Apple TV+ needed to be renamed but they went with the absolute worst option.
There's already an Apple TV device and an Apple TV app. Neither of which are required for using Apple TV+ and both of which have functionality other than using Apple TV+.
Some people think that Apple TV+ requires an Apple device to use it and just dismiss it as an option. Apple should have come up with a new brand without Apple in the name. That would broaden their potential market and get their foot in the door with people who don't own any Apple products.
> There's already an Apple TV device and an Apple TV app.
This telegraphs that (1) Apple's priority is the service above all else, and (2) that they're about to rebrand their flagship device which supports the service. We'll know very soon, since the updated device is imminent.
Yeah, this all makes sense if the intention is to change the name of the device.
Netflix (the service) has an app named Netflix. You access Netflix via Netflix on... XYZ. Same goes for basically every other streaming service.
So Apple TV the service on Apple TV the app makes perfect sense if you are thinking about accessing their streaming service via other set tops where Apple TV the app is available.
My guess is that the Apple TV set top will be renamed to something else, perhaps "Apple Home".
Then it would be "Access Apple TV via the app on your Apple Home device" and the merging/conflation of "Apple TV subscription via the Apple TV app" will make perfect sense the same way you would say "Access Netflix via the app on your Apple Home device".
My guess is that "tvOS" will be renamed "homeOS" to go with it.
It's been a PITA enough searching for Apple TV to only have hits about Apple TV come up for years now. I really hope it's all part of some master plan now coming together, as you say, but I feel like it's just as likely they want to keep the naming "simple" as they have in the past on this regard and that's just the way things are going to stay.
or perhaps it means that they plan to expand their TV offering so as to merit being something more than just a "plus"
i don't know if i like the rebranding or not – it's such a minor thing that idk if it even warrants an opinion. But they should now be obliged to next rebrand Apple Carplay to Apple Car.
> or perhaps it means that they plan to expand their TV offering so as to merit being something more than just a "plus"
That's an interesting point. One potential reason to simplify the service's base name is to allow for segmentation, e.g. Apple TV Ultra.
I think there's a reasonable possibility that they'll introduce a <$100 device in an effort to 10X their living room user base, in which case we might see something like an Apple Theater Pro and an Apple Theater mini.
The article itself even shows just how confusing it is:
> Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro ...
How did anyone think "this is fine" in a proofread here when coming up with this rebranding?
Netflix is available on Netflix App. HBO is available on HBO app. Normal people don't care.
It's perfectly normal for Netflix the company to run Netflix the service on Netflix the app on Netflix device if they release one. It's not confusing at all. What would be confusing is if they all had different names.
Not sure if you’re cutting my quote in bad faith to fit your rebuttal, or just didn’t read it fully. How is this not confusing?
> Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app … on … Apple TV …
Watch Apple TV in Apple TV on Apple TV.
Why choose Netflix as your example as well when both Google and Amazon already have streaming services that don’t have an identically named hardware device. Do you honestly think if Netflix put out a device they would name it Netflix.
The only time I can see this being confusing is when referring to the Apple TV box by the same name, and even that can usually be figured out by context.
It wouldn't surprise me if the device gets a new name in the upcoming Apple event.
Like it becomes rebranded as a type of HomePod. Or something like Apple TV Hub.
To me, this is a signal they are moving away from the app's attempt at trying to be where folks go for ALL the streaming apps. It's more a recognition that MOST (not all) people prefer to go to Netflix for Netflix content, for Disney+ for Disney content, etc. They weren't able to pull off being a competitor and also the neutral place for everything, which is maybe good. I'm expecting a redesign.
Honestly, Jony Ive/Steve Jobs minimalism is as much as a bust as it is a boon. It sort of becomes this unquestionable corporate religion and corporate terror.
Imagine being able to speak this truth to power at Apple. I imagine its just easier to let everyone do the weird minimalist thing, make confusing names like this, and let support handle the angry and confused phone calls. The C-suite keeps the "Of course we kept true to Steven's vision," PR thing, but imho, the product suffers.
I really would love it if Apple went more towards the middle, at least on naming products. What Macbook do you have? Who knows! Even putting the model number on it seems like an affront to this aesthetic and people have to literally either squint or zoom in using their phone's camera to be able to read the tiny text printed on these devices.
It sometimes feels like Apple went from minimalism inspired industry leader to a weird cargo cult-esque over-correction.
I thought Apple TV+ was a paid subsection in the Apple TV App?
>Apple TV+. Watch series, feature films, kids’ entertainment, and more from the most creative minds in TV and movies — with new Apple Originals added every month.
Big Tim has been killing it lately, and by killing it I mean being the Brian Krzanich of Apple.
The jury is still out if Apple TV will ever make a significant profit. Tim had a dream.. an expensive one but Apple was and is swimming in cash and running out of people to sell an iPhone. I get the "being a media & services company" hustle, selling overpriced hardware can only get you that far, but burning so much money on actors and production to get some -> limited <- catalog of good movies and shows, I don't get it. "Media" is actually a very though business.
My immediate assumption is this is to preface an Apple box rebranding, especially being announced right before new hardware is this is is the first of additional rebranding to simplify and avoid confusion. The Apple box/hardware could renamed Apple Hub and then the one with a display rumored could be Apple Hub+ or Apple Hub Display etc. Lots of options just hopefully it’s not keep everything the same name.
just FYI you can watch on your Android device now. It took them a long time (seriously, I think more than four years after AppleTV+ launched), but they did finally release an Android app.
The PR site as well as the main site refer to it as Apple TV+, so not sure where the renaming announcement is. But it's un-Apple to have the + missing on the press release for F1...
> Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity. Ahead of its global streaming debut on Apple TV, the film continues to be available for purchase on participating digital platforms, including the Apple TV app, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home and more.
Who are these people that come up with these ideas? And who are the people that encourage it or don’t provide some semblance of constructive criticism?
IMO just rename the hardware iTV instead, I assume they were holding back this name because back in the original cinema display days there was a rumor that they were making something more like a TV sized imac.
Some of the naming trends in the industry are mind-boggling. Half of the major streaming platforms appending themselves, or a premium package, Plus was often not only nonsensical, but derivative. And before that it was putting One at the end of names.
Living+ from Succession was a funny take on the branding.
This is the biggest gaffe I've heard since this one time at work when I was told "you have to use the Windows app".
I was like "What Windows app? How can I use it if I'm on a Mac?" But it turns out, Remote Desktop has been renamed to Windows App...
Geez, Apple. Just call it Gala or something. Steve would have given it some punch. But we live in the worst timeline when Apple is run by a guy who gets excited over, like, supply chains. It's gonna devolve into a slightly more stylish Microsoft soon.
Apple TV+ needed to be renamed but they went with the absolute worst option.
There's already an Apple TV device and an Apple TV app. Neither of which are required for using Apple TV+ and both of which have functionality other than using Apple TV+.
Some people think that Apple TV+ requires an Apple device to use it and just dismiss it as an option. Apple should have come up with a new brand without Apple in the name. That would broaden their potential market and get their foot in the door with people who don't own any Apple products.
> There's already an Apple TV device and an Apple TV app.
This telegraphs that (1) Apple's priority is the service above all else, and (2) that they're about to rebrand their flagship device which supports the service. We'll know very soon, since the updated device is imminent.
Yeah, this all makes sense if the intention is to change the name of the device.
Netflix (the service) has an app named Netflix. You access Netflix via Netflix on... XYZ. Same goes for basically every other streaming service.
So Apple TV the service on Apple TV the app makes perfect sense if you are thinking about accessing their streaming service via other set tops where Apple TV the app is available.
My guess is that the Apple TV set top will be renamed to something else, perhaps "Apple Home".
Then it would be "Access Apple TV via the app on your Apple Home device" and the merging/conflation of "Apple TV subscription via the Apple TV app" will make perfect sense the same way you would say "Access Netflix via the app on your Apple Home device".
My guess is that "tvOS" will be renamed "homeOS" to go with it.
It's been a PITA enough searching for Apple TV to only have hits about Apple TV come up for years now. I really hope it's all part of some master plan now coming together, as you say, but I feel like it's just as likely they want to keep the naming "simple" as they have in the past on this regard and that's just the way things are going to stay.
or perhaps it means that they plan to expand their TV offering so as to merit being something more than just a "plus"
i don't know if i like the rebranding or not – it's such a minor thing that idk if it even warrants an opinion. But they should now be obliged to next rebrand Apple Carplay to Apple Car.
> or perhaps it means that they plan to expand their TV offering so as to merit being something more than just a "plus"
That's an interesting point. One potential reason to simplify the service's base name is to allow for segmentation, e.g. Apple TV Ultra.
I think there's a reasonable possibility that they'll introduce a <$100 device in an effort to 10X their living room user base, in which case we might see something like an Apple Theater Pro and an Apple Theater mini.
I think you're right that this is a partial story. I hope so at least.
The article itself even shows just how confusing it is:
> Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro ...
How did anyone think "this is fine" in a proofread here when coming up with this rebranding?
It could always be worse... for example Microsoft recently renamed their remote desktop app to just "Windows App" https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/
But then in some specific cases, that app can't be used, and you end up with gibberish like this documentation https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-app/overview#what-...
//Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app
What's confusing about this?
Netflix is available on Netflix App. HBO is available on HBO app. Normal people don't care.
It's perfectly normal for Netflix the company to run Netflix the service on Netflix the app on Netflix device if they release one. It's not confusing at all. What would be confusing is if they all had different names.
Not sure if you’re cutting my quote in bad faith to fit your rebuttal, or just didn’t read it fully. How is this not confusing?
> Apple TV is available on the Apple TV app … on … Apple TV …
Watch Apple TV in Apple TV on Apple TV.
Why choose Netflix as your example as well when both Google and Amazon already have streaming services that don’t have an identically named hardware device. Do you honestly think if Netflix put out a device they would name it Netflix.
The only time I can see this being confusing is when referring to the Apple TV box by the same name, and even that can usually be figured out by context.
The confusing part is that Apple TV is available on screens which may or may not be Apple TV.
Except you'd never say that. You'd say "The Netflix app is available on [...]"
Because the app is the service. Which isn't the case with Apple TV hence the potential confusion.
This gives me Apple Aladeen[1]vibes /s
[1]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYJ2w82WifU
There's so many apple varieties they could have chosen too. Honeycrisp comes to mind. They even did this already with Macintosh!
> *Apple TV* is available on the *Apple TV* app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, *Apple TV*...
It wouldn't surprise me if the device gets a new name in the upcoming Apple event.
Like it becomes rebranded as a type of HomePod. Or something like Apple TV Hub.
To me, this is a signal they are moving away from the app's attempt at trying to be where folks go for ALL the streaming apps. It's more a recognition that MOST (not all) people prefer to go to Netflix for Netflix content, for Disney+ for Disney content, etc. They weren't able to pull off being a competitor and also the neutral place for everything, which is maybe good. I'm expecting a redesign.
"Apple TV is available on Apple TV" suggests that Google's naming guy must've left for Apple.
yo dawg, I heard you like Apple TV...
It does sound dumb.
On the other hand, it's generally crystal-clear from context whether you're talking about the susbscription service, hardware device, or app.
It honestly seems less confusing than trying to remember which one has the '+' and which one doesn't. I don't mind it.
The real question now is, will Disney+, Paramount+, ESPN+, etc. follow suit? It always was a weird way to identify streaming.
not that bad really, you either have an Apple TV subscription or you don't... the dedicated device likely won't be around much longer anyway
Honestly, Jony Ive/Steve Jobs minimalism is as much as a bust as it is a boon. It sort of becomes this unquestionable corporate religion and corporate terror.
Imagine being able to speak this truth to power at Apple. I imagine its just easier to let everyone do the weird minimalist thing, make confusing names like this, and let support handle the angry and confused phone calls. The C-suite keeps the "Of course we kept true to Steven's vision," PR thing, but imho, the product suffers.
I really would love it if Apple went more towards the middle, at least on naming products. What Macbook do you have? Who knows! Even putting the model number on it seems like an affront to this aesthetic and people have to literally either squint or zoom in using their phone's camera to be able to read the tiny text printed on these devices.
It sometimes feels like Apple went from minimalism inspired industry leader to a weird cargo cult-esque over-correction.
I thought Apple TV+ was a paid subsection in the Apple TV App?
>Apple TV+. Watch series, feature films, kids’ entertainment, and more from the most creative minds in TV and movies — with new Apple Originals added every month.
Apple Music
Apple TV
Makes sense to me. The plus just gave it a vibe of being "bonus content" or something extra, which is a weird thing to emphasize.
I wish Apple TV (the box) would let you uninstall Apple TV (the app)
Big Tim has been killing it lately, and by killing it I mean being the Brian Krzanich of Apple.
The jury is still out if Apple TV will ever make a significant profit. Tim had a dream.. an expensive one but Apple was and is swimming in cash and running out of people to sell an iPhone. I get the "being a media & services company" hustle, selling overpriced hardware can only get you that far, but burning so much money on actors and production to get some -> limited <- catalog of good movies and shows, I don't get it. "Media" is actually a very though business.
My immediate assumption is this is to preface an Apple box rebranding, especially being announced right before new hardware is this is is the first of additional rebranding to simplify and avoid confusion. The Apple box/hardware could renamed Apple Hub and then the one with a display rumored could be Apple Hub+ or Apple Hub Display etc. Lots of options just hopefully it’s not keep everything the same name.
Hmm, I never referred to it as Apple TV+. I wouldn't say it's any more or less confusing now.
>>> Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity.
It's not the main point of the article, but it is there.
Does removing the + make it vibrate more?
This needs to be upvoted to the top, because I was 99% sure OP had submitted the wrong link by accident.
After Atlassian renaming products to apps (and anything else to "work"), I thought it cannot become worse this year. I was wrong.
Apple TV+ was already confusing enought ... "No you don't need an Apple TV, it is just a name" ...
Let me guess, I cannot watch this on my Android devices.
Smells like Nespresso selling machines that only accept Nespresso cups.
My personal advice: stay the hell away from this because it can and will only get worse.
just FYI you can watch on your Android device now. It took them a long time (seriously, I think more than four years after AppleTV+ launched), but they did finally release an Android app.
The PR site as well as the main site refer to it as Apple TV+, so not sure where the renaming announcement is. But it's un-Apple to have the + missing on the press release for F1...
Last paragraph above the about blurb:
> Apple TV+ is now simply Apple TV, with a vibrant new identity. Ahead of its global streaming debut on Apple TV, the film continues to be available for purchase on participating digital platforms, including the Apple TV app, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home and more.
Who are these people that come up with these ideas? And who are the people that encourage it or don’t provide some semblance of constructive criticism?
Hopefully the "+" is the thing causing the periodic skipping when I stream music via AirPlay from my Mac's SSD to my TV.
So now there is a device named Apple TV, an app named Apple TV, and a service named Apple TV.
Satya Nadella pats Tim Cook on the head and says “that’s adorable”
This is approaching Google-owned chat products levels of ridiculousness.
It'll take a bit more work to reach the number of dead Google chat-related products. There were over fifty.
https://www.reddit.com/r/google/comments/s2s2ld/all_of_googl...
I think they technically call the device the "Apple TV 4K".
No version numbers either, so you need to reference the style of remote you have to know the approximate age.
Luckily, they only release new versions every 7 years. /s
IMO just rename the hardware iTV instead, I assume they were holding back this name because back in the original cinema display days there was a rumor that they were making something more like a TV sized imac.
The only way this makes sense is if they plan to discontinue the Apple TV hardware.
The more likely explanation is that they'll be rebranding it, eliminating the clunky "4K" in the name in the process.
Or rename it?
The new Apple TV+. Premium Apple TV experience only with + level hardware.
Some of the naming trends in the industry are mind-boggling. Half of the major streaming platforms appending themselves, or a premium package, Plus was often not only nonsensical, but derivative. And before that it was putting One at the end of names.
Living+ from Succession was a funny take on the branding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6GdR9y2nlo
Let’s see, maybe they will rename Apple TV (the box) to Apple Home
Not to be confused with Apple HomePod.
Oh noes, what do I call my Apple TV now?
This is the biggest gaffe I've heard since this one time at work when I was told "you have to use the Windows app".
I was like "What Windows app? How can I use it if I'm on a Mac?" But it turns out, Remote Desktop has been renamed to Windows App...
Geez, Apple. Just call it Gala or something. Steve would have given it some punch. But we live in the worst timeline when Apple is run by a guy who gets excited over, like, supply chains. It's gonna devolve into a slightly more stylish Microsoft soon.