I am glad Apple TV is copying this Roku function

The Apple TV 4K is my favourite streaming system, however that doesn’t imply it’s not with out its share of points. The dearth of audio passthrough is a giant one for me, but it surely seems to be like Apple is planning on addressing that within the upcoming tvOS 26 replace. I’ve my fingers crossed that it doesn’t require upgrading my {hardware} as a result of I’m nonetheless rocking a first-generation Apple TV 4K. If it does make me purchase a brand new Apple TV 4K, I hope this different situation I’ve is addressed.

Signing in to streaming providers on a brand new system is annoying, and though many streamers allow you to scan a QR code or go to a web site today, it would be good if they might simply mechanically signal me in. Something is best than typing in my e mail and password utilizing a TV distant, and there are nonetheless many apps that make me do this.

Organising my Roku Streaming Stick was a breeze due to this performance already being available. I’ve a Roku Extremely in my bed room the place I am logged into the whole lot, and once I reviewed the Streaming Stick, I used to be frightened that I might need to comply with the identical course of. Because it seems, it was seamless, and it seems Apple is making an attempt to get a bit of the motion.

Model

Apple

Bluetooth codecs

5.0

Wi-Fi

6

Ethernet

Gigabit (128GB mannequin solely)

Storage and RAM

64GB, 128GB

Apple is copying a Roku function

It is about time

Apple / Pocket-lint

I perceive this is not an issue for lots of people, and it is actually solely an annoyance whenever you’re organising your system, however I nonetheless wish to see it modified. With so many streaming providers accessible right now, it may be a protracted course of to get signed in to the whole lot. A one-click possibility is a game-changer, and I do not see a draw back to it.

Apple has already revealed that is coming by way of the tvOS 26 announcement, but it surely got here with a caveat. Apple made certain to say that it is a part of the brand new API for builders, and that wording implies the builders need to get on board. If Netflix, Hulu, and many others. do not choose into the system, you will not get signed in whenever you choose up a brand new system. Though the Apple TV 4K is the one Apple system I personal, this variation impacts the broader vary of the Apple ecosystem. The tvOS 26 will get all Apple merchandise on the identical replace scheme, so this can allow you to check in to your Netflix account seamlessly throughout all of your units, supplied Netflix will get on board.

There isn’t any means to have a look at this some other means than a win. That is one thing Apple ought to’ve adopted a very long time in the past, and whereas I may sit right here and criticize the corporate for not doing it up to now, I might quite admire that it is lastly occurring. There are fairly a couple of methods Roku is forward of Apple within the streaming wars, so it is good to see Apple night the taking part in area. Do not get me improper, I like my Apple TV 4K, however I can not ignore among the issues my Roku Extremely does higher than it. Is that sufficient for me to place my Roku in the lounge and the Apple TV in my bed room? It hasn’t been to date, and so long as Apple continues to handle these points, I do not assume it will be something I fear about within the close to future.

Apple can be taught from Roku

And Roku can be taught from Apple

Apple / Pocket-lint

One thing I’ve realized about having merchandise from Apple, Roku, Amazon, and Google is that each one the businesses do good issues, however they’ll all be taught from one another. Apple tends to be cussed, and it is one thing that has pissed off me fairly a bit. The factor with Apple is the worth of the Apple TV 4K is both $130 or $150, relying on the mannequin, and that worth hardly wavers. You possibly can choose one up used and avoid wasting money, and it is one thing I did with mine. When the brand new technology launches, used will not be an possibility, so I hope it will not be priced the identical means the third technology has been.

The Roku Extremely is sort of by no means bought at its common worth, and whether it is, you’ll be able to simply wait it out till it drops to $80. At nearly half the worth of an Apple TV 4K, you are getting largely the identical expertise, and in some situations, you are getting a greater product. Apple including audio passthrough, one thing that is commonplace on the Roku Extremely, is a giant step in the proper course. That is one thing mentioned to be coming with the tvOS 26 replace, however I will not consider it till I see it.

As I discussed, the Apple TV 4K is the one Apple product I’ve, and that comes with its personal set of limitations. The large factor is, I can not discover a misplaced distant with out having to bodily seek for it myself. If I had an iPhone to pair with my Apple TV, I may simply observe it down. Not like the Apple TV, the Roku Extremely has a button on the field itself that finds my distant for me, and that is a lot better than needing one other product within the ecosystem. The Roku Extremely matches properly inside any ecosystem whereas Apple largely punishes you for not shopping for in. My Apple TV 4K works simply advantageous by itself, but it surely’s clear I am leaving lots on the desk by not having an iPhone on the very least.

From my standpoint, Apple is the highest canine in streaming, and regardless that there are issues that Roku and Amazon may do higher, it isn’t sufficient for me to leap ship. I like Roku Metropolis, however the Apple TV 4K interfact having no adverts in any respect is a large deal, and it lets me hop proper into my favourite reveals and films with out a lot of a fuss. When audio passthrough comes into the image, there will likely be no doubts left in my thoughts. Certain, not having correct discover my distant performance is annoying, however that is only a small situation I’ve within the grand scheme of issues.