Apple TV may appear on Android smartphones
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After years of rumors, Apple TV+ may finally be launching on Android platforms, but the only evidence of progress is the job listing.
The Apple TV app is required to watch Apple TV+ and purchased iTunes content, but it was never released on Google Play for Android smartphones. Even though Apple is a competitor to Google's platform, Apple has brought services like Apple Music to Android and Apple TV is already present on smart TVs, so smartphones won't be a big step forward.
The job listing, first spotted by Bloomberg, is looking for a “senior Android engineer” who will “help create an app used by millions to watch and experience TV and sports.” The list of vacancies was published on May 25.
The job description specifically mentions working with the Apple TV App team, which manages the application on Apple, Windows and Android platforms. The Android reference in this case could be a hint at apps built for Android TV, but rumors point to Apple's interest in an Apple TV app for Android smartphones starting at least in 2022.
As Apple TV+ gains more titles and popularity, it seems clear that Apple would like the service to be available on more than just the iPhone, Mac, and Apple TV. The service is available on select cable boxes, Roku TVs, Samsung TVs, Android TVs and game consoles. However, these groups pale in comparison to the dominant Android smartphone platform.
Candidates require a bachelor's degree in CS/CE/EE or a related technical field and development experience using Java or Kotlin. The salary range is $131,500 to $243,300.
One of Apple's weaknesses in trying to attract Android users is the lack of a useful package. The basic Apple One tier includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and iCloud storage. Only Apple Music is available on Android devices.
It would be a much more attractive option if Apple could launch an Android-focused Apple Music and Apple TV+ bundle along with the Apple TV app. For some reason, the company doesn't seem to want to compromise with users who don't want to pay for an iPhone for all the features.
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