If what’s been lacking out of your life is a video-centric app from a platform that also considers itself to be the world’s city sq. run on the whims of an (ahem) extraordinarily eccentric billionaire and that has in some ways given up on any semblance of moderation that might make it the kind of place you’d need to admit hanging out, welcome to X TV.
The app is now reside on the varied app shops — we’ve discovered it on Google Play, LG’s app retailer, and the Amazon App Store (trying to find it on Apple TV solely returned the legacy Twitter app as I write this). There are totally different launch dates relying on which platform you’re . Amazon exhibits it as having been reside since late July, however LG’s app retailer says August 29, 2024.
You must have an X account to log in and watch something, which is X’s modus operandi at this level throughout the platform. Screenshots for the app promise unique content material, plus reside occasions and information. From that 30,000-foot view it very a lot appears like a YouTube kind of clone, solely possible with way more objectionable content material, and lower-rent promoting. (If any — CEO Linda Yaccarino beforehand stated the app wouldn’t have advertisements at launch.) YouTube, by the best way, made $15.5 billion in promoting within the first half of 2024, and $31.5 billion for all of 2023. So simply maintain that in thoughts anytime somebody calls it a YouTube competitor. (Or worse, a YouTube killer.)
The app description on Google Play reads “The X app is the trusted global digital town square for everyone, on your TV! Discover a new way to experience the world of X, as we bring you unique and engaging content right to your living room.” Whether that’s true stays to be seen. Early app opinions don’t seem like useful, however one fast look from a DT comrade resulted in saying “the content available is a real dumpster fire.” So that’s most likely fairly on model for X in 2024. It’s additionally rated T for teen on one retailer, and 12+ on one other. So there’s most likely nothing to fret about, proper?
It’s additionally price noting that there at the very least are call-outs that appear like hyperlinks to X’s privateness coverage and phrases of service. You can choose both one on LG’s model of the app, however not truly click on to open stated privateness polity or phrases of service. You can’t even choose them on the tvOS model. And Amazon helpfully means that others who downloaded X TV benefit from the right-wing video service Rumble, Banned Video, Real America’s Voice, and RSBN apps.
So far, so good.