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HBO Max App Update for Apple TV Brings Back Native Video Player

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HBO Max has updated its Apple TV app to fix problems with its video playback interface that came to the fore last week following its introduction of a custom video player.

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The new update reinstates the native tvOS video player UI, which means users should no longer face the issues with fast-forwarding and rewinding video that the custom player was seemingly responsible for.

"We just released an update to our ‌Apple TV‌ app, restoring the native tvOS video playback experience you know and love, with more improvements to come," HBO Max announced in a tweet. "Ensuring HBO Max viewers have a quality experience is our top priority and we missed the mark here. Thank you for your patience."

As pointed out by The Verge, some users on the HBO Max subreddit are still reporting some other issues to do with subtitles and thumbnail previews after updating, but the general consensus is that reverting to the native video player interface has made the app a lot more responsive to ‌Apple TV‌ Siri Remote inputs.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Tag: HBO Max
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Top Rated Comments

M
Muzzakus
66 months ago
The biggest sin on ATV is Apple not enforcing their design guidelines.

Everything started great. Consistency across all media apps, smooth, fast and responsive.

Now it’s turned into a $10 Chinese android stick experience with all manner of web based apps. And jesus wept are they clunky, especially with the swipe remote.

The damn platform is a disgrace.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
shapesinaframe
66 months ago

I do not understand why those companies even bother to invest money to come up with their own player interface when Apple gives them a finished product right there that people are already used to instead of having to deal with customer complains and wasted money.
My guess: Probably something to do with being able to track user behaviour in-app.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
contacos
66 months ago
I do not understand why those companies even bother to invest money to come up with their own player interface when Apple gives them a finished product right there that people are already used to instead of having to deal with customer complains and wasted money.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
briko Avatar
briko
66 months ago
Thank goodness for that!

I was watching the new Conjuring movie, and I thought a ghost was playing with my Apple TV remote. It’s like the scrubber had a mind of its own. 👻
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kugino Avatar
kugino
66 months ago
companies want to show off...make their products look distinct and promote their "brand"...works if it works...when it doesnʻt, they look so stupid. hbomax rightly admitted their sins and fixed it...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Royksöpp Avatar
Royksöpp
66 months ago
Thank god. What a disaster.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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