With iOS 17.2 and tvOS 17.2, Apple launched a brand new option to navigate inside the TV app by way of a sidebar that lets customers shortly leap between completely different sections, together with Search, Watch Now, Channels, Retailer, and Library. However Apple will do greater than that, as the corporate plans to quickly part out the devoted iTunes Film Retailer by merging it with the TV app.

Devoted iTunes Film Retailer going away

Primarily based on code from the second beta of iOS 17.2 and tvOS 17.2, Apple will quickly merge the iTunes Film Retailer with the Apple TV app. Though customers can already purchase films and TV exhibits inside the TV app, Apple units nonetheless have a devoted iTunes Retailer app.

Strings seen by 9to5Mac verify that customers will quickly see the next message: “iTunes Films moved to the Apple TV app.” The TV exhibits part may even be merged with the Apple TV app within the areas the place it’s obtainable. In beta 2, customers can nonetheless entry the iTunes Film Retailer in its devoted app.

Leftover feedback from Apple engineers within the iOS code recommend that the change might be rolled out remotely when the replace turns into obtainable to the general public. The Films and TV Exhibits tabs will disappear from the iTunes Retailer as soon as the brand new function flags are enabled.

On Apple TV, which has separate apps for every section of the iTunes Retailer, the iTunes Films and iTunes TV Exhibits apps are additionally anticipated to vanish. Customers will nonetheless have the ability to purchase films and TV exhibits utilizing the Apple TV app. The transfer is simply one other step in direction of placing an finish to the iTunes model, because the iTunes software program was faraway from the Mac in 2019.

Earlier than the discharge of the iOS 17.2 beta, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman had already reported that Apple has been engaged on revamping the TV app and discontinuing the devoted iTunes Film Retailer. On its help web site, Apple already recommends customers purchase films and TV exhibits by the TV app.

Extra about iOS 17.2

iOS 17.2 contains Apple’s new Journal app, first introduced at WWDC. There’s additionally help for collaborative playlists in Apple Music, modifications to tapback reactions, and new widgets for Clock and Climate. The replace additionally allows the recording of Spatial Movies for Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional utilizing iPhone 15 Professional.

Customers have additionally observed that some films within the Apple TV app now have a “3D” icon forward of the launch of Imaginative and prescient Professional early subsequent yr. 9to5Mac then discovered references to sideloading within the newest beta.

Apple is anticipated to launch iOS 17.2 to the general public by the tip of the yr.