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

I’ve an Apple TV 4K in my front room, 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 quite a bit to be desired by way of discovery. It did not assist that I used to be largely 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 when 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 way 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 companies, 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 when you ask me.

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Apple is making massive steps in the best route

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming gadget, and you may take it from someone who has a Roku Extremely and Hearth 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. 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 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 carried out a very good 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 best steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be carried out. An issue I run into throughout all platforms is how the stay content material is dealt with. For instance, if I need to tune right into a stay episode of AEW Dynamite on Max, extra occasions than not I’ve to manually sort AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it obtainable in its personal row would save a number 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 person 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 latest exhibits on the high of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, nevertheless it’s good to rotate by way 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 easy to seek out out what a present is all about by clicking the massive “i” icon, and you can too be taught its launch schedule simply by trying on the present’s icon. That is much 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 massive modifications.

I do not assume Apple goes to do something about it at this level, nevertheless it’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 largely 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 believe it’d go a good distance towards cleansing up a number of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It type 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 companies aren’t maintaining

An ever-changing world

As of 2025, your favourite streaming service seemingly 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 companies, I believe there must be a number of work carried out for a way simply the stay exhibits 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 companies have not enormously modified their person interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and identify every so often, however the app acquired its greatest change when it retired the previous cut up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, all the things might be discovered on the left aspect of the display, so there isn’t any want for me to scroll throughout the aspect or high 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, nevertheless it’s not at all times simple to seek 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 come back for Apple TV is full Netflix integration. Apple TV is an app that lets me join most streaming companies, so all the things’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 need to open the Netflix app ever once more. I’d solely need to depend on the clear and improved Apple TV app, and that is an enormous win for me. Because it stands, Netflix is by itself island, however I’d love for it to lastly give in and be a part of Apple TV. I will preserve my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this 12 months turns into a actuality.

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