Plex’s ‘new expertise’ arrives: 6 issues to know earlier than updating

Almost six months after first saying its “new expertise,” Plex is rolling out the promised top-to-bottom revamp of its cellular app to all customers, and sure, large modifications are in retailer. 

I’ve already lined many of the large beauty modifications, together with the substitute of the “hamburger” navigation within the prime nook of the app with a row of 5 tabs on the backside of the display screen, together with devoted tabs for Libraries and Reside TV. 

The title particulars screens for films and TV reveals have additionally been spruced up, together with using title graphics from the content material suppliers “the place out there.” I’ve been cruising via the reveals and flicks in my very own private Plex library, and I’ve seen that each one however essentially the most obscure gadgets now boast title graphics. That’s a pleasant change from the textual content titles within the previous Plex app. 

However whereas Plex’s “new expertise” for Android and iOS customers (Apple TV and different platforms are coming later) definitely appears extra polished and affords dozens of enhancements, there are additionally some tough edges that can hassle longtime Plex customers, together with just a few options which were unceremoniously dropped. 

Plex’s “new expertise” revamp is serving as a backdrop to a different large change, with Plex about to maneuver distant private media streaming behind its Plex Move paywall. That new coverage is ready to take impact on April 29, the identical date when a steep Plex Move worth hike takes impact.

It’s value noting that the so-called “new” Plex expertise is now the solely Plex expertise, not less than for cellular. A Plex rep has confirmed to me that after you replace the Plex cellular app to the brand new model, there’s no going again.

Listed below are just some issues you must know earlier than updating the Plex app to the “new expertise,” beginning with… 

AirPlay casting is restricted to display screen mirroring for now 

In the event you’re an iOS person who’s accustomed to casting your Plex reveals to an Apple TV or one other AirPlay-compatible system, unhealthy information: for now, the up to date Plex cellular app affords system-level display screen mirroring, not native AirPlay casting. 

Meaning if you wish to solid Plex movies to a different system with out merely sharing your display screen, you’ll have to take action by way of Chromecast. 

Plex says it would “proceed bringing in additional casting performance” over the “coming months.” 

You may’t solid stay TV but

Even in case you are casting on Plex utilizing Chromecast, you gained’t be capable to solid stay TV out of your Plex Media Server utilizing the “new expertise” cellular app. 

Fortunately, this appears like only a short-term restriction, with Plex noting that it’s “actively engaged on casting enhancements, together with resolving this problem.” 

You may’t schedule DVR recordings but

In the event you’re utilizing Plex as a DVR, you possibly can nonetheless watch recorded reveals and report in-progress reveals from the up to date Plex cellular app, however you possibly can’t schedule future DVR recordings—not but, anyway. (You may, in fact, nonetheless schedule DVR recordings utilizing the Plex internet consumer.)

Once more, Plex says it’s engaged on it: “Scheduling is meant to be a part of the cellular expertise and we’re working as you learn this on ensuring this shall be out there quickly.” 

“Watch Collectively” performance is gone 

Plex had beforehand introduced that its “Watch Collectively” characteristic, which permits Plex customers to hitch watch events with pals, could be going away with the “new expertise” replace, however it’s value repeating right here. 

In the event you actually wish to stream Plex movies with pals, you possibly can nonetheless achieve this utilizing the Plex internet app, and Plex has additionally mentioned that it doesn’t “preclude the potential for providing related performance once more sooner or later, utilizing new tooling.” 

You may’t share particular person Plex gadgets anymore 

With the arrival of its new cellular expertise, Plex is dropping the flexibility for private server customers to share particular person titles and video playlists with others. 

Plex Media Server customers will nonetheless be capable to share total libraries with family and friends (don’t overlook, distant streaming of your private Plex library is about to turn into a paid characteristic), and any particular person gadgets you’ve beforehand shared will stay so, Plex mentioned. Nevertheless, you gained’t be capable to share any new particular person recordsdata or playlists. 

With the brand new Plex expertise for cellular taking out the left-hand sidebar on the previous app comes an apparent facet impact: You may not pin particular libraries to the now-missing sidebar. 

That mentioned, the revamped Plex app affords a useful workaround: Simply long-press the Libraries tab on the backside of the display screen. While you do, you’ll get a pop-up that shows your favourite media libraries. Faucet one in all them, and also you’re good to go.