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Apple’s FaceTime update will let audiences watch together

Apple has already partnered with Disney Plus, HBO Max and more on the technology

As part of its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced plans to launch a new SharePlay feature in FaceTime, which would enable viewers to watch content together.

In the United States, the new feature will launch with partners including the Disney Plus, HBO Max, ESPN Plus and Paramount Plus.

Video streamed on the feature will be synced to all of the viewers’ Apple devices in order to eliminate any issues around latency. Apple is also launching a web-based version of FaceTime, which will allow users with iPhone and other Apple iOS devices to connect (and use SharePlay) with friends on Android devices and PCs via Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers.

SharePlay will be available later this year, when Apple releases iOS15.

“We’re incredibly excited to participate as a developer on SharePlay to enable innovative viewing experiences across Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus for our Apple users,” Jerrell Jimerson, EVP of product and design at Disney Streaming, said in a statement.

“This will give friends and family another way to come together to share the incredible stories that we deliver through our content, including bringing a live sports co-viewing experience to ESPN Plus for the first time.

Apple is the latest company to introduce a watch together feature. Eleven Sports, the BBC, BT Sport, La Liga and Amazon have all introduced the technology over the past 18 months.