Video streaming has a long way to go on Apple TV

That last one really bugs me. The fourth-generation Apple TV is light-years ahead of the model it replaced, thanks to the introduction of tvOS and gaming. Nonetheless, four months in, I’m still not wowed by its existence in my home.

The games I enjoy playing on my iPad (BADLAND, Does Not Commute, Calvino Noir) seem cumbersome, at best, on Apple TV, even with my Steelseries Nimbus. At the same time, most of the Apple TV-only games that I’ve experienced seem boring or not challenging.

Having said that, I’ll admit that I’m not much of a gamer. For me, regardless of the version, Apple TV has always been about the video streaming. On this point, the newest Apple TV has a long way to go.

To date, Amazon Video and Sling TV have yet to make an appearance on the Apple TV. Also, Cupertino has yet to announce its long-rumored video streaming service. I get that these omissions are likely the result of boardroom squabbling between Apple and the providers. What I don’t understand, however, is why this wrangling has continued for so long.

Amazon Video and Sling TV are both found on multiple platforms, including iOS. Sure, you can’t make new purchases through either app. Nonetheless, easy workarounds exist.

The long-delayed introduction of Apple’s video streaming service is a different beast, of course. As an analogy, I imagine Apple’s Eddy Cue attempting to herd some very cats. Still, we’re talking about Apple here. They of all companies should be able to bring all sides to the table, no?

Hopefully, we’ll see some real movement on the Apple TV front in the coming weeks or months. While gaming is fine, the Apple TV’s biggest potential is as a full-service video streaming device. On that point, the device has a long way to go.