Apple TV’s new replace is lengthy overdue, and I am unable to imagine it took so lengthy

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 the whole lot in a one-stop-shop of types, 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 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 by the Max app itself. It is a good characteristic, however the one time I actually used it was by looking for one thing by identify as an alternative of stumbling on it naturally. It is 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 successful me again, and it is a long-overdue change when you ask me.

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Apple is making massive steps in the appropriate route

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 someone who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace TV Stick plugged into different units too. Regardless of having nearly the whole lot 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 be sure that’s a factor of the previous. In the event you replace your app, you will discover a way more streamlined expertise. The whole lot’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 executed a superb job of recommending issues to me based mostly on my preferences, and I’ve at all times wished different streamers might sustain in that space. Apple has actually taken the appropriate steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be executed. 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 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 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 person 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 latest reveals on the high of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, however it’s good to rotate by the hit reveals as an alternative 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 may as well 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 massive modifications.

I do not suppose Apple goes to do something about it at this level, however 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 among 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 companies 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 considered one of these companies, I believe there must be a variety of work executed for a 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 not been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming companies have not vastly modified their person interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and identify now and again, however the app acquired its largest change when it retired the outdated break up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, the whole lot could be discovered on the left aspect of the display screen, so there is no 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 look at, however it’s not at all times straightforward to seek out the whole lot. There are such a lot of sections to rotate by, 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 come back for Apple TV is full Netflix integration. Apple TV is an app that lets me join most streaming companies, so the whole lot’s in a single place barring the largest streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did by chance earlier this yr, 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 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 preserve my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this yr turns into a actuality.

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