Apple Supplier Stocks Slide as Samsung, SK Hynix Lead Selloff After Apple Price Hikes 
How AI prompting turned writerly description into an everyday skill 
OpenAI May Delay IPO to 2027 Amid $1 Trillion Valuation Goal 
SK Hynix Targets $29.4 Billion Nasdaq Listing to Expand AI Chip Business 
Oracle Cuts 21,000 Jobs as AI Reshapes Workforce and Cloud Expansion Accelerates 
Republican Lawmaker Introduces AI Incident Reporting Bill to Strengthen U.S. AI Safety 
SK Hynix Moves Closer to New York ADR Listing Amid AI Chip Boom 
World Cup technology: from ref cams to AI analysts, cutting-edge research is changing the game 
Samsung, SK Hynix to Unveil Record AI and Semiconductor Investment Plans Worth Over $646 Billion 
Meta Pauses Employee Activity Tracking Program Over Data Security Concerns 
SpaceX Stock Rebounds After Sharp Selloff, But Valuation Concerns Persist 
Samsung and SK Hynix Shares Jump After Micron Earnings Boost AI Chip Optimism 
Alphabet Replaces Verizon in Dow Jones Industrial Average 
SpaceX Stock Plunges 16% as KeyBanc Warns Valuation May Be Overstretched 
Qualcomm Nears $4 Billion Acquisition of AI Chip Startup Modular 
OpenAI IPO Delay Weighs on SoftBank Shares as AI Valuation Concerns Grow 
Doncasters Raises $919 Million in NYSE IPO as Aerospace Growth Accelerates 
Watch parties were some of the activities likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year, so tech companies found new ways to allow people to stream content virtually together. One of those new features is Apple’s SharePlay, and it is now officially supported by Disney+.
Apple recently launched SharePlay with the iOS 15.1, iPadOS 15.1, and tvOS 15.1 updates. As its name suggests, people in a FaceTime call will be able to watch the same content from streaming apps that support the feature directly from their individual screens.
Disney+ confirms that the feature is now supported in all regions where its streaming service is available. But subscribers will need an Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad running on the software’s version 15.1 to enjoy the new feature.
Disney+ subscribers can now host virtual watch parties with up to 32 people in a FaceTime group call. Each participant will be able to choose the subtitle and audio language of their choice while the same content streams on their Apple devices. Apple TV will also allow iPad and iPhone users to stream on a bigger screen while staying on the call.
However, Disney noted that all SharePlay users must have an active Disney+ subscription to enjoy the new feature. It is available for $8 per month or $80 for a one-time payment annual membership.
There are also not many restrictions in using SharePlay with Disney+ even if some people in a FaceTime call are in different regions. However, Disney notes that available content may vary based on a member’s location. The addition of SharePlay support comes just before the premiere of some Disney-original content, including the new animated film “Encanto” debuting on Disney+ on Dec. 24 and the “Book of Boba Fett” series to be released on Dec. 29. The latter features the adventures of the titular protagonist (portrayed by Temuera Morrison) with Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) in taking over a territory previously controlled by Jabba the Hutt.
Using SharePlay is also quite simple and also works for streaming music. Apple has already published a support page with detailed instructions on how to stream content on a FaceTime call and how SharePlay could be viewed on bigger screens via Apple TV. Meanwhile, Disney noted that SharePlay would not replace the native Disney+ feature called GroupWatch.
Photo by Marques Kaspbrak on Unsplash
