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Apple TV for Android adds widgets, Apple Music gets WhatsApp sharing

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Why This Matters

The recent updates to Apple TV and Apple Music for Android highlight Apple's efforts to enhance cross-platform compatibility and user experience, especially through the addition of homescreen widgets and sharing features. These changes are significant as they improve accessibility and engagement for Android users, broadening Apple's ecosystem reach. For consumers, these updates offer more convenience and seamless integration with popular apps like WhatsApp, making media consumption more intuitive.

Key Takeaways

Apple TV and Apple Music for Android are rolling out sizable updates today, with homescreen widgets as the shared theme.

Apple TV 2.5 introduces three widgets that add the “Continue watching” carousel from the top of the main tab to your homescreen. Apple TV Small shows one episode/movie, while Medium doubles that.

Apple TV Large features bigger artwork for the first item alongside a scrollable list to browse. Tapping immediately starts playback.

The widgets aren’t resizable and match what’s available on iOS. Version 2.5 for Apple TV is rolling out now via the Play Store.

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On a related note, Apple Music 6.5 is widely rolling out today. It’s a big jump from version 5.2 and might be Apple synchronizing its numbering to match iOS releases (26.5 is the current stable on the iPhone).

This update adds two new widgets. Pins lets you “Quickly access your pinned items,” while Live Radio saves you from visiting the dedicated tab to start playback. These additions join Now Playing, Recently Played, Recommendations, and Top Charts.

The other update today lets you “Share songs, albums, playlists, and lyrics to WhatsApp.”