Microsoft's Xbox TV app will bring game streaming to smart TVs sans consoles

Source: Microsoft

If you have a supported 2022 Samsung Smart TV and in one of the 27 countries the new app supports, you'll be able to enjoy Xbox games even without a console. This upcoming Xbox TV app launching on June 30 will give Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers access to over 100 titles through the supported smart TVs. Streamed through the cloud via custom Xbox Series X hardware, the Xbox TV app just needs you to log into your Microsoft account in the app and stream games as you would through Xbox Cloud Gaming in a browser.

Microsoft hasn't specified which countries will get the feature. But the company, together with Samsung, promises to support many controllers for the app, including different Xbox controllers, Sony DualSense, and more. You just need to connect the controller via Bluetooth to start gaming. 

If you're wondering about streaming resolution, Microsoft will limit this to 1080p at 60 frames per second. Microsoft is working with Samsung for this initial rollout. Still, it's unclear if it's coming to other brands or older Samsung televisions.

Source + Via

Apple Music is coming to Samsung Smart TVs

Here's another first for Apple and Samsung. Apple is bringing Apple Music to Samsung smart TVs, particularly those launched in 2018 and later. It's the first time Apple is bringing its music streaming service to a smart TV. The look of the app is similar to the Apple TV version. Recent Samsung TVs also have the Apple TV app, which gives you access to Apple TV+ service, Apple TV channels, as well as movie and TV show rentals and purchases.

Source: MacRumors

Samsung’s new TVs get Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support

So, Samsung is trying to bring more value to its new TVs. On top of its support for iTunes and AirPlay 2, Samsung is also bringing support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. But there’s a caveat to this. The new TVs will respond to voice commands from these two digital assistants through Alexa- and Google Assistant-powered smart speakers. The built-in voice assistant and one you can talk to through the remote will still be Samsung’s Bixby Assistant. The commands it can execute is rudimentary at the moment. Using Google Assistant or Alexa, you’ll be able to turn on the TV, change channels and volume, or switch between inputs. There’s no word yet if richer features are coming, but Samsung should update us if they are bringing more.

Source: Engadget

Apple is bringing iTunes to Samsung’s 2018 and 2019 TVs

In another display of how Apple is shifting its strategy, the company is partnering with one of its biggest rivals to bring iTunes and Apple AirPlay 2 to Samsung’s current and upcoming line of TVs. This marks the first time Apple is allowing a third-party access its library outside of Windows PCs. Owners of Samsung 2019 and 2018 TVs will be able to play their iTunes movie and TV show library as well as buy and rent content from a dedicated app coming to these TVs. The 2018 models will get the feature via a firmware update. The iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will be coming to 100 countries (no specifics yet on which ones). To protect its users’ privacy, Apple told The Verge Samsung’s smart TV ad-tracking features will not work within the app.

On top of this, Apple is also bringing AirPlay 2 support to Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide. This means, you can stream videos, photos, music, podcasts, and the like from your Apple devices directly to Samsung TVs, which include the QLED 4K and 8K TVs, The Frame and Serif lifestyle TVs, as well as other Samsung UHD and HD models.

Source: Samsung