Apple will add online preview webpages for Apple TV apps, similar to how iOS apps are viewable online via a web browser. Previously, the only way to look at an app that was in the tvOS Store was via a fourth generation Apple TV or a third-party app list.
Hey, look at that, Apple TV apps now showing up in web preview pages: https://t.co/pbGOO30Hy4 When did that start? cc:@mhafez @AfterPad
— Jeff Scott (@TheAppivore) April 19, 2016
MacStories has given the hat tip to Twitter user Jeff Scott for spotting the new online preview pages first, reporting that the feature so far only works for Apple TV-only apps. Citing Kevin MacLeod of AfterPad, according to MacStories the metadata for iOS apps with tvOS support is still absent from returned requests to the iTunes API.
There has not been any reported word from Apple about how quickly they plan to roll out the feature for all tvOS apps. iOS apps with tvOS support, like Netflix, currently only display “This app is designed for both iPhone and iPad” in the system support field underneath the “View in iTunes” button.
If you’re looking to share a link to an Apple TV app in the meantime, MacLeod happens to run an online tvOS app catalog that allows you to search through the tvOS store’s app list (Example: Sonic CD) and share it via email, text or internet browser activity.
Another online tvOS app catalog is TwivelStats by Neil Cameron. Much like MacLeod’s AfterPad catalog, tvOS apps can be searched for as well as filtered through via category in TwivelStats, and the catalog even offers charts tracking the top free and paid Apple TV apps.
