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A Samsung Smart TV with built-in iTunes software from Apple. (provided by Samsung Electronics)

Samsung Electronics announced on Jan. 6 that it is collaborating with Apple to include iTunes and AirPlay 2 as built-in features on Samsung Smart TVs. The smart TVs would be the first in the industry to have iTunes built in. The collaboration is drawing attention as an effort joining Samsung and Apple, which have previously been engaged in long legal battles over smartphone patents.

Users of newly launched Samsung Smart TVs and older versions from the product’s early 2017 launch with updated software will be able to enjoy iTunes and AirPlay 2 without any additional device hookups as of early 2019. This marks the first time iTunes is to be included on devices produced by another company besides Apple. While Apple has previously provided Apple Music content to Echo speakers linked to Amazon’s Alexa, iTunes has never before been included on another company’s product.

Samsung Smart TV users will be able to use the iTunes video app to purchase from among the 4K HDR videos in the iTunes store, as well as tens of thousands of films and television programs. Support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 will allow streaming of videos, music, and photographs stored on different Apple operating system devices. AirPlay 2 is a feature that allows streaming of music, videos, and photographs stored on Apple devices through linkages with external devices.

“This collaboration with Apple is the result of our past efforts to increase user convenience by including the open source platform Tizen in the Smart TV and achieving connectivity with all devices regardless of operating system,” Samsung Electronics said.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, said that iPhone, iPad, and MacBook users will “have yet another way to enjoy all their favorite content on the biggest screen in their home.”

By Choi Hyun-june, staff reporter

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