Earlier today Samsung announced that it will be launching iTunes and AirpPlay 2 support in 2019.
Thats’s right, you’ll be able enjoy your iTunes library in the comfort of your living room without having to investing in Apple TV. Hurray!
This partnership is an industry first and another sign that Apple is loosening its clutches on hardware control after launching Apple Music on Amazon Echo speakers at the end of last year.
[referenced url=”https://gizmodo.com.au/2019/01/hps-newest-chromebooks-x360-g1-are-priced-just-right/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/cp8otbtmxugqfmar7c5w.jpg” title=”HP’s Newest Chromebooks Are Priced Just Right” excerpt=”As the kids who started out using Chromebooks grow up, the kinds of systems running Chrome OS need to evolve too. So in order to please the increasing number of people who want something more sophisticated out of a modern-day netbook without abandoning the platform’s budget-conscious roots, HP brought the new moderately priced Chromebook x360 14 G1 and super cheap Chromebook 14 to CES 2019.”]
We’re not 100% sure on when the service will be available in Australia, but it’s being pegged for “Spring 2019”, which most likely means in the northern hemisphere. Fingers crossed that we don’t have to wait that long though.
But when it does launch, 2019 Samsung Smart TV users will be able to access their iTunes library easily from their screen without any additional hardware. You’ll also be able to rent and buy movies and TV shows from the iTunes store.
As for AirPlay 2 support – it will allow you to cast video, music and photos to the TV just like it does with any other compatible device, like Apple TV and HomePods.
Both integrations will also work with the Samsung Smart TV ecosystem, such as search, Bixby and Universal Guide.
It’s worth noting that it’s currently unclear as to when previous gen Samsung Smart TV models will receive the iTunes and AirPlay 2 firmware update.
We’ll let you know once we hear more on the Australian release date.
The author travelled to CES 2019 as a guest of Samsung and Dell.