Don’t buy the new Apple TV 4K until Apple does these 3 things
I’m a huge fan of Apple’s digital media player, the Apple TV 4K. I’ve owned every version of the Apple TV for over a decade now, and have used Apple’s Movies store to purchase hundreds of films. The diminutive Apple TV 4K is my sole portal to my television, and it easily beats other media streamers—including those from Roku, Amazon, and Google—when it comes to ease of use and user interface. Like…
If you're a devoted fan of Apple's digital media player, the Apple TV 4K, you might be eager to upgrade to the new model that went on sale on November 13. However, the new Apple TV 4K falls short of expectations, and you may want to hold off on purchasing it until Apple addresses three critical issues. First, the TV app on the new Apple TV 4K is a major disappointment.
Despite being the central hub for accessing Apple's streaming service and purchased movies and TV shows, the app falls short in organization and categorization. Movies and TV shows often get misclassified or omitted entirely, making it difficult to navigate and enjoy your digital entertainment. Second, the Apple TV 4K still lacks two essential apps that other Apple devices support.
A dedicated Home app, similar to what you find on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, would allow users to monitor and control their smart home devices from the comfort of their couch. Additionally, a Weather app, which Apple's is renowned for its beautiful graphics, is missing on the Apple TV 4K. This omission is especially puzzling given the device's central role as a smart home hub.
Third, the new Apple TV 4K's lack of gaming capabilities is a major letdown. With the powerful A19 chip inside, the device is more than capable of running AAA console games, a capability that was hinted at in advance. However, the company failed to announce any new gaming features, making the device feel like a missed opportunity.
At $299, nearly double the price of the previous generation and nearly as much as a Nintendo Switch, the new Apple TV 4K's price tag is a significant drawback. Considering the historic omissions in the TV app, the absence of essential apps like Home and Weather, and the lack of gaming enhancements, it's clear that the new Apple TV 4K is a letdown for fans who were eagerly awaiting an upgrade.
Until Apple addresses these issues, it's best to sit this model out and wait for a more comprehensive update.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
