Why I am in all probability caught with Apple TV c...

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

Hisense
, and extra. We not reside in an period the place sensible TV working techniques are laggy, horrible messes like they have 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 supply fairly stable efficiency, first rate apps, and, with a couple of exceptions, person interfaces which might be comparatively simple 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 reduce above the sensible 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 recreation, 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 checklist goes on.With that in thoughts, regardless of my latest 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 class the Apple TV provides

In the case of a TV or streaming system’s UI, simplicity is necessary

One in every of my favourite issues concerning the Apple TV is how simple it’s to navigate tvOS’ dwelling display. Its grid format is straightforward, easy, 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 prime, but it surely’s simple to scroll previous and ignore). As a substitute, 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+ rapidly. It is also intuitive in the event you’re conversant in how iOS and Android app dwelling display group works in your cellphone. If you wish to transfer an icon, simply maintain down the Siri Distant’s fundamental 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 right down to different working techniques like Roku, Fireplace 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 most recent model of each streaming app that helps all of my TV’s key options, together with greater 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 not possible to beat the Apple TV’s stellar-looking screensavers.

The Apple ecosystem has me hooked

AirPlay 2 has turn out to be 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 most effective model of most apps, however that is not at all times the case. The tvOS YouTube app is downright complicated, particularly in the event you’re looking for a selected video. Due to this, I usually discover no matter I am in search of on my cellphone and forged it on to my Apple TV 4K and Hisense U88H by way of Apple’s AirPlay 2. I will be the primary to confess that AirPlay 2 is not good. It may be glitchy generally, particularly in the event 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 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 forged icon within the prime 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. Should 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 person, 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 tug up a digital distant that is truly 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 like bodily buttons or contact controls, Apple has you lined

The primary-generation Siri Distant that dropped means again in 2015 was terrible. Its contact panel barely labored, and its concave buttons have been so troublesome to hit constantly that at one level, I nearly thought of 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 encompasses 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 want 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 quite a lot of TV remotes, it solely has a couple 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 stable streaming gadgets on the market that provide extra versatility, particularly the Nvidia Protect, however in terms of watching TV, I desire 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.

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