Apple TV Update: Weighing the Pros And Cons Of The New TV App

By Audrey - 16 Dec '16 07:19AM

Apple TV just got its most recent update this week. And if cord cutters think they hit the jackpot, not really. This newest version of tvOS has a new "TV" app that can pull together videos from other video apps. This includes Hulu, ABC, and Comedy Central. Now you can browse through TV shows and movies without the need to bounce between apps.

Yes, Apple is attempting to make the TV as the new interface for the Apple TV. Unfortunately, it supports very limited video sources, particularly if one doesn't have a cable television log in.

No Freebie

Users should expect some changes on the Siri remote as well. When the user presses the home button user will be taken straight to the TV app. Then the button must be pressed for the second time in order to reach the old home screen. This can be annoying because the TV app will not display any apps or content on the main screen at first. First, user must install an app supporting the TV app, then log on to that app, then return to the TV app, where users must approve the connecting app that's just been installed. This is supposedly a privacy measure. Apple makes sure they're getting the user's explicit permission to study their viewing habits. Regardless, needing to repeat this step for every app is simply too much.

Once approval is done, the TV app menu will then populate with suggestions. Users can choose to browse through shows by genre, see what's the most popular, and put the faves on the watchlist that's called "Up Next". This helps user pick up where he left off. Nice, but there's a problem. There are 37 streaming apps supporting TV apps, but 26 of them are "TV Everywhere" apps and these require pay-TV login in order to watch their content per TechHive.

Right now the TV app works with nine standalone subscription services. These are: HBO Now, Starz, Hulu, CBS All Access, Showtime, Mubi, Tribeca Shortlist, CuriosityStream and Crunchyroll. Sorry, but Netflix is not included in the TV app and Amazon is not supporting Apple TV at the moment.

As for free streaming services, the TV app only supports CW and CW Seed at launch. Over-the-air DVR users will also be disappointed as the TV app will not be pulling in show recordings in your Plex library. Streaming-bundle subscribers seem to share the same fate as well. It won't include any on-demand or live content from DirecTV Now, Sling TV, or PlayStation Vue. Even if Vue subscribers could access lots of individual TV Everywhere apps, support from DirecTV Now and Sling TV is very limited.

So until Apple have some serious talks with the streaming services that don't wish to participate, cord cutters might as well enjoy the standard Apple TV home screen and avoid the new TV app- for now. For more Apple TV update and latest news, keep it here on News Everyday. Hit us with your feedback in the comments below.