Your favourite apps on Apple TV

[gigatoaster]

Hello there

I just got the new Apple TV 4K HDR and was wondering what are your favourite apps.

So far, I have Infuse & Netflix.

 

[Juicy Box]

Are you talking about games as well?

For non-game apps, my most used apps are:

1. Coubicle TV - Simple app that plays video memes and funny clips from Coub.com. It was made by user @rshev and is often on in the background on my TVs. It is free.

‎Coubicle TV

‎Memes, funny scenes, animation or a mashup of multiple genres! Play video loops continuously or let it mix the fun for you by switching tracks automatically. Effortless and fun TV experience, perfect for having a good laugh or chilling out. Thanks for giving Coubicle TV a try, we hope you...

apps.apple.com

2. YouTube - Don't think I need to explain this one. The tvOS version of the app could be better. Actually the old ATV2 and ATV3 version of YouTube app is a lot better in many ways. That said, my family uses it a lot.

‎YouTube TV

‎YouTube TV is now the exclusive home of NFL Sunday Ticket. Watch every out-of-market Sunday game* on your TV and supported devices. Watch cable-free live TV. Download to watch & record live TV from 100+ networks, including local sports & news, as part of your monthly membership. Cancel...

apps.apple.com

3. Plex - They are adding features to Plex all the time, and with the new Beta server SW that might be out soon, it will allow a single source search for all content within Plex, as well as all the streaming apps out there. Making searching for something faster and seeing the options there are to watch it, whether it be free, something you have to pay for, and/or something you are currently paying for. You can add the searched content to your Plex watch list, and watch it when you are ready.

‎Plex: Watch Live TV and Movies

‎Watch Live TV free and TV series you know and love on Plex. Discover brand new shows and enjoy on-demand TV channels, all in one place. Watch TV anywhere, on any device, together with your friends! Stream movies easily with Plex. Watch your favorite movies from A24, Warner Brothers, MGM...

apps.apple.com

4. Netflix - The content has really gone down hill since 2016ish. Somehow Netflix (and others) forgot how to make good stuff, and just thought checking boxes would be enough to satisfy their consumers, but people have had enough of it. With the recent announcements of cancelled shows, it appears that maybe Netflix might be getting back to making less content overall, but sticking with stuff that is good quality, all while cancelling the goofy shows that hardly anyone watched. The App sucks, but this is the same for Netflix on every device now. Actually, this is another example of how the older ATV2 and ATV3 version of apps is better than what is on current devices.

‎Netflix

‎Looking for the most talked about TV shows and movies from around the world? They’re all on Netflix. We’ve got award-winning series, movies, documentaries, and stand-up specials. And with the mobile app, you get Netflix while you travel, commute, or just take a break. What you’ll love about...

apps.apple.com

5. Prime Video - A good mix of content, but the app UI sucks. Jack Reacher and Terminal List are two good shows that were recently released.

‎Amazon Prime Video

‎Watch movies, TV, and sports, including Amazon Originals like The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan as well as recommendations just for you. App features: • Download videos to watch offline. • Continue to watch your favorite movie, TV show or a live event via...

apps.apple.com

6. Disney Plus - Better UI than most other streamers. Popular with my kids, but I don't watch it that much.

‎Disney+

‎Disney+ is the streaming home of your favorite stories. With thousands of hours of entertainment from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, there's always something to explore. Stream the latest movie releases, exclusive Original series, and a catalog of classics with more...

apps.apple.com

7. iCloud Photos - Not sure where to rank this one, as it is used often. Nice to watch all the photos and videos of my family throughout the years.

Photos app at a glance

Use the Photos app on Apple TV to view your iCloud Photos, Shared Albums, and Photo Memories.

support.apple.com

8. Music - Listening to my music from my iTunes library.

Browse your Music library on Apple TV

In the Library screen of the Music app on Apple TV, find content you added or purchased and music synced from your computer.

support.apple.com

9. Pandora - The app has issues. Not sure if I am the only one, but to get the list of my recently played stations, I have to open the app, then forced close it, then reopen it. Other than that, it is good.

‎Pandora: Music & Podcasts

‎Create stations from your favorite songs, artists or genres, search or browse to find recommended stations for your mood or activity, and discover podcasts that speak to you. Download today and get instant access to your favorite artists and podcasts, while staying up to date on the most recent...

apps.apple.com

There are some others, such as utility apps, background video and photo apps, streaming apps, and others, but the above are the ones I use most. Maybe I am forgetting some other ones that I use often. I will think about it.


Let me know if you want to know about games.

 

[Gator5000e]

A lot of folks rag on Netflix but I have gotten my $$ worth from them. Still do. Just finished The Sandman and really enjoyed it. I pay for the 4K package and they do 4K as well as anyone. Most of the 4K shows look great. Even the animated shows that are in HD look great. Arcane, Dota Blood Dragon, etc. But the best looking animated movie I have seen recently is The Sea Beast. Wow. If you have a 4K TV, it's definitely worth a watch.

I use YouTube a lot as well. I need to watch review videos on shows like Severance and Westworld. Some great 4K content on YT as well meant just for streaming.

I use the MLB TV app frequently as I get the free MLB TV package from T-Mobile as a customer. The app itself isn't that great but it was great watching the Mets take four of five from Atlanta from my home in Florida.

I also have most of the movie and TV streaming apps. I also have the SiriusXM and Pandora apps but to me the music doesn't sound as good thru my 5.0 surround system via the ATV 4K as it does through my BT speaker setup. Maybe I need to give it more of a chance.

Oh and the Arial screensavers are absolutely gorgeous in 4K. From the Home screen, hit the back button twice (<) to start the screen savers.

Anyway, enjoy your new ATV 4K!!

 

[nutmac]

My top 5 most used apps, ranked by quality:

1. In terms of overall experience, Disney+ takes the cake. While far from perfect, it feels like a proper tvOS app with top notch streaming quality. I wish Up Next is more prominent, the app more customizable, and contents that do not belong to the top 5 categories (Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geography) are better featured. I wish Disney would merge Hulu into Disney+, like it does in many international markets. That would make it a killer package. I have Hulu and I much prefer Disney+'s app experience.

2. In terms of contents, HBO Max. At the end of the day, HBO Max still has great contents all around, from originals, Ghibli, latest films, and the classics. The app experience isn't great, but not as offensive as Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, both of which are utter garbage. I do worry about its fate next year, when it merges with Discovery.

3. Apple TV+ is quickly becoming one of my favorite streaming services, so Apple TV app. Now, I am not a fan of Apple TV "the app". It looks fine, but the content discovery on Apple TV+ tab is poor. Furthermore, unified Now Playing bar often buries my favorite Apple TV+ series. Nevertheless, many of my favorite TV series are Apple TV+'s and the streaming quality is second to none.

4. I have a sizable personal Blu-Ray and DVD library, so Infuse. I have tried Apple's built-in Computers app and Plex. I really want to like Computers app but its buffering algorithm is utter garbage. It often stutters and just not dependable. And the poster arts do not preload for generally poor overall experience. Plex streams more reliably than Computers, but Infuse is way more polished. It's not perfect -- metadata lookup is often comically wrong. But, with a bit of tender loving care, the app works reliably while looking cleang.

5. I begrudgingly list Netflix. The app is infamous for not being very Apple-like. It does not support the Now Playing bar on the TV app and the streaming quality is horrendous. If I am paying $20 for 4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, I expect the quality to impress. But the contents is heavily compressed with visible artifacts. The app's design is alright, but Netflix just doesn't have enough quality contents to justify the highest subscription price in the industry.

 

[gigatoaster]

Thanks for sharing your favourite apps. I wish there were more apps other than the classic streaming services we have. I really like the Apple TV.

 

[HDFan]

1. Speedtest, for diagnosing WiFi issues
2. Earthdesk - watching the clouds off Africa to see if we have any potential hurricanes coming

 

[pastrychef]

The apps I used the most:

Flex IPTV - For my IPTV sub.
Plex - To watch stuff from my NAS and IPTV.
VLC - To watch stuff from my NAS.
Apple TV+ - For my Apple TV+ sub.
Amazon Prime Video - For my Prime sub.
Adult Swim - For Bob's Burgers, Family Guy, and American Dad.

 

[unrigestered]

Joyn - TV and media library app (might be a local/german thing though)
Youtube
VLC
Music

 

[andyw715]

The fireplace app is great. What's better than a fireplace on your TV?

 

[Canyda]

The fireplace app is great. What's better than a fireplace on your TV?

As I'm not currently at home and next to my Apple TV to check the app store, is there a specific fireplace app you prefer?

 

[Gator5000e]

Winterscapes HD is great. While not in 4K the scenes are fantastic and look really vibrant on my 4K TV. Also, you can add falling snow to the pictures. It also plays new agey type music. Great app during the fall and holidays.

 

[HDFan]

Great app during the fall and holidays.

or when it is >100 degrees outside ...