Apple’s tvOS 26 turned me right into a believer

Apple unveiled a brand new tvOS, and whereas I had plenty of reservations about it, I am unable to discover a lot to be upset about. In a shocking transfer, Apple is making the bounce from tvOS 18 all the way in which to 26, however do not get confused since you did not miss something. Apple desires to get all the things inside its ecosystem in keeping with one different, and that is the way in which to make it in keeping with iOS 26. Apple desires to have a seamless transition throughout all of its gadgets, and the thought is that an iPhone consumer ought to have the identical expertise navigating that and an Apple TV 4K.

After seeing the Liquid Glass display as a part of Apple’s WWDC keynote, I’ve to say I am a believer in what they’ve happening. I used to be hesitant early on as a result of I am a fan of how all the things works on my Apple TV 4K as it’s, and being a creature of behavior, I did not wish to see something change. I can see now that these worries had been misplaced, and I used to be really stunned by what Apple cooked up.

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The Apple TV 4K remains to be lacking a irritating function.

No should be afraid of the replace

I can embrace change in spite of everything

At its core, not rather a lot has modified, so fortunately, there’s not a lot I’ve to get used to. What’s new is the modern design that makes it simpler to seek out new issues to observe. The Apple TV app obtained the most important overhaul, and the brand new posters for reveals and films make all the things stand out fairly properly. Maybe the most important factor right here is the brand new tvOS 26 function that ties in your streaming subscription logins to your Apple account. I lately acquired one other Roku gadget, and I did not need to check in to something because it was already tied to my Roku account, so it is good to see Apple do the identical.

My favourite factor in regards to the Liquid Glass performance is you continue to get to see what is going on on in your film or present whereas tweaking issues like your audio or establishing a sleep timer. You do not get interrupted for messing with any settings, so it is an actual good contact. I haven’t got something unfavorable to say right here as a result of the replace is not intrusive in any manner. The one draw back I’ve is that not each Apple TV 4K will get to reap the advantages. Solely folks with the second technology or later get entry to Liquid Glass, so these of you caught within the first-gen aren’t seeing the modifications. This has been a development with many of the cool Apple TV 4K updates recently, so it is not all that stunning to me.

One other underrated replace is the change to Apple Music that brings your karaoke events to life. You want a third-gen Apple TV 4K and an iPhone, however in case you match that invoice you should use your cellphone as a mic and begin singing. It seems to be like quite a lot of enjoyable, to be honest, however for the reason that Apple TV 4K is the one Apple gadget I’ve proper now, it is one thing I am unable to participate in. All in all, it is a hefty replace that provides quite a lot of cool issues with out drastically overhauling the UI. I used to be scared, however now I am a believer in what Apple has happening.

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I have been ready so lengthy to get my fingers on one thing like this, so it is good to lastly see Apple ship.

Apple did issues the correct manner

That is the way you replace a UI

Pocket-lint / Apple

Far too many occasions, interface modifications result in quite a lot of backlash, so it is good to see Apple do one thing extra low-key for a change. Reddit’s redesign is a number of years previous at this level, however there are nonetheless individuals who just like the previous choice higher, and fortuitously for them, there is a manner to try this with out a lot problem. Apple will not have that very same performance except you choose up a first-gen Apple TV 4K.

Coming into this occasion, I could not consider something I might like to vary as a result of the UI of the Apple TV 4K is my favourite of all streaming platforms. Each Roku and Amazon gadgets really feel like they’re slowed down by advertisements, however the Apple TV 4K would not have any of that happening. It isn’t even restricted advertisements I am speaking about — there aren’t any advertisements in any way to be discovered on the Apple TV 4K. The consequence is a straightforward, but efficient interface that I did not wish to see modified.

This doesn’t suggest there aren’t nonetheless some issues I’ve. I’ve talked rather a lot about how I wish to see Apple Intelligence make its strategy to the Apple TV 4K sooner or later, and it is nonetheless powerful to inform if that is ever going to occur. Apple Intelligence was an enormous speaking level for Apple but once more, so it is shocking to not see any motion on it probably coming to the Apple TV platform. It is likely to be a {hardware} downside that even the third-generation Apple TV 4K is not able to pulling off. Apple is not any stranger to locking options behind sure fashions, as evidenced by the aforementioned Liquid Glass and Apple Music updates, so I’ve to marvel if the third-gen mannequin merely is not sturdy sufficient to make it occur.

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It’s ridiculous that Apple TV is missing this basic feature in 2025

I really like my Apple TV 4K, however come on.

I nonetheless desire a new Apple TV 4K sooner or later

I am unsure when that is coming

Pocket-line / Apple

This does lead me to marvel what the way forward for the Apple TV model seems to be like. I believed this was an ideal time to announce a brand new technology, however it would not seem like Apple agreed with me. It is apparent the third-generation mannequin is greater than as much as the duty of being a powerhouse streamer, so there is not a lot purpose to supply a refresh because it’s already probably the most highly effective gadget. There isn’t any sense competing with your self, which is why it would be good to see Roku or Google increase the bar increased. Apple Intelligence is the one main factor lacking, and Apple should not assume that is an enormous deal.

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