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 every little thing in a one-stop-shop of types, the app left loads 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 in the event 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 title as an alternative 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
. Due to some well timed updates, Apple is successful me again, and it is a long-overdue change in the event you ask me.

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Apple is making massive 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 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 make it possible for’s a factor of the previous. In case you replace your app, you will discover a way more streamlined expertise. Every thing’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 completed job of recommending issues to me based mostly 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 completed. An issue I run into throughout all platforms is how the reside content material is dealt with. For instance, if I wish to tune right into a reside episode of AEW Dynamite on Max, extra instances than not I’ve to manually kind AEW within the search bar to get to it. Having it obtainable in its personal row would save a variety of time for me. Generally it is entrance and heart for me and typically it is not. Whether or not it is right 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 exhibits on the high of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, however it’s good to rotate by means of the hit exhibits as an alternative of getting to trace them down myself.

As of tvOS 18.4, there’s loads 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 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 adjustments.

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 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 feel it’d go a good distance towards cleansing up a few of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It form of works that means 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 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 considered one of these providers, I feel there must be a variety of work completed for the way simply the reside 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 not been paying an excessive amount of consideration, or streaming providers have not tremendously modified their person interfaces shortly. Max adjustments its colours and title from time to time, however the app acquired its largest change when it retired the outdated cut up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, every little thing could be discovered on the left facet of the display screen, so there isn’t any want for me to scroll throughout the facet 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, however it’s not all the time straightforward to search 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 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 providers, so every little thing’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 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 12 months turns into a actuality.

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