Consumers ready to sign up for AT&T’s DirecTV Now service will either receive a free Apple TV or the Amazon Fire TV Stick.

According to leaked documents that Variety got its hands on, subscribing to three months of service will get you an Apple TV for free. Subscribe for a month of service and you will be given the Fire TV streaming stick.

AT&T DirecTV Now

Earlier this year, AT&T announced the online streaming TV service. The company gave us details about all the TV channels and services we will be able to stream. It announced deals with NBC, Viacom, Disney, A&E Networks, Starz, HBO, Discovery, and Scripps. Overall, the service is said to have over 100 channels and will cost only $35 a month.

A complete list of channels wasn’t available, but there were a few more services included from the Univision network. Channels such as UniMas, Galavision, Univision, Fox, MundoFox, CBS, Hallmark, HDNet Movies, and Sony Movie Channel were also included in the leaked documents.

AT&T will most likely include even more channels during launch. However, more channels will cost users more money. $35 will get a starters pack, and you would have to pay extra for more channels.

Channels from some of the networks will also allow users to watch a missed show for up to 72 hours after the actual air date. You will also be given access to over 14,000 Video On Demand titles.

You can try out the DirecTV Now service for 7 days without paying. If you choose not to pay after the trial, your subscription will be downgraded to the ad-based DirecTV Freeview service.

Finally, some of the details may change up on the launch of the service. We’re not sure when the service will go live, but it was supposed to happen some time this month. AT&T will surely change Cable TV with the DirecTV Now service.

The post AT&T DirecTV Now Subscribers Will Get Free Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Single Sign-on is one of the most important features of tvOS 10, but it wasn’t available with the software update. Apple did not give a specific release date for the feature, but stated that it would be available before the end of this year.

Apple released the tvOS 10.1 beta to registered developers recently. At first, we didn’t notice anything new, but hidden somewhere in Settings, there it was. The Single Sign-on feature finally available.

Single Sign-on

With the Single Sign-on feature on tvOS 10, users can sign-in to a pay-TV provider and it’ll automatically sign them in to all other apps associated with the provider. No need to enter your credentials every time you want to watch something.

This is very useful, as it saves a lot of time, and you can just ask Siri to directly start streaming a show without having to sign-in first. Here’s Apple’s description of the feature;

For the first time, customers in the US will have a simplified way of enjoying pay-TV video channels by using single sign-on. Starting this fall, users only have to sign in once on Apple TV to enjoy immediate access to their favorite video channels that are included as part of their pay-TV subscription.

• Once a user is signed into one network app, any other app on Apple TV from participating pay-TV providers will automatically log the user into all other supported apps requiring authentication.

• During the single sign-on process, customers can view a page of all the authenticated apps that a pay-TV provider offers to more easily discover, download and enjoy all of their favorite video channels.

• Any network-TV app can take advantage of this technology to enable single sign-on and simplify the process for their viewers.

• Single sign-on will be available on both Apple TV and iOS.

As of now, tvOS 10.1 and iOS 10.2 beta users can enjoy the Single Sign-on feature, but not to its fullest. The feature currently only supports cable services such as DISH, GVTC Communications, Sling TV, and HotWire.

The feature will also find all the apps that are compatible with the pay-TV credentials you have. You can then download those and access them whenever.

To enable the Single Sign-on feature on the Apple TV, launch the Settings app, then head to Accounts. Over here, you’ll find and option called TV Provider. Use your pay-TV credentials to Sign-in over here and voila!

All the apps and channels linked to that will be automatically signed in and ready to view. This along with the upcoming TV App should make watch watching your favorite channels, sports and shows a much better experience.

Availability

Like we mentioned earlier, you’ll have to be a developer to be able to try out the Single Sign-on feature. The latest tvOS 10.1 beta has the feature enabled. Therefore, the final version of this software will make the feature available for all.

The feature is still limited to only select cable TV or Pay TV providers, but more should be available in the near future.

Have you tried the feature on your Apple TV 4 yet? Let us know what you think of it. 

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Apple is aware of the issue and has stated that a fix is in the works and will be released soon. This issue only affects the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV and has surfaced after the recent software update.

The 2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV don’t run on tvOS software, which is why Apple is taking longer to provide a fix. Apple recently phased out the 3rd gen Apple TV as well, and stated that they’re going to focus on tvOS and newer models.

Apple TV Issue: No Channels or Apps on 2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV

Several reports on Reddit and other forums point out to the Apple TV issue. Users were thrown out of apps such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc and taken to a Home page with only three apps.

Some have even reported that their Apple TV screen just blinked and all the apps disappeared. Only the Computers, Music and Settings app were available.

Trying to restart the device, unplug and plug it back again, and even restoring the software hasn’t fixed the problem.

Apparently, there was an Apple TV update for the 2nd and 3rd gen models that was released on the first of November. This is what caused the problem for several users, although most of them haven’t had any issues with their Apple TV.

Fix for No Apps or Channels

Some users have been successful in getting rid of the problem by changing DNS settings. Others were temporarily able to fix it by changing the region. But mostly, users trying to restart, reset, reset the router, restore software, and unplug and plug the Apple TV again, haven’t been able to fix it.

According to a Reddit thread, an Apple representative asked users to keep restarting their device every hour or so to check for an update. This new update should fix the problem.

There’s no ETA on the update, but keep checking to see if there was any update or if there’s a new one. You can open the Settings app and check if any new updates are available.

Have you been facing this Apple TV issue on your 2nd or 3rd gen model? If so, keep checking for new software updates. 

The post Apple TV Issue: 2nd and 3rd Gen Apple TV Not Showing Apps appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Apple recently released a software update for the public as well. The previous public release, tvOS 10.0.1, was only released a week ago.

The new 10.1 beta comes almost a month after the release of tvOS 10, which included several new features and improvements. Some of the features include better search, improved Siri, Continuity that allows you to use iPhone to input text, a new Dark mode, automatic App downloads, and much more.

tvOS 10.1 Beta

Now, Apple has released the first beta for tvOS 10.1, which is yet another minor update, most likely. The last update, tvOS 10.0.1, did not bring the Single-Sign on feature to the Apple TV.

This update doesn’t include the feature either, so you may have to wait longer to get Single Sign-on, which is a really useful feature.

The latest beta is only available for developers as of now. It is strictly for testing and providing valuable feedback. If you’re a registered Apple developer, you can download the latest update using over the air (OTA).

You will need to have the Apple beta profile installed on your Apple TV to be eligible for the OTA updates. To do so, you’ll need to connect your Apple TV 4 to your Mac using a cable. Then, download and install the beta profile. Follow these instructions to learn how to do it.

Once you’ve installed the profile, you will get the latest tvOS 10.1 beta over the air. You can now install the software and try it out.

This update is most likely a bug fix update, and doesn’t include any substantial changes or new features. We’re not sure how many more betas will be released before this version is available for everyone.

Apple also announced a new TV App, which should also be available next month, along with the Single Sign-on feature.

The post Apple Seeds tvOS 10.1 Beta for Developers appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Minecraft is one of the most popular games available from Microsoft, and it’s available on almost all platforms. Consoles, mobile devices, desktops, laptops, weird devices, it’s available on everything. It is developed by Mojang and 4J Studios.

On iOS devices, you can download the Minecraft Pocket Edition and build your own world.

Tim Cook announced on stage that by the end of this year, along with many new apps, Minecraft for Apple TV will be released.

Minecraft Apple TV Edition

According to TechCrunch, Microsoft will be releasing a different version of the game for the Apple TV. Not the Pocket Edition that’s available for mobile devices. The base code would be the same, and it would be similar to the Pocket Edition, but there could be some new features as well.

Nothing more was revealed apart from the news that Minecraft will be available on the Apple TV.

By the end of this year, you’ll be able to sit on your couch and play Minecraft on your Apple TV. It’s a different feeling to play the game on a big screen.

You can even get a third-party controller for the best experience, as the Siri Remote or the Apple TV Remote app won’t be good enough.

Release Date

As we mentioned before, the Minecraft Apple TV edition will be available by the end of this year. We will update the article when we know more or have an actual release date.

The Apple TV version of Minecraft will probably be a paid app, and most likely support cross play across other iOS devices and Mac. You could start playing on your iPhone, and continue on the TV. We’re not really sure.

Stay tuned to find out more about Minecraft for Apple TV. 

The post Minecraft Apple TV Edition is Coming Soon appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The TV app will be available on the Apple TV 4th gen, as well as on the iPhone and the iPad. Rumors about Apple releasing such an app, or TV guide, have been around for a while now. And now it’s here.

Apple ‘TV App’

As mentioned above, the app is a central hub that houses all your favorite shows and movies from all the apps on your Apple TV. Similar to an iTunes music playlist. Unfortunately, this list of tv shows and movies will not include content from Netflix or Amazon Prime.

A Watch Now section will house all their shows and movies from iTunes and other apps. You can then jump to the Up Next section that displays your most recent shows or movies that you’ve been watching.

You can binge watch an entire show using this feature. Finished an episode? Don’t worry, the next one will automatically start playing. New episodes for the show will also be automatically added.

Explore a large collection of new shows and movies that include content picked by Apple curators. You can even browse through separate categories based on your interests. There’s a Library that shows all your video collection that you have purchased or rented on iTunes.

And, you can use the Store to look for new videos from services you haven’t subscribed to or downloaded yet.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, had this to say;

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If you want a theater like experience on your Apple TV, or use it more at night, then you will love the Dark Mode feature. It is a simple little cosmetic add-on that very much enhances user experience.

Enabling Dark Mode on Apple TV will change the appearance of menus and backgrounds to black. This will help reduce the strain on your eyes when you’re browsing through the movie list at night. The icons and information will become easier to read thanks to the blackish background.

Turn on Dark Mode on Apple TV

Enabling the Dark mode is very simple and there are more than one methods to do it. By default, your Apple TV 4 running tvOS 10 will feature a Light appearance. This will make all the posters and icons pop, but will be too bright for night use.

To turn on Dark Mode on the Apple TV, open the Settings app, then navigate to General>Appearance. Here, select the Dark option. All your menus and backgrounds will have a darker appearance now. To switch back to a Lighter appearance, choose the Light option.

Another way to enable Dark mode on your Apple TV 4, is with the help of the Siri Remote. Simply press the Siri button on the remote and say ‘Enable Dark mode.’ You can also say ‘Dark mode’ and Siri will enable it for you.

If you want to go back to the Light side, then say ‘Light mode.’ And that’s how you enable the Dark mode on Apple TV 4.

Obviously, the Siri method is much faster and easier to perform. However, it would be nicer if Apple had included an Auto mode that would automatically switch the appearance according to the time of day.

So, what side are you on? The Dark side or the Light side? Let us know in the comments section. 

The post Dark Mode on Apple TV: Here’s How to Enable It appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

You can download the app from the tvOS App Store for free right now. The app was designed specifically for the 4th gen Apple TV, and it looks great. The app has large visuals for events, detailed information, easy navigation, and a very clean interface.

This is the very first of its kind on the Apple TV, the first ticket purchasing app for the big screen. It has slightly different interface and visuals compared to the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and the Android app.

Because the StubHub Apple TV app believes in showcasing the event first, the experience is much different than on a mobile device. You can browse through and learn about all the sport events, concerts, and other events in a certain city or nearby you. As of now, the App only shows events in the United States.

The designers of the app had to envision a new interface that will indulge the users more. If an user is confused about an event, this app should help clear it out. Also, you can do all this while sitting with your family or friends on the couch, bed, etc. It’s easier to get everyone involved.

The app includes high-res maps for the seating arrangement in an event, making it easier for the user to check the view. StubHub did a thorough feedback before releasing the Apple TV app. Marcus Shelksohn, director of mobile product, stated;

We know that most people will be interacting with our app from their couch, as they’re looking for something to do, so we kept the StubHub app for Apple TV focused on browsability and discovery, to better motivate people to get up and get out.

The StubHub design team wanted to create a more custom interface to reflect the emotional nature of event discovery – and the result is an engaging look and feel that maximizes event imagery and seat maps, and is highly intuitive to navigate.

The app lets you look for and purchase tickets for sport events like MLB, NFL, NHL, WWE, UFC, NBA, and more. You can also find tickets for concerts, comedy shows and several other events.

The StubHub Apple TV app is currently available for download from the tvOS App Store. Simply search for ‘StubHub’ on the store, or ask Siri to download it for you.

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The older Apple TV remotes came with a replaceable battery, whereas the newest 4th gen Apple TV comes with a Siri Remote that has a rechargeable battery.

With the older remote, you will have to remove the old battery and replace it with a new one. You couldn’t check the battery life. It features a coin type lithium 3V battery (CR2032 or BR2032) and was located at the back of the remote. It is fairly easy to remove and replace the battery.

Thankfully, the latest 4th gen Apple TV Remote or Siri Remote, features a rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to replace the battery. According to Apple, a single charge should last you about a month, with normal usage. Also, you can check how much charge your Apple TV remote battery has left.

Check Apple TV Remote Battery Life

An Apple TV Remote or the Siri Remote, for the 4th gen Apple TV, takes about 2 hours to fully charge. The remote itself doesn’t feature a charge indicator, but you can find out how much charge is left.

To check the battery life of the remote, open the Settings app on your Apple TV. Head over to Remotes and Devices>Bluetooth and find the Remote section.

Over here, you’ll see your Siri Remote with the remaining battery percentage. Apple also presents a pop-up on your Apple TV when the battery is low on the remote. And, you can even ask Siri to check the battery percentage and it will be displayed on screen.

To charge your Apple TV remote or Siri Remote, simply use the included Lightning cable. You can either connect to your computer, or a wall power outlet, to charge the remote. It will not charge if you connect it to the Apple TV’s USB outlet.

The remote can be used while it’s charging, which is a good thing.

And that’s how you check the Apple TV remote battery life and charge it. For those with the Aluminium or White Apple TV remote, a battery change will be required. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to replace the battery on older remotes, by Apple.

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We previously posted an article detailing all that’s new in the tvOS 10.0.1 betas. The first beta was released on September 21st. Now, regular Apple TV 4 users can finally download and install the software to see what’s new.

This is the first minor update for the 4th gen Apple TV since the release of tvOS 10 last month. As this is a minor software release, you will not find any features as such.

The Single sign-on feature is also not included in this update. That feature, is probably going to be available in tvOS 10.1.

tvOS 10.0.1

The latest software update for the Apple TV includes several bug fixes and improvements. Bugs and issues that were discovered in tvOS 10 have most likely been patched in this update. Apple also mentioned that the update brings some security improvements.

Updating your Apple TV to the latest software is easy. If you haven’t already enabled automatic software updates, then here’s how to do it manually.

Open the Settings app, then head to System>Software Updates>Update Software. Wait for the update to show up, then follow the instructions. Your Apple TV will reboot two times, after which, you’ll be greeted with a What’s New message.

As this is a minor update, you will not find a lot of information on the What’s New screen. Also, most likely, you won’t even have to check for the update manually. By default, the automatic software updates is enabled and your Apple TV will do the needful automatically.

In case you don’t want the Apple TV to update software automatically, then head over to System>Software Updates in the Settings app. Here, turn off ‘Automatic Update‘ and you should be good to go.

The tvOS 10.0.1 update is only available for the latest 4th generation Apple TV. Have you updated yet?

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