As Karissa Bell of Mashable put it, “Apple events also have the distinction of being one of the few occasions where you remember that Safari exists.” This is because, in its nature of being selfish, Apple limits its HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology compatibility to Apple devices, Safari browser and Microsoft Edge.
Well, in case you are not lucky enough to be owning an iPhone, iPad, Mac or have a Windows 10 PC, no need to worry as there is a way to by pass Apple’s restrictions using a browser extension that changes your user agent settings, thus “tricking” Apple’s website that you’re using a different browser.
Chrome Users
- For Chrome users, first, download the User Agent Switcher extension offered by Google.
- Tap on the extension icon on your browser’s navigation bar.
- Select Safari and you should be able to able to stream the event.
Firefox Users
- Download the User Agent Switcher extension by chrispederick.
- Download this list of User Agents and import them via the extension.
- Tap on the menu hamburger button on the right and navigate to User Agent Switcher on the list (if it is not on the list, tap on the customize button and add the extension to the list).
- Select Mac, then Safari 10.1 from the list and you should be able to stream the event.
Opera Users
- Download the User Agent extension by esolutionsnordicab.
- Tap on the extension icon from the browser’s navigation bar.
- Select Safari on Mac and you are good to go.
Please note that the set up can take a little bit of time – especially for Firefox, so make sure you do it well in advance before the show begins. To confirm that the extension is working, check your browser’s information on www.esolutions.se/whatsmyinfo and see if you are “on a Mac using Safari browser.”
Here is the Apple Event livestream link.
