Update Now TV app for apple TV

[Anonymous User]

Will the Now TV app for Apple TV ever get an update?

The current version is complete rubbish and makes me regret ever getting a Now TV pass.

Unless there is an update my Now TV experience will be very short indeed.

[nst]

@Duncaw67 

This is my first trial so ive no idea..

However, its fair to assume that when the app counts down like that its for a reason... so I assume it just disappears or stops working at that time.

Back to the (very) old app until they decide to release it.

As many of us have said... SO disappointed with communications from the trials team - we've no idea whats going on.

Obviously again we all assume that this has not been for nothing and they have a mostly working app that could easily be released (they must have made extra tweaks in the last 3 months surely too).

We do know that on release the intention was to support Apple's TV app functionality so thats a huge thing - maybe they've been testing that in the background and concentrating on that... who knows.

Lets hope it doesnt just disappear - I will certainly be asking the trials team whats happening next week.

[Duncaw67]

@nst 

This is my first trial as well, but I followed the last trial closely last year when I got Apple tv, and it seemed to be OK by the threads reported on here, then  gone without a trace,which can't happen to this one surely,as I have enjoyed using it for the football and some boxsets!!!!

[dr_necessitor]

When the Beta app’s validity date is reached, it will remain installed on your  tv but it just stops working. You can then delete it. So that just leaves the “old” app as the only option on tv. If a new Beta is then subsequently released, that will be a “new” app.

Same as what happened previously on this never ending Beta trial!

Incidentally, I was reading yesterday that NBC Peacock (which recently launched in the US) was developed out of NOW TV technology. NBC is, of course, part of Comcast Corp (as is Sky, “parent” of NOW TV). So maybe “the development team” has been a bit busy on a higher priority project?! 😮

Anyway kudos to you folks (“the class of 2020”) for keeping the faith!  Personally I no longer think this app is ever going to fly 😟  It looks increasingly to me that the past thoughts of the esteemed @moroboshi will turn out to be correct...

[nst]

@dr_necessitor 

Its not a case of faith... but now, in summer 2020 one of two things MUST happen.

1.  The updated app is finally released - we've waited long enough.

2.  IF the app isn't released and we are stuck with the rubbish and not fit for purpose app that they have on the AppleTV, then the platform as a whole has to be dropped and they must remove it from their list of supported devices as its just an embarrassment.   AppleTV will go the way of older smart TVs where the app is switched off.

I really hope, and very much assume its 1.  After all... beta 2 was pretty much almost there baring boost support.

My suggestion is.... all of us in the Beta trial... DONT let this go - dont let this fade away and vanish.... start to email the trails team and ask whats happening.

After all, if they dont seem to care, and it looks like we dont seem to care... then it will not get priority.

[Anonymous User]

I agree completely, I’m going to email them now and will let you all know if I get a response

[Breaking_Bad]

yes me too

[waldopepper]

Wow, that's never happened before. So my post pondering if NowTV actually have a plan or not was deleted. So despite the deafening silence, they're actually reading these comments - this is good I guess?

So if I have spoken out of line, what IS the plan?

What is the schedule for the App Update.

What is the schedule for getting Boost on Apple TV?

[Breaking_Bad]

Did you get a reason for the deletion?

[waldopepper]

Nope, no reason given. I just noticed that it wasn't there any longer. It was a bit of a general rant, but there have been plenty of negative comments in here so I was surprised.

Maybe because I was also being negative about a general NowTV email received yesterday and this wasn't on topic for the thread? For me, it's relevant because it's part of the general service I get from NowTV and that service also is linked to the app on Apple TV.

[MrZippy]

I’ve only been reading via email and don’t recall anything that shocking. What is shocking is how long this thread is and how long since it started!

[nst]

NowTV staff do indeed read these forums, and rightly so.

I tend to reign in my comments and although critical its constructive i hope.

The sheer length, history, and continued strong support for this thread should certainly tell NowTV that this is an important issue that many users want resolved.

[dr_necessitor]

@nst et all:

Sorry but after at least 2 years of beta trialling an app for this platform thru multiple iterations now and apparently still being no closer to the endgame, you’ll have to excuse my cynicism!

Personally I think there will be a public release *eventually* - but I’ve given up all hope of it being *anytime soon*

I started this particular iteration of beta trialling full of renewed optimism, having temporarily mislaid it after the previous debacles, but (notwithstanding the Covid-19 situation) the lack of progress & response has now driven me to

(1) completely stop using the app and

(2) return to using the Roku Streaming Stick+ app (which means I get 5.1 sound & HD Sport at 50fps).

Shame, I really thought this time it was gonna be “the one”. But sadly it hasn’t been.

[nst]

@dr_necessitor 

I totally understand your cynicism and id feel the same.

One thing... as you have experienced the last trial and this one... im assuming that this trial is a different build or different in some way app than the one you tested before.... (even if its just more stable?)

Having said that I too am back to other platforms where I can enjoy the 1080p and 5.1 im paying for... and should the app release on the AppleTV and NOT support boost.. well this has all been for nothing for me as ill never use it!

For certain im going back to the trials team this week.  On the back of the promised survey not appearing... and also to ask about the expiring Beta.  Its now less than 2 weeks away after all.

Good luck all!

[MrZippy]

I’ve also emailed trails Friday morning, no response, but they didn’t response to my one from 2 weeks ago yet either.

[Hooba]

As far as I can tell, this BETA is the same as the last BETA trial. But with a different colour scheme. 

There was nothing 'wrong' with the previous BETA. I think the previous BETA had 3 releases, but in reality each release was identical to the first. The later releases even has something like: "same as prevous build" on the notes (their spelling mistake, not mine, they made that mistake twice BTW). A couple of times the previous BETA was left to expire - so was unusable for a week to two, before the 'new' release came out.

So - it was a woeful experience, culminating in the final expiry, then silence. 

I only bothered signing up for this BETA in the hope that Boost would be supported. As it isn't supported I've launched the BETA twice (on the first day of release, then when the 'update' appeared) just to confirm no Boost, then closed it down.

None of this is cynicism - it's experience. And who knows, they may yet release a new App that does support Boost. Fantastic if they do. But I'm not exactly holding my breath or losing sleep over it. I'm expecting what we've had before - nothing !

[MrZippy]

Ah but the first beta did get released, just not in the U.K. to the people who tested. Which is insulting.

[Duncaw67]

@nst 

Yeah 2 weeks on Monday to be precise and hopefully some feedback re:the app moving forward on the Apple tv platform, which I believe is nearly there in its final release, especially as they stated after build 1 boost capability would be included, we can but hope it will happen soon!!!!

[nst]

sadly, @Duncaw67 , they never actually stated that boost was definitely going to be supported - just that it wasn't yet and they encouraged the testers not to subscribe to a boost pass for testing the AppleTV app (as they knew it was not imminent perhaps).

The only thing they have stated IS coming on final release is full integration of the AppleTV TV app..and that it could not be provided for testing.  So, we can assume that is coming if they release the app to the public.

As ive said often... especially on the hardware of the AppleTV - Boost support is essential and theres not reason why it cant join the other platforms that support it.  I do have a nasty suspicion that it might not though.   We (maybe) shall see (eventually) hopefully.

[Duncaw67]

Thanks @nst 

I have just checked the email from June 4 from the trials managers and you are spot on, re boost pass,but the one thing I am not happy about is he hopes to address the issue in a future update.

Is that  before the trial ends,or when it may be rolled out to everybody  mainstream on the Now tv app on Apple tv?

[nst]

@Duncaw67 

Of course.. and back then when they said they hope to address it in a future update I assumed that these iterative beta builds would be coming thick and fast as issues were identified and fixed.

So.. the reality over the last 5 months has been that we've only got a single update and in that update of course Boost is yet to be incorporated.

I think it would be insane to release it without - and was hoping to be able to test it in the Beta... but here we are.

The only positive thing I can add at this point is that it seems clear that most if not all of the AppleTV beta testers have made it very clear they want boost, and they consistently mention that they are aware of this and that we dont need to keep telling them!  Will they ignore our requests?  time will tell.

As ive said before, as a paying customer of a boost pass... I simply could not use the new app on the AppleTV if it doesnt support boost and all this considerable effort trying to test and help out would have been for nothing.  I hope thats not the case.  After all, why, when the hardware is fully capable of supporting it, would you not want your customers on a particular platform to get the best possible experience they can AND entice them to spend an extra £3 per month for the privilege.... makes no sense whatsoever to miss out on that and not support boost.

[Duncaw67]

Hi @nst 

I still bought a boost pass for the last premier games shown in July, as I watched the games on my tv upstairs via my roku stick + and used the tv downstairs for the beta trial as most of the boxsets I watched ie (City of angels) and (Condor) are shot in native 24 fps the same as movies,but sports so much better in 1080p and surround sound.