att.com/directv/experience/watch-directv-app.html
Due to the fact that you cannot physically stay glued to your television throughout the day, mobile streaming has seen a recent surge in popularity. Various platforms, such as NBC, CBS, and DIRECTV have launched apps for users in order to provide them with a TV-like experience on their phone. Whether you have an Android or an iOS device, you can stream TV at your convenience.
Today, we will be reviewing the DIRECTV App. Now as an AT&T user, you would have tons of confusion between DIRECTV, DIRECTV App, and DIRECTV NOW. So just to clear the confusion, here is what you need to know. AT&T took over DIRECTV. Now every other vertical except the DIRECTV app has been replaced by AT&T moniker. So you have AT&T Now which is an internet-based streaming platform and you have AT&T TV which is the direct rebranding of DIRECTV. Itâs just the app thatâs still available on the platform as DIRECTV App.
What is the DIRECTV App?
The DIRECTV App is a premium streaming app that allows you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows on-demand. It accesses over 45,000 movies and TV shows, enables you to stream on up to five devices simultaneously, and does not require any additional cost or data coverage from AT&T wireless.
DIRECTV App - An extraordinary experience
Some features in this app are straight-up fire. For instance, if you want your DVR to record a new program, you can use the app to carry out the following task. You can set your DVR remotely using your device and it will record the content whether you're near it or not. The app allows you to view various programs on your mobile device. You get access to live streams along with on-demand content on your mobile device.
Flexibility is contagious
The DIRECTV appallows you to use your tablet and iPad as a mobile streaming device. It has come a long way in terms of functionality, offering an intuitive touch-based solution that offers comprehensive solutions to your streaming questions. The best part is that the app helps you enjoy entertainment without relying on television or your desktop.
What should you expect from the DIRECTV App?
The apps have evolved significantly over the years. The iOS, Android, and Windows apps are no longer the same. The entire streaming experience has intelligently evolved and has never been so user-interactive. If you're not yet exposed to the digital ways, you're going to find it hard to shake off the rudimentary view-only way to watch content. In 2020, you access content within a couple of clicks, in HD quality, and can even interact with the community.
Recorded Shows
You can watch recorded content on the DIRECTV app using your Android or iOS device. You can customize your playlist and watch it on the go. The 72-hour rewind feature lets you catch up on shows that you missed 2 days ago. Selected channels on the app allow you to consume catch-up content.
Comprehensive streaming
Unlike other streaming services that only provide the latest seasons of select TV shows, DIRECTV provides all seasons of every show on the network. Once you finish watching an episode, the next episode will play within 20 seconds. If you want to watch the content right away, you can tap the play button. The reason why I'm referring to this app as a comprehensive streaming service provider is because it allows you to stream on multiple devices simultaneously. And not just that, you can also make the most of ScreenSwitch - Send the content from your mobile screen to your TV.
DVR Scheduling
You don't have to be home to record your favorite event. Say a huge football match is around the corner, but you're busy with work. All you need to do is use the DIRECTV app and schedule the DVR to record the content when you're not there. Using the iPhone app, you can both view and edit the recordings in one go.
Voice Recognition
Using Siri or Bixby on an iPhone or Samsung smartphone, you can set up voice input and access various functionalities in the app. Using the voice commands, you can playback/record channels from your DVR. Based upon my personal experience, 80-85% of the commands are accurate and you won't face any issues. However, if there's a lot of background noise, then it might be a problem.
On-Demand Content
The availability of on-demand streaming content is a blessing when you are stuck in traffic or during airport routine. Streaming on-demand content helps you kill time and makes you less frustrated. With over 10,000 titles in its on-demand library, your phone has it all. Sure, the streaming won't be pristine with data pack connection but the pixelation and audio breakage is not something you would experience.
DIRECTV App Information
The DirecTV App for Android and iOS is quite different. Android users have a negative opinion of the app, while iOS users seem not to have any more compassion for it. The app has been downloaded by over 10 million users from the Google Play Store and is just under 75 MB. On the other hand, on the App Store, the app size is 206 MB and requires iOS 10 or above for compatibility. This shows that not only the app size but also the features on both these platforms have a vast difference.
How to access DIRECTV App?
Since DIRECTV is a legal application, you don?t have to worry about downloading it from a third-party website. The DIRECTV Application is available on Google Play Store as well as the App Store. Download the application from there and install it on your phone.
Design
The DirectTV App sports a clean and unique interface. The dark theme looks cool and really helps the other elements with blue accents to stand out. The dark background with light gray buttons and blue highlights look amazing. Even the way the entire content has been laid out provides the homepage and inner pages with sufficient breathing room. Thus, at no point in the app, you will feel that the section is cluttered.
App Homepage
There is a drop-down menu towards the left. A search bar at the center, and Chromecast option towards the right. There are various sections and thumbnails for you to choose from. There are two tabs under the search bar where you can choose between 'Watch on Phone?' and 'Watch on TV?' which provide different ways to watch content. Under each section, there are numerous sections filled with thumbnails. There are as many as four thumbnails in each row accompanied by the title, release year, and runtime.
Inner Pages
When I search for Modern Family, I will find a thumbnail followed by all the essential information and two CTA buttons: ?Watch? and ?Record?. Under that is synopsis and details about the cast and crew, as well as remote functionality for DVR use. Finally, there is a section for streaming Live TV on my phone.
Content
The DIRECTV app has an extensive library of content. You can access over 45,000 movies and TV shows and stream them on up to five devices simultaneously. You can also record the content on your DVR. You'll find popular shows along with the latest releases from premium channels such as Cinemax, HBO, Encore, STARZ, and Showtime.
Desktop/Mobile experience
I accessed DIRECTV TV on my iPhone 8 and Google Pixel 3a. I have to admit that my experience with the iOS app was much better than Android. The stark difference between the capabilities of both these apps has translated into a positive user review on App Store and negative user reviews on Android.
Overall, the streaming was steady on both these platforms. However, the iPhone offered a more user-friendly interface and had more personalized options than Android. Additionally, at certain places, the Android app would freeze for a while and crash but that never happened with the iOS app.
Suggestions I have for DIRECTV App
We know that AT&T intends to market the DIRECTV App as the only capable streaming platform on the internet. With AT&T NOW being marketed like this, DIRECTV's days are numbered. In no time, AT&T will transition these existing DIRECTV App users to AT&T NOW, and that'll mark the end of an era.
Conclusion
The DIRECTV app has come a long way and before anyone could hope for it, they cashed in. Nonetheless, AT&T hasn't ruined the experience and is trying to make the content available to audiences in more than one way. So, my suggestion to you would be to enjoy this app while it lasts.