7 Smart TV apps every viewer should check out

This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated now

There are a wide range of smart TV applications, which is dazzling. Today, it’s easy to buy an affordable smart TV, but only with the right app installed can you make the most of its value and get what you want.

The TV's built-in operating system can access most of the content you want, but the experience may not be smooth enough. The Sony Android TV app is different from the Samsung TV app. The following apps are compatible with Apple TV or Android TV, both of which work with any TV with HDMI port. Once the hardware is ready, the key to choosing the best smart TV app is to choose the type of content you want to watch.

Plex

Plex is like Netflix for your personal video collection. It organizes the movies and shows you have (whether they are stored on a computer or in the cloud) and casts them onto your smart TV. You just need to make sure that the TV and media storage locations are connected to the same wireless network.

Even if you don't have a lot of collections, Plex's partnership with companies like Lionsgate and Legend Entertainment means it has thousands of on-demand movies and shows. It also works with Tidal, so you can use it to listen to music as well.

The many advantages of the Plex app make it ideal for viewing on large screens, including a smooth and stable interface, the ability to continue broadcasting in any video, simple library management, and the option to automatically download pictures and metadata from the network.

If you purchase the premium version (called Plex Pass), you can sync your videos to your phone or tablet in addition to your TV. In addition, it allows you to stream computer to TV, including live online TV and stored videos.

Plex is available for Apple TV and Android TV for free, with Plex Pass $5 per month or $40 per year.

AccuWeather

Install AccuWeather on your TV and enjoy a full-screen weather forecast. It provides all the temperature information you need throughout the day and week without the need for weather announcers to interfere.

While the rain cloud symbol does not necessarily require a larger space on the TV screen, some of AccuWeather's features, including animated radar maps and detailed forecast charts, do benefit from the extra space. The app also offers video forecasts and weather reports, which can be better for viewing on the big screen.

The basic version is free, but if the weather is important to you, consider subscribing to AccuWeather Premium for more historical data, longer-term forecasts and more detailed radar information.

AccuWeather is available for Apple TV and Android TV for free, AccuWeather Premium is $8 per month or $80 per year.

Kitchen Stories

If you put a TV near the food preparation area, then the cooking guide Kitchen Stories is definitely worth downloading. Unlike some other recipe apps that work best on smartphones or computer displays, this app also scales well on large-screen TVs.

The app uses a large number of clear high-resolution photos and video clips to illustrate its recipes, which look great on the big screen, allowing you to keep up with the steps when you are hands-on with the ingredients. In addition to recipes, Kitchen Stories also offers a large number of instructional videos that you can use to improve your cooking skills.

Kitchen Stories is available for Apple TV and Android TV for free.

News360

If you don't want to watch cable news but prefer to view the latest updates in video format, check out News360. It brings together the latest edits from sources such as Reuters, The Guardian, The Washington Post, etc. The app also excels in personalized news, focusing on what is important to you, evaluating the types of topics and stories you like in order to provide you with better recommendations.

On the spacious screen of the smart TV, you can use simple controls to display, browse and queue up news videos. You can search by category, or jump directly to the headlines. News360 also contains text articles, and for your TV it summarizes them into large bold text for display on a large screen.

News360 is available for Android TV and is available for free.

Daily Workouts

Of course, you can find a large number of exercise and training apps for your phone. But when you bend over or do a bobby jump, you don't want to twist your neck to look at the screen. So, download Daily Workouts for your smart TV instead.

In general, Daily Workouts is one of the best fitness apps. The video demonstrates over 100 different exercises, which the app can combine into a full-body exercise routine that lasts from 5 to 30 minutes. However, what it really shines on a smart TV is that it can zoom in to a larger display so that its virtual coach can perform sample sessions on the big screen. This allows you to focus on posing in the right posture to feel the burning feeling.

The free version will offer three full-body exercise routines that last 10, 20 or 30 minutes, as well as 10 shorter options that last 5 to 10 minutes. For $20 to buy the Pro version, you will get three additional long-term programs and 39 short-term programs, as well as the ability to build a custom exercise routine.

Daily Workouts is available for Apple TV and Android TV for free, and Daily Workouts Pro costs $20.

Netflix

Video streaming giant Netflix is ​​the perfect example of how an app works seamlessly across multiple platforms and devices. When you switch from TV to phone, to a web browser, and then switch back, it remembers your preferences and retains your place in all your favorite shows.

While it's convenient to watch Netflix on your phone, these videos don't look ideal on a small screen. However, on a smart TV, you can enjoy your favorite movies and shows on the big screen.

The app itself is free, but you won't be able to watch anything unless you subscribe. The cheapest, most basic plan is $9 per month, but you won't be able to watch 4K movies and shows at its full resolution. To do this, you must upgrade to the premium plan of $16 per month. If you have a TV that supports this resolution, it might be worth it to pay a little extra for a clearer picture.

Netflix is ​​available for Apple TV and Android TV.

Alto’s Odyssey is available for Apple TV, priced at 99 cents; for Android TV, available for free.

Asphalt 9: Legends

If you are looking for more exciting games to play on your TV screen, we recommend the racing game Asphalt 9: Legends. It is the perfect combination of an exciting supercar and a gorgeous track in a variety of landscapes. As you move forward in the game, you can upgrade your car, unlock new tracks, fight online with other players, and quickly complete different types of challenges, including a clever "gate drift" mode.

On actual TV, beautiful graphics and realistic sound effects are much better than on smartphones. This makes the gameplay particularly fascinating, although it can be almost kept in the addictive aspect of fun. It's almost enough to make you question whether you really need next-generation consoles like the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5.

Asphalt 9: Legends is available for Apple TV and Android TV for free, and in-game purchases can be used to upgrade cars and speed up progress.

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