AT&T TV review: lack of polish, no content AT & T's new cord-cutter service

You already need a scorecard to tell all the players in this complicated streaming, cord-cutting era. Launching AT&T TV Monday across the country is not only launching a new player, it is inviting more confusion.

To think, AT&T is no stranger to the TV landscape, given how the UT-poems and directives are under it, as well as the HBO Max streaming service that will arrive in May.

So what is AT&T TV, and is it the latest option to consider cable (or directV) as a cord cutter? Hint: After a few days of testing I was lukewarm, mainly due to technical and navigational snags - and worse, missing material.

AT&T TV combines live play TV with Google Play apps

AT&T considers AT&T to be its new television flagship, a place where all of the company's marketing muscle is pushed, although DirecTV or U-Kavita are never far away.

The new service, a combination of live TV packages and streaming options, gives users access to more than 5,000 apps on the Google Play Store, including HBO Max on Netflix and YouTube TV. You also get a cloud DVR with 500 hours of storage.

Part of the company's pitch is that you can switch between apps and live TVs without changing inputs or holding a separate remote control.

Remote voice-activated, which comes with a thin box that you can connect to the TV, allows you to change channels, find a given program, turn off headers, or give commands to let go of Google Assistant. On smartphones, you can ask for helpers for the weather, reducing stock prices or home lights.

Google's Chromecast is also built-in, allowing you to insert content from your phone, tablet, or computer into a TV.

AT&T TV Price

First year standalone promotional AT&T TV packages per month with a 24 month commitment. Starting at 49.99. You can get the fastest 1-gigabit fiber-based AT&T Internet service for $ 39.99, or $ 10 if you get broadband or wireless from AT&T. As part of the bundle, AT&T Fiber customers can get their own Internet for $ 39.99.

Monthly TV prices reach $ 93 in two years. As is typical with cable, there are tire packages that cost more for additional channels - year one and beyond.

Coronavirus and tech companies: Coronavirus hits tech companies: Google tests employee positive

Meanwhile each additional set-top box costs $ 10 per month to watch TV in the other rooms of the house; Even if you skip AT&T TV, you can still buy the box for $ 120, for example, for Play Store apps.

AT&T TV customers can also view content on their phones and tablets.

The hardware supports 4K, although AT & T's live events are not available when launched in 4K.

Missing Facts

You still pay for subscriptions to Disney +, Netflix, YouTube TV, Showtime, HBO Max and other premium internet services.

Alas, there is a big void in the streaming services available. There is no Amazon Prime, Hulu or Apple TV + before launch, though AT&T said it is in talks with such content providers.

Depending on where you live, some local or sports channels won't even appear.

Yes, football fans will still need to subscribe to Directive for the NFL Sunday Ticket, which does not have its own package of AT&T TV.

Voice and other blink

In addition to the price differences, AT&T has no problem setting up its own broadband provider instead of AT&T TV's own Internet service. I installed my demo AT&T box with broadband from Verizon FiOS.

For the most part, this set went smoothly: connecting an HDMI cable to a TV, selecting the Internet, and AT&T and Google Account credentials to access the Android TV capabilities and the Play Store.

When I started watching TV I blinked in frustration, with some voice remote. For example, when I asked "Yes to run the network", the channel was not found. Instead of saying “yes to play,” it took me there.

I similarly told the remote to "play SNY" and not find the channel again. Never mind that SNY is listed in the program guide or that I can play from there. By voice, I have to ask AT&T TV to "play sports net New York".

I referred these issues to AT&T and they were resolved later.

At another point during my auditions, I was able to record a show I saw live on CNN, but for some reason I couldn't do that on the MSNBC program. That seems to have been resolved too.

I'm happy for the improvements, but still need a polish slap like DVR and overall navigation. For example, it is not entirely clear whether I am committed to recording an entire episode of a show or an entire series. When I stopped recording the show, I decided to re-record it soon, and it wouldn't let me.

I used Voice Remote to start the Spotify playlist, which is fine. I'm still listening to the music, as well as the program guide. When I hit the guide button on the remote to take me there, the music calmed down.

I'm sure AT&T will be around to fill in the missing key; Content contracts are the company’s priority to do this, I was told.

However, I would recommend taking a pass and would love to see services like Amazon Prime and Hulu from your heart.