What they didn't tell me ... NETFLIX, Facebook and Amazon

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Level 1

8 points

What they didn't tell me ... NETFLIX, Facebook and Amazon

This is not so much a question but more of a cautionary tale. When spending 1000$ + on an computer system the expectation that Facebook, Netflix and Amazon apps would be available is implicit. So I never thought to ask that an Apple Product would not be able to access three of the most popular apps in the world. Saddly I just assumed. Yes there are work arounds but that is not the point. My expectation was that my home "ecosystem" would work flawlessly and that I would be able to have the same functionality as any other device. Yes, the M1 is impressive and great for what I want to use it for, but I want a complete computer. An Asus student laptop will out perform a Mac Mini in terms of app availability at this point.

Now I assume that this will be resolved over time but buyer beware. As of March 16th 2021, you cannot get Netflix, Amazon or Facebook from the App Store on a Mac Mini M1. It is a fantastic computer but let's all face it, these are apps a lot of us use. A selling feature is you can run it off your TV but that is pointless. I'm assuming the response would be use Apple TV but that is not a good answer as there are some very basic apps that should be available accross all platforms and the three I listed are part of that list.

My question is this, is Apple working on getting these apps into the M1 pool? Or is the work around to run these apps through Safari or Chrome going to be the only way it can be done going forward?

I am very happy with my Apple products and this is not meant to damage their reputation in any way but that does not mean constructive criticism should not be given.

Thanks.

Posted on Mar 16, 2021 11:47 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 16, 2021 12:43 PM in response to Molificus

You need to contact those specific vendors and request them

to make a PC or Mac app. Apple is not responsible for 3rd

party media services delivery methods.

FWIW, on phones, tablets, SmartTVs and boxes, those "apps"

are really nothing much more than a web browser that only

access one web site.

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Answer 2

Molificus Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 18, 2021 6:33 PM in response to tbirdvet

I can access through browser yes. My assumption would be that these apps would mirror what is on my phone and tablet. That they would be available as part of my ecosystem. There is no point connecting to my TV if I have to run through a browser. These apps are not available for the Mac Mini M1.

I had assumed that like everything else there would be dedicated Apps much like Spotify (which works and has an app) which tie in to the apps on my phone and tablet. Not a big deal, but I feel it is not as advertized. It is still worth it for the other programs I use but I'm not sure that I'm happy that I have to use Chrome/Safari to run programs like Facebook or Amazon. If everything else in the Apple echosystem is App driven you would figure the most popular Apps on the planet would be supported.

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