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 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 kinds, the app left so much to be desired by way of 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 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 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 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 precise course

What took so lengthy?

I have been very outspoken about how the Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming system, and you may take it from anyone who has a Roku Extremely and Hearth 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 ensure that’s a factor of the previous. If you happen to replace your app, you may discover a way more streamlined expertise. Every little thing’s separated properly into rows that embody sports activities, Apple TV+ content material, and, most significantly, personalised 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 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 carried out a great job of recommending issues to me based mostly on my preferences, and I’ve at all times wished different streamers may sustain in that space. Apple has definitely taken the precise steps right here, however there’s nonetheless work that needs to be carried out. 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 occasions 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 numerous time for me. Typically it is entrance and middle for me and generally 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 significantly better match for me and others have to take notes. One other underrated change is the carousel of recent reveals on the prime of the app. These are all Apple TV+ originals, however it’s good to rotate by way of 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 search out out what a present is all about by clicking the massive “i” icon, and you may as well be taught its launch schedule simply by trying 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 massive 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 gaining 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 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 companies aren’t maintaining

An ever-changing world

As of 2025, your favourite streaming service seemingly 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 all these companies, I believe there must be numerous work carried out for the way simply the dwell 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 companies have not drastically modified their consumer interfaces shortly. Max modifications its colours and title once in a while, however the app acquired its greatest change when it retired the previous cut up menus in favor of the clean design. Now, every little thing might be discovered on the left facet of the display, so there isn’t any want for me to scroll throughout the facet or prime 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 at all times straightforward to search out every little thing. 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 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 yr, 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 yr turns into a actuality.

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