This week on TechHive: Why there’s still no perfect menu system for streaming

If you’re shopping for a streaming TV device this year, your hardware options just keep getting better. These days you can ditch the TV remote, watch 4K HDR video on the cheap, control your entertainment center with no hands, and use ever-faster processors to tear through streaming apps.

But despite those meaningful hardware improvements, little has changed on the software side, where the core task of looking for things to watch remains a confounding design problem. No device maker, from Roku to Apple, has devised the ideal interface for streaming video.

It’s not for lack of trying. Between Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Chromecast, we’ve seen a lot of different approaches to connecting people with content. Yet so far, none of them have gotten it quite right. And that’s in large part because of a messy conflict between apps and aggregation. Read the full column on TechHive.

Weekly Rewind

Roku revamp for Playstation Vue: At last, the Roku version of PlayStation Vue is no longer a second-class citizen. The app’s latest update brings it up to par with other platforms, with a grid-based channel guide, background video playback while you browse, and a more modern design overall.

PlayStation Vue is still my favorite streaming bundle, thanks to its excellent streaming quality, straightforward interface, and broad selection of channels. But I’ve heard from plenty of readers who’ve either avoided it or bought a different streaming device due to the subpar Roku app. Finally, that’s no longer an issue.

YouTube TV’s new TV apps: Speaking of streaming bundles, you no longer need a Chromecast or Apple TV AirPlay to watch YouTube TV on a television. The $35 per month streaming bundle now offers apps for Android TV devices (such as the Nvidia Shield TV) and Xbox One. A proper Apple TV app is also coming soon.

I’ll be playing with this more over the next week, but my snap impression is that the TV app is a bit plainer than YouTube TV’s mobile versions. Hitting search button doesn’t unfurl the same options to browse by genre and category, and the Android TV app doesn’t support any system-level features such as universal search. Still, it’s a fine first step toward broadening YouTube TV’s appeal.

More Catch-Up

Read this brutal takedown of ESPN’s business outlook.
Traditional TV lost 1 million subscribers last quarter.
OTA network MeTV is now streaming classic TV shows on its website.
You can listen to Amazon Music on Chromecast now.

Save More Money

The 2017 Roku Streaming Stick by far the best budget streamer on the market today. It’s simple to use, speedy for its size, and has convenient TV volume and power buttons built into the remote. Amazon and other major retailers are currently selling it for $40, which is $10 off the regular price.

Thanks for reading!

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Until next week,
Jared