X introduces new app for connected TV streaming

Elon Musk is ramping up his efforts to make X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a comPetitor to YouTube. In a direct appeal to MrBeast, YouTube’s most popular star, Musk urged him to begin posting full videos on X earlier this year. This aligns with X CEO Linda Yaccarino's claim that the platform is becoming "video first."

Taking a significant step toward this vision, X has now launched a dedicated smart TV app. “Beta version of X TV is out,” Musk announced on Monday night.

The first public release of the X app for smart TVs is now available on Google Play, Amazon’s app store, and LG’s app store. However, it is yet to be released for Apple TV or the Apple App Store for tvOS.

The new app allows users to browse and view videos uploaded to X, as well as access live-streamed content. To use the app, viewers must sign in to their X account. Previously, watching X videos on television required casting from a smartphone.

Musk has ambitious plans for X, aiming to transform it from a social media platform into an all-encompassing "everything" app, with aspirations that extend beyond video content. While users already post videos on X, they mostly watch them while scrolling through their feed. It remains to be seen if the new TV app will change viewing habits or simply reinforce current ones