Apple TV’s new replace is lengthy overdue, and I can not consider it took so lengthy

I’ve an Apple TV 4K in my lounge, so I do know fairly a bit about how the Apple TV app works. Whereas it is good to have every little thing in a one-stop-shop of kinds, the app left rather a lot to be desired by way of discovery. It did not assist that I used to be principally proven issues from Apple TV+, however with the app having much more than that, it felt like I used to be being let down.

The Apple TV app integrates with most main streamers (with the obtrusive exception of Netflix), so in case you subscribe to a service like Max, you’ll find that film on Apple TV and begin streaming it with out having to navigate by means of the Max app itself. It is a good characteristic, however the one time I actually used it was by trying to find one thing by identify as a substitute of stumbling on it naturally. This can be a downside that plagues many streaming providers, and it is a part of why I’ve began utilizing a

third-party app for my watch lists
. Because of some well timed updates, Apple is profitable me again, and it is a long-overdue change in case you ask me.

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Apple is making huge steps in the fitting path

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming system, and you may take it from any individual who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace TV Stick plugged into different units too. Regardless of having nearly every little thing available on the market, the Apple TV 4K has reigned supreme, however that does not imply it wasn’t with out its points.

Discovery was simply one of many many issues, however Apple is taking many steps to be sure that’s a factor of the previous. In the event you replace your app, you will discover a way more streamlined expertise. All the things’s separated properly into rows that embrace sports activities, Apple TV+ content material, and, most significantly, customized suggestions. I have been ready so lengthy to get my arms on one thing like this, so it is good to lastly see Apple ship. With streamers getting increasingly into sports activities, it is good to have a separate class in order that those that have an interest can simply discover it, and alternatively, anyone uninterested can keep away from it.

To their credit score, Netflix has accomplished an excellent job of recommending issues to me based mostly on my preferences, and I’ve all the time wished different streamers may sustain in that space. Apple has definitely taken the fitting steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that needs to be accomplished. An issue I run into throughout all platforms is how the reside content material is dealt with. For instance, if I need to tune right into a reside episode of AEW Dynamite on Max, extra instances than not I’ve to manually kind AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it out there in its personal row would save a variety of time for me. Typically it is entrance and heart for me and typically it is not. Whether or not it is all the way down to consumer error or one thing else, Apple’s new strategy is a significantly better match for me and others must take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of recent reveals on the prime of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, but it surely’s good to rotate by means of the hit reveals as a substitute of getting to trace them down myself.

As of tvOS 18.4, there’s rather a lot to love right here. It is simple to seek out out what a present is all about by clicking the large “i” icon, and you too can study its launch schedule simply by trying on the present’s icon. That is much like how Netflix and Max already deal with their reveals, so it is matching them greater than blazing a brand new path, however these are nonetheless huge modifications.

I do not suppose Apple goes to do something about it at this level, but it surely’d be good to see the Apple TV+ content material get spun off into its personal app sooner or later as a result of the Apple TV app nonetheless feels prefer it’s principally an commercial for Apple TV+ regardless of it getting access to loads of different content material. It is a nitpick and one thing that is to be anticipated, I suppose, however I believe it’d go a great distance towards cleansing up a few of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It kind of works that manner on Android units, surprisingly, as a result of that version of the app solely offers me the Apple TV+ content material and nothing else.

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I wish the Apple TV 4K would take notes from the Roku Ultra

I hope Apple borrows from the Roku playbook.

Streaming retains altering, however the providers aren’t maintaining

An ever-changing world

As of 2025, your favourite streaming service possible airs live TV of some type. Whether or not it is sports activities, wrestling, actuality TV, and even airing native channels, streaming has a big selection of viewing content material on show. For each one among these providers, I believe there must be a variety of work accomplished for the way simply the reside reveals are discovered. Some apps do it higher than others, and with Apple’s newest replace, I believe that is the chief of the pack.

Both I have never been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming providers have not vastly modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and identify every so often, however the app acquired its largest change when it retired the outdated cut up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, every little thing might be discovered on the left aspect of the display, so there is no want for me to scroll throughout the aspect or prime anymore.

That is a pleasant change from Max, and now Apple has made it simpler to seek out content material. For me, the most important factor lacking from streaming is accessibility. For instance, Netflix has a variety of issues to look at, but it surely’s not all the time simple to seek out every little thing. There are such a lot of sections to rotate by means of, and I do know lots of people simply go and do one thing else earlier than discovering one thing.

The most important game-changer that is nonetheless to come back for Apple TV is full Netflix integration. Apple TV is an app that lets me join most streaming providers, so every little thing’s in a single place barring the most important streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did unintentionally earlier this 12 months, then I would not should open the Netflix app ever once more. I might solely should depend on the clear and improved Apple TV app, and that is a giant win for me. Because it stands, Netflix is by itself island, however I might love for it to lastly give in and be part of Apple TV. I am going to preserve my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this 12 months turns into a actuality.

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