Apple SharePlay: Co-Watching & Screen Sharing on FaceTime

Apple's SharePlay: Enhanced FaceTime Experiences

With the iOS 15 update to FaceTime, Apple unveiled SharePlay, a suite of features designed to foster shared digital experiences. These include synchronized viewing of television programs and TikTok videos, collaborative music listening, and the ability to screen share during calls.

Real-Time Connections Through Apps

Apple explained that SharePlay facilitates real-time connections with loved ones while on a FaceTime call. It achieves this by seamlessly integrating access to various applications directly within the call interface.

Demonstration and Initial Features

During the Worldwide Developer Conference, Apple showcased SharePlay’s capabilities. Friends were shown initiating playback in Apple Music, allowing everyone on the call to listen simultaneously.

Playback controls are shared, enabling any participant to manage the music – playing, pausing, or skipping tracks.

Expanding Beyond Apple's Ecosystem

The company also demonstrated synchronized video playback from Apple TV+, ensuring real-time synchronization for all call participants. This functionality gained prominence during the pandemic, inspiring platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video to introduce similar co-watching features.

A Broad Range of Launch Partners

However, Apple’s SharePlay extends beyond content solely from Apple’s services. A diverse group of launch partners have been announced.

Disney+
Hulu
HBO Max
NBA
Twitch
TikTok
MasterClass
ESPN+
Paramount+
Pluto TV

Developer Integration and Content Access

An API is being made available to developers, allowing them to integrate their own applications with SharePlay. This includes possibilities beyond audio and video, such as collaborative whiteboards.

Content access will be determined by individual apps. Some, like Disney+, may require subscriptions from all users, while others might offer access to non-subscribers at the discretion of the content owner.

Content playback occurs locally, and audio volume will automatically adjust when a participant speaks.

Screen Sharing Capabilities

SharePlay also incorporates screen sharing functionality. This allows users to collaboratively browse platforms like Zillow or showcase mobile gameplay, as suggested by Apple.

Craig Federighi, Apple’s SVP of Software Engineering, highlighted screen sharing as a “simple and super effective way to help someone out and answer questions right in the moment,” noting its compatibility across Apple devices.