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 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 so much 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 obvious 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 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 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 profitable me again, and it is a long-overdue change in the event you ask me.

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Apple is making large steps in the best path

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 anyone who has a Roku Extremely and Fireplace 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 ensure that’s a factor of the previous. In case you replace your app, you may 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 fingers 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 performed a superb 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 best steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that must be performed. 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 instances 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 lots 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 consumer 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 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 so much 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 large 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 sooner or later as a result of the Apple TV app nonetheless feels prefer it’s principally an commercial for Apple TV+ regardless of it getting access to 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 number of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It type of works that manner 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 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 one in every of these providers, I believe there must be lots of work performed for a 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 providers have not drastically modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and title now and again, however the app obtained its largest change when it retired the outdated break up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, all the things will be discovered on the left aspect of the display screen, so there is not 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, however it’s not all the time straightforward to seek out all the things. 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 return for Apple TV is full Netflix integration. Apple TV is an app that lets me join most streaming providers, so all the things’s in a single place barring the largest streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did by accident earlier this 12 months, then I would not must open the Netflix app ever once more. I’d solely must 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 part of Apple TV. I will hold my fingers crossed and hope that mistake from this 12 months turns into a actuality.

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