Apple TV app store + tvos

17 postsstarted by jeremyhanna 24,386 viewsoriginal topic

New Member
#1
So I had been hoping for this for a long, long time, but Apple finally introduced an app store for the Apple TV today along with tvos, which runs the new apps. I'm not sure what the process is for initiating a new platform but I'm hoping that the Mormon Channel and BYUtv (and perhaps LDS Music?) can make it on there given that it's Swift based so at least the underlying code should be similar. I would think the main difference would be the UI elements in the new OS.

For any interested:
The developer website which includes a download for the developer kit: https://developer.apple.com/tvos/
An introduction tutorial by someone outside of apple: http://www.madeupbypeople.com/blog/2015 ... le-tv-apps
Community Moderators
#2
I don't know if Mormon Channel and BYUtv will come to Apple TV and tvOS, but the LDS Music app is unlikely until we can get more developers on the project. Right now there's only one developer and most of his time is consumed with Gospel Library for iOS.

If you're a developer, feel free to join the LDS Music for iOS project here on LDSTech and pitch in!
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
New Member
#3
I'm a registered apple developer. I'd be happy to chip in to get BYUtv on tvOS. I've got a little bit of experience with iOS development. Haven't looked at tvOS APIs yet but I'm sure it's fairly straightforward.
Community Moderators
#4
Note that BYUtv is not developed directly by the Church in the same way that Mormon Channel and LDS Music are. To help with a BYUtv app, you'll need to work with BYU Broadcasting.
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
Senior Member
#5
I know this is not a church product but I wondered if anyone knows the status on this?
Senior Member
#6
The first religious content seen was at least one church and two Bible apps, both were the text, one was paid and the other free.

Thanks to slidetoplay.com I was able to see an early listing of top apps and a member built a 'LDS Sing Along' app which quickly got some early LDS users of the new Apple TV. That was because the app was categorized in the Music category. This was before the tvOS app store got a charts function, Slide to Play found a way to extract that data and by the time I saw their page, Apple had integrated charts into that app store.
Senior Member
#7
Thanks for the info. My hope was that since BYUTV has an app for regular IOS and on the Roku, that they would be early on the tvOS app store. Sounds like they are not there yet.
New Member
#8
I would love to have this app on the new Apple TV as well (4th Gen). Just adding my vote.
Member
#9
My family will be receiving the new Apple TV for Christmas. I would also love to see the BYU TV App brought to this platform. Until then, though, there's always airplay.
New Member
#10
Please I have been searching every day for s BYU TV app on the new Apple TV. Is there an update or estimate for a release date?
New Member
#11
After sending in feedback in the Mormon Channel iOS app, I got a response that it's being worked on. As has been mentioned, LDS Tech is not responsible for a BYU TV app. I'm just happy to see that the Mormon Channel is coming, hopefully before General Conference :).
New Member
#12
I guess it didn't make it in time. Maybe before the next General Conference in October 2016.
Community Moderators
#13
Mormon Channel is now available for Apple TV / tvOS!
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
Senior Member
#14
Great! That takes care of conference but I'd really like some of the other shows on BYUTV. I know it's up to them to do an app but I wish they would get on it.
New Member
#15
BYUTV already has an app for tvOS. And it works really well!
New Member
#16
sbradshaw wrote:Mormon Channel is now available for Apple TV / tvOS!
That is great news! Awesome!
Senior Member
#17
Last time I checked there was an iOS app for BYUTV but nothing for appletv. I guess I'll check again tonight.