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For the primary time in a very long time, I am excited a few tvOS replace. Apple revealed tvOS 26 alongside iOS 26, and there is a lot to sit up for. The meat of the replace is the Liquid Glass show, which is able to make your interface look lots sleeker than it at present does. The Apple TV UI, because it stands, is okay, nevertheless it’s not precisely one thing particular to have a look at.

An overhaul, while I had reservations, was wanted as a result of the Apple TV UI seemed a bit too easy. After seeing Apple reveal what was in retailer for tvOS 26, I grew to become a believer. There’s lots that I am in search of on the horizon, and I can see myself lastly pulling the set off on an Apple TV 4K improve that I have been holding off on for therefore lengthy.

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1

Audio passthrough is a giant deal

Lengthy have we waited

Pocket-lint / Apple

Apart from some visible upgrades, tvOS 26 is introducing a much-awaited function with audio passthrough. At the moment, the Apple TV machine handles your audio and converts it, however with audio passthrough you may ship it ahead to your receiver and let that do the work. This opens up a variety of various audio codecs, and it will lead to higher sound when you’ve got the necessary hardware, like a soundbar or audio system.

For instance. I’ve a 5.1 encompass sound setup, however the majority of my streaming content material comes via my receiver as “Multi-In” since my Apple TV 4K would not acknowledge the audio sign being despatched via. When a film or present outputs Dolby Atmos, it is all good, however that is not the case with many issues I watch. My receiver would haven’t any downside dealing with any format, however the Apple TV 4K is proscribed. This is the reason audio passthrough is a giant deal, and I hope it rolls out to all Apple TV 4K gadgets and never simply the newest technology. I do not see why this could not be a software program change, however Apple would possibly decide that it requires a {hardware} refresh.

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2

Liquid Glass seems good

A modern improve

I wasn’t clamoring for a UI improve by any means, however I am not upset after seeing how good all the pieces seems. Apple needs all of its gadgets to share the same look to make it simple to transition between them. The Apple TV 4K is the one Apple product I’ve, so it would not make any distinction to me, nevertheless it’s a pleasant contact that I am certain individuals entrenched within the Apple ecosystem respect.

Sadly, my first-gen Apple TV 4K is not getting this replace, nevertheless it’s one thing I sit up for seeing once I make an improve. It is not an earth-shattering change by any means, nevertheless it’s one thing that goes a good distance towards serving to the Apple TV interface, and each Apple machine, look extra trendy. Even screens as small as an Apple Watch are getting this replace, so it is clear Apple feels good about this replace and desires everyone to expertise what it has to supply.

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3

No extra ruining any individual’s algorithm

Simpler profile switching

Apple / Pocket-lint

If in case you have a household that each one makes use of the Apple TV 4K, you know the way annoying it may be to overlook to modify between profiles and muck up any individual else’s suggestions. Fortunately, I share a profile with only one different particular person, and we regularly watch the identical issues, so there’s nothing to fret about. Nevertheless, it is easy to think about how an grownup’s style and a baby’s differ. I do know I would not prefer to be advisable PAW Patrol all over the place I look.

With tvOS 26, you may toggle on a setting that makes you choose a profile while you flip in your Apple TV. This implies you do not have to fret about forgetting to modify since you’ll have to pick one thing every time you flip in your machine. This could alleviate any issues you’ve got, and your algorithm will not be destroyed by any individual watching a bunch of belongings you’re not considering.

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4

Extra intuitive for establishing new gadgets

A giant time saver

Apple

After I was establishing my Roku Streaming Stick in my basement, it was very simple because of all my app logins being tied to my Roku account. I’ve a Roku Extremely in my bed room that’s signed in to all the pieces, and I used to be dreading having to do it over again with my Roku Streaming Stick. Happily, that wasn’t an issue as all the pieces signed in as I arrange the machine. This similar performance is coming to tvOS.

I haven’t got a second Apple TV 4K but, however once I get one, I will respect having the ability to arrange the brand new machine with out a lot of a headache. There are a variety of streaming providers on the market, so it is good to avoid wasting time once I can. Whereas Apple TV is much forward of different streamers in some areas, it is apparent it lags behind in conditions resembling this. I am glad tvOS 26 is addressing this as a result of it is a massive deal for me, and I think about it will be one thing many individuals are glad about in the event that they decide up a second machine.

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