Good news for VLC and Plex fans, as the apps are reportedly on the way to the fourth-generation Apple TV, due to hit shelves on October. Apple’s new set top box will boast a dedicated App Store, allowing users to install a number of apps that weren’t available on previous generations of the device.
The developers behind VLC announced their work on a tvOS app this morning, though few details have been given. “Some code to build VLCKit for the new tvOS was merged,” reads a blog post. “It’s very early though, but we have video playback!”
VLC is a popular cross-platform media player that supports almost any format audio or video file. The app can also act as a streaming server. While VLC has been available on Macs and iOS devices, it hasn’t been available on the Apple TV.
Plex is also on the way to the Apple TV, as Plex co-founder Scott Olechowski told ITworld last week that a tvOS version of Plex is in the early stages of development.
There is no question we will be able to offer Plex on the platform. There are multiple ways to go about it, based on the tvOS SDK we now have access to. We are now evaluating the best path for Plex and will begin work in earnest once we have evaluated the options. The ability to access great and proven iOS frameworks on the device is great for developers like us — we know the stuff is solid and will perform really well. Our goal is to enable people to enjoy Plex on the hardware platforms of their choice, and there is no doubt this will be a top platform for us.
Plex is a personal media organizer, allowing users to manage their video and music files, allowing them to be easily streamed to other devices. Plex is currently available on jailbroken Apple TVs, but hasn’t been available as a stock Apple TV offering. The app is popular with users of Chromecast and Fire TV streamers.
Apple began delivering the good news on Monday to registered developers who had won the right to receive an Apple TV Developer’s Kit that allows them to receive a fourth-generation Apple TV to begin developing Apple TV apps via the new tvOS.
