Can Apple change the way we watch TV? 'Cord cutter' app to take on cable firms launches - but Amazon and Netflix are missing from it

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Apple is hoping a new app could change the way we watch TV - and kill off cable companies.

Tim Cook unveiled the firm's new TV app at a special event in Cupertino earlier this year, revealing it will be available on Apple TV, iPads and iPhones in December for US users.

Today it finally went live for millions of users as part of an iOS 10.2 update - but without shows from Netflix or Amazon.

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The new app will pull in content from existing TV apps, allowing users to see all their content in one place, whether it be an on demand show such as Game of Thrones (pictured) or a live TV broadcast.

'We want Apple TV to be a unified TV experience,' Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the event, before making the surprise announcement.

Hundreds of providers have signed up to the service, including the BBC, Hulu and NBC - but Netflix is not be one of them, news first broken by Variety.  

Using the app, users can search for their desired content in the app, which then presents a lists of streaming platforms where it can be viewed – similar to a TV guide.  

Tim Cook unveiled the firm's new TV app at a special event in Cupertino today, revealing it will be available on Apple TV, iPads and iPhones in December.

The can either type or use Siri, Apple's voice recognition system. 

And when your show or movies is found, TV lists all the places it can be viewed.

'We said the future of TV was apps,' said Cook.

'We now have 8,000 apps across every category, and over 1600 apps for video content.' 

The app also tracks what content viewers watch and uses the data to formulate recommendations.

Tim Cook boasted that hundreds of providers had signed up for the new service - but Netflix was noticeably absent.

Users can also locate the shows and movies they are currently watching, including recent iTunes rentals and purchases - all presented in the order they are most likely to watch first.

For example, when viewers finish an episode, the next one will automatically appear at the start of the Up Next queue, as will any new episodes as they become available.

At any time, users can simply ask Siri to continue watching a show and immediately pick up where they left off.

WHAT CAN APPLE'S TV APP DO? 

Users will have the ability to search in one spot for content in Apple's service and other streaming apps like Hulu and Neflix.

It tracks what content viewers watch and uses the data to formulate recommendations.

Live TV can also have graphic overlays, showing the current scores, for instance

When an episode finishes, the next one will automatically appear at the start of the Up Next queue, as will any new episodes as they become available.

Starting in December, subscribers to DIRECTV, DISH Network and more will just sign in once on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad to enjoy immediate access to apps that are part of their pay-TV subscription.

A new Siri feature has been added to Apple TV that lets viewers tune in directly to live news and sporting events across their apps.

When an episode finishes, the next one will automatically appear at the start of the Up Next queue, as will any new episodes as they become available.

'Using apps on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad has become the primary way for so many of us to watch television,' said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of internet software and services.

'The TV app shows you what to watch next and easily discover TV shows and movies from many apps in a single place.' 

Cook revealed the new feature, claiming 'the future of TV is apps'

The app also uses Apple's familiar iTunes library and store.

Viewers can access their entire collection of iTunes movies and TV shows that they have rented or purchased on iTunes using the app.

And if they are looking for something new, they can check out the Store to discover new content across video services that they have not yet downloaded or are not yet subscribed to, along with the latest releases on iTunes.

In addition to the new TV app, customers in the US will have a simplified way of enjoying their pay-TV video apps by using single sign-on. 

Apple introduced an app named 'TV' that lets users discover and access TV shows and movies from multiple apps on Apple TV and other devices. Viewers search for their desired content in the app, which then presents a lists of streaming platforms that are showing it

Starting in December, subscribers to DIRECTV, DISH Network and more will just sign in once on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad to enjoy immediate access to apps that are part of their pay-TV subscription.   

The tech giant also unveiled a new Siri feature for Apple TV that lets viewers tune in directly to live news and sporting events across their apps.

Siri's capabilities are much more advanced from its early beginnings and the firm believes it is time the technology moves on to bigger and better things.

The app also takes a page from Netflix, as it tracks what content viewers watch and uses the data to formulate recommendations. Users can also locate the shows and movies they are currently watching, including recent iTunes rentals and purchases

Apple also unveiled a new Siri feature for Apple TV that lets viewers tune in directly to live news and sporting events across their apps. Siri also knows additional details of the games, can provide live scores and can take viewers directly to the live stream within the app that's carrying it

The virtual assistant is now aware of live sporting events across apps so users can simply say things like, 'Watch the Stanford game' or 'Which games are on right now?'

Siri also knows additional details of the games, can provide live scores and can take viewers directly to the live stream within the app that's carrying it.

Viewers can tune directly to live video by just saying the name of the app, for example 'Watch CBS News' without having to navigate to the live stream from within the app.