Is Apple TV Plus worth it?
The use of web television and streaming online video services on multiple devices by different consumers has seen a substantial increase ever since the launch of online video platforms such as Apple TV plus, YouTube and Netflix among others.
When looking closely at the trend in the release and launch of multiple internet TV platforms into the entertainment industry, we can establish that Apple TV Plus was more or less an inevitability. With the popularity and huge following that HBO, Netflix and multiple others were getting, it wasn’t practical that Apple would sit back and miss out on the opportunity to bring you closer to your favorite TV shows.
So, you may be wondering whether Apple TV is worth it. Well, it certainly is but it may only works best for you if you are using Apple devices.
Table of Contents
Before all else, what is Apple TV Plus?
Apple TV plus is a subscription, on demand streaming TV service designed to meet all your entertainment needs. It shares a great number of similarities with other streaming applications such as Netflix and HBO among several others. Among the features are Dolby Atmos audio on most content, the ability to stream in six devices concurrently, 4K video and family sharing for a maximum of 6 users. It also allows you to download videos for offline use.
So, what are the advantages of Apple TV Plus?
To weigh your decision on whether Apple TV Plus is worth it, you would need to familiarize with the advantages of Apple TV Plus.
The addition of unique new originals content every month
Apple adds unique new original content to their library every month to cater for your entertainment needs and to create a more interesting platform for you. This significantly eliminates boredom that would come from watching the same thing repeatedly.
Free Apple Music Subscription for Students
Apple offers a limited-time offer on Apple Music for college students. So, if you are a college student and you have an Apple Music student subscription, you have a chance to enjoy free access to Apple TV plus for a limited time period. All you need to do is open the Apple TV app and start watching Apple Originals. In as much as this is a bonus, you cannot share your free Apple TV access through Family Sharing.
Ad-Free
Unlike third party streaming applications, Apple TV Plus is completely ad-free. This is an advantage as you do not have to deal with the frustrating effects that come with commercial filled videos. In fact, an ad-free experience is equivalent to a seamless and immersive TV watching experience.
The ability to download and save shows to watch offline
Apple TV Plus allows you to download all your favorite Apple Originals to your mobile device and watch them from anywhere and at any time even without a Wi-Fi connection. This comes in handy when you are going on road trips or when travelling to a different destination and would like to be at par with the episodes on your favorite shows.
6 Simultaneous Streams and Family Shares
Apple TV Plus allows up to 6 simultaneous streams and family sharing. Simultaneous streaming is one of the benefits of having Apple TV Plus. This clearly shows that you are no longer confined to the physical limits of using one device or even the proximity of the device. Instead, simultaneous streams allow you to access content on any devices that you would prefer, irrespective of whether any of your family members are watching something else within the same vicinity and at the same time.
What are the disadvantages of Apple TV Plus?
Thin Content Library
The home of Apple TV Plus greatly differs across devices and your TV watching experience also varies across the devices. On a Roku TV, Samsung TV or a browser, you can only see Apple’s content but on other iOS devices, you are able to view content from any other streaming services such as Hulu, HBO or Amazon Prime which is a feature enabled by the TV app’s channel feature.
When it comes to their content library, Apple TV Plus literally doesn’t offer anything else aside from Apple Originals and the frustrating thing is that there is some kind of monotony in the shows that they have to offer. Also, there are no old shows of movies that you can watch unlike in other streaming services. In as much as producing and showcasing is a great concept, it is not exactly ideal to eliminate the fact that variety is indeed the spice of life.
No Android app
Unfortunately, there is no android app to support Apple TV plus and you would need to use your browser to watch your favorite TV shows on Apple TV plus if you are using an Android device. Even worse, you do not get to access all the premium features when using an Android device. Generally, you can find the Apple TV app on Fire TV, Roku and Samsung, but only Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, the Mac and Apple TV, are able to get every premium feature.
What devices is Apple TV Plus available on?
The table below summarizes a list of devices through which you can watch Apple TV Plus online and devices that have the Apple TV app.
Device |
Computer |
Mobile and Tablets |
Smart TV and Streaming Media Players |
Type |
Windows PC, Mac, Chrome OS |
iPad, iPhone, Android devices via a web browser, iPod touch |
Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Select LG, Vizio TVs, Samsung, Sony, Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X, PS5, Xbox Series S |
Final Thoughts
All you need to do so that you can access Apple TV Plus, is to ensure that you have a device that is compatible with the Apple TV app and one that can establish a stable internet connection. Once this is done, you would need to open the Apple TV app on your compatible device and select the Watch now option. This should lead you to the channels section where you would need to select Apple TV Plus. Then, choose the trial offer and sign in with your Apple ID. Lastly, you need to confirm your subscription and start watching your favorite TV shows.
FAQs
- Is there a way through which I can stream Apple TV with Chromecast?
No. Unfortunately, Apple TV Plus is not compatible with Chromecast.
- Are there any commercials on Apple TV Plus?
None at all.
