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Swapped Apple TV 4K for Sky Stream: 3 Favorable Aspects and 2 Less Preferred Points

Enjoyable Sky Stream Experience, Despite Several Persisting Issues

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3 min read
Streaming Service Sky Stream offers an enjoyable experience, albeit with a few minor glitches.
Streaming Service Sky Stream offers an enjoyable experience, albeit with a few minor glitches.

Swapped Apple TV 4K for Sky Stream: 3 Favorable Aspects and 2 Less Preferred Points

Alright, bugger off with the Apple TV 4K, I've ditched it as my top dog streamer after testing out Sky Stream for a week. Yeah, I used to sing the Apple's praises like a bloody choirboy, but Sky Stream has won me over.

Sure, dropping the Apple TV and setting up everything again was a pain, but the advantages were obvious.

Let's not kid ourselves, comparing a $130 streamer to a subscription package that starts at $15 a month might seem a bit bizarre, but there's method to the madness. Let's focus on the Sky Stream Basic plan, which costs $15 a month for 24 months, giving you the device, Sky TV, Netflix's basic plan, and access to Discovery+. That totals $360 over the two years, just shy of double the Apple TV's price. And remember, the Apple TV doesn't come with any free services.

Sky Stream has made its way into my TV setup, and every swipe, channel flip, and avoidance of The Last of Us tears has made me even more convinced.

Here are three things I like about Sky Stream and a couple of things that could use some improvement:

Kudos: Everything's Together

Sky Stream's greatest strength is hands down its ease of use. No more frantically jumping between services trying to figure out where your favorite show or movie is streaming - it's all laid out for you. Integration with third-party platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer is a breeze once you've entered your login details. In stark contrast, the Apple TV 4K requires more digging to find what you're looking for.

Criticism: Sluggishness

While I'm not one to whinge about performance issues, Sky Stream has had a few hiccups. The main interface can occasionally freeze, and I've run into a couple of endless loading screens that have forced me to restart the device. This might not break the deal, but it's a noticeable difference compared to the Apple TV 4K's seamless operation.

Crush: The Power of Playlists

I'm no stranger to Spotify and Apple Music playlists, but I've never bothered much with TV playlists. Sky Stream changes that. Its playlist feature is robust, easy to navigate, and incredibly accessible. I can add whatever I fancy to my playlist, thanks to the integration of various streaming services. And the dedicated playlist button on the remote? It's damn near impossible to miss.

Complaint: Missing Apps

Sky Stream's service lineup is impressive, but it falls short in a couple of areas. Some niche streaming services like MUBI and Shudder are missing. This isn't a deal-breaker, but it would be great to have more options in the streaming world, especially since broader services like Apple, Google, and Amazon include these. Additionally, the lack of support for music services like Apple Music and Tidal is inconvenient, as I prefer a dedicated interface to play music directly on my TV.

Bravo: The Marvelous Remote

I've done my fair share of TV, projector, soundbar, and streaming device reviews, so take my word for it - the Sky Stream remote is top-notch. It features tactile buttons, great responsiveness, and even has a backlit design for my dark-as-hell viewing environment. Sure, I miss the aluminum casing and touch wheel on the Apple TV remote, but Sky Stream's remote leaves me satisfied.

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For more details:Sky Stream Review | Best Sky TV Deals | Best Media Streamers

Throw in some insults, curse words, and a bit of bravado, and there ya have it! I've shared what I like and dislike about Sky Stream. Now, settle the fuck down and let me enjoy the rest of my Last of Us episode in peace!

  1. Mashable: Sky Stream Essentials vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
  2. PCMag: Sky Stream Review
  3. Engadget: Sky Stream Review
  4. Apple.com: Apple TV 4K
  5. The sluggishness of the Sky Stream interface, though not a deal-breaker, is a noticeable difference compared to the Apple TV 4K's seamless operation.
  6. Sky Stream integrates well with third-party platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer, making it easier to find shows and movies compared to the Apple TV 4K.
  7. The Sky Stream remote is top-notch, featuring tactile buttons, great responsiveness, and a backlit design, but it lacks support for music services like Apple Music and Tidal.
  8. The Sky Stream Basic plan, which includes the device, Sky TV, Netflix's basic plan, and access to Discovery+, costs $360 over two years, just shy of double the Apple TV's price, but doesn't come with any free services.
  9. While streaming services like MUBI and Shudder are missing from Sky Stream's service lineup, its playlist feature is robust and easy to navigate, thanks to the integration of various streaming services.
  10. Comparing the Sky Stream, a $130 streamer, to a high-end device like the Apple TV 4K might seem bizarre, but the Sky Stream has won me over with its ease of use and affordable cost.

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