Media Server Plex Releases Major Update - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Media Server Plex Releases Major Update

by

plexA major update to the Plex Media Server was released over the weekend, with significant updates to both the server and client software.

Plex is a media player, similar in some ways to Apple's Front Row, but much more powerful. The software automatically organizes movie and television files ripped from DVD's or acquired from other sources and pulls title and plot descriptions from online databases. Plex also integrates with iTunes and iPhoto giving a unified interface for collecting all media (photos, music, and video) in one application. It also supports a number of plugins to pull content from other sources, such as YouTube, TED, or The Daily Show websites.


The new version of Plex, code-named Laika, includes a large number of new features, some of which are covered in this video. One of the largest updates is a new feature called MyPlex, a cloud service that allows easy remote access and sharing of media to other users.

There is also an updated version of the Plex app for iOS. The software allows users to browse media, play video, and control Plex installations, including playing back media on the iPad, including remotely.

The Plex Server and Client are free downloads from the Plex website, and the universal Plex for iOS app is available on the App Store for $4.99.

Top Rated Comments

AriX Avatar
194 months ago
Plex is like Front Row, but not discontinued.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wild-Bill Avatar
194 months ago
Nice !!

Sweet! Now I just need to wait until the Plex app gets updated for the Synology Disk Station, and then I can truly stream my videos hassle-free from the DiskStation to my AppleTV and PS3, without having to keep my Mac Pro on all the time !!!!!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
194 months ago
Lol, you actually have to download the server separately. What's the point if you can't do anything in the media center without the server? And they don't even say that anywhere. So much for user-friendly.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
194 months ago
AirVideo is excellent too and I use it for remote streaming, but the interface is frankly primitive and clumsy.

Plex has worked very well so far with the new myPlex remote streaming. I think it will replace AirVideo as my primary video streaming app. The interface and search functions are polished and elegant. Does require tweaking sometimes to get the files to scrape correctly, but a big thumbs up from me for the latest version.

Oh, and now you can stream remotely to a Mac too with Plex!

Agreed. I used to use AirVideo but moved to Plex mainly because the interface is SO MUCH nicer, and it streams just as well as AirVideo.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone duo

Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:56 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "iPhone Duo," a new kind of iPhone featuring two screens and a foldable inner display. The two halves of the iPhone Duo connect into a single continuous frame with the same aspect ratio across both displays, and Apple said the transition between open and closed is designed to feel fluid. When fully open, Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone ever made, with an...
Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More Expected

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...