Apple TV’s new replace is lengthy overdue, and I am unable to 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 quite a bit 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 obtrusive exception of Netflix), so should you subscribe to a service like Max, yow will discover 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 function, however the one time I actually used it was by looking for one thing by identify as a substitute 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 successful me again, and it is a long-overdue change should you ask me.

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Apple is making large steps in the appropriate course

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 anyone who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace TV Stick plugged into different gadgets too. Regardless of having nearly every little thing in the marketplace, 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 guarantee that’s a factor of the previous. In the event you replace your app, you may discover a way more streamlined expertise. Every thing’s separated properly into rows that embody 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 finished job of recommending issues to me primarily based on my preferences, and I’ve all the time wished different streamers may sustain in that space. Apple has actually taken the appropriate steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be finished. An issue I run into throughout all platforms is how the dwell content material is dealt with. For instance, if I wish to tune right into a dwell episode of AEW Dynamite on Max, extra occasions than not I’ve to manually kind AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it accessible in its personal row would save loads of time for me. Typically it is entrance and heart for me and generally it is not. Whether or not it is all the way down to consumer error or one thing else, Apple’s new method is a a lot better match for me and others have to take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of recent exhibits on the prime of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, but it surely’s good to rotate by means of the hit exhibits as a substitute of getting to trace them down myself.

As of tvOS 18.4, there’s quite a bit 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 can too be taught its launch schedule simply by wanting on the present’s icon. That is just like how Netflix and Max already deal with their exhibits, so it is matching them greater than blazing a brand new path, however these are nonetheless large adjustments.

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 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 accessing loads of different content material. It is a nitpick and one thing that is to be anticipated, I suppose, however I feel it’d go a good distance towards cleansing up a number of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It form of works that approach on Android gadgets, surprisingly, as a result of that version of the app solely provides 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 doubtless airs live TV of some kind. 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 feel there must be loads of work finished for a way simply the dwell exhibits are discovered. Some apps do it higher than others, and with Apple’s newest replace, I feel that is the chief of the pack.

Both I have never been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming providers have not enormously modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max adjustments its colours and identify every so often, however the app acquired its largest change when it retired the outdated break up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, every little thing will be discovered on the left facet of the display, 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 seek out content material. For me, the largest factor lacking from streaming is accessibility. For instance, Netflix has a variety of issues to observe, but it surely’s not all the time straightforward 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 largest 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 every little thing’s in a single place barring the largest streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did by chance earlier this 12 months, then I would not should open the Netflix app ever once more. I’d 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’d love for it to lastly give in and be part of Apple TV. I will hold my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this 12 months turns into a actuality.

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