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 can not discover a lot to be upset about. In a shocking transfer, Apple is making the soar from tvOS 18 all the best way to 26, however do not get confused since you did not miss something. Apple desires to get every thing inside its ecosystem in step with one different, and that is the best way to make it in step with iOS 26. Apple desires to have a seamless transition throughout all of its units, and the thought is that an iPhone person 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 occurring. I used to be hesitant early on as a result of I am a fan of how every thing works on my Apple TV 4K as it’s, and being a creature of behavior, I did not need to see something change. I can see now that these worries had been misplaced, and I used to be truly shocked 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 any case

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 glossy design that makes it simpler to seek out new issues to observe. The Apple TV app acquired the largest overhaul, and the brand new posters for exhibits and flicks make every thing stand out fairly effectively. Maybe the largest factor right here is the brand new tvOS 26 function that ties in your streaming subscription logins to your Apple account. I lately received one other Roku gadget, and I did not should 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 concerning 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 organising 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 unfavourable 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 individuals with the second technology or later get entry to Liquid Glass, so these of you caught within the first-gen aren’t seeing the adjustments. This has been a development with a lot of the cool Apple TV 4K updates recently, so it isn’t all that surprising 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 when you match that invoice you should use your telephone as a mic and begin singing. It appears like a number of enjoyable, to be truthful, however because the Apple TV 4K is the one Apple gadget I’ve proper now, it is one thing I can not participate in. All in all, it is a hefty replace that provides a number of cool issues with out enormously overhauling the UI. I used to be scared, however now I am a believer in what Apple has occurring.

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

Apple did issues the suitable manner

That is the way you replace a UI

Pocket-lint / Apple

Far too many instances, interface adjustments result in a number 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 possibility 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 until you decide up a first-gen Apple TV 4K.

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

This doesn’t suggest there aren’t nonetheless some issues I’ve. I’ve talked rather a lot about how I need to see Apple Intelligence make its technique 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 may be a {hardware} downside that even the third-generation Apple TV 4K is not able to pulling off. Apple isn’t any stranger to locking options behind sure fashions, as evidenced by the aforementioned Liquid Glass and Apple Music updates, so I’ve to surprise if the third-gen mannequin merely is not robust sufficient to make it occur.

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

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

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

I am unsure when that is coming

Pocket-line / Apple

This does lead me to surprise what the way forward for the Apple TV model appears like. I assumed 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 motive 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 greater. Apple Intelligence is the one main factor lacking, and Apple should not assume that is an enormous deal.

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