YouTube has quietly switched off a terrible Apple TV screensaver feature that would stop Apple’s own screensavers from playing.

At the beginning of May, YouTube updated its Apple TV app with a new feature that replaced the pause screen with terrible, pixelated photos. This change required users to press extra buttons on Apple’s Siri Remote to return to their videos. Now though, blogger Joe Steel has discovered that YouTube has disabled this feature, restoring the previous pause behavior. This change isn’t the type of update that was released through the App Store — instead, it looks to be a server-side update. This means that YouTube essentially sent an updated command to its Apple TV app so it could stop playing its screensavers automatically.

This change also seems to have been applied to versions of the app available on Smart TVs. iMore’s How To Editor, John-Anthony Disotto, noticed this change had been made to the YouTube app on his TV as well.

It’s a welcome fix to a feature no one asked for. Once again, you can now resume where you left off on all the best Apple TVs. In addition, you can make sure that Apple’s screensavers will now display when you want them to, thanks to the server-side change that removes the four-minute time limit before the YouTube screensaver would play.

•  TV deals: Walmart | Samsung | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg  

The three best Apple TV screensavers you can choose right now

To celebrate YouTube’s reversal of its terrible screensaver feature, we wanted to showcase a couple of Apple’s own excellent screensavers that you can use on your Apple TV.

The flyover of Yosemite’s National Park in California is an amazing screensaver that you’ll find yourself captivated by — especially if you’re watching it on something like this Samsung 83-inch OLED TV. Another mesmerizing screensaver shows the light of Alaskan Jellyfish. The pulsating movement of the creatures is almost hypnotic, especially if you have a backlight accessory on your TV that reacts to the jellyfish moving across the screen.

Finally, a screensaver called ‘Hawaiian Valley Serenity’ is exactly as described. The blooming greenery, coupled with the flyover slowly bringing the ocean into view almost makes you feel like you’re slowly gliding between the hills.

It was baffling when YouTube introduced a feature that blocked Apple’s screensavers at the start of the month. Now though, you can enjoy them without worrying about YouTube’s pixelated alternative appearing on your Apple TV.

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Apple launched the iTunes Movie Trailers app back in 2011, a destination for details about upcoming movies, trailers, and Rotten Tomatoes scores. If you'd completely forgotten it existed, don't worry, we did too. 

But that does mean none of us will be too disappointed by the news today that hints Apple may soon be shuttering the app.

In early August, Mac Rumors noticed a new banner on the dedicated iTunes Movie Trailers website that read: "Apple TV app is the new home of iTunes Movie Trailers." Fast-forward a few weeks, and that same message is being rolled out to the Movie Trailers apps on both iOS and tvOS.

Some US-based users then reported spotting a new section of the Apple TV app called "Watch the Latest Trailers", suggesting that's where upcoming and new trailers are likely to live soon.

For now, the app is still available to download from the Apple App Store, and only a few users in select regions are noticing the new trailers section on the Apple TV app. But it hasn't been updated since 2017, and we'd guess it's only a matter of time before this update is rolled out to all Apple TV app users and the iTunes Movie Trailers app is shuttered for good.

So long, iTunes!

Apple has been slowly phasing out the iTunes branding for some time now, as well as rolling all of the best iTunes products into other offerings. 

In that context, it makes complete sense that a standalone iTunes app dedicated to trailers should become part of the Apple TV app instead, ensuring all of Apple's entertainment properties are in one place - a more straightforward proposition for anyone new to Apple, too.

This way, people could also presumably bookmark content they're interested in and then even be notified if those shows or movies arrive on the streaming platform.

TikTok is home to some of the funniest short-form content out there. At its best, TikToks can make the average TV show writer’s room seem like a crematorium. 

However, TikTok moves at a million miles an hour. And because it’s governed by an algorithm designed to keep you constantly engaged and entertained, finding content you’ve already seen and loved can be tricky. 

Saving clips to your iPhone just after you’ve seen a TikTok is one of the best ways to keep them for a later re-watch. After all, your favorite creators might decide to delete old content off their account for any number of reasons, or leave TikTok completely one day.

Before you get started, though, a few points on what you can do with these downloaded TikToks. It’s not ethically sound to start downloading someone’s creations and start posting them on your own account, posing like you made their content. 

This is likely to constitute a copyright violation and, well, we’re simply big fans of creativity and the effort people put into making original content here at iMore. Of course, there is a whole genre of content that hinges on other people’s videos, the reaction video. You’ll want a downloaded version of the original to make one of these reactions. So let’s get to it. Here’s how to download TikTok videos on your iPhone.

How to download TikTok videos on your iPhone

1. Find a TikTok video you want to save

2. Long-press the screen somewhere towards the center and away from the interface buttons
3. Tap Save Video in the Share menu

4. Tap More in the Share To pop-up

5. Tap Save Video, or Save to Files if you want to specify a save location

6. Close TikTok
7. Open Photos
8. Select Albums in the bottom nav bar
9. Select Videos under the Media Types header

In this folder, you will now find the TikToks we’ve saved. They are stored as H.264 files, so are similar to completely ordinary videos you might take with your iPhone.

Why can’t I download a video?

With some TikToks, you will find the Save Video option is not there. This is because the creator has disabled downloads in their posting options. 

This is a Privacy setting, one designed to stop people sharing your content quite as readily outside of TikTok. And to make it harder for them to start reposting it as their own. 

Based on our anecdotal experience, it’s often the aggregator accounts that do this. These are TikTok accounts that repost other people’s content, often without having any real right to do so.

Using an app to download TikTok videos on iPhone

You can also use an app to download TikTok videos to your iPhone. But what can they add when TikTok makes it so easy to save your faves already?

Some apps make the process marginally faster. Sort of, anyway, by having a TikTok search function of their own. Others let you add your own captions to a video, a super-simple form of video editing. 

Some also provide watermark removal. We find this a bit of an eyebrow-raiser in most situations, as the watermark is there to tell you the name of the account that made the video. 

Why are you looking to remove it unless you want to claim that content as your own? That’s no bueno, folks, much as it is absurdly common in social networking sites like Instagram and TikTok.

How to make a reaction video on TikTok

Do you want to download TikToks in order to get in on the reactions trend? 

You ideally want to get ahold of some video editing software. While off-screen reactions can work pretty well in some situations, the classic approach is to have a side-by-side picture-in-picture effect. 

Some beginner-friendly video editing apps have profiles for such a layout, like Filmora. This is not a free app, but there is a free version with limited features and a watermark on videos produced. 

You can also get similar results from the free version of DaVinci Resolve, a feature-limited tier of one of the most popular professional-grade video editing apps. That’s for Macs, though, not iPhones. 

You can also get this split-screen effect in trusty old iMovie, the free video editor available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It’s found in the Overlay menu within iMovie.

Download TikToks on iPhone, easily

Downloading TikToks is as easy as can be on iPhone, and there's no need to download any more apps to get access to your favorite videos directly on your iPhone.

TikTok is an absolute blast, and it is one of the best apps on the iPhone because of how easy it is to use and enjoy. If you use TikTok regularly and want to share your favorite accounts, let us know by joining the iMore forums and leaving a comment below!

YouTube is a streaming service that has historically been watched mainly on laptops, tablets, and phones. But that now appears to be changing.

It's now thought that 45% of all YouTuber viewership is now done on a TV, a change that will surely see YouTube and its ad partners change the way they think about the streaming service.

The new figure is a huge change, with less than 30% of YouTube watchers doing so on the big screen as recently as 2020. 

Must-watch content

This is all according to a new report by The Information which notes that this all coincides with advertisers choosing to pay more attention to YouTube than ever before.

"Those shifts explain why advertisers have stopped treating YouTube like a second-class citizen, which will become clearer this month at the start of the annual TV upfronts market, an event where advertisers and ad sellers begin negotiating their spending commitments for the next year," the report says. "Advertisers widely expect to allocate at least as many dollars to YouTube as on any individual TV company such as Disney and NBCUniversal, according to multiple senior ad-buying executives."

Once only available via a web browser on a computer, YouTube is now everywhere. There are apps for most smart TVs and then there are games consoles and streaming devices like the Apple TV 4K. There are tons of cheaper Apple TV alternatives out there that make getting YouTube onto a TV a cinch. And it's all being noticed by ad companies keen to put their money where the eyeballs are.

This all also comes at a time when YouTube is becoming more mainstream thanks to higher-quality content from top-notch creators. Gone are the days when YouTube was full of kids — it's now a huge business with MrBeast having spent millions of dollars on creating videos.

YouTube has started to roll out SharePlay on iOS compatibility for YouTube Premium subscribers. 

With a YouTube Premium subscription, you can now watch videos with your friends and family directly from FaceTime calls, similar to how it works for Apple TV.

SharePlay compatibility will arrive on iOS devices over the next few weeks alongside other long-anticipated YouTube features that haven't yet been available on iPhone and iPad. 

These features include an enhanced bitrate version of 1080p HD quality that allows for better details and motion, which should take advantage of the ProMotion displays on the iPhone 14 Pro. The better-quality videos are expected to launch in the coming weeks. 

iPhone users will also finally get a "Continue Watching" prompt when returning to the app after leaving during a video. This has been available on Android for some time and is an excellent addition to YouTube on iOS.

More YouTube features behind a paywall

As a YouTube Premium subscriber, these new additions sound like great features that I might regularly use, although it does leave free users feeling even more isolated.

Initially, I subscribed to YouTube Premium to remove adverts from the hundreds of YouTube videos I watch monthly, and it has been the best subscription I pay for that exact reason. 

That said, as a YouTube Premium subscriber, you sometimes don't realize what features are behind YouTube's paywall. One of those features is the ability to watch videos Picture-in-Picture on iOS, which most other apps allow you to do without paying a premium. Add on top background listening, and YouTube Premium is quickly becoming the only way to experience the streaming app properly.

By gatekeeping a basic iOS feature like SharePlay, YouTube is secluding its free users even further when it should be included for everyone. As a paid subscriber, these new features are exciting, but the app becomes even more distant for those who don't want to spend more money on streaming services. 

If you’re a fan of firing up 4K YouTube videos on your iPhone or big 4K TV screen, you may need to start dipping into your piggy-bank. A new feature-testing phase is locking the ability to stream 4K videos behind a subscription paywall.

Numerous viewers are reporting that the ability to choose the higher-quality 2160p / 4K streaming options for video content supporting the ultra-HD resolution is being prevented by a prompt to “Tap to upgrade” to YouTube’s premium offering.

Following confusion and complaints, YouTube has responded on Twitter, confirming that the restrictions are part of a test to explore the feature preferences of its potential Premium subscriber base. Viewers were urged to leave feedback on the test.

Premium vs free YouTube

By far the most popular video platform in the western world, YouTube has 2.1 billion active monthly users as of August 2022 — but only an estimated 50 million of those pay for the Premium and Music subscription options, which currently offers ad-free viewing, in-app content downloads, and background music play when the app is not active. In the US, YouTube Premium subscriptions cost $11.99 a month.

But despite the vast numbers — and an overt advertising push that has seen as many as ten unskippable ads play before videos during some testing phases — parent company Google’s profits are feeling the pinch of the current economic climate as much as everyone else.

Whether or not a 4K paywall will prove itself a permanent change in YouTube’s viewing behavior remains to be seen. Will content creators, for instance, bother to work in the higher resolution format, knowing that only a fraction of potential users will see it, or prefer to work in the lower resolution realms with wider viewership and faster processing times? It’ll be a tough sell for YouTube either way — give something to someone consistently for free, and it’s much more difficult to get them to pay later. 

Plex users are receiving emails today about a data breach that occurred on Tuesday, August 23. The breach occurred when an unnamed third party accessed user emails, usernames, and encrypted passwords. The suspicious activity is being described by the American streaming media service as "limited" and only affecting a limited subset of data. 

After identifying the breach, Plex hashed and secured all account passwords that could have been accessed. For further protection, Plex recommends all customers reset their passwords. The email contains directions to do so.  

The company stresses credit card and other payment data are not stored on its servers and therefore weren't involved in the breach. 

Changing that password

If you're a Plex customer, you're advised to sign out of all of your devices where the software is installed, then change your password. There's a support article with step-by-step instructions on resetting your password. Plex also recommends enabling two-factor authentication on your Plex account for added security. 

Plex offers a client-service media player platform, allowing users to organize entertainment files, including video, audio, and photos. You can access content across various platforms, including mobile devices, streaming boxes, web apps, and smart TVs.

You can find information on using Plex from the official website; it supports all the best iPhones, including the iPhone 13, and an official Plex app is available in the App Store. 

For step-by-step instructions on how to reset your password on Plex, visit: https://support.plex.tv/articles/account-requires-password-reset

The Walt Disney Company launched Disney+, its own highly anticipated streaming service, around the end of 2019 for $7.99 with no ads. However, starting Dec. 8, the cost of Disney+ with no ads is rising 30% to $10.99 a month. Disney is also introducing an ad-supported tier of the streaming service at the current $7.99 price point. There will still be a Disney Bundle with Disney+, Hulu+, and ESPN+, though the price for the bundle is also increasing.

Full price changes for Disney streaming services

Since Disney includes Hulu and ESPN streaming services, as well as various bundles, the prices can get a little confusing. Pretty much everything is increasing across the board, and here is a full breakdown of what to expect.

Disney+

• Basic (with ads): $7.99/mo
• Premium (no ads): $10.99/mo, $109.99/year

Hulu

• Basic (with ads): $7.99/mo, $79.99/year (as of Oct. 10, 2022)
• Premium (no ads): $14.99/mo (as of Oct. 10, 2022)

ESPN+

• With ads: $9.99/mo, $99.99/year (as of Aug. 23, 2022)
• UFC PPV: $74.99 per event (as of Aug. 23, 2022)
• UFC PPV + Annual: $124.98/year (as of Aug. 23, 2022)

Disney Bundle plans

• Basic Disney+, Hulu (with ads): $9.99/mo
• Basic Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (with ads): $12.99/mo
• Legacy Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads): $14.99/mo
• Premium Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (no ads), ESPN+ (with ads): $19.99/mo

Hulu + Live TV plans

• Hulu + Live TV Basic (with ads), Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+: $69.99/mo
• Legacy Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (with ads), ESPN+ (with ads): $74.99/mo
• Premium Disney+ (no ads), Hulu (no ads), ESPN+ (with ads): $82.99/mo

Please note that these prices are for existing subscribers, which is over 103 million as of May 2022.

No ads for kids!

Those who want to keep the current $7.99 price for Disney+ will have to put up with ads on the service. According to Disney CEO Bob Chapek, the ad tier will have a “lower ad load and frequency to ensure a great experience for viewers.” With earlier reports from the year, Disney intends to keep the ad breaks to just four minutes per hour, which is less than 1%.

Those who are worried about kids seeing ads during their programming also don’t have to worry, as no ads will run on kids' profiles. Don’t think that this is a total workaround for not getting ads, however. Disney+ kid profiles will only be able to view content that is rated G, TV-Y, TV-Y7/Y7-FV, or TV-G. So if you were trying to catch something like Deadpool on Disney+, you’re not going to be able to see that on a kids' profile type.

Disney+ is home to most original Disney content, including Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and 20th Century Fox. Hit series like WandaVision, Loki, Ms. Marvel, The Mandalorian, the upcoming Andor, and more can only be found on Disney+. Plus, if you’re a Disney Parks aficionado, you’ll get a kick out of several documentary series including: Behind the Attraction and The Imagineering Story.

If you want one of the best iPhone streaming services available, then Disney+ is well worth it, even with the price increase.

The HBO Max app has had its issues, but I don't know if it deserves to be killed off entirely. Unfortunately, that's exactly what is going to happen.

As reported by The Verge, Warner Bros Discovery is planning to kill off the HBO Max app in the summer of 2023. On an earnings call earlier today, CEO David Zaslav announced the move, saying that the company is planning to combine the HBO Max and Discovery+ apps into one new mega-app that will be named something completely new. 

Zaslav says that the new app will combine the content power of HBO Max with the "better tech stack" of Discovery Plus.

“HBO Max has a competitive feature set, but it has had performance and customer issues.” He went on to claim Discovery Plus has a better tech stack and would become the core of the new service which will combine the content of HBO Max with the content and tech of Discovery Plus.

What will the new service be called?

While Zaslav was willing to announce the killing off of HBO Max, he didn't go as far as naming what the new service will be called. Some expected that HBO would get rolled directly into the Discovery+ app as a so-called "channel" within the app, but it appears that Discovery+ is also getting the ax — at least as its own standalone app.

“We think that product is going to be superb,” said Zaslav, referring to the newly combined service that it plans to launch in the summer of 2023. The CEO did note that HBO Max, despite its technical issues, has quickly grown in brand recognition when compared to other streaming services.

That makes a lot of sense since HBO Max is a much better know streaming service than Discovery+ is currently. We'll have to wait and see how Warner Bros Discovery launches its new service while maintaining the steam that HBO Max has garnered over the last year or so.

If you want to enjoy HBO Max, Discovery+, and whatever the hell else Warner Bros Discovery puts together, the best place to watch is on the Apple TV 4K. Even better, the 32GB model is on a great sale right now on Amazon.

The latest streaming video service is here, and it's a game-changer. HBO Max from WarnerMedia comes with 10,000 hours of curated content at launch and has a familiar name. However, it's much bigger than the HBO you've come to love. In addition to offering full access to HBO's ever-growing library of original content, HBO Max also includes titles from DC Comics, Sesame Street, TCM, Adult Swim, and much more.

The best part about HBO Max: If you already subscribe to HBO, it's likely you already have your golden ticket.

A hodgepodge of entertainment

What is HBO Max?

HBO Max and Disney+ are very familiar in at least one respect. Both services launched following massive acquisitions; Disney after it purchased large chunks of 21st Century Fox and WarnerMedia (a new name) following AT&T's takeover of Time Warner. The result is Frankenstein-like streaming services designed to appeal to as many subscribers as possible.

Disney+'s approach is decidedly more family-friendly since Disney has the luxury of relegating the company's more mature content to its Hulu streaming service. At HBO Max, by contrast, you're going to see Game of Thrones and similar titles next to Sesame Street and Looney Tunes. Age-appropriate profiles can quickly remove adult content from the mix. Still, seeing Big Bird next to Daenerys Targaryen on the HBO Max home screen is a little bit jarring nonetheless.

No doubt, the name itself, HBO Max, will confuse many, especially when you see similar titles such as HBO Go and HBO Now. The many ways you can subscribe to HBO Max adds to the confusion.

Current HBO Now subscribers now get HBO Max instead. At least on Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, the app for HBO Now is no longer available. HBO Max is also accessible to current HBO subscribers who get the service through select providers, including Apple, AT&T, Cox, DIRECTV, Google Play, Hulu, Optimum, Spectrum, Verizon, and YouTube TV.

This means the HBO Go app is no longer necessary for those customers, although it remains in the App Store since not everyone with an HBO subscription through cable or satellite qualifies for an HBO Max account, at least for now. You can find a current list of the companies supporting HBO Max through the official website.

If you don't yet qualify for HBO Max, you can sign up at HBOMax.com at any time. When signing up for HBO Max, new users get a free 7-day-trial.

HBO Max is available on the previously mentioned Apple devices and through Google Play, plus Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire tablets, and select Samsung televisions. You can also stream content directly from the HBO Max website.

At launch, HBO Max divides most of its content into nine so-called Hubs that are separated by brand. You'll also find content made exclusively for HBO Max plus a library of on-demand movies that come from various providers. The Hubs are HBO, DC Comics, Sesame Workshop, Classics Curated by TCM, Studio Ghibli, Cartoon Network Collection, Adult Swim Collection, Crunchyroll Collection, and Looney Tunes.

HBO is the most straightforward hub to explain, and the one with the most familiar content for most people. If something initially aired on HBO, it's probably on HBO Max right now. From older series like The Sopranos and The Wire, to current titles such as Barry, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Succession, HBO Max has every episode covered. When new stuff arrives on HBO, it will also appear on HBO Max for on-demand streaming.

The DC Comics section on HBO Max offers a modest sampling from DC, at best. Missing, at least for now, is most content from the Arrowverse and many DC movies. WarnerMedia also offers a separate DC Universe streaming service, which suggests HBO Max will never have all of the DC content with both services online. Throw in existing licensing agreements elsewhere, and it makes you wonder how things will play out. My prediction: HBO Max will eventually be the only home for DC content.

There are no holes in the Sesame Workshop Hub. For the first time in history, every season of Sesame Street is available in one place for on-demand streaming. The complete library includes the 40 seasons that were on PBS going back to 1969 and the 30-minute episodes that have aired on HBO since 2011. You'll also find other HBO-Sesame Workshop content such as The Electric Company, Esme & Roy, and Elmo's Playdate.

Speaking of Elmo, the furry red Muppet character is the star of one of the first HBO Max original programs. The-Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo! features familiar Sesame Street characters and guests.

Classics Curated by TCM, meanwhile, brings iconic titles from the Turner Classic Movies library to HBO Max. These include Ben Hur, North by Northwest, Casablanca, and many more.

The Cartoon Network and Adult Swim collections are packed full of popular and unique animated content from the two long-running channels. Like with HBO proper, if your favorite series is on Cartoon Network or Adult Swim, respectively, it's available on HBO Max.

The Studio Ghibli Hub offers just over 20 animated feature films from the iconic Japanese animation film studio. On HBO Max, you'll find the company's first successful title, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984).

Sticking with the animated theme are new and old Looney Tunes titles featuring classic characters like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety Bird, and Wile E. Coyote.

Finally, with the Crunchyroll Collection, you'll find streaming anime, manga, and dorama made famous on Crunchyroll's distribution channels. Crunchyroll is part of Otter Media, which in turn, is a subsidiary of AT&T's WarnerMedia.

Content that doesn't necessarily fit into one of the HBO Max Hubs includes titles from New Line Cinema, CNN, Rooster Teeth, and many more. And that says nothing about the extensive film library that promises to be the backbone for the new service. Here you'll find much of The Criterion Collection, content from BBC Studios, and much more.

Did I mention HBO Max is also the new home to every episode of Friends and The Big Bang Theory?

Like Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, and other services before it, HBO Max+ plans on offering an expanding list of original content, including first-run series and films. Initially, WarnerMedia had planned on releasing over 30 original series on HBO Max in 2020 and another 20 by 2021. Those plans are now up in the air right thanks to COVID-19.

At launch, you'll find the first episodes of the comedy-drama Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick, the previously mentioned Elmo series, and HBO Max original reality competition series Legendary with Dashaun Wesley Williams. There's also On the Record, a documentary about Russell Simmons' accusers.

Upcoming Max Originals include Ridley Scott's Raised By Wolves, the Kaley Cuoco-led The Flight Attendant, reboots of Gossip Girl and The Boondocks, and a new comedy, Made for Love. There's also the highly-anticipated Friends reunion show that was supposed to arrive on the first day of HBO Max before the pandemic changed those plans, and Zack Snyder's cut of Justice League.

Ultimately, HBO Max's original series will be judged on the quality of each property. If one or more series break out among viewers early on, more originals will quickly follow. Otherwise, WarnerMedia will rely more heavily on content from other locations in the future, especially the HBO family of channels.

HBO Max is $14.99 per month, and that allows for simultaneous streams on different devices. For now, WarnerMedia isn't saying how many concurrent streams are possible. On the HBO MAX FAQ page, WarnerMedia only states the number is "limited for security reasons."

HBO Max already has a significant presence across Apple devices. However, it lacks the Apple TV app integration once afforded to HBO Now. The new HBO channel is not part of Apple TV Channels, which means you can't play the content directly from the Apple TV app. However, you can still see the HBO Max series you're watching under the Up Next section in the Apple TV app.

The decision not to integrate HBO Max with the Apple TV app was WarnerMedia's decision. It's a path also taken by Disney when Disney+ launched last fall.

Day one excitement

HBO Max: What I like

Even in the face of a pandemic, the team at HBO Max has put together a vast ecosystem ready to bring entertainment into your home or on your mobile device. No doubt, that library is going to grow significantly over time, especially when original programming ramps up.

Additionally, the HBO Max interface is easy to use and should look familiar to anyone who had previously experienced HBO Go or HBO Now on any device. For now, most of what you see on the HBO Max home screen is algorithm-drive. Soon, however, it will be adjusted based on your viewing habits.

According to Andy Forssell, executive vice president and general manager of WarnerMedia's direct-to-consumer business, human curation will play an increasing role on the content and topics users see throughout the HBO Max interface.

Profiles are a vital part of any successful video streaming service, and on this point, HBO Max hits it out of the park. With a profile, you can keep track of your content and start from where you left off, regardless of your device. With profiles, you can also set up a watch list and download content to your devices, when possible.

With a kids' profile, you can change your child's age or content restrictions. You can also decide which type of content they're allowed to watch. Perhaps best of all, you can require a PIN for children to switch profiles.

Finally, there's no denying WarnerMedia is making it very easy for large swaths of online viewers to sample HBO Max. At launch, the service is available across various platforms and devices. Additionally, if you're already an HBO subscriber (somewhere), the odds are in your favor that you now have access to HBO Max also. This inclusiveness is a big deal and should serve HBO Max and its customers well.

Something is missing

HBO Max: What I don't like

There are a few noticeable holes and limitations with HBO Max at launch that are worth noting. First, it's a shame there's no 4K content, which makes little sense in 2020. Not being able to adjust resolution across devices manually is also a concern, especially for those who have limited bandwidth available. It's also unfortunate DC content remains fluid, although I'm convinced this is only a short-term problem. The lack of more original content is also regrettable, though understandable in this strange time.

At $14.99 per month, HBO Max isn't cheap. However, it is correctly priced.

The standalone Netflix service is currently available for $12.99 per month for the standard plan and $15.99 per month with 4K content included. By contrast, Disney+ is $6.99 per month or $69.99 per year. For $12.99 per month, you can get a Disney bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

And yet, $14.99 per month is what WarnerMedia typically charged for HBO Now for streaming customers and as an add-on for cable and satellite subscribers. Looked another way, if you've always wanted to subscribe to HBO but haven't because of the price, understand you can now get much more for the same price. And if you're a current HBO subscriber, congratulations, your monthly payment is going much further now.

A contender, maybe the leader

HBO Max

HBO Max is almost certainly the last of the all-in-one streaming video services to launch in the United States. In many respects, WarnerMedia saved the best for last. Content, original and otherwise, will ultimately be what keeps HBO Max viewers happy and sticking around. At launch, HBO Max is already a force that others shouldn't discount and probably aren't. It's the real deal and worth your consideration.

Have any questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about HBO Max, leave a comment below.

One of my favorite coloring book apps for iPhone and iPad has recently received a major update that brings with it a completely new user interface, gorgeous new illustrations, and a more intuitive way to color. It's free to download and there are daily illustrations you can color for free. With a $60 annual subscription or $8 monthly subscription, you get access to dozens of artist's collections with new art being added all the time.

New features now in Lake: Coloring Books

Lake has been divided into four sections with version 3.0.

• Hey! is the discovery section where curated coloring pages change daily. It's also the first place to look for your free daily illustrations. This discovery tab includes a list of daily favorites, a spotlight on collections and new artists, and a list of the Editors' Choices so you can see what's new.
• All Art is where you'll find every one of more than five dozen artists' books, each with at least a dozen illustrations in each. This section also divides art by types, including Collections, Free art, and art style (like animals or landscapes).
• My Studio is where your colored pages and works-in-progress are kept. It's your personal studio. Every piece of art you've started coloring sits here, even if the original illustration is no longer a free download, you can still color and keep it.
• My Gallery holds your favorite colored pictures. Did you find that perfect illustration that perfectly represents you? Make it a favorite so you can go back to it and color it again!

In My Studio, you can also work on a blank canvas. If you're feeling particularly artistic, you can make your own coloring illustrations. Chase your bliss.

There are a couple additional user interface improvements that are just delightful. When you hold your finger on one of the coloring books, its cover will fill in and show you the artist's example of a coloring idea. Once you've colored a page in a book, the cover of that book will stay colored in so you know at a glance which books you've colored a page in.

The color wheel is now one dedicated rainbow wheel. If you subscribe to Lake, you'll have access to dozens of additional shades.

Lake has also added a new artist to the collections of books, Cleonique Hilsaca. If you didn't already know this, Lake shares all of its monthly profits with its artists. So if you're sitting there fuming about how you don't like having to pay a monthly subscription for your coloring book app, just remember that there are about five dozen artists that benefit from your generosity.

Stress-relief at your fingertips

There are plenty of coloring book apps on the App Store. What makes Lake stand out is its dedication to the artists that create the illustrations you get to color. Each artists includes a short bio of their work and inspiration. The "Hey!" discovery tab is also a great place to find out about artists and their whimsical work.

When you spend a lot of time coloring, you start to learn what makes a good coloring illustration and what doesn't work as well. All of the illustrations that I've colored in Lake are perfect for coloring. All lines actually connect, making it clear what shapes need to be filled in. Lines have appropriate thickness so if you prefer to color unrestricted (if you turn off "color inside the lines"), it is very easy to see where one line ends and another begins.

There are four color tools and one eraser. The color tools include a watercolor brush, a spray paint tool, a paint brush, and a fill-in color tool. The tools are basic, but you aren't encumbered by too many options, which can be intimidating if you're not an artist.

You can download Lake on iPhone and iPad and sync your coloring progress via iCloud. So it's easy to pick up where you left off when switching from your iPad to your iPhone before you head out to work.

Not for coloring purists

My only complaint about Lake is that it's not as realistic with the coloring tools as I'd like. You can't blend colors, even water colors (though water colors do darken when you double-up a paint stroke). The paint brushes simulate brush strokes, but in a limited capacity. Once you paint over an area with a second stroke, the paint flattens out.

Options for each tool are also limited to just thickness. You don't have the ability to load the brush or dry it out.

Even with these limitations, I do enjoy popping in to Lake when I've got some free time and just spending a few minutes (or hours) coloring beautiful illustrations, especially on my iPad Pro with Apple Pencil 2.

Put your stress in a corner with Lake

If you've thought about coloring books for adults, but haven't yet tried one, Lake is a great place to start. There are free pages and free tools you can test out to see if it's your style, and you have the option of a monthly subscription for $8 or an annual $60 subscription.

If you're already a Lake subscriber, install the update and take a look at your new environment. You'll really enjoy the user interface changes. It's much easier to discover new artists and see what's in your personal studio.

MoviePass offers an interesting service: for $19.95 per month, you can see a new movie in theaters every day. If that sounds too good to be true, that's because it's turning out to be. While the idea of a flat rate subscription to see multiple movies in a week is certainly intriguing, the reality of MoviePass is turning out to be a lot more complicated.

For starters, you can only see movies in 2D on standard screens, you can't watch the same movie multiple times in a week, and the subscription price doubled in less than a year. Plus, the company has made a plethora of bad turns along the way, leading to such issues as running out of money and not being able to support its service and exposing more than 50,000 customers' personal information, including debit card numbers. MoviePass, for all it's nobel attempts, is somewhat of a hot mess.

So if you're looking at all this and thinking about canceling your account, here's how you go about doing that.

How to cancel your MoviePass account

1. Open the MoviePass app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Account.
3. Tap Account Details.

4. Tap Plan & Billing.
5. Tap Cancel next to your plan.
6. Tap the Reason for cancellation drop-down.

7. Tap on a cancellation reason.
8. Tap Cancel Subscription.

9. Tap Cancel Membership.
10. Tap OK.

Just be sure that you want to cancel your subscription when you go to do this. As MoviePass notes, if you cancel your membership plan, you won't be able to reactivate it for nine months.

If you still want to give a movie ticket subscription service a shot, check out Christine Chan's great rundown of the pros and cons of MoviePass, AMC A-List, Cinemark, and Sinemia.

MoviePass vs. Sinemia vs. AMC A-List vs. Cinemark: Which movie subscription service should you get?

Questions

If you have any additional questions about cancelling your MoviePass account, let us know in the comments.

You've been hearing a lot of talk around the proverbial watercooler about this "MoviePass" thing. It sounds to good to be true, and maybe it is. It's still in its infancy stages. Here, you'll find out everything there is to know about MoviePass so far, plus get updates on news that happens, as it happens.

What's new with MoviePass?

As of today, MoviePass is officially transitioning to its new business model that'll hopefully allow it to keep chugging along for the foreseeable future.

For $9.95/month, subscribers can see up to 3 movies each month. If you want to see additional films, you get up to a $5 discount on tickets that are purchased through the app.

Subscribers are able to see "blockbuster and independent films" and can choose between "up to 6 films daily." That last note suggests that MoviePass will continue to limit showtimes as it sees fit, so here's to hoping the selection process is better than what users have been putting up with for the past few days.

On the same day that MoviePass rolls out these changes, shareholders have filed a lawsuit against Helios Matheson Analytics, the parent company of MoviePass.

According to Engadget, the lawsuit claims

If you've recently canceled your MoviePass subscription but are still within your current period, Vox has reported that, if you open the MoviePass app, you may see a pop-up notification that will offer you the chance to opt back in to the new subscription model of $9.95/month for three movies.

The notification covers the entire screen and only clearly provides a button to accept. By accepting these changes, your subscription will be reinstated and you'll be charged $9.95 again.

To avoid accidentally resubscribing to MoviePass, don't tap I Accept, but instead, tap the little X in the upper right corner of the pop up to close the notification. This will allow you to continue to use the app without having to reinstate your subscription.

Another day, another change to MoviePass. Today, the company announced in a press release that it's abandoning its previously-announced price hike, reverting back to its original $9.95 subscription fee. However, it's also abandoning unlimited monthly movies, and will instead limit customers to three movies per month going forward in an attempt to create "a long-term and sustainable business model."

According to the company, this new subscription plan is of the masses, as most users only attend three or fewer movies a month already:

Additionally, the reformulated plan "will include many major studio first-run films," seemingly scrapping last week's major emphasis on exploring and discovering more indie films.

The new business model will go into effect beginning August 15, 2018. If you're a monthly subscriber, you'll be given the opportunity to opt in to the new plan when you'd normally re-up your subscription. If you've paid for an annual subscription, you won't be affected by the new plan until your yearly renewal date. And, of course, if this new plan doesn't gel with you, you can always cancel your subscription at any time.

Yes, you read correctly: just a day after MoviePass announced it is no longer offering tickets for certain major film releases, the company issued a second statement announcing that a standard subscription to the service will now cost $14.95 per month. That's five dollars more than the previous price, which was $9.95.

Here are the changes outlined in MoviePass' release:

The company also insinuated that these measures would help business better adhere to the "integrity of the MoviePass mission" — that is, to help customers explore and discover smaller independent films that they would have otherwise skipped. Unfortunately, the new changes also mean that users will not be able to see films like "Mission: Impossible - Fallout" and "The Meg."

As mentioned in MoviePass' statement, the price hike is slated to increase sometime within the next 30 days.

On the heels of MoviePass having a major outage caused by major money losses, the company has also decided to restrict subscribers' ability to watch certain movies at particular theaters at all. In an all-hands meeting, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe told his staff that the company would take the upcoming releases "Christopher Robin" and "The Meg" off the list of movies subscribers can see. He also implied that this type of restriction would continue indefinitely. Business Insider spoke with a person in attendance at this meeting that remained anonymous.

Just like the note says, I can't see movies like Mission Impossible: Fallout at all through MoviePass. It doesn't even appear in the app. Whether major movies will eventually open up to subscribers, and if this will affect even more movies going forward is unknown. It is, however, unfortunate that MoviePass continues to flounder while it's paying subscribers suffer for its failings.

I'd rather pay $10 per month for one movie than $10 per month to only get to see movies no one wants to see (and I can't even rewatch them!).

MoviePass customers got a bit of a shock on the night of Thursday, July 26 when many found that they couldn't get movie tickets through the service. This was due to a service outage caused by MoviePass literally running out of money to pay for movie tickets. The company wasn't able to pay its various processors, who then stopped processing payments for MoviePass. From CNN:

While service appears to have been restored, this certainly won't do much to inspire confidence in MoviePass moving forward.

In an interview with Business Insider, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe confirmed that its new support for premium movies, like IMAX, Real 3D, and DX, will be available in the app by Labor Day. Premium movie tickets, which are currently restricted, can be purchased with an add-on fee of $2 to $5 per ticket.

MoviePass's Peak Pricing changes will also be in full effect by the end of July. Lowe doesn't seem to think this surge pricing will have any real effect on most MoviePass subscribers.

By the end of July, we'll probably know whether subscribers care.

July 5, 2018: MoviePass reveals details about how surge pricing will work

MoviePass is rolling out information about its upcoming fee increase for "Peak Pricing" for certain movies. The company notes in its support document:

When a movie is particularly popular during a certain time of day or on a certain date, it will be considered Peak Pricing. You'll know if a movie is tagged with Peak Pricing by the red lightning bolt icon next to a showtime.

If a movie is not quite at the Peak Pricing threshold, but its popularity is growing, you'll see a gray lightning bolt icon.

If you decide you want to see a Peak Pricing movie anyway, you can tap on the show time to see what the additional fee will be.

MoviePass notes that there is no specific pricing scale for Peak Pricing and that the surcharge will be based on the movie or showtime's popularity.

Peak Pricing began today and will roll out gradually nationwide over the next few weeks.

In this trial-and-error-stage of MoviePass, the company is constantly pushing out changes — some big, some small, and some that they backpedal on. This time, there's going to be a big change in a small way: surge pricing. According to an interview with Business Insider, MoviePass CEO Mitch Lowe announced it will tack on a few extra dollars to your monthly subscription when you see a movie it considers "high demand."

The change is scheduled to take place this July and will be poised to charge you a starting price of $2 for some popular movies. Lowe explained to Business Insider:

If it sounds like a money grab, it might be, but Lowe said it's to help the theaters.

Though this is the biggest news, MoviePas will also get two new features sometime in the late summer. You'll be able to add a ticket within MoviePass for a friend. This will add a regular priced ticket charge to your monthly bill, but makes it possible for you to buy tickets for more than one person at the same time (instead of separate transactions).

MoviePass is also bringing back the ability to see Real 3D and IMAX movies with the additional fee. This was previously available with a MoviePas subscription. You could upgrade your ticket and pay the extra cost directly at the theater box office. It was later removed so you couldn't even buy a Real 3D ticket using MoviePass. It's nice to see they're bringing this back.

What is MoviePass

MoviePass is a subscription-based service that allows it's subscribers to see a film at practically any movie theater, literally any day of the year, once per day. For one monthly fee, going to the movies has a new fervor.

Currently, most major theaters support MoviePass. That includes your local independent theater and the drive-in, too. If you're worried that MoviePass hurts small theaters, don't. MoviePass pays theaters the full price for the ticket you buy. More on how MoviePass makes money is noted below.

You can watch a movie, 365 days per year, if you manage to find that many different movies to watch. There are no block out dates for going to the movies, though MoviePass did experiment with blocking release date showings for a very short period of time (something they back-tracked on and later claimed was just an experiment). You can, however, only watch a movie once with your MoviePass. If you loved that last Marvel movie and want to see it again, you'll have to pay out-of-pocket the next time.

You must use the MoviePass app on your iPhone or Android device and for most theaters, you must have the physical debit card that is provided to you when you sign up.

How much does it cost?

MoviePass costs $19.95 per month for the standard subscription. MoviePass also works with companies to offer free or discounted subscriptions as promotional incentives. For example, MoviePass recently announced two one-year subscriptions when you purchase a Galaxy S9 or S9+. Before you sign up, you should see if MoviePass is running any sort of promotion you can take advantage of.

What do I get with a standard subscription?

The standard $19.95 subscription is good for a single person and allows you to see a movie every single day, 365 days of the year, at any supported theater. If there were 365 movies released in theaters in a year, you could literally see every single one of them.

The restrictions are: you can only see standard 2D movies (this changes in the fall) and you can only see a movie once. You can also only use MoviePass at a supported theater.

MoviePass is supported at major theater chains like Cinemark, United Artist, AMC, and Regal. It is also supported at many independent theaters. In fact, MoviePass works great for independent theaters because more people will potentially see lesser-known movies at these smaller theaters with their $10 monthly subscription and theaters don't take a loss in ticket sales because MoviePass pays the full price of the ticket.

How does it work?

Once you're signed up with MoviePass, you'll be sent a debit card. This is how you'll pay for your ticket.

You'll also need the app on your phone. It's available on iOS and Android. You can't use MoviePass without the app. If you're still sporting a non-smart phone, you're just out of luck.

When you're ready (you've signed up, you have your debit card, and you've downloaded the app on your phone), you can head over to a supported theater to "check in."

You have to be within 100 yards of the theater in order to check in. You can't purchase tickets through MoviePass while sitting on your couch at home.

With one exception.

MoviePass works in collaboration with a limited group of theaters to offer e-ticketing through its program. In my area, Studio Movie Grill is the only theater that offers e-ticketing with MoviePass, but it means I can select and reserve a seat ahead of time, at any time on the same day. You don't have to be anywhere near the theater to purchase one of these e-tickets. You may not have a supported e-ticketing theater in your area, but if you do, you'll see an icon next to the theater that looks like a movie ticket stub.

After you've "checked in," you'll see a notification in the MoviePass app that the check in was successful. Then, you can either go to an automated kiosk (if the theater has any), or the box office attendant. You must complete the transaction within 30 minutes of checking in or you'll lose the transaction and won't be able to try again with a different movie that day.

The rest of the process is just like buying a movie ticket. The only difference is that you'll give them your MoviePas debit card instead of your personal payment card.

How do I sign up?

You can either sign up for MoviePass online or from within the MoviePass app.

Click or tap on Get Started to create an account. You'll need to provide your name, email address, birth date (so you can prove you're over 18), shipping address (so they can ship you the card), and credit card information (so they can charge you the monthly subscription).

Once you've filled out the form, you'll receive a notification that your application has been received.

The hard part is waiting for your debit card to arrive. MoviePass has improved its wait times significantly, but it still takes time to process. Typically it takes 7 - 10 days, but if the system gets busy for any reason, it could take longer. It took two months for me to receive mine, but I signed up when the current pricing structure first launched.

It sounds too good to be true, what's the catch?

Well, it depends on how you feel about companies collecting and using your non-personal information. After all, Helios and Matheson Analytics owns MoviePass. It's not entirely unlike the level of privacy you give up by using Google's services.

MoviePass' Privacy Policy states,

and,

All that being said, MoviePass isn't really that different than other services, like Google, Twitter, and Facebook.

MoviePass doesn't:

• Track your location when you are not using the MoviePass® app (background location tracking);
• Sell personally identifiable information; or
• Share personally identifiable information to another company for their independent use or marketing, besides performing the agreed upon service to MoviePass®.

MoviePass® also reserves the right to disclose personal information when we reasonably believe disclosure is required by law, if we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to protect, establish or exercise legal rights, or in situations involving potential threats to physical safety. In the event that MoviePass® is acquired by or merged with a third party, we reserve the right to transfer personal information to the acquiring third party or the resulting merged entity, provided that such third party continues to honor our Privacy Policy.

If you don't feel comfortable with how MoviePass collects and uses your data, I highly recommend reading the entire Privacy Policy before deciding whether to subscribe.

Any more questions?

Do you have any more questions about MoviePass and how it works? Put them in the comments and I'll help you out.

Here's absolutely everything you need to know from Apple's WWDC 2018 keynote in regards to new features and updates to tvOS.

What's new with tvOS 12?

There are a couple of new updates when it comes to tvOS, but the biggest thing people are most excited for is the Dolby Atmos support.

With Atmos, you get room-filling sound that's unlike a traditional surround sound setup. Atmos completely immerses you in 3D sound, creating an experience with audio that flows all around you and makes you feel like you're right in the centre of whatever you're watching or listening to.

All of your movies will automatically get the Atmos upgrade for free. Oh! And iTunes offers the largest collection of 4K HDR movies, so all of your movies are also getting a 4k HDR upgrade for free.

Apple TV finally supports Dolby Atmos

Though the Apple TV already supports Dolby Vision, Apple promised Atmos support in the future. Well, the future is finally here, coming to tvOS 12. The world of surround sound is getting a major update.

What Dolby Atmos is and what it means for your Apple TV

Things get more lively in the TV app

You can watch Live news with the TV app which is similar to watching live sports. In fact, there's a huge range of live sports and new coverage with over 100+ video channels that will be available to watch in real-time.

Apple is also working with different companies in a number of countries to bring users easy access to Apple TV, with Charter Spectrum coming later this year to Apple TV for all Live channels and programs.

• France = Canal+
• Switzerland = Salt.
• USA = Charter Spectrum

Users will also be able to have more remote control support thanks to different brands that have designed remotes that are compatible with Apple TV.

TV app: Everything you need to know!

Securely and automatically unlock all supported apps for your TV service with Zero Sign-On! Charter spectrum will be the first to support Zero Sign-On.

Thanks to some photography-loving astronauts on the International Space Station, Apple has put together stunning backgrounds for your Apple TV screensaver. Fun fact: The Space Station Orbits every 90 minutes so you can see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day!

One other feature that's been added is the ability to see the location each and every photograph has come from that appears on your Apple TV screensaver with just the tap of your Siri Remote. You can also swipe to see more screensaver options.

When will the updates will be available?

The new updates will be available in the fall

What do you think?

Are you excited for tvOS 12? What is your favorite feature coming to a TV near you?

Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments down below!

International Women's Day isn't technically a holiday, but if you want to spend the day celebrating in style, there are a few different activities, toys, and tech you can check out!

Here's how to celebrate #IWD2018 in style!

• Girls' night out!
• Period pains: B-GONE
• Smart-ify your bra
• Date the night away!
• Your pelvic floor's new BFF

Girls' night out!

Nothing says fun times with gal pals like a classic girls' night out! So put on your favorite shade of lipstick, grab those heels that you bought that are way too tall to walk in, pick up your BFFs, and start celebratin' in style.

One of the first things you can do to get your girls' night out started is to hail a Lyft or an Uber to get to your location in a timely fashion. To pick the perfect place to eat, check out your local foodie Instagram accounts (you know which ones I'm talkin' about) for some great ideas, and then hop on over to Yelp to see if that amazing looking flatbread pizza is even worth the Lyft ride.

But who says girls' night needs to be, well, out?! You can always cuddle in on the couch with your fave gal pals, turn on your perfect romantic comedy (or gore-tastic slasher flick if you're chilling with my group of friends), order in from your local food delivery service (mine is Skip the Dishes here in Winnipeg!), drink a few bottles of wine, and have a good ol' fashioned sleepover!

(BTW, bonus points if you all have matching PJs).

Period pains: B-GONE

You know what really cramps my style? Period cramps. Because they suck. So hard. And you know what's worse than period cramps? Period cramps on International Women's day, so banish your monstrous menstruation maladies with this li'l device called Livia!

What exactly is Livia? Well the product totes itself as a sort of on-off switch for period pains that works without the use of drugs or pills: simply clip the little Livia onto the belt of your pants (it's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand), turn it on, and feel the pain fade away. How? Well, here's a doctor that explains it better than I ever could…

The product has been approved by both the FDA and Health Canada and has been featured and praised in publications like BuzzFeed, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, NYLON, Shape, Wareable, Women's Health, and so many more.

Not only is the Livia a super useful product to prevent period pain, but it's also discreet and kind of adorable. You can pick up skins for your livia in different textures like wood, fractal dot, water, flower, pillow, and classic for around $12 a pop in a ton of fun colors, while the Livia itself costs $158

So say goodbye to period pains this International Women's day. Your uterus will surely thank you.

See at Amazon

Smart-ify your bra

A lot of people complain and joke about all these everyday devices turning 'smart' (think smart doorbells, smart fridges, smart pencils, etc.), but one thing that should be smart is your bra.

Enter the VITALI Smart Bra that tracks your breathing, your heart rate, and keeps your gals secure and in-place as you go on that early-morning jog (just typing that made me tired).

The bra works in tandem with the My VITALI app, which allows you to monitor and track your vitals as you're working out or even just chilling at home. If your heart rate goes up because of stress, your VITALI will let you know and help you personalize your goals for a more mindful rest and cooldown.

The bra comes in two different styles and five different sizes (think S-XXL, not 34C) and will cost you around $150. Don't worry about getting your VITALI wet either: the sensors in the bra are water resistant and the bra is fully washable once you remove the GEM tracker.

Not only is this product great for women who are looking to get a little more out of their over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders, but the company was started and is run by a super kick-ass lady who designed the VITALI to make women's lives easier:

See at VITALI

Date the night away!

Sometimes it's nice to hang out with the gals, but other times it's nice to get wined, dined, and romanced by a very lucky guy or lady!

Downloading an app like Tinder is a great way to meet new people and find someone close by to go out with, but when I was single I prefered to use Bumble as women are the ones to make the first move, therefore alleviating any unwanted creeps that'll just DM you "Netflix and chill lol" over and over again.

Or maybe you're someone who's a little bit more… adventurous (IDK if that's the right word)? A friend of mine has recently been using Seeking Arrangements to meet her dream man and she's been having a ton of fun with the app. What's the difference between this and your classic dating app? Well, Seeking Arrangements aims to match up sugar daddies with their ideal sugar babies.

Whether your agree with dating apps or not, there are plenty of ways to connect with people online! Join up with a dating site! Message your high school crush on Instagram (literally how my boyfriend and I got together…)! Get creative with your dating life and there will never be a dull moment.

Side note: You can also use apps like Tinder to meet friends! It doesn't have to be all about dating if you don't want it to be. Maybe you'll meet your bestest gal pal on one of these apps!

Your pelvic floor's new BFF

As women, one thing that we sometimes neglect is our own personal health. Whether you're a mom of 4, a 24-year-old with abboyfriend, a newly married dame or an elderly woman with a couple of grandchildren, we're always focused on other people and things rather than taking time for ourselves.

Pelvic health is something that's overlooked, but it actually affects quite a bit when you stop and look at it. Bladder control is a big issue for a lot of women, whether it's from having children, getting older, or experiencing other normal issues in your day-to-day life.

While women have been doing kegle exercises for hundreds of years, the doctor-approved, award-winning Elvie is designed to run a fun, five-minute workout for your pelvic floor that's guaranteed to show you results in less than 4 weeks. All you need to do is gently insert the Elvie, connect it to the app, and begin tracking your kegle progress.

The best part of the Elvie? Well, this ain't your nana's kegle trainer, that's for sure: The app is designed with six different 'games' that you can play to strengthen your pelvic floor. Without getting too much into it, the games' names are strength, life, pulse, hold, speed, and step.

The only issue with the Elvie? The daunting, nearly $200 price-tag, but keep in mind that this device is an investment towards better health. Oh, and did we mention the study that suggests that women with greater pelvic floor muscle strength reportedly have better sex? So, y'know… just sayin'...

See at Amazon

How are you celebrating the women in your life this March 8th?

Is there maybe a tradition or an event you and your friends do on International Women's Day every year? Maybe there's a particular woman-owned brand or product you're absolutely Lady Gaga over?

Let me know how you celebrate and experience International Women's Day in the comments below!

It's Oscar time. The nominees for best picture, best actor, best screenplay, best editing, best score, best FX — you get the idea! — are all preparing their acceptance speeches and hoping beyond hope they get to bring the Academy Award home.

And here's how you can follow along, and maybe even get into it all one day yourself!

Apple News

Apple News is offering a specially curated section all about the Oscars from now until March 5. You'll find everything you need to know to get up to speed with nominees, including predictions.

There are also video interviews from EW's The Awardist and, during the show, there'll be a special hub in For You filled with memorable moments from the monologue to the acceptance speeches, to unexpected moments and memes.

iTunes Movies

If you haven't watched all the Oscar-nominated films or you simply want to watch them again, you can find them all in iTunes Movies.

Siri

Siri, Apple's virtual personal assistant, has been brushing up on the Acadamy Awards as well, and can answer all your questions on iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and more. Here are some examples:

• Hey Siri, when are the Oscars?
• Hey Siri, who is nominated for best supporting actress?
• Het Siri, who are the nominees for best picture?
• Hey Siri, who won the Oscar for best actor last year?
• Hey Siri, where is the closest theater showing 'The Post'?
• Hey Siri, tell me about Frances McDormand
• Hey Siri, find Oscar-nominated films (response includes a link to the films in iTunes)
• Hey Siri, play the soundtrack from "The Greatest Showman"

App Store

And then, of course, there are the apps. But don't just use apps to follow the Oscars — use them to become the next Oscar winner.

• Clips is Apple's social video creation app and an incredibly easy way to get started telling visual stories.
• iMovie is like Clips, but for more traditional video making.
• Production Pro turns your iPad into a digital production notebook.
• Videograde is color grading gone mobile. Well.
• Shotlist for planning every shoot and every shot.
• Artemis HD is your virtual viewfinder for blocking out shots the way you want them blocked.
• Weekend Read, because great writers read a lot, and John August has made it easy to read the best.
• Bear. Rian Johnson used it for Last Jedi. You can use it for Next Video of yours!
• Storyist helps you get your manuscripts into shipping shape.
• Procreate is how storyboarding is done these days.
• Animatic is pre-viz on your iPad.
• Animation Desk helps bring your cartoons to life.
• iStopMotion lets you turn objects into cinematic magic, one frame at a time.

Oscar season

The Oscars air Sunday, March 3. Get your popcorn — and iPhone or iPad — ready!

I don't see a lot of movies in theaters these days — I'm not made of money — but when I do I always have to spring for the biggest bag of popcorn and the large drink that's about the size of a bucket. I usually don't start regretting my decision until I'm part way through the movie and I suddenly have to pee. We've probably all been there at some point, and you know running out of the theater right in the middle of an important scene always sucks.

RunPee is an app that aims to help moviegoers like me avoid missing any of the good parts of the film we are watching when nature calls.

• Free - Download Now

How it works

Members of the RunPee team see movies on opening day and watch for times in the movie where no important plot points, dialogue, or action is happening. They then mark that spot in the movie as a "Peetime," typically movies will have two or three Peetimes; however, it really depends on the movie, I have seen movies that only have one.

How to make sense of a Peetime

Let's taken this example (pictured above) from Blade Runner 2049. In the top right corner, you'll see one of two things, either recommend Peetime or emergency Peetime. A recommended Peetime means it's the best spot to run to the bathroom without missing much, and emergency Peetime means you won't miss anything crucial, but you may miss a particularly good scene in the film.

The giant number you see on the left is the number of minutes into the film's runtime that the Peetime occurs — in this case 58 minutes — and the small number in parenthesis is the amount of time the Peetime lasts.

The prompt gives you a better idea of when the Peetime officially starts, in this example the prompt reads:

That gives you the all clear that the next four minutes (in this case) isn't super important to the story, and you can run to the bathroom if need be.

Pee Timer

The Pee Timer helps you sync up your phone to the runtime of the movie allowing you to keep your phone in your pocket but still know when the Peetimes come up.

As pictured above, in Blade Runner 2049, you would start the time after the WB logo fades out, you can then put your phone in your pocket, and when it's Peetime, your phone will vibrate.

This means you don't have to have your phone out during the movie which can be a big distraction to some people.

On the bright side, the app has a dark theme by default, making the light coming from your screen less bright. It's about as movie theater friendly as you can get.

Peetime Synopsis

Now, even though the Peetimes are specifically designed that you don't miss anything important, you will obviously still miss a small portion of what's happening on the screen as you're taking care of business. Don't worry; the RunPee team has you covered.

Each Peetime comes with a detailed synopsis of what happens on screen for the duration of the Peetime. What I love about this feature is it stops you from having that awkward whispered conversation with your friend beside you about what happened while you were gone.

Other useful features

Although RunPee's main functionality is to keep you from missing anything important when you need to relieve yourself, it has a few other features worth mentioning.

The app will tell you if there are any scenes after the credits that you should stick around for and if there are, it will also give you a detailed synopsis of what those scenes are, so if you want to leave you can.

It also has links to go to Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB pages for the movies, meaning you can check reviews and the cast list all from one place.

Why I love RunPee

The greatest thing about RunPee is while it's a silly idea at its core, it solves a legitimate problem that exists.

I have been using RunPee for years, and I use it with every movie I see in a theater. I set the Pee Timer at the beginning, and when I feel the vibration, I can go to the bathroom if I need to or ignore it when I don't. I enjoy the comfort of knowing I won't miss anything important and a quick read of the Peetime synopsis before you go back into the theater is easy enough to accomplish and keep your phone in your pocket.

If you have ever struggled with having to go to the bathroom during a movie, I highly recommend using RunPee; it will make your experience a lot more comfortable.

• Free - Download Now

What do you think?

Let me know what you think of RunPee by leaving a comment down below.

DirecTV Now is the TV streaming service from AT&T and DirecTV. Available throughout the United States, the service offers both live and on-demand video from dozens of popular cable channels, while also offering the same for broadcast channels in select cities.

Just like similar services from Hulu and Sling TV, DirecTV Now lets you watch its live content on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Here's everything you need to know about this streaming service.

See more on DirecTV Now and streaming TV at CordCutters.com!

What is DirecTV Now?

It's a TV streaming service from AT&T, which owns DirecTV. With DirecTV Now, you can watch live programming from cable channels like ESPN, USA, and FX. There are also premium channels that you can add on to your subscription.

Do I need to be a DirecTV customer to use DirecTV Now?

No, DirecTV Now is a separate service with a separate price. All you need for DirecTV Now is an internet connection.

How much is this going to cost me?

You can choose one of four plans at $35, $50, $60, and $70 per month. You can also add the premium channels HBO and Cinemax for an extra $5 per month each while adding Starz is an additional $8.

Before committing your money to at least a month of what DirecTV Now has to offer, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial to see if the service is right for you.

Are there any sort of free options?

Sort of. You can also check out FreeVIEW, DirecTV Now's ad-supported free service that offers content from DirecTV-owned channels like Audience and Otter Media. However, for the standard DirecTV Now channel lineup, you'll need to pay.

So exactly what am I getting for my money?

Here's how all of DirecTV Now's plans break down:

• Live A Little - $35 per month, more than 60 channels
• Just Right - $50 per month, more than 80 channels
• Go Big - $60 per month, more than 100 channels
• Gotta Have It - $70 per month, more than 120 channels

While each plan includes live and on-demand content for most of the available cable channels, content from broadcast channels like ABC and NBC are also available live in select cities.

You can get a full breakdown of which channels are available with each plan right here.

Exactly where are local channels available?

Even in cities where local channels are available, the channels are not available on a consistent basis. Just because, for instance, NBC is available to stream in Dallas doesn't mean that it's available in Cleveland. The channel distribution breaks down like this?

• Atlanta: FOX
• Austin: FOX
• Boston: Telemundo
• Charlotte: FOX
• Chicago: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
• Cleveland: FOX
• Dallas: NBC, FOX, Telemundo
• Denver: FOX, Telemundo
• Detroit: FOX
• Fresno: ABC, Telemundo
• Gainesville: FOX
• Grand Rapids: FOX
• Greensboro: FOX
• Harrisburg: FOX
• Hartford: NBC,
• Houston: ABC, FOX, Telemundo
• Indianapolis: FOX
• Kansas City: FOX
• Los Angeles: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
• Los Vegas: Telemundo
• Miami: NBC, Telemundo
• Milwaukee: FOX
• Minneapolis: FOX
• New York: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
• Oakland: ABC, NBC, FOX
• Orlando: FOX
• Philadelphia: ABC, NBC, FOX, Telemundo
• Phoenix: FOX, Telemundo
• Raleigh: ABC,
• Sacramento: FOX
• Salt Lake City: FOX
• San Diego: NBC, FOX
• San Francisco: ABC, NBC, FOX
• San Jose: ABC, NBC, FOX
• Seattle: FOX
• St. Louis: FOX
• Tampa: FOX
• Washington D.C.: NBC, FOX

Why is the live local channel selection so limited?

The availability of live local channels is dependent on deals that AT&T can make with local affiliate stations in each city. In most cases, the company needs to negotiate with the affiliates directly, rather than the major networks (NBC, ABC, FOX, etc.), in order to show their content on DirecTV Now.

What about DVR?

As of now, DirecTV Now lacks any sort of DVR feature. However, the service points customers toward its on-demand offerings. A beta version is currently in testing which does indeed include cloud DVR services.

Tell me about on-demand

With some exceptions, most of the DirecTV Now channel lineup offers its programming on-demand, letting you catch up on your favorite shows when you're not able to catch them live.

Additionally, you can sign in with your DirecTV Now account in on-demand apps from content providers, including HBO Go, ABC, and the Disney Channel apps.

How many people can watch simultaneously?

Currently, DirecTV Now allows each account to stream to two devices at the same time. Anything beyond that requires an additional account.

What devices can I use to watch DirecTV Now?

DirecTV Now can be viewed through apps on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, along with Android phones and tablets, the Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast (with an Android device), and modern web browsers.

Sounds good. Where do I sign up?

You can sign up on the DirecTV Now website. Unfortunately, you cannot sign up in the app at this time.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions about DirecTV Now, let us know in the comments.

Sling TV is a TV streaming service that you can access on Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Android tablets, and plenty of other devices. If you're looking to join the growing number of people cutting the cord to the big mean cable companies, Sling TV is a pretty reasonably priced option{.nofollow} to help reduce your entertainment bill.

You probably have some questions about how Sling TV works, and we've got the answers!

What's new with Sling TV?

If you use Sling TV on your Apple TV, we have good news for you! Sling TV will be introducing its cloud DVR feature to the tvOS app.

According to the Sling TV announcement you can purchase 50 hours of DVR storage for just an extra $5 per month on top your monthly subscription rate.

Sling TV outlined and described the new features in its announcement this morning.

What is Sling TV?

Sling TV is what we call an "over-the-top" — OTT for short — service. In layman's terms that means it's an internet-based service, so you won't have a dedicated cable box or a line coming in from a cable company.

Sling TV, much like its name implies, is a way to stream live TV content, meaning it shows TV programs as they are broadcast and typically not on demand like other popular services such as Netflix or Hulu; however, there are some channels that do offer content on demand — like Syfy — and certain content providers offer Sling TV as a sign-on option.

How does it work?

When you download the Sling TV app on your Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad, you'll need to sign up for a subscription. The subscriptions are month-to-month and vary in cost depending on which channel package you choose.

How much does it cost?

They are three base subscription packages. Sling Orange, Sling Blue, and Sling Orange + Blue, the base prices for each package are $20, $25, and $40 respectively.

Which channels are included?

The Sling Orange subscription comes with the 30 channels listed in the screenshot below.

The Sling Blue subscription comes with the 40 channels listed in the screenshot below.

The Sling Orange + Blue subscription comes with 50 channels listed in the screenshot below.

Are those the only channels available?

No. There are plenty of small channel bundles you can add-on to any subscription for an extra fee — typically $5 or $10 a month — and you can also pay extra for premium channels like HBO and Showtime. A few examples of the add-on packages you can purchase are in the screenshots down below. A full list can be found on the Sling TV website.

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Will there be commercials

Yes. Just like regular cable, there will be commercials, and you'll only be able to skip them if you have recorded the program on the cloud DVR.

Can I get Sling TV in my country?

Unfortunately, right now Sling TV is only available to residents of the United States.

How fast should my internet be to use Sling TV?

Sling recommends download speeds of 25/mbps to achieve the highest video quality using Sling TV.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes. There is no contract to use Sling TV, as it's a month-to-month service. If you choose to cancel your account, the billing will cease immediately.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Sling TV offers a 7-day free trial, meaning you can cancel your subscription anytime during those seven days and not be charged with anything.

Are there any deals?

Sling TV does offer a few fantastic deals to help get you started! Right now, there are two:

• Get a free Roku Express when you prepay two months of Sling TV.
• Get 50% off the Roku Premiere+ when you prepay three months of Sling TV.

How to I sign up?

Head over to the Sling TV website and follow its easy sign-up process!

Update March 2017: Added instructions for deleting downloads in the TV app, customizing playback options for videos purchased or rented from iTunes, and managing options for apps connected to TV.

Apple's TV app is designed to be the one-stop shop for all of your TV and movie watching needs. It gathers your entertainment activities all in one place so you don't have to open 10 different apps when you are looking for something to watch.

Note: Don't have TV.app on your iPhone or iPad? Sadly, it only available in the U.S. right now. Everywhere else, it's still the Videos app.

If you have Apple TV, it will make your TV and movie watching experience a lot more convenient, but even if you don't have an Apple TV, you can still take advantage of the TV apps cool features on your iPhone or iPad. Here's how.

• How to use the Library in the TV app for iPhone and iPad
• How to use Watch Now in the TV app for iPhone and iPad
• How to use the Store in the TV app for iPhone and iPad
• How to use Search in the TV app for iPhone and iPad
• How to delete downloaded videos in the TV app
• How to customize the TV app iTunes Video settings
• How to manage TV app options

How to use the Library in the TV app for iPhone and iPad

The TV app on the iPhone and iPad has a section dedicated to all of the movies and TV shows you've purchased on iTunes. You can browse content by movies or TV shows, recently purchased, and genres. When you are ready to watch something, select it and tap the Play button to start watching.

If you want to download it onto your device so you can watch it offline, tap the download button. You can then access it from the Downloaded section in the Library tab of the TV app. When you tap a downloaded movie or TV show, it will automatically open the Videos app and begin playing.

How to use Watch Now in the TV app for iPhone and iPad

The Watch Now feature of the TV app is where all of the shows you currently watch are stored. If you start watching any show or movie from a service (like iTunes, Hulu, or CBS) that supports the TV app, it will appear in the Watch Now tab at the very top of the page. When you are watching a TV show and you've finished an episode, the next available one will appear in your list. Just tap the title you want to watch and it will open into the appropriate app.

For example, if you want to watch the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, tap an episode and it will automatically open in the CBS app and begin playing.

If you find content that you want to watch in a different format that what the TV app suggests, tap the More button next to the play button. It looks like an ellipsis (...). This feature will also allow you to navigate to apps that don't support the TV app, like Netflix.

How to use the Store in the TV app for iPhone and iPad

If you find a TV show or movie that you want to see, but you don't have the app from the streaming service that supports it, you can get it from the App Store. The TV app has a Store section that spotlights all apps that currently support it.

There is a section for services that you can watch content from without needing a cable subscription and a section for services that give you direct access to your cable shows. When you find an app you want to add to your iPhone or iPad, tap Get to download and install it.

I am a "Cable cutter" (though technically, that term isn't correct for me because I've never had cable). So, the Store is very useful to me. I can find apps that will allow me to watch TV shows and movies without the need for a cable subscription.

When you launch an app that is supported in the TV app, you will be asked if you want to connect it to the TV app. Tap Continue to add it to the TV app. When you add a new app, additional content is added to the TV app, providing you with more suggestions for what to watch.

The Store tab also connects you to new and trending titles that you can purchase or rent from iTunes.

How to use Search in the TV app for iPhone and iPad

Searching for content is the easiest way to find exactly what you want in the TV app. Tap the Search tab and then tap the text field. Enter the movie or TV show you are looking for and suggestions will populate. You can also use the Search tab to browse trending movies and TV shows if you want to jump right to the most popular stuff.

How to delete downloaded videos in the TV app

With the Videos app gone, you might think that deleting videos downloaded from iTunes now requires a trip to settings, but you can do that right in the TV app. Here's how.

1. Open TV on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Find the movie or show whose download you want to remove.

3. On an iPhone 6s or newer, press firmly on the episode or movie that you want to remove. On iPads and older iPhones, tap and hold on that item.
4. Tap Remove Download.

How to customize the TV app iTunes Video settings

The TV app is now your home on iOS for the movies and TV shows that you've purchased on iTunes. You can change how iTunes videos work in the TV by heading over to Settings.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap TV.
3. Tap iTunes Videos.

4. Flip the Use Cellular Data for Playback switch on or off to toggle cellular data.
5. Tap Wi-Fi to select the video quality for iTunes video playback over Wi-Fi.

6. Tap Cellular to select video quality for iTunes video playback over a cellular connection
7. Tap Purchases and Rentals to choose to watch purchased and rented iTunes from iTunes in either High or Standard Definition.

How to manage TV app options

If you decide you don't like a connected app's content, or accidentally denied a connection previously, you can manage the apps that are connected to TV in Settings.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap TV.
3. Flip the Up Next switch to turn Up Next on or off.

4. Flip the switch next to an app's name to turn its connection to the TV app on or off.
5. Tap Clear Play History to delete information about what you've watched on all of your devices.

Any Questions?

Do you have any questions about using the TV app on the iPhone and iPad? Let me know in the comments and I'll help you out.

If you're anything like me, you've been waiting awhile for this one. HBO Go, the streaming app for HBO customers who subscribe to the premium channel through their cable provider, has been updated, adding support for the TV app on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. This allows you to pick up where you left off with your favorite HBO show, as well as have HBO content added to your TV and movie recommendations.

• How to use the TV app on iPhone and iPad
• How to use the TV app for Apple TV

The app has also gained support for Single Sign-On for customers of certain cable providers. If you're a customer of one of the 11 TV providers that support Single Sign-On, you can sign in to HBO Go with your cable account credentials with a tap of a button, rather than having to enter them all over again.

• How to enable Single Sign-On for your iPhone or iPad
• How to enable Single Sign-On for the Apple TV

HBO's standalone streaming app, HBO Now, already works with the TV app, feeding recommendations and tracking your HBO viewing since the launch of the app with tvOS 10.1 back in December.

Google has rolled out an official listing for Android TV on the App Store. This app enables those with an iPhone to remote control their Android TV, utilizing the smartphone to effortlessly navigate content on the big screen. As an added bonus, you'll be able to tap the microphone to unlock access to voice search, just in case you'd rather save some precious minutes hunting down that one film.

Multiple iPhones can be connected to a single Android TV for local multiplayer gaming. All that's required to do is to have everything set up on the Android TV side of things, then simply make sure your iPhone is on the same home network as your TV. Give the app a download and let us know how you get on in the comments.

• Free - Download Now

Fandango, a highly popular purveyor of movie tickets, has finally updated its app with support for Apple Pay. While Apple Pay integration is the only thing to grace this update, it's not an insignificant addition to an incredibly popular service that you're no doubt familiar with from all of the pre-roll ads and kiosks in movie theaters.

With Apple Pay in the Fandango app, you'll be able to more easily purchase tickets for your latest movie fix on your way to the theater. And the integration works much as it does in other third-party apps. You simply select Apple Pay as your payment method at checkout, and the app will do the rest with your stored card information. All that's required of you is the usual Touch ID fingerprint verification, and you're off to the races (or movies, as it were).

If you want to give the app and new Apple Pay integration a shot, you can hit up the App Store link below to grab Fandango 7.1 now.

• Free - Download Now

It's no secret Rene and I are huge Star Wars nerds, and we were thrilled to see Lucasfilm's brand-new trailer for Episode VII alongside the start of ticket pre-sales. Thrilled! As if we weren't pumped up enough yet to buy tickets for the December opening of The Force Awakens...

Go on. You can watch it again. No one's judging you.

Okay, so now you're excited enough and you want to get some tickets, right? Right.

Sales are primarily happening through Fandango, and (surprise) the website isn't exactly handling the load at the rate people would prefer. So, as with the Apple pre-order experience, we suggest a different tack: Using the free Fandango app. Here's how.

1. Download the Fandango app; open it when you're finished with the download.
2. Allow the app to use your current location.
3. Tap on the Movies tab, then select Coming Soon. Scroll down to December 18 and tap Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
4. Scroll to December 17 in the date-picker. If this date is unavailable, pre-sales for your area may not be available yet.
   
   
   (Awww, don't cry: You can sign up for a Fandango FanAlert to let you know when presales arrive in your area.)
   

5. Tap the showtime under the theater you want to visit.
6. Choose the number of tickets you want, and your seats.
7. If you get a "502" error, the Fandango server is being slammed. Return to step 3 and try again, and try to avoid shooting a blaster into your phone.
   
   
   

8. Succeed, and pay for your seats.

Congratulations! You've reserved tickets for the Force Awakens. Now sit back, relax, and try to avoid potential spoilers for the next two months.

Or, you know, spend it practicing this friendship-pat between Poe Dameron and Finn. I'm not judging. (I just spent fifteen minutes making gifs, after all.)

iFixit, the site best known for their gadget hardware teardowns, had their developer account canceled after publishing a teardown of the new Apple TV developer unit in violation of Apple's terms and conditions. As a consequence, iFixit's app, which was tied to the account, is no longer available in the App Store.

In a blog post, iFixit stated:

The company also reminded iOS users that they can still enjoy iFixit's mobile web site.

The SNL app, which originally launched in February, is now fully optimized for iPads. The app has also added support for new emoji characters, as well as full AirPlay support.

Check out all of the improvements in the list below:

• More emojis! You asked for more current and classic characters and icons - and we've got 'em, including Church Lady, Mr. Bill and Van Down by the River.
• We noticed that several older clips were squeezed during playback and other clips were stretched. We've fixed all of them.
• The app is now optimized for most iPads (iOS 8 and above; not recommended for iPad 2).
• Full AirPlay support

You can download SNL from the App Store right now.

• Free - Download Now

As part of its ongoing 40th anniversary celebration, Saturday Night Live has released an official app for iOS. With the SNL app, you'll be able to stream an extensive backlog of clips, never-aired videos, and even express yourself with SNL-themed emoji.

Here's a rundown of what you'll get with the SNL app:

• Search thousands of clips or browse by season, episode or cast member to find favorite monologues, commercial parodies, Weekend Update segments and more.
• Swipe from clip to clip for a seamless, continual viewing experience.
• Features a new video player that allows you to mark favorite sketches and share them via Facebook. An App that Gets Smarter
• Explore and discover new clips with an intuitive recommendation engine. The more sketches you watch and like, the smarter the SNL App becomes in recommending videos for you.
• Includes a free, exclusive emoji keyboard featuring favorites like Drunk Uncle, Matt Foley, Mary Katherine Gallagher, the Coneheads and dozens more!
• Watch never-aired videos from the vault, including Cut for Time sketches, before they're available on the Saturday Night Live website.

If you want to start streaming your favorite sketches, or simply send a conehead emoji to your friends, you can pick up the app for free at the link below.

• Free - Download

Media Browser is a handy service, which turns your home PC into a multimedia server. With apps available for Windows 8, iOS, Android and Windows Phone, the team have been working on an iPad-optimized version. Today, an update has been published on the official blog detailing some features being worked on for iPad owners.

If you're not familiar with the name, it enables consumers easily transform their home PC into a media server. To help users make the most of Media Browser on an iPad, the team have implemented media caching, enhanced scrolling, searching with locally stored metadata for instantaneous functionality, and more. Not everything the team has planned for the iPad will be included in the initial app release, but updates will be published post-release after the feature list has been re-evaluated.

Expect to see the app arrive on the App Store for iPads soon enough (they're aiming for May 10). For now, if you own an iPhone, check out the iOS app already available on the store. Note that you need to have the server configured before using the apps (it's available for free and runs on OS X).

• Free - Download Now

For some time now the NBC app for iOS has allowed you to watch the latest shows from the peacock network, but now it's been updated to support AirPlay. Now you can watch your TV on your TV as TV is meant to be watched — except by using your iPhone or iPad via an Apple TV as a source.

Apart from that, version 2.5.1 of NBC for iOS also adds a trending clips section so users can see what's hot from The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and more.

• Free — Download Now

Disney has released Movies Anywhere, an app for iPad and iPhone that lets you watch your Disney and Marvel movies wherever you are. While you can enter a code found with the DVD or Blu-ray of a Disney movie to get the digital version, Movies Anywhere also encourages you to link your iTunes account to the app. Doing so will add any Disney or Marvel films that you've purchased in the past to your collection within the app. For a limited time, adding your iTunes account will net you a free copy of The Incredibles within the app.

You can browse all of Disney's movies within the app, and they're sorted into several categories, like Pixar, Marvel's Cinematic Universe, Princesses, and more. From a movie's page, you can watch a preview, see more movies like the one you're viewing, and hit a button to bring up the movie's iTunes page so you can purchase it. A badge on the left side of the screen will tell you if the movie has any bonus features. Bonus content in Movies Anywhere often mirrors what you'll find in iTunes Extras, with short films, behind-the-scenes documentaries and more. Below the Preview and Buy buttons, you'll also see how many Disney Reward points the movie is worth, which is generally 150 points for HD movies, and 100 for SD.

Disney Movies Anywhere supports a number of smaller features. Parental controls allow allow parents to restrict movies by rating. There is support for both chapters and subtitles. You can also use AirPlay to view movies on your Apple TV, though you'll need to turn on display mirroring in order to use it. You can limit video streaming to Wi-Fi only if you wish, or allow over both Wi-Fi and cellular. You can also use Movies Anywhere to browse enter Disney Movie Rewards codes.

Disney Movies Anywhere is a free, universal app, available now on the App Store.

• Free - Download Now

This week’s App World event in San Francisco was been dedicated to mobile games and apps. One section of the show – TV Hackfest - specifically showcased apps relating to television and video viewing.

Inside of the TV Hackfest area, we met with Anthony Rose, Co-founder and CTO of Zeebox. Zeebox is a second-screen TV app with features like a customizable TV guide, news feeds for users’ favorite shows, and discussion rooms for those shows. Anthony was kind enough to show us some of the things Zeebox can do and provide iMore with an exclusive look at the iOS update that's due out in a few days.

More about Zeebox

Zeebox is a free service that users can experience through the Zeebox website or by using the mobile app. Whichever platform you access it from, your profile, shows you follow, and other settings follow you on the cloud. The mobile apps are of course most ideal for the second-screen experience (using while watching), and provide some enhanced interactivity beyond what the website offers.

When you think second-screen TV app, you probably imagine using the app to chat or read about television programming while watching the show. Zeebox of course includes those features. Many program offer interactive content, such as polls to gauge how viewers feel about the latest reality show or news event. Or you can read more information about a topic that comes up – without having to search for it. And social users can chat in rooms dedicated to each program or comment via Twitter and Facebook.

Some shows like American Idol are tailored to that social experience, and their viewers like to discuss the show as it happens. Others require more viewer concentration; you don’t want to miss what’s going on in an action-adventure or drama by constantly looking away from the show itself. Zeebox still has something for people who just want to focus on the shows themselves. Whatever shows you follow, the app provides content and news to read about as well as opportunities for discussion after airing. The goal is to keep users engaged even while they wait for the next episode to air.

Not sure what’s coming on? The Zeebox TV Guide has a full channel listing. Once you find the show you like, follow it or interact with Zeebox’s content for it.

New Features in the update

The new Zeebox update will take the TV listings concept a step further by giving users a “My TV Week” feature. The feature basically constructs a customized listing with only the shows that you follow. At the top you’ll see the show you follow that will come on next. Below it are listings of all of the programs you follow that will be airing that week. Select a show and you’ll get a notification when it’s about to start. Planning your TV viewing (or digital video recording) schedule couldn’t be simpler.

The TV Guide itself will also be getting a significant upgrade (current version pictured above). Depending on the television provider you subscribe to, the app will act as a remote control for your service. Select a show from the guide and you’ll switch directly to the proper channel. This feature is supported by Comcast Infinity in the US and in the UK by Sky set-top boxes and Samsung and LG smart TVs. Zeeboz is always working to expand compatibility, so expect more supported devices in the future.

A two-screen future

Nobody needs a smartphone or tablet just to watch TV. But in this day and age, many of us love to look up information on actors and plot points or just tweet about the show as we’re watching it. Zeebox caters to those people and even people who love TV but don’t hold onto a device while watching. Check out the Zeebox website or grab the app for extra features – both are completely free to users.

• Free – Download Now

A lot of music streaming services boast different bit rates to make their service more appealing than the next. Spotify, Beats Music, and others even boast up to 320 kbps over cellular. It eats a heck of a lot of data but for audiophiles, good audio quality while streaming music is a must. Unfortunately in my experience, mileage greatly varies from what's actually advertised. So if you're curious what your service really is streaming over cellular, here's how to find out right from your iPhone!

How to tell what bit rate your iPhone is streaming music at over cellular

Before actually testing the bit rate of your chosen music service, it's important to make sure your results aren't skewed by other apps polling data. To do this, you need to make sure all apps are killed from multitasking, cellular data is turned off for everything except your streaming app, and WiFi is disabled. To turn off cellular data for all other apps, go to Settings > Cellular and turn cellular data Off for everything but the streaming app you want to test.

• How to kill multiple apps at once from iOS 7 multitasking on iPhone and iPad

Doing the above steps will prevent data from being skewed during testing.

Once you've done the above you now need to find a reference song that is available across all the streaming services you'd like to test. I do this by checking my iTunes Library for a song I already own and viewing the info on it. If possible, look for a track that is at least 256 kbps, 320 if you have any. All purchased content from iTunes will be 256 kbps.

In my example, I'm going to use a track called "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon that has a bit rate of 320 kbps. It is 3 minutes and 54 seconds long and is 9 MB. The important number here is the 9 MB. Feel free to use the same reference song as me if you'd like, or pick your own. You just need to know the bit rate and how large it is.

Now that we have our reference, we can start our testing.

1. To start, launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad while on cellular data.
2. Now tap on Cellular.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap on Reset Statistics.
4. On the next screen, just verify you'd like to reset statistics.
5. Your cellular data usage for the current period should now read 0 bytes.
6. Now launch your streaming music service and play the track over cellular that you chose as your reference song. Make sure you play it all the way through from beginning to end and stop it once it's over so it doesn't go on to another track.
7. Now go back into your Settings.
8. Tap on Cellular and view how many MB show up under Current Period. This is how many MB it took to stream that one reference track.
9. Compare it with your reference point and you now have a very good idea of what the actual bit rate is for the streaming music service you tested.

As you can see in my above example, 12.8 MB is about right for an MP3 format track that's around 4 minutes in length if streaming truly is around 320 kbps. Also, if your music streaming app has audio quality options, make sure that you change those to highest possible. You can tweak and change them too so you can see the difference between what they're considering low and high quality if you'd like.

That's pretty much it! It may not be the most scientific way in the world but it definitely works and seems to give pretty accurate results. If you tried it, let us know in the comments what service you tested over what network and what your results were like!

TVCatchup has been a favorite among UK iPhone owners for many a year, offering a free way to watch domestic television on the go. Sadly, the TV providers haven't all been fans of the service, and following legal proceedings some changes are now to be made to the TVCatchup offering.

As a result, some channels have now been removed completely from the mobile apps, while offering a redirect to the broadcasters own services via the web client. Other channels such as ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are no longer available to watch via the mobile apps using a cellular connection. It wouldn't be so much of a pain if the providers own apps were better than they are right now.

TVCatchup does say that additional content, including HQ channels will be added going forward, but it's a sad piece of news for those of us – myself included – that make regular use of the service. How does this affect your own usage?

Source: TVCatchup

AT&T has updated both the iPhone and iPad versions of its U-Verse application, allowing customers to watch live TV from iOS devices. Users can stream live TV both in and away from the home, with fewer channels available while on the go. The iPad version also features a new Home tab for featured content, as well as bug fixes and UI improvements.

The iPhone application has received many more enhancements. The live channel guide lets users view which channels are available both on their home network as well as away from it. New parental controls include PIN override and channel locking for a greater degree of control. The app also features improved Retina graphics, as well as performance and bug fixes.

Both the iPhone and iPad applications can be downloaded as separate apps for free from the App Store.

• Free (iPhone) - Download Now
• Free (iPad) - Download Now

Hulu Plus for iPhone and iPad has been updated with a new Kids Lock features that limits the app to be safe and fun for kids. When enabled, only programming for children will be accessible and it'll all be ad-free. To exit out of this mode, you will be required to enter your Hulu password, so you can rest assured that your child will not be able to exit and watch shows and movies that are inappropriate for their age.

To enable Kids Lock, select the Kids tab and tap the Kids Lock button. To disable, simply tap Unlock Kids and enter your Hulu Plus password.

This is a great feature that is similar to Netflix's "Just for Kids" feature. I prefer Hulu's approach, however, because it doesn't require use of Guided Access to keep your kids locked in kids mode. Automatically requiring a password to switch back to normal mode is much better.

What do you think of the new Kids Lock? Do you plan to take advantage of this new feature?

• Free - Download now

HBO Go has been updated to version 2.0, bringing support for Apple's AirPlay feature to the app. HBO Go users can now stream video from any device running iOS 6 to any Apple TV that’s been updated to software version 5.1.1 or later.

HBO Go has been a feature on Apple TV competitors, such as the Roku, for some time now. Though there have been reports that it is coming to the Apple TV, it has yet to materialize. Until that day comes, allowing customers to use AirPlay to watch HBO content is decent stopgap. Use of HBO Go requires an HBO cable subscription.

I've tried it out and it works fine. You can even use some of the interactive features for shows that support them, like Game of Thrones. Go grab the update, and tell us what you think.

• Free - Download Now

Sid the Science Kid Read & Play is a new app by PBS Kids that is designed to develop early science exploration. It features two story books, jokes, games, sing along music videos, coloring pages and more!

There are two different stories included with Sid the Science Kid: The Trouble with Germs, and What's That Smell. For each story, you can choose to read it yourself, have it read to you, or set it on Auto Play.

In The Trouble with Germs, Sid's dad has a cold, so when his mom and dad tell Sid that he needs to keep washing his hands to prevent himself from also getting sick, Sid wants to know more about germs since he can't see them. When his mom shows him a picture of germs from a microscope, Sid gets really intrigued and tells his friends at school which then invokes an impromptu lesson about germs from his teacher.

In What's That Smell, Sid is disgusted by his baby brother Zeke's diaper and is intrigued about the fact that he can smell Zeke's diaper even though Zeke is down the hall and in a different room. Sid's mom reminds him that Zeke's diaper is not the only smell that he can smell from far away, but also other things like his dad's famous pancakes. Again, Zeke takes the topic to school and his teacher teaches the class about smell and molecules and how they interact with the wind and our noses.

Other sections of Sid the Science Kid includes Sing Along Music Videos, a Coloring Book, a game called I Sense to practice what you know about senses by identifying traits of different objects based on how they feel, smell, sound, and look, a Sticker Book, and a Spot the Difference game.

I've spent a little time with Sid the Science Kid and am impressed. The stories are fun and interesting. On Auto Play, the pages turn nice and fast. If your child is a fan of the show, I definitely recommend picking this one up. If you do, let us know what you think!

$2.99 for iPhone - Download Now

$3.99 for iPad - Download Now

UK Satellite broadcaster, Sky has just launched its Now TV apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Now TV is a UK-only service that offers movies on the go without the need for a subscription to Sky satellite services. The apps compliment the roll out of the service for Mac and Windows PCs in mid-July and look to bring some stiff competition to Netflix.

If you are a big watcher of movies, Sky is also offering an all you can eat subscription service which it is calling Sky Movie Pass. This will cost £15 a month and those who sign up will receive the first 30 days for free. This is more than double the cost of a monthly subscription to Netflix. At the moment the apps don’t really offer much more than what is already available through Netflix and one or two other movie streaming services. Where this app might excel is in the promised future roll out of additional content. Sky should add in live action from the Barclay’s Premier League, UEFA Champions League, England Test cricket, Heineken Cup rugby, ATP tennis and the Masters from Augusta. If this content becomes available on a match by match basis, Sky could be onto a real winner!

If you want to give the app a go, you need to firstly set up an account at nowtv.com. Once you have done that, you can download the app from the link below. It is a universal app so works on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. You must be running at least iOS 5.0. If it is anything like other Sky streaming apps, you may have trouble using it if you're jailbroken.

Free - Download Now

Would you consider watching movies or sports events on a pay and play basis with Sky's Now TV?

TV Anytime is an iPhone and iPad app that lets you record streaming TV to your device for later viewing. The recording must be done on your computer, then synced over to your iPhone or iPad via Wi-Fi or USB. Once the content has been stored to your iPhone or iPad, you can watch it whenever you like without the need for an internet connection.

Unfortunately, you need a Windows 7 PC with at least a dual core 1.5GHz processor to use TV Anytime - it is currently not available for Mac.

TV Anytime Phone and TV Anytime Tablet are available on the iPhone and iPad for free.

• Free for iPhone App Store link
• Free for iPad App Store link

Have an app you'd love to see featured on TiPb? Email us at iosapps@tipb.com, tell us about your app (include an iTunes link), and we'll take a look.

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FireCore has released a version 1.1 update for aTV Flash. If you're a jailbroken Apple TV user, aTV Flash is definitely something you'll want to check out. It adds a great deal of functionality to your AppleTV, and new features include custom view options, web page auto-load, playback improvements, and much more.

aTV Flash for the 2nd generation Apple TV is super easy to install after you've jailbroken and doesn't mess with any of the current features your Apple TV already offers. If you're not already jailbroken, you can jailbreak your AppleTV via Seas0nPass. You'll just need the most recent version of Seas0nPass and a micro-usb cable. For help, you can check out our guide on how to jailbreak the AppleTV second generation. All the steps will remain the same as long as you grab the correct version of Seas0nPass for your AppleTV firmware.

If you've checked out the new version of aTV Flash, let us know what you think of it!

GetGlue for iPhone and iPad [iTunes Link] are social networking sites where you can let your friends know what you're watching, reading, playing, or thinking about.  Similar to FourSquare and Gowalla, you check in to show your friends what you're up to.  You can also leave reviews on pretty much everything and people can then like your comments or let you know if they find them helpful.  As you check into things, you can earn stickers for your favorite items. You can also choose to have those stickers mailed to you once you collect 7. Click through for more screenshots and another video featuring the iPad version!

When signing up for GetGlue, you can choose two ways. You can either create a GetGlue account or just simply connect with FaceBook. After that, you can immediately start checking in and subscribing to other people's feeds. GetGlue recently released an iPad app in addition to their iPhone app. They also have a GetGlue app for Android users as well. The general feel of GetGlue somewhat reminds me of Netflix, which isn't a bad thing. Instead of NetFlix offering you suggestions simply based on your ratings and previous watched, your friends and followers can too. As you rate different movies, games, tv shows, and topics - you'll collect more stickers and see more recommendations tailored to your personal tastes.

I've been using GetGlue for a little over a month now and I really enjoy the service. I've found some interesting movies and shows through the app and through comments other users have left for me. GetGlue has also recently announced their partnerships with such networks like Fox, Showtime, PBS, HBO, and Universal. You can now collect exclusive stickers for shows such as The Big C, Dexter, Glee, and several others. Aside from checking in and viewing your subscriber feed from your iPhone or iPad, you can also log into GetGlue on your computer at GetGlue.com. GetGlue is free in the app store. If you've already checked it out, let us know what you think in the comments!

Pros

• Learn about new movies, music, and shows through your friends and subscriptions

• Easy sign-up with FaceBook connect

• View trailers directly from movies or show pages

• Wealth of info available for several titles

Cons

• No retina display support for iPhone 4 (yet)

• Multi-tasking doesn't appear to be present yet

• Subscriber counts is off at times (probably a bug that can be easily addressed)

YouTube Link

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Apple is keeping up the transition from "app for that" to showing how the iPhone makes its users lives better with three new TV commercials -- Family Man, Dog Lover, and Backpacker

• Family man showcases the built-in Photo app with a video of a child's birthday, the App Store and purchasing Jamie Oliver's 20 minute meals [$7.99 - iTunes link] for cooking, and Elmo's Monster Maker [$3.99 - iTunes link] for the kids on a car trip, and Viper SmartStart [free - iTunes link] for opening the car trunk.
• Dog lover highlight PetFinder.com [free- iTunes link] to help find that perfect dog, Facebook [free - iTunes link] to share the picture with friends, Hey Walkies [free - iTunes link] to find a place to run, and iCam [$4.99 - iTunes link] to stream the whole thing.
• Backpacker kicks off a trip to spain by finding a place to stay HostelWorld.com [free - iTunes link], sending back pictures with the built-in Photo and Email apps, and using the App Store to download Jibbigo speech translator English to Spanish [$24.99 - iTunes link] for automagic communication.

(Unfortunately, we don't think there's an app for the bill that would come from all that roaming data...)

Likely there to cheer for Up and Pixar, Disney's largest shareholder (oh, and Apple CEO!) Steve Jobs walks the Oscar red carpet at the Academy Awards.

(No, we don't know who he was wearing, or if he had an iPad in an extra-large, Stephen Colbert-sized tux pocket, okay?)

(WayneSutton.net via @TUAW)