Why I am in all probability caught with Apple TV without end

Over time, I’ve owned loads of TVs, together with fashions from LG, Samsung, Vizio,

Hisense
, and extra. We not dwell in an period the place good 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 may discover throughout numerous mid-range to upper-mid-range televisions, all provide fairly strong efficiency, respectable apps, and, with a number of exceptions, consumer interfaces which can be comparatively straightforward to make use of.

However I at all times discover myself returning to the

Apple TV 4K
as a result of tvOS’ format stays a minimize above the good TV and streaming field competitors, its apps are at all times up-to-date, and its integration into Apple’s broader system 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 snug with as a result of I’ve used it for nicely 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 stop Apple’s streamer.

Associated

I bought a mid-range TV and I don’t regret it at all

Whereas LG and Samsung make among the greatest televisions on the market, you need not break the financial institution anymore to get your palms on a good tv.

Different good TV working techniques cannot compete with the class the Apple TV presents

Relating to a TV or streaming system’s UI, simplicity is necessary

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

Including to this, when new app layouts or options drop, they usually make their method to the Apple TV first earlier than trickling all the way 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 nearly at all times 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.

Associated

The best Apple TV feature has nothing to do with streaming

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

The Apple ecosystem has me hooked

AirPlay 2 has change into my go-to method to watch YouTube content material

I simply talked about that I go for the Apple TV as a result of it options the perfect model of most apps, however that is not at all times the case. The tvOS YouTube app is downright complicated, particularly should you’re looking for a selected video. Due to this, I usually discover no matter I am searching for on my cellphone 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 typically, particularly should you’re casting from third-party video platforms, however in my expertise, I discover it considerably extra dependable than my TV’s built-in Google Solid.

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 Gadgets and faucet on my Apple TV 4K. There’s extra to the ecosystem connection, too. When you’re like me, you are at all times 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 have to 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.

Associated

This $40 HDMI accessory saved my sanity

Who knew this tiny, comparatively low cost system might clear up all of my TV connection woes?

The latest 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 means again in 2015 was terrible. Its contact panel barely labored, and its concave buttons had been so troublesome to hit constantly that at one level, I nearly thought-about ditching the Apple TV altogether simply due to the distant. Then the second-generation Siri Distant arrived to avoid wasting the day in 2021. It incorporates a high-quality feeling, squared-off aluminum design, and a mixture of bodily buttons and a much more correct touchpad. Which means if I need to use the directional buttons with swipe controls, I can try this. On the similar time, if I desire 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 loads of TV remotes, it solely has a number of buttons — however they’re the one ones that matter, together with the flexibility 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, specifically the Nvidia Defend, however in terms of watching TV, I need a system 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.

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

Associated

3 tricks I use to make big screen gaming with my ROG Ally X effortless

Getting your ROG Ally X linked to a TV or monitor generally is a finicky course of – listed below are a number of steps I take to make it simpler.