Apple will open Apple TV universal search API to third-party developers

Apple TV, which is set to launch later this month has one very crucial feature which is universal search. With this feature, one is allowed to find content across different services using either text entry or Siri. Now, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirms that developers will also be granted access to a universal search API resulting in third-party apps to have the opportunity to get its name screened with big name services such as HBO, Hulu and others.In conversation with BuzzFeed News, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “At launch we’ll have iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, Showtime, and HBO — so we’ll have five major inputs into universal search initially,” Cook said. “But we’re also opening an API, so that others can join in.”

As of now, Cook didn’t reveal any details on how the feature would handle series wherein episodes are broadcast through multiple services. He also stated that universal search will be ‘smart’ enough to understand which services the user is subscribed to, highlighting which sources are available free or with existing subscriptions.

Cook also added that, “I think that many, many people will want to be in that search. And that’s great for users. Think about your experience today. Even if you’re fortunate enough to have the content you want to watch in an app, you sometimes don’t remember exactly where that show is, so you’re going to Netflix or Hulu or Showtime. You shouldn’t have to do that. It should be very simple.”