Six months back, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised that the Amazon Prime Video app would come to Apple TV later this year. Now, with just days to spare in 2017, the app is finally heading to Apple TV.
Amazon Prime Video app for Apple TV
The support for Apple TV comes with the 5.0 update to the Amazon Prime Video app. The update also adds support for the iPhone X and Universal Search. Users need to install the tvOS version, which is now available for download on Apple TV 3rd generation devices or later. In the Apple TV App Store, search for ‘”Amazon Prime Video” if you are unable to locate the app.
Now, the Amazon Prime Video app joins other streaming apps available on the Apple TV, such as Hulu, Netflix, etc. Earlier, a wireless AirPlay connection from another Apple device was needed to play Prime Video on the Apple TV. Now, with the new app, it will be far more convenient for users to enjoy their favorite shows and movies on the Prime Video.
Similar to other versions of the Prime Video app, the Apple TV app will allow Prime users to login to their accounts and enjoy Prime exclusive TV series and movies. Users will also be allowed to add movies and shows to their watchlist, manage their watchlist across devices, as well as, get information on each show and movie using Amazon’s X-Ray feature.
Will Amazon start selling Apple TV again?
Apple TV users have long been demanding the app, but the unstable relationship between the two companies delayed the process. Originally, the iPhone maker said the app would hit Apple TV sometime in the summer. At the time, Amazon also confirmed the news via a tweet. However, the app never came out. A few months later, Apple again acknowledged the impending release, but gave no specific release date.
“Amazon is coming to the TV app and all Apple TVs later this year with Amazon Prime Video,” Cook said at Apple’s WWDC keynote.
Finally, on Wednesday, Apple TV users got what they have been wanting for a long time. The app is rolling out in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and possibly more locations.
Now, we can expect Amazon to start selling Apple TV again as well. In 2015, Amazon refused to sell Apple’s streaming TV box until it agreed to support the Prime Video app.
“We want our player, our Prime Video player, to be on the device, and we want it to be on the device with acceptable business terms,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said at Code Conference 2016. He stated that selling Apple TV would confuse users, who will buy it “thinking they can watch Prime Video and then they’re going to be disappointed. And they’re going to return it.”
Presently, if a user tries to buy a film or TV show via Amazon’s iOS app, he or she is directed to Amazon’s website. So, it will be interesting to see if this also changes following the launch of the Prime Video app on Apple TV.
