Hey, have you guys received the sdks from Apple to launch an Apple TV app?
It would be great to finally see Plex on Apple Tv.
Thanks!
i have this same question - any idea when this will appear on the new apple tv?
SDK has just gone live for tvOS. Unless Plex (don’t forget our lovely PlexConnect developers are not, unless I’m mistaken, actual employee’s of Plex itself) was invited to do something by Apple, they, like most developers will need to grab that new SDK and have a play around with it.
In addition, there might be the need to have an actual device, from what I’ve seen so far, you need to register on 11th September to get a developer device, as the real device won’t launch until later in the fall.
Also, even if they can compile and run the app on the 4th gen device, it will still, I presume (I’m waiting to read more info and view the final bit of the tvOS keynote), require Apple App Store Review and approval. Apple could reject the app, but that’s just pessimistic old me, having been through this process a fair few times with iOS apps.
It might be a case of recompiling the iOS app for tvOS (as it’s based off iOS) and making a few tweaks. I’ve no idea.
I have taken a look at the tvOS api and SDK as well as downloaded some sample applications. It looks like I could easily port over PlexConnect (or completely rewrite it) over to the new Apple TV. I am starting on this right now and will let you guys know any progress I am able to make. Sadly there was a glitch in the ordering system and since my account is over 5 years old (the developer account with apple) I was not able to preorder the developer kit.
Here is an example structure of a demo app.
Wow, you are very prompt, thanks!
It is also possible that I could just create a bridge application that allows you to type in a server URL and have it load resources from PlexConnect as is (which I plan on trying).
Wow. 30 minutes after I watch the keynote and people are already on the case. Amazing!
I’m optimistic about Apple approving such an app - they do on iOS so surely they’d take a similar view?? Who knows. Anyway, exciting times.
I think Plex will pass thru the App Store with flying colors. I am the developer of another Application (PopcornTV) which is basically Popcorn Time on the Apple TV and I very seriously doubt they would accept it 
As such I have decided to port this first (which requires a large rewrite of code) because I do love me some plex 
I have been planning on this for quite some months now, so its not a sudden thing for me to be doing.
As Plex is already in the iOS app store, there shouldn’t be any issues with passing review again. According to what I’ve been reading, the ATV will use essentially the same App Store, and all current iOS apps can be converted into universal apps that will run on all three iOS platforms. Which should also mean we don’t have to buy them again. Which is nice.
That is correct clocknova! I am pretty sure the Plex Team is working on just porting their version over to the Apple TV, however I really think that their Current UI on the Apple TV would not look the best, thus why I am working to port Plex over myself. I am not sure on a name considering it will be a complete rewrite, though I do plan on it being free or $1 (to cover the cost of a developer license).
I will create a new thread with more information in the future
Curious as to how you envision PlexConnect on Apple TV 4th gen. How would it be different from a full blown official Plex app? I
For me, I do not really like the current Plex iOS Application, it is missing some key features (which plex as a whole is missing) I cannot go very far into details, but I envision a sleek, simple, easy way to access content. PlexConnect does this nicely currently, though for the new Apple TV it would need to be completely rewritten. It may end up looking a bit similar to PlexConnect, though quite different.
If you want a little bit of a vision for how I see Plex on the Apple TV (PlexTV for now) you can take a look at another application that I developed for the Apple TV called PopcornTV. Here is a quick video link of that project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oc_7fGuz-a8&ab_channel=OstlerDev
Unfortunately the USB port is still locked down (service and support only) which for me minimizes the use of a PLEX app on the new AppleTV. It would just be a streaming device and since I already have a Mac mini hooked up to my TV directly it just seems redundant and less useful. But maybe that’s just me. Is there any advantage of having an AppleTV instead of a Mac mini? Especially since Apple will never allow access to your own external content?!
Well personally I like having a nice plex aTV client w/o the Mac mini price tag attached in all the rooms at my place. Apple allows external content already thru home sharing with limited media containers like .mp4. Why wouldn’t apple allow external content via a native plex app on the new aTV? I don’t see why it wouldn’t become an app on the new aTV since it’s already available on all iOS devices with the minimum required iOS besides the current aTV models which why PlexConnect bridges the gap to allow Plex content to be deliverered on aTV2/3’s. Heck you can even run PlexConnect on a jailbroken aTV2 as its own added site (app) if your lucky enough to have one. What does the USB port have to do with limiting apps? I just hope aTV3 gets an App Store also and/or you can update it to the new tvOS but I have a feeling it might not have the horsepower to handle heavier apps that will be released in the future. Only time will tell and if Plex cannot make it to the aTV3 long live PlexConnect since I have A LOT of aTV3’s that will still be using it for the time being. I’m glad to see @ostlerdev working on a way to bring Plex to the new aTV as a backup plan but I’m pretty sure the Plex team will deliver a new app. With all the talent with the PlexConnect developers and Plex.tv team I’m excited to see what they can dish out to us. Hopefully we can do a search with Siri if a new Plex app is delivered to the new aTV to search our Plex libraries which is lacking on the fire tv. If that becomes available I’m sold on updating my aTV’s to the new aTV comming in late October.
Okay, I get the reasoning if someone doesn’t have something like a Mac mini hooked up yet – but for the many people who do I don’t see an advantage replacing that with a new AppleTV, is what I meant.
And no, the USB port does not limit apps, it being locked down limits my access to external media that I already have.
looking forward to this
ATV 3rd gen (and lower) will not get the app Store, it’s for 4th gen and above only, ie; something that will run tvOS, which the 3rd gen won’t.
@wahlman.j I have faith that Plex will bring a native app to the Apple TV, however if they port the existing application over I worry that it will not be as good. I personally do not like the native application currently on iOS and I think that an app should take advantage of TVML (the new apple tv’s native gui). That is what I plan on doing
I also plan on bringing more built in features (such as trakt.tv integration, favorites, watch next) and other features that would be amazing, rather then just Plex features.
Just some of my thoughts
That sucks. Well long live PlexConnect for aTV2/3.
@wahlman.j tvOS doesnt go on aTV 3 or below so we don’t have to worry about PlexConnect being broken, however I have tested and old applications (i.e. plexconnect) do not run on the new Apple TV (as the XML is all different)
