Apple TV’s new replace is lengthy overdue, and I can not consider 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 all the things in a one-stop-shop of types, the app left lots 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 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 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. 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
. Because of 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 huge steps in the suitable course

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming system, and you’ll take it from anyone who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace TV Stick plugged into different units too. Regardless of having nearly all the things 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 case you replace your app, you will discover a way more streamlined expertise. The whole lot’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 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 all the time wished different streamers might sustain in that space. Apple has actually taken the suitable steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that needs to be accomplished. 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 instances than not I’ve to manually sort AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it accessible in its personal row would save a number 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 person error or one thing else, Apple’s new method is a a lot better match for me and others must take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of recent reveals on the prime of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, nevertheless it’s good to rotate by way of the hit reveals as a substitute of getting to trace them down myself.

As of tvOS 18.4, there’s lots to love right here. It is easy to seek out out what a present is all about by clicking the large “i” icon, and it’s also possible to 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 reveals, so it is matching them greater than blazing a brand new path, however these are nonetheless huge adjustments.

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 in some unspecified time in the future 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 feel it’d go a good distance towards cleansing up a few of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It type of works that means 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 wide array of viewing content material on show. For each one among these companies, I feel there must be a number of work accomplished for a way simply the dwell reveals 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 not been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming companies have not vastly modified their person interfaces shortly. Max adjustments its colours and identify now and again, however the app acquired its greatest change when it retired the outdated 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 is not any want for me to scroll throughout the aspect 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 most important factor lacking from streaming is accessibility. For instance, Netflix has a variety of issues to look at, nevertheless it’s not all the time straightforward 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 most important streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did by chance earlier this yr, then I would not must open the Netflix app ever once more. I might solely must 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 am going to preserve my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this yr turns into a actuality.

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