In a world where live sports updates are a staple in the lives of most fans, Apple has taken steps to ensure that users can follow their favourite teams and games without even having to unlock their phones. The company’s TV app now offers push notifications for followable teams, as well as a persistent notification bubble on the lock screen. It also includes a feature for following live games in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro and later models. The company has been working to bring a similar experience to third-party apps, and rumours have suggested that the upcoming MLB app will offer expanded view options for a paid subscription in order to take advantage of the feature.
As part of iOS 16, Apple has introduced a new feature called Live Activities, which provides real-time updating information on an iPhone’s Lock Screen and Dynamic Island (on supported iPhone models). The feature is designed to allow users to follow their favourite teams, and their live game status, with just one quick glance at the device. The update is especially useful for those who want to keep up with a game without committing to watching it in full — there are, after all, 162 games in a baseball season.
Track Every Play: Live Sports Updates at Your Fingertips
The TV app already allows fans to find and follow their favorite teams, and those lists will carry over into the upcoming Apple Sports app, which is scheduled to be released next month. Apple’s latest update to the app is designed to be “faster and easier to use than ever,” according to CEO Eddy Cue.