Channel flipping: Alternative Plex clients for tvOS, iOS, macOS

appleinsider.com Nov 12, 2026

Channel flipping: Alternative Plex clients for tvOS, iOS, macOS

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 12, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Users of Plex servers can bypass the Plex client by installing third‑party applications that run on tvOS, iOS, macOS and other platforms. The article notes recurring complaints about the native app, such as an October beta that failed to play 4K Dolby Vision MKV files, prompting many subscribers to look for leaner alternatives. Third‑party clients like Plezy and Rivulet offer faster, less cluttered interfaces, broader codec support and, in some cases, access to features normally locked behind Plex’s paid tier. Because they are not tied to a single ecosystem, these apps can also aggregate libraries from Jellyfin or Emby and handle several servers simultaneously. Most are inexpensive or open‑source, giving Plex owners a way to improve playback reliability without changing their server subscription.

💡 Why It Matters

· Alternative clients let users sidestep buggy official updates and unlock premium‑grade playback without extra fees.

Read full article on appleinsider.com

Screens 5.10 adds two highly-requested remote desktop features

Screens released version 5.10, adding remote Mac audio and automatic desktop resizing powered by Apple’s High Performance Screen Sharing. The update lets users hear sound from a connected Mac and automatically adjusts the remote view when rotating iPhone or iPad, changing multitasking layouts, or resizing windows on Mac and Vision Pro. HEVC streaming enhances video quality, while a new Metal‑based renderer boosts performance across Windows, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. Additional UI tweaks include a Liquid Glass carousel and floating toolbar improvements. Screens 5.10 is free on the App Store, with subscriptions starting at $4.99/month.

💡 By enabling audio and adaptive resizing, Screens turns remote work into a more seamless, mobile‑friendly experience, reducing friction for users who switch devices mid‑session. The performance upgrades also broaden the app’s appeal to non‑Apple platforms, expanding its market reach.

techcrunch.com · Nov 9

Medium’s new TK app brings AI assistance directly into the writing process

Medium launched TK, an AI‑powered writing app that embeds a chatbot directly into its editor. Users invoke the assistant by typing “@TK” followed by a prompt, allowing the model to answer factual queries, retrieve saved snippets, and offer editorial suggestions such as headline tweaks or style‑guide compliance. The name references the publishing placeholder “TK” (“to come”), signaling the tool’s role in filling gaps. Medium positions TK as a free add‑on for account holders, available on the web with a desktop version planned, supporting Markdown import/export and collaborative access controls. The rollout arrives amid industry debate over AI‑generated prose, and the platform includes a transparency feature for authors to disclose how the assistant was used in each published article for accountability.

💡 Embedding AI at the drafting stage forces writers to confront authorship boundaries, making the tool a litmus test for future publishing standards.

windowslatest.com · Nov 8

Microsoft built a native WinUI Registry Editor that makes Windows 11’s regedit…

Windows Latest discovered a native WinUI 3 version of the Registry Editor in Microsoft’s open‑source Microsoft.UI.Reactor repository, compiled it, and ran it on a Windows 11 PC. The sample app reads the actual Windows Registry and retains the classic two‑pane layout while applying modern WinUI controls, fluid animations, and a Mica backdrop. Built with Reactor—a C# framework that brings the Model‑View‑Update pattern to WinUI—the editor replaces XAML with React‑style hooks such as UseState and UseEffect, yet performs real read/write operations via Microsoft.Win32 APIs. On build 26340.9882 the app launched quickly, displayed a brief “Loading…” placeholder for large hives, and handled permissions gracefully. Microsoft has only hinted at a registry editor in an October blog post and has not announced any plan to replace the legacy regedit in Windows 11.

💡 It demonstrates that Microsoft’s experimental Reactor framework can modernize core system tools without sacrificing functionality, hinting at a future where legacy utilities get refreshed UI while staying fully native.

techcrunch.com · Nov 8

Apps to distract you from the endless cycle of doomscrolling

A new roundup highlights several mobile apps designed to break the habit of doomscrolling, the compulsive consumption of negative social‑media content that 64 % of Americans admit to doing. The list includes Finch, a virtual‑pet self‑care app that rewards daily wellness tasks; Libby, which turns library cards into free access to ebooks and audiobooks; Dudel Draw, a daily drawing challenge that encourages creativity; Radio Garden, which streams over 25,000 live radio stations worldwide; Elevate, a brain‑training suite with games for focus, memory and math; and Vocabulary, a word‑learning tool with customizable difficulty and mini‑games. All apps are free on iOS and Android, with optional paid tiers for ad‑free or expanded content, offering users brief, purposeful alternatives to endless scrolling.

💡 By swapping mindless feeds for structured micro‑activities, these apps give users a concrete way to reclaim attention and improve mental well‑being in moments when they would otherwise scroll.

windowslatest.com · Nov 8

Microsoft is begging you to ditch Outlook Classic, and now it’s handing…

Microsoft has added a Rewards‑based incentive to its New Outlook client on Windows 11, offering points to users who switch from Outlook Classic. After the latest update, a Rewards icon appears in the title bar; clicking it opens the “Explore on Outlook” pane where daily tasks grant points. The initial tasks – opening automatic‑reply settings, viewing the Microsoft 365 pricing page, and searching “boost your Outlook efficiency” on Bing – each awarded ten points, totaling 30 points for minimal effort. Microsoft says the program encourages quick auto‑reply setup and familiarizes users with New Outlook features. The company also announced upcoming faster‑search integration for Classic Outlook, while New Outlook still lacks full PST support and local caching, prompting mixed reactions from enterprise users worldwide today.

💡 By gamifying the migration, Microsoft turns a reluctant upgrade into a low‑effort loyalty program, accelerating adoption of its cloud‑first email stack.

9to5google.com · Nov 8

Google Messages homepage redesign: Pinned chat avatars, bottom search, corner Gemini

Google Messages for Android is testing a major homepage redesign in its beta channel. The new layout lifts pinned chat avatars into a large banner above the conversation list, pushing other threads down and removing preview text. Search and new‑chat functions move to a centered floating‑action button that expands into a pill‑shaped control while scrolling, improving one‑handed access. The Gemini shortcut is replaced by a compact icon in the top‑right corner beside the profile picture, mirroring Workspace app design. Elements are being rolled out piecemeal, with some testers seeing all changes and others only a subset. The redesign also updates the app icon and retains the existing background layer for branding and account menu. Early feedback suggests users appreciate the visual hierarchy and navigation.

💡 By mimicking iMessage’s pinned‑chat banner and consolidating controls, Google aims to make Messages feel more native on Android and boost engagement on smaller screens.