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 lounge, 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 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 when you subscribe to a service like Max, yow will discover that film on Apple TV and begin streaming it with out having to navigate via the Max app itself. It is a good characteristic, however the one time I actually used it was by looking for one thing by title as an alternative of stumbling on it naturally. It is a downside 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 massive steps in the suitable route

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 any person who has a Roku Extremely and Hearth TV Stick plugged into different gadgets too. Regardless of having nearly every little thing 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 be sure that’s a factor of the previous. In the event you replace your app, you will discover a way more streamlined expertise. All the pieces’s separated properly into rows that embrace sports activities, Apple TV+ content material, and, most significantly, personalised 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 an increasing number of 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 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 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 dwell content material is dealt with. For instance, if I need 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 lots of time for me. Generally it is entrance and middle for me and typically it is not. Whether or not it is all the way down to consumer error or one thing else, Apple’s new method is a a lot better match for me and others have to 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 via 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 simple to search out out what a present is all about by clicking the massive “i” icon, and it’s also possible to 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 adjustments.

I do not assume 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 gaining access to 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 great distance towards cleansing up a number of the bloat I really feel when opening up the app. It form of works that manner on Android gadgets, 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 doubtless 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 one in all these companies, I feel there must be lots of work completed 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 enormously modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max adjustments its colours and title once in a while, however the app obtained its greatest change when it retired the outdated cut up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, every little thing 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 search 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, however it’s not all the time straightforward to search out every little thing. There are such a lot of sections to rotate via, 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 every little thing’s in a single place barring the most important streamer on the market. If Netflix built-in, because it did by accident earlier this yr, 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 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 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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