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Another alternative is to just turn on Automatically Update Apps temporarily. You can do this by going to Settings > Apps and turning on Automatically Update Apps. This may not update your apps immediately. I would also recommend turning this on when your Apple TV will be idle. After all, you don’t want HBO NOW to be pausing every 5 seconds when you’re watching the Game of Thrones season premier.
Deleting Apple TV 4 Apps
Apple provides two easy ways to delete apps from Apple TV. Apps can be deleted directly from the home screen. You can also delete apps from a list provided in Settings. Deleting an app will remove the app and all of its data. If you made any in-app purchases, these can usually be restored if you re-install the app. Also, any app that you purchased can be reinstalled later without paying again. The only exception is that if Apple decides to remove an app from the App Store, you will be unable to re-install it, even if you paid for it.
Deleting apps from the home screen is recommended if you only need to uninstall a few apps. Select the app you wish to delete and click and hold the touchpad until it wiggles. Next, tap the play/pause button to delete the app. You will be prompted to confirm. The app and its data will be removed after affirming its deletion.
You can also delete apps from Settings. Simply go to Settings > General > Manage Storage. You will see a list of apps ordered by size. This is convenient if you need to free up space on your Apple TV. Click on the trash can icon to remove the app. Confirm removal of the app to delete it.
Avoiding “Lemon” Apps
Not all apps are created equal. With the advent of the App Store, “mom and pop” developers are able to create and sell apps. Some of these apps are amazing and others are awful. Price has nothing to do with quality. I have seen some of the worst apps ever selling for $9.99 or more. It’s a trick, because so many people believe price correlates with quality.
Don’t fall for the Editor’s Choice label. I bought a game that was the Editor’s Choice and it is unplayable. It is a racing game, however, it uses the touchpad to control steering, instead of tilting the remote. How could an App Store “editor” recommend a racing game with ham-fisted controls? The term “editor” doesn’t even make sense. They are curators who either don’t play games or are being inappropriately influenced to make recommendations.
The best games tend to be free, with in-app purchases. These are usually created by major game studios, such as Gameloft, EA and Rovio. They know you will love the game and spend money on in-app purchases. I am weary of any game that must be purchased before you can even play it. It may look great, get rave reviews and maybe even be an “Editor’s Choice”. This doesn’t guarantee that the app is any good. (continue…)
