Apple TV OS?

Monkey Targets Forums/iOS/Apple TV OS?

SLotman(Posted 2015) [#1]
Now that Apple TV will focus on gaming... does anyone know if the current iOS or Mac targets will work on it?

More about AppleTV / TVOs: https://developer.apple.com/tvos/


nullterm(Posted 2015) [#2]
Looks more iOSish than MacOSish. I'm not sure if it's built the same way you build a iPhone/iPad app, or if it needs a separate Xcode project. A lot of the structure is similar to how you build an iOS app, and a bunch of articles just like to the iOS version (OpenGL ES as example).

Quick observations...

Still looks to have ObjC/C/C++ support, but examples are Swift as part of Apple push to their proprietary language.

OpenGL ES looks to be still supported, but again Metal is front and center.

tvOS starts at 9, so looks like a branch of iOS 9 at the very least. If version numbers mean anything.

Put my name down for a devkit. Maybe I'll be one of those chosen and can setup a Apple TV target! (heh not with my luck)


Samah(Posted 2015) [#3]
Just had a mess around with it in the latest Xcode beta. Looks like you should be able to just run a huge OpenGL canvas for gaming, or use SceneKit. For more GUI-ish apps you can write your AppDelegate in Objective-C or Swift and get it to load up a JavaScript file. From there you use a proprietary XML-based markup language that defines the UI.

It's definitely a candidate for a Monkey-X target, and if you're just using an OpenGL canvas there will be minor changes required from the iOS target.


Shinkiro1(Posted 2015) [#4]
I hope tvOS support gets implemented into the current iOS target.
If it's just an OpenGL canvas, we then need support for the remote and game controllers.


AndroidAndy(Posted 2015) [#5]
+1
I hope tvOS support gets implemented into the current iOS target.

but how does this "hope" thing work? Is this something that Mark works on, or would we wait for someone to start working on it independently. Would be cool to have it in something like Pyro (Tony/Playniax), but I don't think there is any precedent for Tony to create any custom targets? For now I have been just using an Xcode/Swift combination exclusively for iOS, but as you say "hope tvOS support gets implemented" so I (and others that are focusing on iOS) could potentially bring apps outside of the iOS ecosystem with Monkey.


skid(Posted 2015) [#6]
Until Mark can buy one locally I don't see it being added as official target. We could fly one in from another region but for now I think Coming Soon is as good as it gets. Given talent around here I suspect community support will arrive first.

I have a contact in Apple Europe, I will see if he can put in a request for us.

True story: before BlitzMax development started an email to stevejobs@... was how BRL got their first iMac.

[edit] I have messaged Matt Sephton for help


Samah(Posted 2015) [#7]
@AndroidAndy: Would be cool to have it in something like Pyro (Tony/Playniax)...

I don't think user targets should ever be bundled with user modules. If I were to work on a tvOS target myself *cough* it would be separate from Diddy, and free/open source.
I registered for a development kit, so hopefully I'm chosen.


AndroidAndy(Posted 2015) [#8]
I registered for a development kit, so hopefully I'm chosen.

@Samah - I won't register for a tvOS development kit then and give you one more chance to be a chosen one :). I am busy with WatchKit at the moment, but would be interested to hear if you get in!


Samah(Posted 2015) [#9]
@AndroidAndy: I won't register for a tvOS development kit then and give you one more chance to be a chosen one :)

They give preference to developers with apps on the App Store, so I don't hold much hope. Regardless, you can still develop using the tvOS simulator in the latest Xcode beta.


AndroidAndy(Posted 2015) [#10]
@Samah: Good point on the tvOS simulator, no need to wait for the actual device especially for creating a Monkey tvOS target. There will be some room for casual games on Apple TV so it seems like a great window of opportunity to get some Monkey based content in the living rooms of the world. I suspect it (Apple TV) will be a bigger market for Monkey based content versus some of the other targets that were officially supported.


skid(Posted 2015) [#11]
I was thinking AppleTV could be the new Wii. All it needs is for the store to be well curated and a couple of killer apps aimed at entire family.


Samah(Posted 2015) [#12]
Dear Developer,

Thank you for registering to get an Apple TV Developer Kit. While you were not selected for this opportunity, we share your excitement for tvOS and encourage you to start building innovative apps for Apple TV with the tvOS SDK.

We appreciate your support.

Best regards,
Apple Developer Relations

:'(


nullterm(Posted 2015) [#13]
Doh, sorry to hear that Samah.

I was selected!

I'll report back when I get the dev kit if I can get Monkey games onto tvOS.


Samah(Posted 2015) [#14]
@nullterm: I was selected!

-_-


SLotman(Posted 2015) [#15]
I was selected, but paying US$100 on my credit card at the current brazilian real / dolar conversion rate would be insane.
If I could only use my balance at apple, or even paypal to pay for it, I'd do it in a heartbeat...

Damn, just saw the registration is now closed, missed the opportunity :/


matt(Posted 2015) [#16]
Hi guys


nullterm(Posted 2015) [#17]
Unboxed and "playing" right now (no apps/games, just iTunes/iCloud video/audio/photo content).

Need the Xcode 7.1 beta to compile and run on the Apple TV, currently downloading.

I do like the feel of the remote, the touch pad is nice! I can see games making creative use of it. Though button layout could have been better/friendlier for games.


degac(Posted 2015) [#18]

I was thinking AppleTV could be the new Wii. All it needs is for the store to be well curated and a couple of killer apps aimed at entire family.


Question: how many controllers can handle AppleTV?

I have a Minix with a sort-of wii-mote included, and I didn't find a game supporting these controllers, a missed opportunity!
Let's hope that the Apple market pressure could influence the Android world (Chromecast is a very different thing and I doubt it will change; AndroidOS for TV - if ever - is aimed to TV-maker... )
Last option (inspired by the mention of Wii): Nintendo is working on something 'new' about android... *maybe* a possible variation of the project could be something like Wii/AppleTV.


nullterm(Posted 2015) [#19]
tvOS is a separate project type, the same way iOS and OSX are separate. So tvOS would need a separate target.


skid(Posted 2015) [#20]
It sounds like there will be some reference implementations appearing for SDL2 very soon now which will make things a lot simpler.

Monkey2 running Mojo2 on SDL2 is going to be too awesome for words.


nullterm(Posted 2015) [#21]
I use SDL2 as a base for my non-Monkey projects, I'm very eagerly awaiting tvOS support. Want to get a project out close to launch, hoping I don't have to "port" SDL2 myself in the interim.


Danilo(Posted 2015) [#22]
I think I will upgrade my Apple TV too, and I definitely want an iPad Pro with Keyboard and Apple Pencil.
Would be nice if MX(2) could support this as well. :)


skid(Posted 2015) [#23]
After playing on the emulator for a bit i find

- i need a 4K desktop, emulating a tv app on a computer means your computer needs some serious pixel real estate

- it looks nice. my folks have gen 1 and using it with the virtual remote I could see the olds adapting well to UI

- how does GL is now a second class citizen make me feel? <snip>


zardon(Posted 2016) [#24]
Has anyone built anything with AppleTV using MonkeyX? Many thanks


zardon(Posted February) [#25]
I still would like to know if anyone has published any apps using MonkeyX for TVOS. Many thanks