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 stunning transfer, Apple is making the leap 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 part 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 gadgets, and the concept 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 part 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 stunned by what Apple cooked up.

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No should be afraid of the replace

I can embrace change in spite of everything

At its core, not loads has modified, so fortunately, there’s not a lot I’ve to get used to. What’s new is the smooth design that makes it simpler to seek out new issues to observe. The Apple TV app acquired the most important overhaul, and the brand new posters for exhibits and flicks make every part stand out fairly effectively. Maybe the most important factor right here is the brand new tvOS 26 characteristic that ties in your streaming subscription logins to your Apple account. I lately acquired one other Roku system, and I did not must 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 in regards to 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 aren’t getting interrupted for messing with any settings, so it is an actual good contact. I haven’t got something adverse to say right here as a result of the replace is not intrusive in any approach. The one draw back I’ve is that not each Apple TV 4K will get to reap the advantages. Solely folks with the second era or later get entry to Liquid Glass, so these of you caught within the first-gen aren’t seeing the modifications. This has been a pattern with many of the cool Apple TV 4K updates currently, so it is not 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 if you happen to match that invoice you should utilize your cellphone as a mic and begin singing. It appears like a variety of enjoyable, to be honest, however because the Apple TV 4K is the one Apple system I’ve proper now, it is one thing I can not participate in. All in all, it is a hefty replace that provides a variety of cool issues with out significantly 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 fingers on one thing like this, so it is good to lastly see Apple ship.

Apple did issues the best approach

That is the way you replace a UI

Pocket-lint / Apple

Far too many occasions, interface modifications result in a variety 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 by chance for them, there is a approach to do this with out a lot problem. Apple will not have that very same performance except 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 gadgets really feel like they’re slowed down by advertisements, however the Apple TV 4K does not have any of that occurring. It is not even restricted advertisements I am speaking about — there aren’t any advertisements in anyway 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 does not imply there aren’t nonetheless some issues I’ve. I’ve talked loads about how I need to see Apple Intelligence make its approach to the Apple TV 4K in some unspecified time in the future, 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 stunning to not see any motion on it probably coming to the Apple TV platform. It could be a {hardware} drawback that even the third-generation Apple TV 4K is not able to pulling off. Apple is not any stranger to locking options behind sure fashions, as evidenced by the aforementioned Liquid Glass and Apple Music updates, so I’ve to marvel if the third-gen mannequin merely is not sturdy sufficient to make it occur.

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

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

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

I am undecided when that is coming

Pocket-line / Apple

This does lead me to marvel what the way forward for the Apple TV model appears like. I believed this was an ideal time to announce a brand new era, however it does not appear 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 essentially the most highly effective system. There is not any sense competing with your self, which is why it might be good to see Roku or Google elevate the bar larger. Apple Intelligence is the one main factor lacking, and Apple should not assume that is an enormous deal.

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