If you just bought your first Smart TV or you simply had it without paying much attention to the apps, this post will be great for you. And it is that we compiled a series of must-have apps in different categories so you can get the most out of your new television.
First things first: where to download the apps
The apps that we are going to recommend are trusted applications that are downloaded from the TV’s own app store. Therefore, it depends on the operating system that your television has, you will have an app store or another.
In the case of Android TV and Google TV It will be Google Play, which in the case of Google TV does not appear as such, but offers the same tools. If you had some other proprietary operating system from a manufacturer, such as Tizen from Samsung or webOS from LGyou’ll also find an app store, although perhaps more limited than Google’s.
Therefore, it is possible that some of the apps that we show you, unless you have Android TV/Google TV, do not appear. Some well-known streaming playback will appear, but others related to viewing internal files or configuring buttons may not be available in the stores of other operating systems.
To watch DTT even without an antenna
We already said at the beginning that a Smart TV was much more than watching conventional television. However, you may not know that you also have the possibility to watch these channels without having an antenna, something very useful when the antenna fails or you directly don’t have cable. Next, one of the best apps to watch all the channels, and those corresponding to the big television networks.
Tivify
One of the best methods to watch DTT without an antenna is to use applications like this one from Tivify. Offers a very simple interface in which we can easily scroll through all the channels and even see their programming. In addition, they often add other free thematic channels.
Tivify
ATRESplayer
If you want to see the Atresmedia channels or content, this is the app that brings them together. It is the official of the corporation and it also offers premium content with series as popular as Veneno or the acclaimed reunion of FoQ.
ATRESplayer: Series and news
My TV
In this case we find the Mediaset official platform. Like that of Astresmedia, in this you can see all the content of the corporation on demand and also see the live broadcasts of Telecinco, Cuatro, Divinity, FDF and company.
Mitele – TV on demand
RTVE Play
Finally, as far as television media apps are concerned, we find the Spanish Radio Television app in which, as you may have imagined, you will be able to see all the public television channels live. They also offer à la carte content, from being able to watch a repeat of the Newscast to now-mythical series like Cuéntame or El Ministerio del Tiempo.
RTVE Play
The classic video and music streaming apps
Another list of applications that cannot be missing from your new TV are the streaming apps More popular. From the well-known YouTube for video, to an app with which to play a podcast, going through official applications of the most popular music platforms.
Amazon Prime Video
If you are an Amazon Prime customer, you will have the subscription to your television service included. With a ever expanding catalogyou will find Amazon’s own production content, but also classic Spanish television series and movies.
Amazon Prime Video
AppleTV
Although it is true that it is not yet on all televisions, the application in which you can see the content of Apple TV + does not stop spreading. In it you will find exclusive apple content like the acclaimed series Ted Lasso or Separation and movies like Greyhound.
AppleTV
Disney+
apart from having all classic Disney content, on Disney+ you will also find Marvel and Star Wars movies. Even legacy FOX series like The Simpsons. All this with a very careful interface that allows children’s content to be separated from adult content.
Disney+
hbo max
From the already historic Game of Thrones and its spin-offs to the surprising Succession. In HBO Max you will find all the content with HBO’s own labelas well as other mythical ones like Friends.
HBO Max: Stream TV & Movies
Netflix
There is little to say about what has been the great promoter of streaming platforms. netflix offers great international titles exclusively like El Juego del Calamar or more patriotic like La Casa de Papel.
Netflix
pluto tv
A platform that adds completely free thematic channels and accessible just by opening the application. As for categories, humor, cooking or cartoons stand out. However, there are also other channels that are even dedicated to broadcasting a series for 24 hours. They also have a wide variety of content to enjoy à la carte.
Pluto TV – Movies and series
Owned by Amazon, the most popular live video platform can’t stay out of your TV. Enjoy with this application all kinds of streams. Video games, interviews, talks and much more.
Youtube
Still the world’s leading video platform needs no introduction. YouTube works just as well on TVs as it does on mobileallowing access to all the content of the platform and synchronizing the data with that of your Google account.
Spotify
If you want to listen to music, even without a subscription, Spotify will allow you to access a wide catalog of songs of all time, with personalized playlists and more. Besides, its podcast section is standing out a lot in recent times.
Spotify: music and podcasts
Other essential apps for your TV
In another field of applications we can find interesting tools with which customize the system or find extra features to which they are included as standard. There is even one that will help you find shortcuts on the TV remote itself.
Google TV Home
If you have a TV with Android TV, you can change the aspect to one equal to that of Google TV with this Launcher. Although it is true that it still lacks small details typical of Google TV, it incorporates them little by little to make the experience very similar.
Google TV Home
Notifications for Android TV
This is an app that, as its name suggests, will allow you to see all mobile notifications and without touching it. In addition to allowing you to customize where, how and what notifications you want to receive on the TV screen, it also includes a control center where you can see all the pending ones.
Notifications for Android TV
FX File Explorer
This app is a complete file manager for Android TV and Google TV. It allows access to all the internal folders of the television, being able to better manage the installation of APKs external to Google Play, as well as multimedia files such as photos and videos.
FX File Explore
Button Mapper
You probably have a controller with so many buttons that you can’t even take advantage of all of them. This app allows you create shortcuts on the buttons of the controller. Very useful to open applications, but also to perform other tasks such as taking a screenshot, seeing the time or accessing settings.
Button Mapper: Remap your keys
Kodi
This application offers a great media center for your videos and music stored locally or as a server. It also allows the import of m3u lists.