Why I am most likely caught with Apple TV without end

Through the years, I’ve owned a variety of TVs, together with fashions from LG, Samsung, Vizio,

Hisense
, and extra. We not dwell in an period the place sensible TV working techniques are laggy, horrible messes like they had been within the mid-2010s. LG’s webOS, Samsung’s Tizen, and even Google’s Android TV OS, which you will discover throughout varied mid-range to upper-mid-range televisions, all supply fairly strong efficiency, first rate apps, and, with a number of exceptions, consumer interfaces which can be comparatively simple to make use of.

However I all the time discover myself returning to the

Apple TV 4K
as a result of tvOS’ format stays a minimize above the sensible TV and streaming field competitors, its apps are all the time up-to-date, and its integration into Apple’s broader gadget ecosystem simply cannot be beat (it is nice I can play the occasional Apple Arcade sport, too). It is also the platform I am most comfy with as a result of I’ve used it for effectively over 10 years at this level.Oh, and there is the superior, extraordinarily detailed screensavers — the record goes on.With that in thoughts, regardless of my current efforts to ditch my beloved Apple TV 4K in favor of Android TV, I can not seem to give up Apple’s streamer.

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Different sensible TV working techniques cannot compete with the magnificence the Apple TV provides

In terms of a TV or streaming gadget’s UI, simplicity is vital

Considered one of my favourite issues concerning the Apple TV is how simple it’s to navigate tvOS’ residence display. Its grid format is straightforward, easy, and extremely clear in comparison with the competitors. Fortunately, no large widget-like icons or overwhelming adverts bombarding the house display (there’s a big Apple TV+ advert on the high, nevertheless it’s simple to scroll previous and ignore). As an alternative, I am greeted with a format of easy icons that may be organized exactly how I wish to entry my favourite streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ shortly. It is also intuitive for those who’re accustomed to how iOS and Android app residence display group works in your telephone. If you wish to transfer an icon, simply maintain down the Siri Distant’s primary button and choose Transfer or Delete.

Including to this, when new app layouts or options drop, they typically make their technique to the Apple TV first earlier than trickling right down to different working techniques like Roku, Hearth TV, and even Android TV, particularly with extra area of interest streaming platforms like Hayu (which I exploit for streaming all-important actuality TV) andFree Advert-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels like Pluto TV and Tubi. Sticking with the Apple TV additionally ensures I am virtually all the time utilizing the newest model of each streaming app that helps all of my TV’s key options, together with larger bitrate 4K streaming, HDR 10, and even Dolby Imaginative and prescient with some content material and apps.

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The best Apple TV feature has nothing to do with streaming

It is unattainable to beat the Apple TV’s stellar-looking screensavers.

The Apple ecosystem has me hooked

AirPlay 2 has develop into my go-to technique to watch YouTube content material

I simply talked about that I go for the Apple TV as a result of it options the most effective model of most apps, however that is not all the time the case. The tvOS YouTube app is downright complicated, particularly for those who’re looking for a particular video. Due to this, I typically discover no matter I am in search of on my telephone and solid it on to my Apple TV 4K and Hisense U88H via Apple’s AirPlay 2. I will be the primary to confess that AirPlay 2 is not excellent. It may be glitchy generally, particularly for those who’re casting from third-party video platforms, however in my expertise, I discover it considerably extra dependable than my TV’s built-in Google Forged.

As a result of I’ve an

iPhone 16 Pro
, casting content material from platforms like YouTube is so simple as opening the video and clicking on the small solid icon within the high proper nook of the display. Subsequent, I choose Airplay & Bluetooth Units and faucet on my Apple TV 4K. There’s extra to the ecosystem connection, too. When you’re like me, you are all the time utilizing your Apple TV distant in your sofa cushions or misplacing it in an odd location in your front room. Since I am an iPhone consumer, all I must do is swipe down from the highest of my smartphone’s show and faucet on the Management Middle Apple TV distant icon to drag up a digital distant that is really a lot simpler to make use of than the Apple TV’s bodily Siri Distant.

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The newest Siri Distant is superior

Whether or not you favor bodily buttons or contact controls, Apple has you coated

The primary-generation Siri Distant that dropped manner again in 2015 was terrible. Its contact panel barely labored, and its concave buttons had been so troublesome to hit persistently that at one level, I virtually thought-about ditching the Apple TV altogether simply due to the distant. Then the second-generation Siri Distant arrived to save lots of the day in 2021. It contains a high-quality feeling, squared-off aluminum design, and a mixture of bodily buttons and a much more correct touchpad. Because of this if I wish to use the directional buttons with swipe controls, I can try this. On the identical time, if I choose to click on the bodily buttons, I could make that occur, too.

My favourite Siri Distant characteristic is how easy it’s, although. Not like a variety of TV remotes, it solely has a number of buttons — however they’re the one ones that matter, together with the power to mute, flip the quantity up and down, and even mute my soundbar that I management with the distant through

HDMI CEC
.

I do know there are different strong streaming units on the market that supply extra versatility, particularly the Nvidia Protect, however in relation to watching TV, I desire a gadget that is easy to make use of, works reliably, and that I do know inside-out, and for me, that is the Apple TV 4K and tvOS.

Because of this I actually cannot see myself ditching Apple’s streamer anytime quickly, if ever.

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