Apple TV to Get Amazon Prime Video and More Later in 2017
The first big announcement from Apple’s WWDC keynote is that the Apple TV will at long last get an Amazon Prime Video app. That’s huge for fans of Amazon-exclusive shows like “Bosch,” “The Man in the High Castle,” and “Transparent.” In a tweet, Amazon confirmed that the new app will also integrate with the TV app in tvOS.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that the Amazon Prime Video app won’t be available until later this year. Worse, Apple had nothing else to say about the Apple TV until, again, later this year.
This is a bittersweet announcement for Apple TV fans. Amazon Prime Video has been on the top of many users’ wishlists since the debut of tvOS, but it’s disappointing that Apple didn’t show the platform much love at WWDC. Developers haven’t shown much interest in tvOS, in part because users haven’t jumped on the tvOS app bandwagon, which might have dampened Apple’s enthusiasm for talking about tvOS at a developer conference.
We hope that Apple has more in the works for the Apple TV in 2017, such as integration of Netflix in the TV app and two-way integration with the new Siri-enabled HomePod smart speaker that Apple also announced during the WWDC keynote. You should be able to control your Apple TV via Siri through the HomePod, and the HomePod should be able to play audio from the Apple TV, much as Google is doing with its integration of Google Home and Chromecast devices (“Google Aims to Attract Apple Users with Google I/O Announcements,” 22 May 2017).
I didn't see the keynote, but I'm wondering if the app will be available on the 3rd generation ATV.
No, sorry.
I would say Tim's statement was somewhat misleading when he said the Amazon app was coming to "all Apple TVs".
Never understood why you'd get an AppleTV rather than a Roku. Rokus have had Amazon Prime forever, plus every other major streaming service. They're much cheaper, and don't prioritize selling Apple, Amazon or Google content.
First got a Roku when AppleTVs wouldn't work with my old tube TV. Had many Rokus since. It's always been a more consumer-friendly platform.
I've been happy with my Roku and also appreciated it not being a part of a vertical integration strategy with a specific content seller. Also the ability to add private channels (i.e. not being restricted to channels approved by a store), though I haven't really made use of that. I forget which model I have but I like its simple RF (vs. IR) remote and have used its headphone jack feature a few times.
But it does mean not having access to the iTunes Store for content or the relatively new apps options which some people must like. I inherited an older Apple TV which I occasionally use to watch on my TV video that's only available on the web (via AirPlay mirroring). Roku can't do AirPlay mirroring, I think at least some models can do similar mirroring of Android or Windows device.
If I had a reason to buy another, I suspect I'd buy another Roku (the Premiere+) but would take a closer look at the Apple TV and the inclusion of Amazon Prime video would remove a long-standing knock against that hardware.