Plex, a popular media player and streaming service, is taking a significant step towards redefining its user experience with a major app redesign. The company has announced that it is starting to test its "newly reimagined Plex experience," which will initially be available on mobile devices and will soon be rolled out to TV platforms.

The new app experience, which has been in development for almost two years, aims to bring all of Plex's features and services into a single, seamless interface. One of the key changes is a redesigned navigation system that clearly distinguishes between media stored on a user's Plex server and the company's streaming and on-demand offerings. The app's bottom bar now features dedicated tabs for media libraries, live TV, and on-demand movies and shows, making it easier for users to access their preferred content.

Another notable feature of the redesigned app is the prominent display of artwork, which adds a visual appeal to the overall user experience. Additionally, the Watchlist feature, which allows users to create a list of content they want to watch, has been given a prominent spot at the top of the app.

Under the hood, Plex has rewritten its apps and unified its codebase, enabling a more consistent experience across platforms. This unified approach will allow the company's development team to collaborate more seamlessly, ensuring that new features, updates, and improvements are available on most platforms from day one.

While the new app experience is still in its preview phase, Plex has assured users that it will continue to support the current app during the transition period. This move is likely a response to the backlash faced by Sonos, which faced criticism for forcing users to upgrade to a new app without providing a seamless transition path. Plex has published a list of features that are not yet available in the preview, including playlists, casting, and watch together, but has promised to push preview updates weekly ahead of the full launch in early 2025.

For users interested in trying out the redesigned Plex apps for Android and iOS, the company has provided instructions on its forums. As the new app experience continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how users respond to the changes and whether Plex can successfully achieve its goal of unifying media consumption.

The implications of Plex's app redesign extend beyond the company itself, as it signals a broader trend towards streamlining media consumption experiences. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, companies like Plex are recognizing the need to provide users with seamless, intuitive interfaces that can accommodate a wide range of content sources and formats. With its unified codebase and redesigned app experience, Plex is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and establish itself as a leader in the media streaming space.