It’s been a wild 24 hours in the tech world, and we’ve got a lot to talk about. Apple just did something we never thought we’d see — rolling out Apple TV+ to Android phones and tablets. Meanwhile, YouTube TV subscribers might soon say goodbye to CBS, and Google is teasing the next Android 16 beta drop today.
Let’s break it all down!
Apple TV+ finally lands on Android
It took them long enough, but Apple finally decided Android users deserve an actual Apple TV app instead of that clunky web experience. The app is now live on the Google Play Store, giving you access to Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass, and MLB Friday Night Baseball — all with Google Play billing support.
You can sign in with an existing Apple account or create one directly in the app. Plus, features like offline downloads, Continue Watching, and cross-device playback sync are all baked in.
But before you get too excited, there’s a catch (because, of course, there is). No iTunes purchases or rentals — if you’ve got a library of Apple movies, they won’t show up here. Also, no Chromecast support for casting to TVs (at least for now), which is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Still, this is a major shift from Apple, signaling they actually want Apple TV+ to be a real streaming competitor instead of just an Apple ecosystem perk. If you’re curious, you can try a 7-day free trial right now.
YouTube TV vs. Paramount: CBS could be gone soon
If you’re a YouTube TV subscriber, brace yourself — CBS and CBS Sports could disappear after February 13, 2025, thanks to a messy contract dispute between Google and Paramount.
This affects more than just CBS. Channels like Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, BET, VH1, and Smithsonian Channel are all on the chopping block unless a deal is reached. DVR recordings of these channels? They’ll be gone too.
Google says it’s fighting to keep the channels without raising prices, but if CBS disappears, YouTube TV will offer an $8 credit — just enough to nudge you toward a Paramount+ subscription instead.
If history is any guide, these disputes usually get resolved (remember the 2021 standoff with NBC and Disney?), but for now, it’s a waiting game.
Android 16 Beta 2 drops today
Google casually dropped a teaser on X, confirming Android 16 Beta 2 is landing today. While Beta 1 was mostly about under-the-hood changes, we’re hoping this new build brings some actual UI upgrades.
With Google I/O 2025 happening in May, the real question is: Will Google save the biggest Android 16 features for the conference, or will we get more surprises in the upcoming betas?
It’s been a wild 24 hours for Android fans, and the year is just getting started. Apple TV+ on Android, YouTube TV fighting to keep CBS, and the Android 16 beta cycle heating up –which one excites (or annoys) you the most? Let’s discuss!
Until next time, keep those Pixels charged and those updates rolling!
Hillary Keverenge
2347 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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