Apple and Samsung team up to let iPhones talk to smart TVs

Siri will now talk to your television

Attendees stand in front of a QLED TV at the Samsung booth during CES International in Las Vegas (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Samsung and Apple have made the shock announcement that they are working together to get videos from your phone and onto your TV.

The two long-standing arrivals will allow iPhones to speak with Samsung's smart TVs, ensuring customers can get all of the films and TV that Apple makes available even if they don't have an Apple TV.

The iPhone maker's iTunes Movies and TV Shows app is to be introduced on Samsung smart TVs later in 2019, the first time the two companies have cooperated in such a manner in the TV market.

Support for Apple's wireless AirPlay 2 connection is also to be introduced, meaning Apple iPhone and iPad users will be able to stream content to their Samsung smart TVs.

The two companies have long been rivals in smartphone, tablet and other markets.

The Korean firm's executive vice president for its visual display business, Won-Jin Lee said: "We pride ourselves on working with top industry leaders to deliver the widest range of content services to our smart TV platform.

"Bringing more content, value and open platform functionality to Samsung TV owners and Apple customers through iTunes and AirPlay is ideal for everyone."

Apple's Eddy Cue said of the announcement: "We look forward to bringing the iTunes and AirPlay 2 experience to even more customers around the world through Samsung Smart TVs, so iPhone, iPad and Mac users have yet another way to enjoy all their favourite content on the biggest screen in their home."

Additional reporting by Press Association