The YouTube App for Apple TV has just been updated, bringing the client in line with variants found on other platforms. With a better streamlined interface to ease users’ access to functions such as subscriptions and search, akin to the design found on other set-top box clients, the new YouTube app is now also ad-supported.
YouTube app on Apple TV had lagged behind when compared to other clients offered on similarly purposed devices, but looks like this trading-up from Apple’s end has given way to an app which will now be displaying ads, unlike the older version. If you were thinking you could simply opt out of this update, you will be dismayed, since the update is unavoidable.
Apple has also added a few more channels from various providers to its streaming device. Conde Nast’s ‘The Scene’, ‘Fusion’, and Dailymotion (a video upload and streaming website). The UFC channel has also been added for users interested in fighting and martial arts content, but it requires a premium subscription.
‘The Scene’ from Conde Nast, collects video content not just from its own magazines, but will collect and stream videos from third-party websites as well. Dailymotion on the other hand is more of a toned down and free-for-all YouTube like service. Both, The Scene and Dailymotion require no subscription to be viewed on Apple TV.
However, the UFC channel as mentioned before, is for users with premium subscription and has a pay-per-view or annual ‘Fight Pass’ for $99 a year. Fusion is a joint venture between Univision and ABC, and is aimed at a young and diverse audience covering news, pop culture and satire.
As these updates roll out to all Apple TVs out there, the iPhone maker has also introduced for the first time, a banner that reads ‘New’ in the interface, to highlight new apps and changes that have been made to the system.
Recently back in September, Apple TV was updated to firmware 7.0 as well which saw Apple introduce the Beats Music app to the streaming device following its acquisition of Beats Electronics. The device’s UI was given a slightly flatter treatment as well, along with Family Sharing and a plethora of other new functions.
Give the new channels a shot and share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
You can follow us on Twitter, add us to your circle on Google+ or like our Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest from Microsoft, Google, Apple and the Web.
