Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices.

The app is available globally on Google Play and offers access to Apple TV+ and MLS Season Pass on Android mobile devices — including phones, tablets, and foldables

The Apple TV app on Android includes key features like Continue Watching to pick up where a user left off across all their devices, and Watchlist to keep track of everything they want to watch in the future. The app streams seamlessly over Wi-Fi or a cellular connection, and includes the ability to download to watch offline, Apple reported.

With the Apple TV app on Android, Android users can now subscribe to Apple TV+ and access such series as "Severance", "Slow Horses", "The Morning Show", "Presumed Innocent", "Shrinking, Hijack", "Loot", "Palm Royale", "Masters of the Air", and "Ted Lasso". Subscribers can also access Apple Original films like "Wolfs", "The Instigators", "The Family Plan", "Killers of the Flower Moon", "CODA", and more.

Apple TV+ also offers Friday Night Baseball — a weekly Major League Baseball double-header with no local broadcast restrictions. New for 2025, Apple TV+ subscribers can also enjoy Sunday Night Soccer, a weekly primetime standalone match showcasing MLS’s most compelling matchups.

MERIDIAN, Colo.—Sling Freestream has finally expanded the availability of its app to Android supported mobile streaming devices. The launch will provide Android users with access to more than 400 free channels and 41,000 free on demand titles. 

In addition, Sling TV has launched a promotion that allows Sling Freestream users to watch popular standalone services like AMC+, Showtime and Starz at reduced prices, with a 50% discount on first month subscriptions for some services. 

LOS ANGELES—Some fans watching the National League Championship Series between the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers will have the opportunity to customize their viewing experience thanks to a partnership between Fox Sports and Samsung utilizing 5G technology.

The Fox Sports 5G View Powered by Samsung is a bonus app experience that is available exclusively for 5G-enabled Android smartphone users. Through the app, users have the ability to zoom in/out during live games; they have five unique camera angles from around the diamond; highlights are updated throughout the game for fans to access; and fans can rewind up to three minutes prior during live games.

To help feed this custom experience, Fox Sports has added 90 proprietary cameras to its traditional broadcast setup at Globe Life Park in Arlington, where the NLCS is being played—it will also be home to the World Series.

“After recently reimagining the Fox Sports app, we’re thrilled to work with Samsung to add this exclusive 5G smartphone experience for the NLCS and World Series,” said David Katz, executive vice president and head of Digital at Fox Sports. “During these unique times for fans, we have an immense opportunity to get them closer to the action with impactful, creative solutions during some of our biggest moments. This collaboration combines the best of Fox Sports production and mobile user innovation for the fan of the present and future.”

The Fox Sports 5G View Powered by Samsung streaming experience can be connected to the TV using Samsung Smart View.

LOS GATOS, Calif.—Multiple publications have reported that Netflix has begun testing variable playback speeds for TV shows and movies through its app on Android devices. The streaming service is allowing a subset of Android users to watch its content at speeds that range from 0.5x (half speed) to 1.5x.

Being able to customize the playback speed is a popular feature with podcasts, and some reports speculate that Netflix subscribers may use these sped up rates for content like documentaries or stand-up specials.

Netflix provided a statement to Variety confirming the tests:

“We’re always looking for new ways to help our fans enjoy content they love, so we’re testing playback speed options on mobile devices. Our tests generally vary in how long they run for and in which countries they run in, and they may or may not become permanent features on our service.”

Update: Netflix has responded to criticism from the likes of Judd Apatow, Brad Bird and Aaron Paul about its recent tests of variable playback speeds for content. The streamer stressed that this test is for mobile devices only—phones and tablets—but that it is a feature that has been requested in the past by its customers, though in the short term there are no plans to roll out the service.

“We've been sensitive to creator concerns and haven't included bigger screens, in particular TVs, in this test,” Netflix said in its blog post. “We've also automatically corrected the pitch in the audio at faster and slower speeds. In addition, members must choose to vary the speed each time they watch something new—versus Netflix maintaining their settings based on their last choice.”

STAMFORD, CONN.—Sports fans with iPhones and Android devices have a new alternative to keep track of how their favorite teams are performing thanks to a new app from NBC Sports.

The broadcaster this week launched MyTeams by NBC Sports, a team-focused mobile app that gives fans a one-stop destination for coverage of the 25 NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB teams covered by NBC Sports Regional Networks, including live-game streaming of local teams.

Fans can customize content to their liking by selecting the teams they like to follow and choosing an order of preference. The app then presents the content that matches their interests and priorities, NBC Sports said.

The MyTeams app offers access to live and on-demand video, podcasts and written content. Live game coverage is confined to the market in which fans subscribe. The app delivers live NBA, NHL and MLB games produced by NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports California, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Northwest, NBC Sports Philadelphia and NBC Sports Washington.

When a game is available to fans, live game coverage will play automatically at the top of the team’s page. MyTeams pages are available for six NFL teams, seven NBA teams, five NHL teams and seven MLB teams.

Authenticated subscribers of the local NBC Sports Regional Network providing coverage in their region can watch complete live games and game-day shows at no additional cost anywhere in the United States. The network’s linear television channel will also be available at no charge.

The free app is available for iOS and Android devices from the Apple App Store and Google Play store.

ENGLEWOOD, CO--DISH recently launched DISH OnePoint, a free download that allows users to control multiple televisions using an iPad or Android tablet. After loading the DISH OnePoint remote app onto a device, users can control televisions connected to DISH set-top boxes in locations such as sports bars, waiting rooms and fitness centers.

DISH OnePoint is free to load on iPad (iOS v10 and up) and Android tablets (v6.0 and up). The app also works with Wally, DISH's set-top box for businesses, as well as Hopper (all generations) and Joey (all models) receivers, when connected to the internet. Support for Hopper Duo is coming soon.

DISH OnePoint offers users a variety of features:

• Single interface – Control all TVs connected to the property's network via a single app, eliminating the need for multiple remotes.
• Custom groups – Rename individual receivers and create custom groups to easily control a single TV, a group of TVs or the entire entertainment system.
• Favorites – Indicate favorite channels or categories in the interactive guide for efficient channel changes across individual or groups of TVs.
• Interactive guide & search – Search for content in the interactive guide without interrupting the current program. Filter content by pre-selected favorites or genre, including sports, movies and shows.

"For businesses with multiple TVs, DISH OnePoint eliminates the stress of mixing up remotes or scrolling endlessly through the programming guides," said Alistair Chatwin, vice president of DISH Business. "Now customers don't have to miss a second of their team's game or favorite show while waiting for employees to find the right channel – DISH OnePoint creates a better television experience for everyone."

STATE COLLEGE, PA.—AccuWeather said it launched on Android TV. AccuWeather said its customizable app delivers an interactive weather platform provides information on conditions across “devices and locations worldwide.”

The AccuWeather app for Android TV provides “patented… minute-by-minute forecasts with precipitation type and intensity for the next two hours, as well as start and end times, hyperlocalized to a user’s exact viewing location.”

The company said it also provides access to the “most extensive library of breaking weather videos, ranging from on-site severe weather reports to in-studio forecasts. The new app also features customizable hyper-local weather forecasts including RealFeel temperature, current conditions, and more, as well as severe weather alerts to keep people informed and safe.”

AccuWeather said, “Users have the ability to tailor their app theme, allowing them to adapt the screen background based on lighting conditions and preferences for the most personalized weather experience. Available in over 30 languages, the innovative app allows Android TV users to access the most accurate, actionable weather information and updates worldwide.”

AccuWeather and Google go back on weather collaboration, the vendor said. The AccuWeather app for Android is available on all Android phones and tablets, along with the recently launched Android Wear 2.0.