WarnerMedia has quietly begun rolling out a new HBO Max update that fixes performance issues the app had on Apple TV devices while adding new features.
According to Variety, the update will hit Apple TVs and Apple TV 4K boxes later this week and next. Internet users have been complaining about their HBO Max app not opening on their Apple TV devices.
New Features
The new operating system appears to be largely unchanged from the previous version. The few changes include a more intuitive login/registration page, a new home page with a scrolling banner, and a "Binge Mode" that allows you to skip the end credits.
There's also a new My Stuff feature to help people better manage their watchlists. Redditors Astute on the HBO Max Subreddit found more changes. One user commented that automatic previews can now be turned off and items can be removed from the Continue Watching section.
Another noted that there are new animations in the app. And another person mentions that HBO Max on Android, PlayStation, and Tizen platforms also has the update, but with a slightly different user interface.
Want to watch HBO Max outside of the US on your device? Install a VPN for Apple TV.
Cut corners of development
Prior to these changes, the official solution (opens in a new tab) was to force close the app and restart it, or to uninstall and then reinstall HBO Max. But now the app seems to be much more stable and better able to start properly.
The problem seems to have been caused by the development of the application. WarnerMedia Executive Vice President Sarah Lyons revealed to Variety that the company took shortcuts by using the existing HBO Go and HBO Now apps to create the new software to speed up the launch.
However, these older applications were not designed to host a larger library or be used internationally, leading to implementation issues. Lyons admits that she knew they would eventually have to fix the incompatibility, or "reform the platform," as she put it.
Once the rollout is complete, WarnerMedia will release a new version of the app for Amazon's Fire TV and will enhance HBO Max on the web. The Fire TV version has been reported to be very slow, while the web version has connection issues.