resolution (3840x2160). If we take the display resolution of a MacBook Pro 16-inch at 3456x2234, that’s almost 4K. Yet most games render at a far lower 1920x1080 resolution. Metal, Apple’s gaming framework, upscales and renders the game with MetalFX, resulting in a clearer image on Mac displays.

In order to fully take advantage of 4K televisions, Apple may need to introduce a new version of MetalFX that can upscale games to a 4K resolution. In my opinion, this is crucial, because users could easily switch on their PlayStation 5 console and play Resident Evil 4 at 4K with a 120FPS framerate.

Because of this, Apple must ensure that they’re offering the best gaming experience on a new Apple TV model by rendering games at a native 4K resolution as standard.

Apple TV can right the wrongs of Pippin

When I look at the Apple Siri Remote and what tvOS offers, I’m happy. There are no glaring omissions that need fixing or adding to Apple TV. For me, the next step is games. It’s time for Apple to take gaming seriously, more than it ever has before.

Apple failed with the Pippin in the 90s, but now there’s a great opportunity. The Apple TV can sit beside other gaming consoles in the living room and let you play Death Stranding, and soon, Resident Evil 2 in the best quality. Make it happen Apple.

Google is working on a sequel to its popular Chromecast with Google TV dongle, and its brand new ‘Google TV Streamer’ just leaked with a design that will have Apple fans mourning for AirPower all over again. 

It’s been revealed this week that Google is dropping the discrete dongle in favor of a front-and-center streaming box. But rather than adopt the small black box form factor of the Apple TV 4K or rivals like Roku, Google appears to have opted for a much lower-profile white number that looks more like a charging pad or wireless router. 

Images shared by 9to5Google reveal “a set-top/table-top design that has a slanted, pill-shaped surface.”

Google’s Apple TV challenge 

The leaked images reveal a rounded remote with a similar makeup to Apple’s own Apple TV remote, replete with a D-Pad and buttons for back, home, microphone, and volume. The remote is a bit more comprehensive than Apple’s offering, however, with dedicated shortcut buttons for YouTube and Netflix. 

The design of the streamer itself is interesting, its reduced height would make it ideal for position underneath a TV where headroom might be more limited. Conversely, it looks like it will take up a lot more real estate because of how wide it is. Apple fans of recent years will note the striking similarity to Apple’s canceled AirPower project, the company’s unreleased charging mat first unveiled in 2018. 

This is purely a design leak at this stage, so gleaning any kind of specs or functionality is pretty much impossible at this stage. Given the current Chromecast with Google TV only costs 29 bucks, it’s likely this more comprehensive offering is going to be a bit more expensive. However, it seems unlikely it will challenge the premium price tag of Apple’s $130 Apple TV 4K. 

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Severance season two, Apple TV Plus’ most anticipated project to date, seems set to be the most expensive too, and Apple needs the Ben Stiller-directed thriller to cut costs for future seasons. 

As reported by Bloomberg, the second season of the show has “ballooned to more than $20 million an episode, making it one of the most expensive projects on TV.” As well as the second season being delayed by writing strikes in Hollywood, Apple paid Beau Willimon, the showrunner of the first four seasons of House of Cards, millions of dollars to contribute towards the show. 

For context on that $20 million figure, Breaking Bad cost around $3 million per episode when it aired, and the final season of Game of Thrones was projected to cost $15 million an episode. Competitor Netflix’s biggest upcoming project, Stranger Things, reportedly costs a whopping $30 million per episode, but Netflix has a significantly larger subscriber base.

What does this mean for Severance season three? 

Also reported by Bloomberg, “The company is now in the middle of discussions about future seasons of Severance. Apple can’t wait to make more of the show, but management has a request for Stiller and the show’s studio, Fifth Season. They need to bring down the cost.” With Apple demanding the show’s operating costs come down by the third season, we may not see it if spending isn’t reined in. 

Severance is a psychological thriller about workers who have part of their brain “severed” to be able to do highly secretive work during the day and live their lives without that knowledge outside of it. Set mostly in office cubicles, it has plenty of strange effects and dramatic setpieces to cut the tension from the relative normalcy of a day job. 

Severance season two is set to begin airing on January 17, 2025, with episodes dropping weekly until its conclusion on March 21, 2025. Airing three years since the release of season one, season two is set to be one of Apple TV Plus’ biggest releases of next year. Fans of the show, however, hopefully won't have as long to wait for the third season, if it goes ahead, considering Apple’s mega spend.

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After spending billions of dollars on original programming, Apple TV Plus is finally looking to cut back on production costs — and Netflix might be its biggest inspiration. 

A new Bloomberg report has revealed that Apple has spent more than $20 billion on its original Apple TV content, but a lack of cut-through with viewers is making the company rethink its strategy. In regards to its TV lineup, Apple spent more than $500 million on “movies from directors Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott and Matthew Vaughn” alone. Then, even its biggest shows like Severance and Foundation went over budget thanks to unforeseen circumstances. Despite this, and getting 72 Emmy nominations recently, “Few Apple shows have broken through to the wider public.”

A very Netflix problem

Netflix has a much bigger list of titles than Apple TV Plus, and tends to commission more expensive shows and movies. However, I find it much harder to commit to a Netflix TV show than the best shows on Apple TV Plus. This is because Netflix has picked up a reputation for canceling any show that isn’t a smash hit. In the last few years alone, Netflix has canceled popular shows like The OA, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, The Midnight Club, Glow, Mindhunter, Tuca & Bertie, and so much more. 

The Bloomberg report continues, noting that Apple “is trying to pay less upfront for shows and is quicker to cancel ones that aren’t working.” Data shows that 100% of Apple TV shows got a third season in 2019, with that number plummeting to 22% by 2021. Futhermore, the average length for a show on Apple TV Plus in 2019 was 3.67 seasons, and this dropped to just 2 in 2021. 

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about Apple TV Plus shows is how adventurous they can get. I recently started watching Sunny, a black comedy about a wife who is sent a very helpful robot after the mysterious disappearance of her husband and child, and I’ve been enjoying its tone and atmosphere quite a lot. I have some issues with pacing so far but I’m invested in watching it every week. Though the first episode is charming, I would never have continued watching if it was a Netflix show, as I’m too used to knowing that it could be canceled at any moment. Netflix shows often aren’t allowed to mature into the shows they could be and I hope Apple doesn’t learn the wrong things from Netflix’s business model. 

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A new report says that Apple is in talks with major Hollywood studios over the prospect of licensing existing movies to Apple TV Plus in order to boost the company's big-screen offerings. 

Apple has enjoyed riotous success with TV shows like Ted Lasso, Severance, Slow Horses, Silo, The Morning Show, and more, and recently scored 72 Emmy nominations. However, Apple's movie offering doesn't boast the same popular sway. While it has scooped an Oscar with CODA and vast acclaim with Killers of the Flower Moon, there have been a few misses too, notably Napoleon and the beleaguered Argylle. 

To that end, a new report says that Apple could be about to bring existing titles to the services, building on a successful experiment from earlier this year. 

More movies coming to Apple TV Plus

Bloomberg reports that Apple "is having discussions about licensing more films from major Hollywood studios as it looks to bolster its Apple TV+ streaming service." Apple has reportedly spoken to "several of the largest studios about acquiring more programming from their libraries to offer customers both in the US and abroad." 

Apple has clung onto an almost exclusively original offering since it launched Apple TV Plus, but has dabbled with movies from other Hollywood studios. It licensed titles including The Godfather, Dunkirk, and more for a limited time earlier this year. 

According to Bloomberg, "That experiment went well enough that Apple has gone back to many studios for more, either to license those titles internationally or to add more." 

It could mean more popular movie titles on Apple TV Plus, including offerings for subscribers outside the U.S. According to the report, it's a move "Hollywood studios have been waiting for," with studios seeking licensing agreements in order to boost revenue in the face of subscriber slowdowns. 

If it plays out, we could see more popular big-screen titles make their way to Apple TV Plus, although there's no word on a time frame, or any further specifics of the deal at this stage. 

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We're getting into Emmy season, so it is time to find out how Apple TV+ is doing. The answer is...pretty darn well.

In a press release, Apple announced that Apple TV+ has landed a record-breaking 72 Emmy nominations for this year's awards show across 16 of the company's TV shows and movies.

“It has been an immensely rewarding morning to witness so many talented artists recognized with Emmy nominations across such an extraordinary number of categories,” said Zack Van Amburg, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “Everyone at Apple is profoundly appreciative to the Television Academy, and we send our congratulations to all of the nominees.”

“We are so thankful to the Television Academy for honoring our storytellers with a record number of Emmy nominations today,” said Jamie Erlicht, Apple’s head of Worldwide Video. “The artistry of these creative teams and casts has deeply resonated with global audiences, and we couldn’t be happier for all of the nominees.”

Here's the full list of Emmy nominations for Apple TV+

To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have now earned 2,262 award nominations and won those awards 499 times. So, what's contained in the latest 72 nominations for this year's Emmy awards? Here's the full list:

• Outstanding Drama Series 
  • The Morning Show 
  • Slow Horses 
• Outstanding Comedy Series 
  • Palm Royale
• Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
  •  Lessons in Chemistry
• Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special 
  • STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces 
  • Girls State
• Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special 
  • The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy
• Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series 
  • Carpool Karaoke: The Series
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series 
  • Jennifer Aniston - The Morning Show 
  • Reese Witherspoon - The Morning Show 
• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 
  • Gary Oldman - Slow Horses 
  • Idris Elba - Hijack 
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 
  • Kristen Wiig - Palm Royale 
  • Maya Rudolph - Loot 
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Brie Larson - Lessons in Chemistry
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 
  • Billy Crudup - The Morning Show 
  • Jon Hamm - The Morning Show 
  • Mark Duplass - The Morning Show 
  • Jack Lowden - Slow Horses 
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 
  • Greta Lee - The Morning Show 
  • Holland Taylor - The Morning Show 
  • Karen Pittman - The Morning Show 
  • Nicole Beharie - The Morning Show 
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 
  • Carol Burnett - Palm Royale
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Aja Naomi King - Lessons in Chemistry 
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Lewis Pullman - Lessons in Chemistry 
• Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series 
  • Marcia Gay Harden - The Morning Show 
• Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series 
  • Jonathan Pryce - Slow Horses 
• Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series 
  • Mimi Leder for The Morning Show - The Overview Effect 
  • Saul Metzstein for Slow Horses - Strange Games 
• Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Millicent Shelton for Lessons In Chemistry - Poirot
• Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program 
  • Morgan Neville for STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces 
  • Amanda McBain and Jesse Moss for Girls State 
• Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series 
  • Will Smith for Slow Horses - Negotiating With Tigers 
• Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program 
  • Alan Connor, David Reilly and Christine Rose for The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy - Scotland: My Mother’s Country 
• Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Zachary Galler for Lessons in Chemistry - Little Miss Hastings 
• Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program 
  • Laura Hudock, Laela Kilbourn, Daniel Carter, Erynn Patrick Lamont, Keri Oberly, Thorsten Thielow and Martina Radwan for Girls State
• Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour) 
  • Jimmy Lindsey for Physical - Like A Rocket 
  • Richard Rutkowski for Sugar - Starry Eyed 
• Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More) 
  • Nelson Coates, Thomas Wilkins and Lauree Martell for The Morning Show - The Kármán Line
• Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More) 
  • Jon Carlos, Mark Taylor, Amelia Brooke and Ellen Reede for Palm Royale - Maxine’s Like A Dellacorte 
• Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special 
  • Misty Buckley, Laura Woodroffe and Richard Olivieri for Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas
• Outstanding Main Title Design 
  • Hazel Baird, Rob Cawdery, Ben Jones and Phil Davies for Lessons in Chemistry 
  • Ronnie Koff, Rob Slychuk, Nader Husseini and Lexi Gunvaldson for Palm Royale 
  • Patrick Clair, Raoul Marks and Lance Slaton for Silo 
• Outstanding Period Costumes for a Series 
  • Karen Muller Serreau, Catherine Boisgontier and Emmanuelle Pertus for The New Look - What A Day This Has Been 
  • Alix Friedberg, Carolyn Dessert, Leigh Bell, Lindsay Newton and Valerie Keiser for Palm Royale - Maxine Throws A Party 
• Outstanding Period Costumes for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Mirren Gordon-Crozier, Jen Kennedy and Kelli Hagen for Lessons in Chemistry - Little Miss Hastings
• Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling 
  • Nicole Venables, Jennifer Petrovich, Janine Thompson and Lona Vigi for The Morning Show - The Kármán Line 
• Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Hairstyling 
  • Karen Bartek, Brittany Madrigal, Cyndra Dunn, Tiffany Bloom, Frida Aradottir and Jill Crosby for Palm Royale - Maxine Rolls The Dice 
• Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) 
  • Cindy Williams, Liz Villamarin, Angela Levin, Tracey Levy, Keiko Wedding and Amy Schmiederer for The Morning Show - Strict Scrutiny 
• Outstanding Period or Fantasy/Sci-Fi Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) 
  • Tricia Sawyer, Marissa Lafayette, Kenny Niederbaumer, Marie DelPrete, Simone Siegl and Marja Webster for Palm Royale - Pilot
• Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming 
  • Brooke Lipton for Palm Royale - Routines: The Rhumba / Maxine's Entrance 
  • Jennifer Hamilton for Physical - Routines: Jean Franc’s Advanced Aerobics Class / Figure 8’s Commercial / Xanadu & Dreams 
• Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie (Original Dramatic Score) 
  • Carlos Rafael Rivera for Lessons in Chemistry - Book Of Calvin 
• Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) 
  • Jeff Toyne for Palm Royale - Maxine Saves A Cat 
  • Atli Örvarsson for Silo - Freedom Day 
  • Daniel Pemberton and Toydrum for Slow Horses - Strange Games 
• Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music 
  • Carlos Rafael Rivera for Lessons in Chemistry 
  • Blake Neely for Masters of the Air 
  • Jeff Toyne for Palm Royale
• Outstanding Picture Editing for a Drama Series 
  • Zsófia Tálas for Slow Horses - Footprints 
• Outstanding Picture Editing for a Nonfiction Program 
  • Alan Lowe for STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces - Then 
• Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Jack Whittaker, Michael Minkler, Jeff Sawyer, Luke Gibleon, Dave McMoyler, Michael Hertlein, Michele Perrone, Jim Brookshire, Bryan Parker, Zach Goheen, Paul B. Knox, Adam Kopald, Angela Claverie, Dylan Wilhoit and Jeff Wilhoit for Masters of the Air - Part Five 
• Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program 
  • Bob Edwards, Kim B. Christensen and Joel Raabe for STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces 
• Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie 
  • Michael Minkler, Duncan McRae, Tim Fraser, and Thor Fienberg for Masters of the Air - Part Five
• Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program 
  • Pete Horner, Dennis Hamlin, Barry London and Emily Strong for STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces 
• Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series 
  • Victoria Thomas for The Morning Show 
  • Nina Gold for Slow Horses
• Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special 
  • Chuck Crampton, Lincoln Abraham, Charlie Bryan, Mark Cruickshank, Paul Davis, Alex Dodd, Curtis Dunne, Guiseppe Ingrao, Lewis Mutongwizo, Andre Seraille, Jeremy Mackie, Joseph Hallgate, Jon Kassell and Simon Wood for Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas
• Outstanding Commercial 
  • Album Cover - Apple iPhone 15 
  • Fuzzy Feelings - Apple - iPhone + Mac
    
    

In 2024 one of the best and easiest ways to enjoy Apple TV is with a great smart TV. Whether you want a great panel to watch the latest and greatest on Apple TV Plus, or you want the perfect companion to an Apple TV 4K, the right TV can make all the difference when it comes to your viewing experience. 

Our top pick for the best TV for Apple TV is the Samsung S90C, but lurking in our guide is an even greater pick, the S95C, our "best premium" pick. This is the all-singing, all-dancing model with no holds barred, for whom money is no object and those who want the optimum viewing experience. 

At its list price of $3,297, it's a tough sell. But right now the Amazon Prime Day sale could see you score one from just $1,797. 

• Deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg  

The best TV for Apple TV - a premium pick

The Samsung S95C boasts 8.3 million self-illuminating pixels in its OLED panel. It has Samsung's Infinity One Design, so it's incredibly thin and slender, a real eye-catcher with a unique cable management system. Samsung's Quantum HDR OLED+ tech means shows like Foundation and Severance will really pop during viewing, and there's a Neural Quantum Processor to power upscaling when you're not watching 4K. It also features built-in Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+. It also features 120Hz refresh rates for use with a current-gen console. 

Naturally, there's plenty of HDMI and USB ports to connect your Apple TV. If you want to save even more, you can also bag the 55-inch version for just $1,497, but the discount is much less significant, making the 65-inch the best value by far. 

Rumors that Apple could be ready to announce a deal to stream the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup globally via the Apple TV app might have been premature, with the rights now likely to go elsewhere.

There had been claims that Apple and FIFA were in talks over a global streaming deal that would be worth less than $1 billion for the 2025 event that will kick off in less than a year's time, but a new report notes that the soccer governing body has now opened the tournament to tender, allowing other media companies to put their case — and their wallets — forward for consideration.

Specifically, the media rights covering the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East & North Africa regions now have an official invitation to tender open to companies who want to show the games live, suggesting that a global deal with Apple is less likely than ever.

Game off

The New York Times'-owned The Athletic reports that FIFA is now looking beyond Apple, saying in a statement that the tender process will allow it “to select the entity, or entities, that are best placed to secure the required transmission and programming commitments on a global, regional, or territory-specific basis”. Companies looking to get involved have until August 20 to submit their proposals.

Apple had been tipped to take the global rights in much the same way it did when it signed a 10-year $2.5 billion deal to stream Major League Soccer to the world. That deal means that MLS Season Pass is only available via the Apple TV app, for a fee, but some FIFA sponsorship partners were concerned that putting the Club World Cup behind a similar paywall may impact its availability to those unwilling, or unable, to subscribe.

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Are you a first-time Apple TV Plus viewer? Or have a lapsed subscription to Apple’s movie and TV streaming service? Then you could be eligible for a free trial — provided you’ve got a PlayStation console.

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners can claim an extended three-month free trial of Apple TV Plus at the moment, and it’s simple to nab. All you have to do is open up the app on your console, log in to your Apple account, and (if eligible) you’ll get the three free months added to your subscription.

What makes you eligible? If you’ve activated a free trial on PlayStation before that will rule you out, and you can’t use it to top up an existing subscription. But if you’ve never used a similar trial before, or your account has lapsed, you’ll be able to take advantage of the new trial.

The deal runs until September 22, 2024, so you’ve got a few months within which to claim it.

Once the deal runs out, you’ll be back to the regular subscription price of $9.99 / £8.99.

• TV deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

What’s coming up on Apple TV Plus?

The big returning show for Apple TV Plus is the recently announced Severance season 2. The sci-fi office thriller-slash-comedy is set to return, after a years-long wait, in January 2025, so if you were to leave signing up to the last minute of this offer, you’d be caught up just in time for the show’s restart.

If racing is your bag, Brad Pitt’s F1 movie is coming to the service following a June 2025 cinema run. Wacky fantasy adventure Time Bandits, based on the cult-classic Terry Gilliam film, is being translated into a TV show starring Lisa Kudrow and Jermaine Clement, launching this July. Those who couldn’t get enough of Ridley Scott’s divisive Napoleon, the Apple-funded epic is likely to get a director’s cut release soon, too, following a Motion Picture Association R-rating filing for the film.

With Apple’s streaming service dedicated to exclusive content, it makes a great complementing service to a go-to- Netflix or Prime Video subscription. And this new trial will let you get a taste of the action on offer.

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After a woman’s husband vanishes in a plane crash, the robot he was secretly working on is given to her to help her cope. The catch is she never knew her husband was working on secret projects like this one, or why other companies seem interested in the cuddly AI in her living room. If this sounds intriguing, you can watch the first two episodes of Sunny on Apple TV Plus right now. 

Taking from the likes of Black Mirror or Severance, as well as adding a healthy heaping of black comedy, the show is dark and dramatic but also appears to be rather prophetic, if its trailer is anything to go by. Starring Rashida Jones as Suzie Sakamoto and Hidetoshi Nishijma as Suzie’s husband Masa Sakamoto, Sunny started airing with two episodes on July 10. Subsequent episodes will follow every week until the finale airs on September 4 later this year. 

What do the critics say?

The Guardian awarded Sunny four out of five stars, saying “Rashida Jones’s show about a grief-stricken woman and a mechanoid is confident, quirky TV that doesn’t put a foot wrong – even if its synopsis is dire.” The Washington Post is more critical of the ending, claiming it misunderstands the strengths of the show. However, it says “I’ll devour that second season if it comes because I desperately want more of the proud, tetchy, immersive, oddly relatable world it builds around Suzie and Noriko and Mixxy.”

IGN likes Sunny less than the two previous sites, giving it 6 out of 10, saying “Sunny wastes its stylish Japanese setting and thrilling sci-fi premise on a glacially paced plot and Rashida Jones’ gloomy hero.” You’ll need to wait until September to watch the full series but two episodes are available right now for Apple TV Plus subscribers, with another coming out next week.

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Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Here’s the good news — after two years of waiting, Severance season 2 finally has an officially-confirmed release date! The bad news? It’s not coming out until next year.

Shared within a brand new trailer for the second season of the hit Apple TV Plus show, Severance season 2 will finally start streaming on Apple TV Plus on January 17 2025. It’ll be a 10 episode run, released one episode a week, concluding on March 21, 2025.

That’ll be almost three years after the first series debuted, the culmination of a protracted and difficult development cycle that is relatively unusual for the streaming industry.

• TV deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

Severance season 2 trailer

The new trailer doesn't give us a huge amount of new information to go on regarding the content of the new series, showing Adam Scott's Mark and Britt Lower's Helly again descending into the mysterious offices of Lumon. Except, of course, this time we know that they know what's going on in the outside world, no longer constrained by their 'severed' existences in the office.

The big reveal is the presence of Gwendoline Christie — "You should've left" says her character to round off the trailer. But that's all she wrote for a glimpse of the expanded cast, which is also set to add Arrested Development star Alia Shawkat, Merritt Wever, Bob Balaban, Robby Benson, John Noble, Stefano Carannate and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson to its ranks.

You can watch the trailer in the embed above.

The most long-awaited return in TV at the moment, Severance season one was recently ranked among the best TV shows of all time, showing how hot the anticipation is for more episodes. It's going to be a long wait, but at least the end is in sight — catch up with all the rumors, leaks and story theories in our Severance season 2 guide.

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There have been plenty of hit shows to land on Apple TV Plus since it launched, but Ben Stiller's Severance remains one of the most popular among fans. The show was an instant hit and the end of the first season left everyone desperate for more. And it looks like we may not have to wait much longer.

Apple recently shared a teaser video for the season 2 of Severance on Twitter. On first glance, fans may recognise it as mysterious elevator we saw a certain character (no spoilers here) enter in the first season. But on second viewing, the red light about the elevator seems to be flashing in a pattern that looks suspiciously like morse code. If you accept the flashes as dots and dashes in morse code, it spells out the word "tomorrow."

For those who have seen the first season of Severance, you'll know that this mysterious elevator is a pretty significant unexplained segment of the show. Plenty of fans have theorised about where exactly the elevator might lead, and it looks like Severance season 2 may give us the answer. If you'd like to examine the clip yourself, here it is:

Severance Season 2 looks imminent

Recently, Ben Stiller promised a Severance season 2 release date announcement would be only a few weeks away. This comes after a teaser trailer aired as part of a sizzle reel for Apple's upcoming slate of streaming shows and movies at WWDC 2024. It’s the first time we’ve had a glimpse at the next season of Severance since the very first seconds-long teaser that aired at the end of the iPhone 14 event back in September 2022.

All of this points to the second season of Severance arriving soon. And Apple's latest teaser for the popular streaming show suggests that we'll get major news on July 10. As ever, we’ll keep you posted on all the Severance season 2 release date news, trailers, leaks and rumors as they land.

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I know this feature is basically just a rip-off of Prime Video's X-Ray technology, but I don't care. I'm super excited about Apple's upcoming InSight feature for the Apple TV app.

As reported by 9to5Mac, the InSight feature went live for users running the latest iOS 18 and tvOS 18 developer betas today. iOS 18 beta 3 and tvOS 18 beta 3 both rolled out to those signed up to the beta program today and, with it, developers can finally feast their eyes on the most exciting feature for tvOS in years.

As Apple described in its press release, InSight allows you to see "timely information" about an actor, character, or music playing on a show or movie from Apple TV+, the company's streaming service.

"This fall, the Apple TV app introduces InSight, a feature that displays timely information about actors, characters, and music from Apple TV+ movies and shows onscreen in real time. Users can simply select an actor to view their background and filmography page, or quickly view the song that is playing in a scene and add it to an Apple Music playlist. Viewers can also see InSight information on their iPhone when using it as an Apple TV remote."

This is the most exciting feature for Apple TV in years

It sounds dumb, but this is the most exciting feature I've seen come to the Apple TV in a while. I think the last time we got something this cool for the Apple TV was when the company redesigned the Apple TV app altogether.

There are so many times when I'm watching a show or movie on Apple TV+ (or any other streaming service) that I want to know the song that is playing. Up until now, we've always had to grab our iPhone and fire up the Shazam app. More recently, Apple made this easier by integrating Shazam directly into Control Center but still, it wasn't the most seamless experience.

Even if you were ready to Shazam, you would need enough time to understand the song. There's been plenty of times that the song wouldn't play long enough or there was too much dialogue overtop of it for the app to figure out what song it was.

With InSight, you won't need to reach for your iPhone to catch the song in time anymore. Apple is really taking advantage of the fact that it owns both Apple TV+ and Apple Music to show the song immediately. Plus, since things are integrated so well, you can add the song to your Apple Music library right while you are watching your show or movie without leaving the Apple TV app.

I wonder if the song is going to be added to your library or favorited? This is the one thing that I'm a little worried about a disjointed experience here. On the Apple Music app on the iPhone, you "Favorite" a song when you're on the Now Playing screen. However, the Apple TV app seems to be a "plus" icon, indicating that you're adding it to your library. I have no idea what Apple's plan is here, but I hope it simplifies things soon — this kind of stuff bothers me.

Regardless of that potential inconsistency, I can't wait to finally be able to add every song I hear and like during a show or movie to my library in the easiest way possible. The only thing left to be is for Apple to be able to bring this technology to more services than just Apple TV+. If it can open it up to developers and they adopt it as well, that would be fantastic. Until then, we always have Shazam.

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As some walk away from the British F1 GP this weekend disappointed as their favorite drivers fall foul of bad strategic decisions, others come away disappointed by the release of the trailer for the F1 Brad Pitt vehicle.

That’s not to say everyone is going to be disappointed, there seems to be a lot to like here, but we’ll leave you to your own judgment — here’s the trailer in full:

That name is still bad

Beyond the seemingly complete lack of creativity of the ‘F1’ title of the movie, there are also some weird moments in the trailer that show it might not be planted firmly at the feet of the Formula One faithful. Obviousness like “we need to be fast in the turns” (Obviously, Brad, F1 is almost entirely about ‘the turns’, it’s not the Indy 500), and “we need to build our car for combat” (meaning what, Brad? you’re not allowed to crash into your competitors, this isn’t BTCC) makes up a large part of the dialogue of the trailer, putting a dampener on the movie about a sport that some of us love.

There also looks to be some very cool stuff in the trailer — the driving portions. It seems visceral, bringing the audience as close to the action as possible. There are echoes of 1971’s Le Mans, starring Steve McQueen, especially when you remember they’ve both been filmed on location of the real races over which they tell their narratives.

We’ve also gotten a much better look at the movie’s stars in their roles, most notably Brad Pitt in his race suit. Javier Bardem, replete with a ‘rich man’ suit and sunglasses makes an appearance, although the deuteragonist played by Damson Idris only appears on screen for a moment.

The movie is supposed to tell the story of an aging F1 driver, Pitt, coming back to F1 to race for the fictional APXGP team, and uses real teams and races to tell its narrative. It’s coming in Summer 2025, and it's going to be available to stream on Apple TV+ after its rounds at theaters. Whether it's good or not, only time will tell — but until then we have the rest of this year’s F1 season to enjoy.

Oh, and the trailer.

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We all have our favorite TV shows, those comfort views that get rolled out again and again when we’re chilling out, sick in bed, or just bored out of our minds. But do our personal top picks match up with the true greats of all time?

Now you can find out. X / Twitter user NikMilanovic has shared a smart chart ‘ranking the best TV shows of all time.’ The methodology sees critic and user scores and votes tallied from aggregate sites including IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and Just Watch to figure out an overall picture of TV’s greatest hits.

And, arguably surprisingly, Apple TV Plus TV show hit Severance has made the cut in a pretty healthy position.

But first… what came out on top?

• TV deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg 
• Streaming deals: Disney+ | Max | Sling | Fubo | Peacock | Paramount+

Innie and Outtie of the top 50 TV shows

It’s a pretty inarguable top tier here — drug-trafficking drama Breaking Bad sits comfortably in first position, followed by Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, The Sopranos, and Band of Brothers. All classics.

But it's position 27 that Apple’s Severance finds itself in, sandwiched between Heartstopper at 26, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia at 28. This is before Severance season 2 even has a release date!

Is the Apple TV Plus show’s position justified, given its run has only lasted a single season so far? Well, according to this list, it’s in good single-season company — Chernobyl was a limited-run series, and The Last of Us hasn’t reached its second season yet either and still makes the cut in position 32. There are a few shows here that definitely are riding on the early success of formative seasons, too — True Detective (position 47) never really reclaimed the magic of its first season, even after making it to season 4. And Lost (position 35) went wacky as it dragged on long after the show’s best period.

There are some huge shows missing here, though — no matter what you think about its later seasons, you can’t deny the global appeal of The Simpsons or the influence of comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm and South Park. X-Files? I Love Lucy? Both missing. There’s definitely a bias towards drama, live-action, and English-speaking audiences here, while with the single exception of The Twilight Zone, there’s only one show present from before the mid-1980s.

But as a crude subsection analysis of modern TV popular culture, the list is representative of the taste of today. And by its measurement, Apple has a bonafide hit on its hands with Severance. 

The full top 50 TV shows of all time, according to the list, are as follows…

1. Breaking Bad
2. Game of Thrones
3. Chernobyl
4. The Sopranos
5. Band of Brothers
6. The Wire
7. Better Call Saul
8. Stranger Things
9. Sherlock
10. Peaky Blinders
11. The Twilight Zone
12. Fleabag
13. Fargo
14. House
15. Friends
16. Dark
17. The Office
18. Succession
19. Battlestar Galactica
20. Freaks and Geeks
21. Mad Men
22. Narcos
23. Mind Hunter
24. Mr. Robot
25. Black Mirror
26. Heartstopper
27. Severance
28. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
29. The Boys
30. Seinfeld
31. Peep Show
32. The Last of Us
33. When They See Us
34. The Mandalorian
35. Lost
36. Line of Duty
37. Deadwood
38. Mare of Easttown
39. Hannibal
40. The Bear
41. Boardwalk Empire
42. Atlanta
43. Vikings
44. Twin Peaks
45. The Shield
46. Happy Valley
47. True Detective
48. The Haunting of Hill House
49. The Americans
50. Justified

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Apple and Formula 1have confirmed that the title of its Formula 1 film starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris is called... F1. 

The movie, which includes input from F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, and is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, stars Pitt as as a veteran F1 driver drawn out of retirement in order to partner with a rookie teammate. The story features a fictional APXGP team and has been filmed on location at several F1 race weekends including this weekend's upcoming British Grand Prix. 

To celebrate, fans will be shown a teaser for the film on Formula 1's international broadcast at 14:33 BST, less than 30 minutes before "Lights out and away we go." 

Could we not think of a better name

The film obviously boasts a swathe of star power both in front of the camera and behind it, but the name is a little too obvious for my liking. The film has previously been bandied around with the working title of 'Apex', a nod to the aforementioned fictional team in the story, but that doesn't seem to have made the cut. 

One saving grace, we know that legendary composer and film score producer Hans Zimmer has been tapped to provide the soundtrack. Zimmer confirmed his involvement ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, before wowing fans with a typically dramatic and stirring rendition of the Austrian national anthem.

Name aside, F1 is shaping up to be one of Apple's most ambitious originals thus far, as evidenced by the heavy focus on authenticity and realism, including the involvement of F1's other licensed teams and drivers, filming on location, and more. The APXGP "team" has immersed itself into the F1 paddock on various occasions through its filming, and even has its own hospitality unit in the Silverstone paddock.  If the team pulls it off, it could easily be one of the best Apple TV Plus movies to date. 

F1 is coming to theaters, including IMAX, internationally on June 25 and in the USA on June 27. 

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Can you believe it’s been over 800 days since a new episode of Apple TV Plus hit Severance first aired? 812, to be exact. And while the long-in-development second series of Severance has finally wrapped filming, the sci-fi-tinged show still hasn’t got an official release date.

So, what to do in the meantime? Though director Ben Stiller has promised a Severance season 2 release date announcement is only a few weeks away, I’ve been looking for something to scratch that workplace comedy itch. I think I’ve found the perfect appetizer. And no, I don’t mean another binge-watch of reruns of The Office.

I’m talking about Visioneers, a quirky 2008 comedy that feels so much like Severance, you’ll find it hard to believe the two aren’t related.

What is Visioneers?

Visioneers stars the ever-watchable Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Due Date) as George, a worker in a slightly dystopian near-future office for the Jeffers Corporation, the "largest, friendliest and most profitable business in the history of Mankind." George (full name George Washington Winsterhammerman) is a descendant of George Washington and works as a ‘Level-3 tunt’ employee, chasing an endless productivity goal in a windowless office doing work that seems as absurd as it is meaningless.

If George’s sad existence wasn’t enough, he’s got another thing to contend with. People around the country are spontaneously exploding. And it’s those with the biggest hopes and dreams that seem to be exploding first.

Enter a corporate mandate to wear a dream-inhibiting neckpiece, and you’ve got all the makings of a bizarre sci-fi drama, with Galifianakis’s trademark heart-broken goofiness carrying the laughs. “Productivity or death” is the Jeffers Corporation mantra — George will hope to escape both.

An inspiration for Severance?

Sound familiar? Visioneers is not only visually similar to Severance, with its stark small-scale office environments and sloganeering, overbearing corporate culture, but is tonally similar too. There’s an undercurrent of mystery to the laughs, and an omen-like melancholy directed at the excesses of climbing the corporate ladder.

Severance, we all know, is a stone-cold classic. But is Visioneers any good? Rotten Tomatoes critics have it at a shoulder-shrugging 69% — just the right side of fresh. And from my viewing, that’s about fair. Its workplace observations are more on the nose than Severance’s, its mystery less labyrinthine and its laughs more esoteric. But there’s a surreal quality to the film that gets under your skin and heartfelt performances to enjoy. I can’t help but think the overall premise feels very similar to Severance too, and would not be surprised if the Apple hit’s creative team took some inspiration from Visioneers, which could almost be a first draft or early blueprint for the streaming hit.

If you fancy giving it a go, you’re able to watch Visioneers for free via the Plex or Tubi streaming apps, while it’s available to rent on Apple TV for just $3.99/£3.49. It’s not quite as polished as Severance, but it’ll sate your appetite for cryptic corporate comedy while we wait for Severance’s return.

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The Apple TV+ team in Cupertino is probably having an early celebration in their corporate offices before they party again for Independence Day in the United States — they've just overtaken Paramount+ in market share.

At least that's according to JustWatch — a streaming aggregator that tries to figure out how the streaming services are competing with each other. Of course, Apple doesn't share Apple TV+ figures, so all of this is an estimate.

However, as reported by Cult of Mac, the latest numbers coming out of JustWatch indicate that Apple TV+ now has a 9% share of the streaming market, slightly above Paramount+. 

Of course, Apple TV+ still has a way to go to catch the big streamers like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix who both command over 20% market share. However, Hulu currently only has 10% and Disney+ has 11%, so both of those services are within striking distance for Apple. Max is also only at 14%.

That's especially true since, only three years ago, Apple TV+ only garnered about 3% market share. So, while it's slow, Apple is seeing steady growth with its streaming service. So, with a few more years, Apple TV+ could potentially find itself only behind Netflix and Prime Video.

That trend seems to be playing itself out so far this year. While Max, Disney+, and Hulu seem to have flat overall growth, Apple TV+ seems to be climbing slowly but consistently in market share. There's a chance that Hulu could find itself behind Apple's service by the end of this year at this rate.

I'm not surprised to see this play out this way. While services like Hulu are trying to maintain subscribers mostly through bundling itself with Disney+, Apple TV+ continues to invest in original content that — at this point — is starting to garner Apple TV+ the title of the "new" HBO. You know, since Max decided to kill that brand.

That was a bold move, Cotton. Let's see how it works out for them.

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While Apple Intelligence stole the show at WWDC 2024, and will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year (unless you’re in the UK) Apple didn’t forget its other platforms.

tvOS didn’t get a whole host of new features announced for its 18th installment, but some nifty features may just keep you reaching for Apple’s remote over one from a competitor.

Here’s everything coming in tvOS 18, from TV app improvements to new projector aspect ratio support.

tvOS 18: New features

TV app improvements

Not to be confused with Apple TV the device or Apple TV Plus the service, the TV app is getting some fresh new features. 

InSight is Apple’s equivalent to Prime Video’s X-Ray option, letting you check out which actor is in a scene, a blurb about the character they’re playing, and other additional information including where you may have seen them before.

Enhance Dialogue is also getting an improvement, which should make it easier for those with hearing impairments, or simply those that prefer clearer audio, to pick out dialogue amongst action scenes.

Apple says “In addition to HomePod speakers, users can now enjoy Enhance Dialogue when listening through built-in TV or HDMI-connected speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth-connected devices, and when playing supported content on iPhone and iPad.”

Subtitles will be switched on automatically if you mute the video, while rewinding will also add them so you can catch up on anything you’ve missed.

21:9 support

The tvOS 18 update will give users the option to playback in the 21:9 projector format, increasing the available display options on your Apple TV. 

Fitness Plus redesign 

If you’ve been using Apple Fitness Plus to get yourself in shape, you’ll be pleased to know the Fitness Plus app is getting an overhaul. 

The app will offer a personalized For You section, and make it easier to find the workout you’re looking for.

Rewards have also been updated, so you can earn what Apple calls “enhanced awards”, but we’re not sure what that could mean as yet.

New wallpapers

New wallpapers are coming with tvOS, including adorable new Snoopy and Woodstock options, as well as some based on Apple TV Plus shows like Foundation. 

Live Captions

In the US and Canada, you’ll be able to access Live Captions via the Continuity Camera on tvOS 18.

That means if you’re displaying your FaceTime call on your TV, you’ll get automatic subtitles during a call.

tvOS 18: Expected release date

The tvOS 18 developer beta is available now, with a public beta slated for July. For now, though, the developer one is your only option.

Come September, the update will roll out to all compatible Apple TV models.

tvOS 18: Compatible models

tvOS 18 will work on the old Apple TV HD from 2015 and onward, as well as every 4K Apple TV model released so far.

I'm definitely a more traditional gamer. I've been playing on Xbox since the original launched and have more recently also dove into the worlds of PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Okay, so I guess I'm more of a traditional CONSOLE gamer.

With that in mind, I've been really excited to see what Apple has been doing lately with gaming. From launching AAA titles like Assassin's Creed and Death Stranding on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac to bringing its Apple Arcade service to Apple TV, the company has been more into gaming than it's ever been.

However, playing Apple Arcade on Apple TV isn't anything like playing a AAA game on my Xbox Series X. Apple Arcade is certainly packed with plenty of games, but all of the games are more casual in both graphics and complexity. You're not going to find anything like Call of Duty running on an Apple TV right now.

Goodbye Apple TV, hello Fire TV

While my Xbox Series X is hooked up to the television in my living room, I wasn't about to buy a Series S to hook up to my bedroom TV. So, I've been playing Apple Arcade on my Apple TV.

That's probably about to change. Xbox has announced that it is partnering up with Amazon to launch the Xbox Cloud Gaming app on the $49.99 Fire TV Stick 4K and the $59.99 Fire TV Stick 4k Max in July. Now, if you have a compatible Fire TV Stick, a Bluetooth controller, and an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription ($16.99 per month), you can stream your games to any television hooked up with a decent enough internet connection — no console required.

As someone who has been a Game Pass subscriber for years now and who held off dropping hundreds of dollars to hook up a Series S to my bedroom TV, this is the announcement I've been waiting for. I was jealous when Xbox Cloud Gaming to select Samsung TVs...because I have Sony TVs, and I know Sony isn't about to put Xbox on its TVs directly (cough, PlayStation).

Knowing that all I have to do now is to buy a $50 streaming stick and pop it into the back of my bedroom to access all of the games in Xbox Cloud Gaming while I'm relaxing in bed? You've sold me, Xbox. Apple Arcade on my Apple TV is about to gather a heck of a lot of dust.

Of course, all of this hinges on Xbox Cloud Gaming running on the Fire TV Sticks well. If it's buggy or laggy, I'll be returning the Fire TV and going back to waiting for a solution that works. However, I've tried Cloud Gaming on my laptop and phone before and have been pretty happy with the performance, so I have a feeling this one is going to stick...see what I did there?

A future Apple TV 4K could make this more interesting

While AAA gaming hasn't come to the Apple TV yet and set up Xbox to steal me away, there is a pretty good reason. Right now, AAA games running on Apple devices currently require the performance of the  A17 Pro currently powering the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max or an M-Series processor currently powering the latest Macs, iPad Airs, and iPad Pros.

Apple could always release a new generation of the Apple TV 4K that is powerful enough to bring AAA games to the set-top box. That said, rumors of such a thing are incredibly scarce and Apple basically forgot tvOS existed at WWDC 2024 this year, so things aren't looking promising right now.

So, I think I'm going to have to make my way over to Amazon to buy a Fire TV and enjoy my games through Xbox Cloud Gaming for now. Apple Arcade games will have to stick to my iPhone which, honestly, is where most of them belong anyway.

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Slow Horses season 4 will premier on Apple TV Plus on September 4, Apple has confirmed. 

Apple has also revealed a first look at its BAFTA-winning drama, which stars Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden alongside Kristen Scott Thomas, and more. As is often the case on Apple TV Plus, Slow Horses will drop its first two episodes on the premiere date, with weekly releases thereafter through October 2. That means we can expect another six-episode season, in line with the previous three. 

Slow Horses is an incredible espionage drama that tells the story of misfit British Intelligence agents dumped in an exile office by the name of Slough House. The team is headed up by Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman), a weathered and scruffy veteran with a penchant for flatulence and deprecating his team of castoffs. Apple says season four "opens with a bombing that detonates personal secrets, rocking Slough House's already unstable foundations."

Slow Horses season four is on the way

Apple's first three seasons of Slow Horses are some of the highest-rated programs on Rotten Tomatoes, with one even scoring a coveted 100% score. The show has won two BAFTAs from nine nominations. As I recently fawned in an article after discovering the show for myself: "The drama and plot line are rip-roaring and intense, and even the quieter scenes are laced with suspense and intrigue, so much so that my Wife and I felt compelled to binge all six episodes of the first season in one sitting. Visually and stylistically the series is an absolute joy to view, too. Perhaps my favorite thing about Slow Horses, however, is how funny it is. I’ve already mentioned Lamb’s flatulence, which is a theme of the first season. Beyond that, however, Oldman’s character uncorks a series of absolutely first-class one-liners, and there are some brilliant moments of deadpan humor." 

If you've never watched Slow Horses, now is the perfect time to jam in its immensely watchable first three seasons before the fourth arrives. Apple TV Plus is available on all of Apple's best iPhones, iPads, Macs, and the best TVs for Apple TV, as well as the web. 

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Over the past few weeks, popular Apple TV+ shows have risen to the top of the streaming charts. Dark Matter rose to the top of the streaming charts a few weeks ago, overtaking popular titles like Amazon Prime Video's Fallout. And now another Apple TV+ show has overtaken popular releases such as the new seasons of House of the Dragon and The Boys. But this time, it's a show you've probably never heard of.

The latest streaming charts have revealed that new Apple TV+ show Presumed Innocent has taken the top spot for TV shows. It's sitting at the second spot overall, across both films and shows. It's one of the latest releases to join the growing list of shows and movies on the streaming service. Presumed Innocent was created by J.J. Abrams based on the Scott Turow novel. The series stars Jake Gyllenhaal as an attorney accused of murder.

The full synopsis for the show is as follows: "Presumed Innocent is an eight-part limited series starring and executive produced by Jake Gyllenhaal, hailing from David E. Kelley and executive producer J.J. Abrams. The star-studded ensemble cast also includes Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, O-T Fagbenle, Chase Infiniti, Nana Mensah, Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard, Kingston Rumi Southwick and Elizabeth Marvel."

What's been popular in streaming?

The charts, shared by Reelgood, read like this in terms of combined TV shows and movies:

• Hit Man (Netflix)
• Presumed Innocent (Apple TV +)
• The Boys (Prime Video)
• Monkey Man (Peacock Premium)
• Brats (Hulu)
• The Acolyte (Disney +)
• House of the Dragon (MAX)
• Godzilla Minus One (Netflix)
• Dark Matter (Apple TV +)
• Bridgerton (Netflix)

If you'd rather tune into something shorter, here are top TV shows people have been streaming in the past week:

• Presumed Innocent (Apple TV +)
• The Boys (Prime Video)
• The Acolyte (Disney +)
• House of the Dragon (MAX)
• Dark Matter (Apple TV +)
• Bridgerton (Netflix)
• Your Honor (Netflix)
• Eric (Netflix)
• Evil (Paramount +)
• The Bear (Hulu)

Or if you'd rather stick to films, here's what everyone else has been streaming:

• Hit Man (Netflix)
• Monkey Man (Peacock Premium)
• Brats (Hulu)
• Godzilla Minus One (Netflix)
• Inside Out (Disney +)
• Oppenheimer (Prime Video)
• Under Paris (Netflix)
• Dune: Part Two (MAX)
• St. Elmo's Fire (Prime Video)
• American Fiction (Prime Video)

If Presumed Innocent or anything else from Apple takes your fancy you can, of course, stream via an Apple TV+ subscription right now. You don't need an Apple device to watch it, with the Apple TV app now available on almost anything with an internet connection including streaming sticks, smart TVs, game consoles, and of course anything with a web browser.

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Apple is no stranger to streaming live soccer thanks to the MLS Season Pass offering that's available via the Apple TV app. But it's keen to add more. Despite that, it now appears that a potential deal to bring a big new tournament to the Apple TV app might not be in the cards after all.

According to a new report Apple was in talks to bring the new FIFA Club World Cup to the Apple TV app across Apple and third-party devices. The deal, we're told, could have seen Apple hand over $1 billion to FIFA, the sport's world governing body.

However, talks now appear to have stalled and, as a result, Apple TV might not be the home of a competition that will feature the world's best teams after all.

Stream on

Bloomberg reports that, while no official statement has been made, talks between FIFA and Apple have now stalled.

"FIFA was in talks with Apple Inc. for worldwide television rights earlier this year, which would help pay fees to participating teams, " the report says, citing unnamed sources. "However the discussions have stalled, with FIFA now considering selling the rights to the tournament to regional broadcasters, the people added, asking not to be named discussing private information."

While the potential Apple deal for $1 billion might sound like a lot, it's thought to be just a quarter of the value FIFA had placed on the streaming rights.

At various times recently Apple has reportedly been interested in bringing the NFL and various soccer competitions to the Apple TV app but, so far, nothing has come to fruition.

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As the final cars line up on the grid, a hush descends upon the crowd in the grandstands. The lights come on one by one — five, four, three, two... one! With a roar of engines and squeal of massive tires, 20 F1 cars plummet towards the first corner at nearly 200mph, jostling for position...

F1 is a uniquely exciting sport, as the best drivers in the world drive some of the most specialized cars at insane speeds around a track for an hour and a half, all while barking orders and feedback to their teams in the garage. We've been looking forward to seeing how modern F1 would pan out in a movie, ever since we saw the gold and black car driven by the movie's leading man zoom around Silverstone and other tracks over the last couple of years.

Now, we're a step closer to seeing Apple's new F1 movie, produced by seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, as it has a release date for its theater launch next year.

When can I watch the F1 movie?

Thanks to the official F1 site, we now know that the movie will be released next year in June — June 27, 2025, to be precise. That's also when you'll be able to watch it in IMAX, giving you "crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, creating a unique environment for audiences." Or something.

We'd expect it'll release after that on Apple TV Plus, where you can watch it on your Apple TV 4K or best iPhone.

As for the movie itself, it features Brad Pitt in the leading role, playing an older racing driver as he navigates the sport and its younger drivers. It's directed by Top Gun: Maverick's Joseph Kosinski, produced by Chad Oman and Jerry Bruckheimer of Pirates of the Caribbean fame, and will also feature talents like Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, and more.

It's all going to be consulted by seven-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, and uses real-time footage from F1 races — it should be one to keep an eye on for more than just F1 fans. Not long to wait now, either, so make sure you get caught up with the current season!

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Innies! Outties! Balloons? Severance season 2 looks set to be just as mind-bending as ever,  as Apple has revealed brand new footage of its hit Apple TV Plus sci-fi show.

Aired as part of a sizzle reel for the company’s upcoming slate of streaming shows and movies at WWDC 2024, it’s the first time we’ve had a glimpse at the next season of Severance since the very first seconds-long teaser that aired at the end of the iPhone 14 event back in September 2022.

It’s just a short glimpse of the show still — ten or so seconds interspersed with other upcoming Apple TV Plus originals — but there are still a few interesting things to note. And hey, when you’re talking about the Severance season 2 info desert we’ve been living in over the past two years, we’ll take anything we can get, right? See the new footage for yourself in the embed below:

Severance season 2 trailer breakdown

OK, obvious warning here but SPOILER ALERT: there’s a good chance the following might include spoilers for Severance season 1 if you haven’t finished it. So go do that first before reading on.

The trailer kicks off with Mark (Adam Scott) re-entering the Lumon workplace. Season 1 ended with Mark’s innie’s growing awareness of the outside world beyond his ‘severed’ Lumon Industries work life. He’s taking a deep breath here, suggesting he’s drumming up the courage to return to the office – fully aware of his other life outside it.

The first key Easter egg appears here. What’s that around his neck? A blue lanyard? We see Mark wearing it through the rest of the footage, and it seems a match for the one his old colleague Peter “Petey” Kilmer was wearing. 

Remember Petey? He’s the guy who first makes Mark’s outtie aware that a severed life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

A little further in and we see office supervisor Milchick (Tramell Tillman), holding a bunch of blue balloons with Mark’s face on them — hopefully a new office perk to rival ‘Defiant Jazz’. “Welcome back. Been a minute,” he says. It’s unclear who to, but if we assume it’s to Mark as the edit suggests, could we assume that Mark’s taking a leave of absence? There’s more to suggest that as we get further into the trailer. (Side note… “Been a minute?” Yeah right! Rub it in Apple, we’ve waited forever for this show to return!)

Could that potential leave of absence be a result of Mark attempting a reintegration, same as what eventually appeared to kill Petey? The next shot shows a close-up of Mark’s face, rapid cutting between him in his office shows and with his head hooked up to lots of wires.

My theory? Outtie Mark might have found a way to infiltrate Lumon as his innie sees it. A couple of final easter eggs add weight to that theory. We see Mark again on the ‘awakening’ table, where we first met Helly (Britt Lower) in season 1 as she joined as a new employee, as if he’s joining anew in some way, too. But the scene again flickers through some rapid cuts. Look around that desk room as it changes — there’s the laundry and drying machines found in Mark’s basement along with the makeshift bed where he let Petey lie low in season one, episode 2. And Mark’s clothing changes to a reader sweater and blue pants — mirroring the red and blue striped bathrobe that Petey was wearing for much of season 1. 

Coincidence? Nothing in Severance ever happens by coincidence, I’d say. This feels much like Petey’s re-integration sickness, now being experienced by Mark.

There’s a couple of inconsequential scenes dotted in there too — Mark spinning and running around the labyrinthine corridors of the office, and him shutting “Wait!” through the closing doors of the Lumon elevator. But it’s very difficult to ascertain what they’re pointing towards.

What looks certain to me? Outtie Mark is going undercover inside innie Mark’s Lumon world. And that’s a VERY exciting prospect for season 2, and sure to prop up the very best Apple TV Plus shows on the service.

As ever, we’ll keep you posted on all the Severance season 2 release date news, trailers, leaks and rumors as they land.

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WWDC 2024’s biggest new software advancements came in the form of Apple Intelligence and its many major OS updates, yet an improvement to Apple TV is one of its smartest — and it works on more speakers than ever before. 

Enhance Dialogue was a feature introduced to Apple TV with tvOS 17 last year. When connected to a HomePod or HomePod mini, it could intelligently boost dialogue in scenes so that listeners can hear it more clearly. Now, not only does this work on any Apple audio device, TV, or Bluetooth speaker, but machine learning is being used to offer clearer dialogue enhancement across the board. 

This is a fantastic accessibility feature for those with Tinittus or other hearing conditions, but it could also be particularly useful for those with sensory processing issues. If you find yourself too distracted by the background to pay attention to dialogue, this feature could help you out. You simply click on Settings while a show or movie is playing, scroll over to Audio Adjustments, and hit Enhance Dialogue. With the new and improved AI-booster Siri, this option could also work with nothing but a phrase in the future too. 

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What else has been added to tvOS 18?

A new smart subtitles option is coming with tvOS 18. With this, you can have subtitles off, but have them turn on when you mute your TV or go back a few seconds. This means, that if going back ten seconds sends you back to the middle of the sentence, the subtitles might give you the rest of it. This can help clue you in and you can turn this smart feature on and off as necessary. 

Perhaps the most notable introduction with tvOS 18 is InSight, which can show you the actor in each scene and will even show you the song playing in the background, which can then be added to your Apple Music library. 

tvOS 18 is also adding 21:9 support for projectors, giving more ways to watch the best movies on Apple TV Plus. It is also getting better screensaver support for your own custom photos, alongside shots of the best TV shows on Apple TV Plus and even a cute Snoopy wallpaper. 

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tvOS 18 was announced at WWDC 2024 on June 10, with Apple revealing some exciting changes to your home entertainment box, such as InSight.

If you're a developer, you know it's time to get tvOS 18 onto your test devices so you can bring your apps up to speed with Apple's latest Apple TV software. We advise general members of the public against installing the beta until Apple releases a public beta in a few weeks time.

With this in mind, here's how to download and install tvOS 18 beta 1.

How to download and install tvOS 18 beta

How to download and install tvOS 18 developer beta

Beta software, also referred to as a preview, seed, or release candidate, is a version of software that’s still under development and not yet released to the public. This software is intended only for installation on development devices registered under your Apple Developer Program membership. Registered development devices can be upgraded to future beta releases and the public version of the software. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable and necessitate an out-of-warranty repair. Make sure to back up your devices before installing beta software and install only on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

1. Open Settings on your Apple TV
2. Select System then Software Updates
3. Choose Beta Updates then tvOS 18 developer beta

It's that simple. You no longer need to use Xcode or any other external software to update your Apple TV to the newest tvOS developer beta, and you don't need to be a developer either.

How to download and install tvOS 18 public beta

The tvOS 18 public beta is not currently available but we expect to see the first iteration in July. The process is identical to the developer beta installation:

1. Open Settings on your Apple TV
2. Select System then Software Updates
3. Choose Beta Updates then tvOS 18 public beta

The next step in tvOS

Although there aren't many new features this year for tvOS, you'll likely be using what's been announced for tvOS 18 in due course.

For instance, InSight lets you find out more information about the actors and music in the show you're watching. This is very familiar to Amazon Prime Video's 'X-Ray' feature, so if you've used that before, you'll feel right at home.

tvOS 18 now supports 21:9 projectors, which can be great for watching certain movies in their intended aspect ratio. Enhanced dialog improves the way you hear actor's voices in certain scenes that may be harder to hear. There's also a new dynamic subtitles feature that only shows captions when you need them. Finally, Screensavers have been redesigned in how you can choose them, as well as a new portraits category.

Follow WWDC 2024 as it happened. Check out our roundups for all the latest on the newly announced iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and Apple Intelligence.

Apple TV Plus is on the cusp of celebrating its five-year anniversary and an ad in Apple's WWDC 2024 keynote shows it has truly cemented its place among the streaming giants in just a short amount of time.

The short trailer shows many of Apple's biggest hits on the platform, alongside what is expected next. Though it has not yet been uploaded as a separate video, go to 5:10 in the WWDC 2024 video below to watch it in all its glory. 

"The best in entertainment"

Coming out of the gates swinging, Tim Cook announced Apple TV Plus has placed at the very top of the list for highest-rated original programs in the last three years in a row. Cook then showed that Apple TV Plus knocks out Hulu, Disney Plus, Netflix, Prime Video, and more in original programming, celebrating the Emmy, Oscar, and BAFTA awards its shows and movies have received. 

This is followed up with nods to excellent originals like Killers of the Flower Moon, Masters of the Air, Shrinking, Severance, and so much more. This isn't just Apple patting itself on the back (though it is that too), it is also solidifying that a new season of Pachinko, Silo, Severance, and more is on the way, alongside movies like Fly Me to the Moon, which stars Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, and Woody Harrelson.

The best Apple TV Plus TV shows are enthralling and urge you to click "Next episode" at the end and the best Apple TV Plus movies are filled with award-winning actors and directors. Though its backlog isn't as large as other streaming services, Apple TV Plus' original movies and shows take a well-deserved spotlight in this trailer. If you haven't renewed that subscription, now might be the perfect time. 

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Severance is one of Apple TV Plus' biggest breakout hits, so it's perhaps not surprising to see our first look at Severance Season 2 debuting at the start of WWDC 2024.

Still, Apple's keynote started strong with a look at Adam Scott walking the halls of the Lumon offices once again.

The preview didn't give us much, since it was interspersed with a whole host of Apple's other original TV content, but given we've been waiting over two years it's good to finally get to see Mark Scout again.

Apple really wants you to know about Apple TV Plus

Apple notes that its TV service has been voted as the highest-rated platform for original content three years running, pointing to the likes of Killers of the Flower Moon, Severance, Slow Horses, and more.

The company also showcased upcoming projects starring the likes of Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and more. No release dates were given, however.

We're covering the WWDC 2024 event as it happens. Follow WWDC 2024 LIVE here. Or check out our roundups for all the latest on the newly announced iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and Apple Intelligence.

Apple has just announced that its tvOS 18 is coming to the Apple TV 4K and beyond later this year. The operating that powers all of the best Apple TV devices on the market is getting its annual 2024 update later this year. 

Apple has announced that tvOS will bring a new InSight feature to Apple TV Plus, which lets you find out more information about the actors and music in the show you're watching, a feature Amazon Prime Video subscribers will be familiar with!

tvOS 18: The headlines

tvOS 18 also supports enhanced dialog that improves the way you hear actor's voices, and there's a new dynamic subtitles feature that only shows subtitles when you need them. tvOS now supports 21:9 projectors, and Screensavers are better with a new portraits category. 

New AirPods features

Apple's new AirPods features include new personalized spatial audio for gaming, and new interactions with Siri, including shaking and nodding your head to respond to calls. 

Other new Apple Home and Audio features include FaceTime live captions, Home electricity monitoring, and support for Robot vacuums in the Home app. 

We're covering the WWDC 2024 event as it happens. Follow WWDC 2024 LIVE here. Or check out our roundups for all the latest on the newly announced iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and Apple Intelligence.

When you think of big-name Apple TV Plus shows The Morning Show is probably right at the top of the list, and with good reason. It features some of the biggest and best talents in the industry and has the awards to prove it and while the show's fourth season doesn't yet have a release date, we're already learning what we can expect the season to focus on. And it just so happens it's something Apple's WWDC event will focus on next week, too.

The WWDC event is going to focus on big new Apple AI features for the iPhone, Mac, and beyond ahead of the iOS 18 and other software releases that will likely take place this fall. But Apple TV Plus is about to take a more critical look at AI in general, it seems.

According to a new report and interview with showrunner Charlotte Stoudt, The Morning Show season four will discuss the world of AI and the role it can play in the spread of misinformation and, among other things, deepfakes.

Deepfakes and misinformation

The subject of AI and the way it can be used to spread misinformation isn't a new one for The Morning Show, and Stoudt tells Deadline that it's something the fourth season is going to get into some more.

“We blew everything up last year with the biggest bomb we could possibly build,” the showrunner said. "So, we have to ask ourselves how is the band going to get back together, and what will that look like?"  Stoudt then went on to explain that the show will "get into the world of DeepFakes and AI and the misinformation in the fog of war that we’re seeing now in the Middle East and stuff. We’re looking at who can trust. And can you trust what you’re seeing? Can you trust yourself? Can you trust your news outlet?”

It'll certainly be interesting to see how that all pans out, especially at a time when AI is such a big topic across many industries and companies all around the globe.

Those who want to catch up ahead of time will find all three seasons of The Morning Show ready to stream on Apple TV Plus right now.

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Despite being newer to the scene, Apple TV+ has put out some highly ranked movies and TV shows. Numbers are growing, despite an entertainment expert claiming "no one is watching Apple TV." And it looks like Apple wants to take this success overseas, expanding the streaming service to China. Should this happen, it would be the first US streamer to land in China.

According to The Information, Apple’s been having some hush-hush chats with telecom behemoth China Mobile about this grand plan. But don't get too excited just yet. Things wouldn't be quite as straightforward as firing up the app on your iPhone. In order to meet Chinese regulation, the streamer would only be available on select devices.

How would Apple TV+ in China work?

If this deal goes through, don’t expect to binge Ted Lasso on your iPhone in Beijing anytime soon. In true Chinese regulatory style, Apple TV+ would be accessible only through China Mobile's set-top boxes. The grand scheme is to offer Apple TV+ via China Mobile for a monthly fee, with the content getting prime real estate on those set-top boxes. Apple and China Mobile would split the revenue.

Talks have been simmering since last year, but it’s all a bit murky where things stand now. Apparently, Apple wanted to shout this partnership from the rooftops last year, but something (or someone) threw a spanner in the works. If Apple Music’s cut-price deal in China is anything to go by (less than $2 a month compared to $10.99 in the US), expect Apple TV+ to follow suit.

Apple is careful not to ruffle feathers with its content – a lesson learned the hard way with Jon Stewart's exit from his Apple TV+ talk show after the company allegedly balked at covering politically sensitive topics like, you guessed it, China. But the potential payoff is huge. China is one of Apple's biggest markets. Plus, we're talking about tapping into one of the largest populations in the world.

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When you're shopping in the world of streaming devices the Apple TV 4K is very much at the top of the pile. It's the best Apple TV device that Apple has ever made, but it definitely isn't the cheapest option out there. Thankfully, sometimes a deal comes along that helps lessen the sticker shock somewhat.

Right now Verizon is offering you the chance to pick up the 64GB version of the latest Apple TV 4K for just $89.99, a deal that represents a $40 savings. It's also a deal that doesn't require that you enter any discount codes or clip any coupons which isn't always the case, too.

That doesn't mean there isn't a catch, though. Verizon isn't saying how long this deal is going to last which means that there is always the chance it will happen at any moment and without warning — keep that in mind when you're planning to place your order.

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Save on Apple TV before it's too late

In terms of features, the Apple TV 4K comes with a fast Apple-designed A15 Bionic chip as well as support for 4K Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content. There's Dolby Atmos support for high-spec audio fans, while you'll also get the upgraded Siri Remote with actual buttons rather than the terrible touch-sensitive panel of older versions.

This Apple TV device has the App Store built-in with support for games and more, while all buyers will get a free three-month Apple TV Plus trial included for good measure.

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Netflix fans who happen to watch their favorite TV shows via 2nd and 3rd-generation Apple TVs might need to consider upgrading to a newer model after the streamer warned that it will drop support for those devices soon.

In an email sent to subscribers, Netflix warned that it will no longer support the older Apple TV hardware after July 31, 2024. The move means that owners of those devices will need to upgrade to something newer, like the excellent Apple TV 4K.

All streamed out

The news, reported by AppleInsider, didn't come with any specific explanation other than the fact that Netflix believes it has to take this step in order to "maintain the best possible" experience for subscribers. It isn't yet clear what prompted the decision, however.

The older Apple TV devices do not support the App Store which means that there are plenty of reasons to upgrade to a newer model beyond this Netflix news.

The current Apple TV is available with 4K support as well as up to 128GB of storage. You'll need to get the big storage option if you want to use Ethernet connectivity, but for those who just want to watch their favorite TV shows, there is little reason not to buy the 64GB entry-level model. Note that the 64GB model doesn't support Thread smart home networking, however.

Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV hardware since 2022 so a new model could be in the works but rumors have so far been sparse.

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While last month's 'Let Loose' event saw the first refresh of the iPad line in over a year, some keen-eyed fans think they've spotted the next long-awaited update in the product line.

As spotted on the Apple TV subreddit, one user spotted that the 128GB version of the Apple TV 4K hardware has dropped in price to 169 euros (Around $183/£144), 

It's hardly a steep discount, essentially meaning you can double your storage for no extra cost, but it could signify Apple potentially looking to clear stock ahead of the reveal of a new model. At the time of writing, the price appears to be cut in certain EU markets, but not all.

Could Apple TV's next model be inbound?

Naturally, Reddit is sceptical. Some are hoping for an Apple TV with an M-series processor, while others are expecting a small spec bump that may include extra storage. There's also the chance it's a minor pricing issue and it could change shortly.

Reports have suggested the Apple TV could shift form factor to a more soundbar-like alternative, but we're yet to see any evidence of that.

As we said in our review, the Apple TV 4K is a great option, but it could do with better live TV integration and maybe a little more storage since it can double as a games console now.

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