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 all the things in a one-stop-shop of types, the app left rather a lot 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 when you subscribe to a service like Max, you could find that film on Apple TV and begin streaming it with out having to navigate via the Max app itself. It is a good function, however the one time I actually used it was by looking for one thing by title as a substitute of stumbling on it naturally. This can be a drawback that plagues many streaming companies, and it is a part of why I’ve began utilizing a

third-party app for my watch lists
. Due to 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 large steps in the fitting path

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming machine, and you may take it from anyone who has a Roku Extremely and Hearth TV Stick plugged into different gadgets 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 guarantee that’s a factor of the previous. Should you replace your app, you may discover a way more streamlined expertise. All the things’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 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 executed a superb 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 definitely taken the fitting steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be executed. 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 occasions than not I’ve to manually sort AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it out there in its personal row would save numerous time for me. Generally 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 strategy is a significantly better match for me and others have to take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of recent reveals on the high of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, nevertheless it’s good to rotate via 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 search out out what a present is all about by clicking the massive “i” icon, and you too can study its launch schedule simply by trying on the present’s icon. That is just 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 adjustments.

I do not suppose 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 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 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 means on Android gadgets, 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 probably airs live TV of some kind. 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 in every of these companies, I believe there must be numerous work executed 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 never been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming companies have not tremendously modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max adjustments its colours and title now and again, however the app acquired its greatest change when it retired the previous break up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, all the things could be discovered on the left aspect of the display screen, 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 search 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 all the time simple to search out all the things. There are such a lot of sections to rotate via, 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 companies, 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 need to open the Netflix app ever once more. I might 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 might love for it to lastly give in and be a 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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