Apple TV’s new replace is lengthy overdue, a...

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 all the things in a one-stop-shop of kinds, the app left loads to be desired when it comes to 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 evident exception of Netflix), so for those who subscribe to a service like Max, you will discover that film on Apple TV and begin streaming it with out having to navigate by way of the Max app itself. It is a good function, however the one time I actually used it was by looking for one thing by identify as an alternative of stumbling on it naturally. This can be a drawback 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 for those who ask me.

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Apple is making large steps in the proper route

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming machine, and you’ll take it from any person who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace TV Stick plugged into different units too. Regardless of having nearly all the things 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 make it possible for’s a factor of the previous. In the event you replace your app, you may discover a way more streamlined expertise. Every part’s separated properly into rows that embody sports activities, Apple TV+ content material, and, most significantly, personalised suggestions. I have been ready so lengthy to get my palms on one thing like this, so it is good to lastly see Apple ship. With streamers getting increasingly more 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 a great job of recommending issues to me primarily based on my preferences, and I’ve at all times wished different streamers might sustain in that space. Apple has definitely taken the proper steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be accomplished. An issue I run into throughout all platforms is how the stay content material is dealt with. For instance, if I wish to tune right into a stay 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 whole lot of time for me. Typically it is entrance and middle for me and generally it is not. Whether or not it is right down to consumer error or one thing else, Apple’s new method is a significantly better match for me and others have to take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of latest reveals on the prime of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, but it surely’s good to rotate by way of the hit reveals as an alternative of getting to trace them down myself.

As of tvOS 18.4, there’s loads to love right here. It is easy to search out out what a present is all about by clicking the massive “i” icon, and you can even study its launch schedule simply by wanting 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 large modifications.

I do not assume 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 in some unspecified time in the future 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 among the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It kind of works that method 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 wide array of viewing content material on show. For each one among these providers, I believe there must be a whole lot of work accomplished for the way simply the stay 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 not been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming providers have not tremendously modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and identify once in a while, however the app obtained its greatest change when it retired the outdated break up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, all the things may be discovered on the left facet of the display screen, so there is no want for me to scroll throughout the facet or prime anymore.

That is a pleasant change from Max, and now Apple has made it simpler to search out content material. For me, the largest factor lacking from streaming is accessibility. For instance, Netflix has a variety of issues to look at, but it surely’s not at all times straightforward to search out all the things. There are such a lot of sections to rotate by way 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 return for Apple TV is full Netflix integration. Apple TV is an app that lets me join most streaming providers, so all the things’s in a single place barring the largest 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 will maintain my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this 12 months turns into a actuality.

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