Apple is working on a revamped version of its Apple TV app that will change how the video streaming app looks and functions on the company’s smart TV box, according to a Bloomberg report. Users could see the interface change in a manner that resembles the interface of rival services. The company will reportedly make the Apple TV app the only way to rent and purchase movies on the platform, phasing out its dedicated apps that offer the same functionality on the device.
Bloomberg reports that Apple is redesigning its Apple TV app with a new left-aligned side panel that will allow users to choose from various categories. This will bring the design of the Apple TV app in line with other apps from Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, and other streaming services that also use the same design for navigating various categories for TV shows and movies.
Aside from the redesigned interface, Apple is also reportedly working on streamlining the process of renting or purchasing content on the platform. Currently, users can buy or rent TV shows and movies on Apple TV by opening the Apple TV app, or via the iTunes apps for both types of content. As part of the redesigned experience, Apple will remove these iTunes apps.
This means that users will soon have to purchase or rent TV shows and movies via the Apple TV app, while users who used to buy or rent content via the iTunes Store app on their iPhone or iPad will also have to use the Apple TV app, as the Cupertino company looks to simplify the process of renting or purchasing movies and TV shows on the platform.
These changes will reportedly be released by Apple in December. While the Bloomberg report does not reveal which version of Apple’s tvOS 17 will ship with the redesigned interface, the timeline suggests that Apple could roll out the revamped interface and changes to purchasing with the tvOS 17.2 update, that is likely to be rolled out in December.