As of today, you can actually buy one, though availability is currently limited to Currys (Get here)<\/a> \u2013 John Lewis and Amazon are expected to stock the device soon, but haven\u2019t listed it yet.<\/p>\n The Freely box market has now gone from zero standalone devices to real competition within just a few months, and the Aero\u2019s arrival adds serious pressure on both the Pleio<\/a> and the upcoming Humax Aura EZ<\/a>.<\/p>\n While I haven\u2019t done an in-depth review of the Aero yet \u2013 here\u2019s everything we know about it so far.<\/p>\n The Freely Box Market Arrives <\/p>\n When Freely launched in April 2024<\/a>, it was exclusive to brand new smart TVs. If you wanted Freely, you needed to replace your entire television.<\/p>\n That frustrated millions of viewers with perfectly good TVs who were curious about Freely \u2013 Everyone TV\u2019s streaming platform designed to eventually replace traditional Freeview<\/a> by delivering live channels and catch-up content entirely through broadband \u2013 but weren\u2019t ready to spend hundreds of pounds on new hardware just to try it.<\/p>\n The Netgem Pleio changed that in November 2025<\/a>, launching as the first standalone Freely box at \u00a399. It sold out within hours, then increased to \u00a3119.88 in January before dropping to \u00a3109.89 last week<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Humax Aura EZ 4K Freely Recorder appeared on Richer Sounds\u2019 website yesterday, priced at \u00a3249 for a 2TB model combining Freely streaming with traditional Freeview recording.<\/p>\n And now the Manhattan Aero arrives at \u00a369.99 \u2013 the most affordable way (for now, at least) to get Freely on any existing TV.<\/p>\n What Is The Manhattan Aero? <\/p>\n As with the other Freely devices, the Aero delivers 60+ live Freely channels \u2013 BBC, ITV, Channel 4, 5, and dozens more \u2013 plus over 75,000 hours of on-demand content from the major broadcasters\u2019 catch-up services.<\/p>\n All accessible without an aerial<\/a> or satellite dish, everything streamed through your broadband connection.<\/p>\n The device supports 4K output, includes voice control through the remote, and features both WiFi 6 and Ethernet connectivity. That wired connection option addresses one of the common complaints about the WiFi-only Netgem Pleio.<\/p>\n Setup is straightforward: connect the Aero to your TV via HDMI (cable included), plug in power, connect to your broadband, and you\u2019re watching Freely channels within minutes.<\/p>\n The box itself is compact (though not as tiny as the Pleio) \u2013 96mm x 96mm x 26mm \u2013 and weighs just 190g.<\/p>\n It\u2019s designed to sit discreetly near your TV without drawing attention, powered by a quad-core processor that Manhattan and TiVo claim delivers very responsive performance.<\/p>\n In a brief demonstration I was given, the interface looked quite snappy. Channel switching in particular appeared noticeably faster than the Pleio, where switching takes 3-4 seconds \u2013 though we\u2019ll need to wait for a full review under real-world conditions to see if that performance holds up over time.<\/p>\n The full specs reveal a well-equipped device for the price point: HDMI 2.1, USB Type-C, Ethernet, WiFi 6, Bluetooth, Dolby Audio with Dolby Atmos passthrough, 7-day electronic programme guide, parental controls, subtitles, audio description, and Google Cast screen mirroring.<\/p>\n Power consumption is 10W in use, 0.3W in standby. You get a 2-year manufacturer\u2019s guarantee, and the box includes the remote, batteries, HDMI cable, and power adapter.<\/p>\n The TiVo OS Trade-Offs <\/p>\n The Aero marks a major departure from Manhattan\u2019s recent devices \u2013 it runs someone else\u2019s software entirely.<\/p>\n Manhattan TV has been manufacturing Freeview and Freesat devices in Britain for over 30 years. Their T4-R Freeview recorder<\/a> and T4 Freeview Play box<\/a> both run Manhattan\u2019s own custom operating system, giving them complete control over the user experience whilst keeping costs down.<\/p>\n The Aero runs TiVo OS instead. By licensing TiVo\u2019s platform, Manhattan gains instant access to a mature streaming system with built-in support for major services alongside Freely\u2019s live TV integration.<\/p>\n TiVo achieved Freely certification<\/a> from Everyone TV just last month, specifically for \u201cpuck-style\u201d streaming devices.<\/p>\n Manhattan\u2019s own software works brilliantly for Freeview functions, but it doesn\u2019t run Android apps or have relationships with major streaming services.<\/p>\n Building those integrations from scratch would take years and significant development resources. TiVo OS solves that problem \u2013 Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, and more apps already work.<\/p>\n But TiVo OS isn\u2019t Android TV, and the app selection is more limited than what you\u2019d get on the Pleio or likely the Humax Aura EZ.<\/p>\n Some notable absences at launch include Sky\u2019s NOW (though I understand this is coming in the future), Discovery+ (with TNT Sports), Apple TV+, and Paramount+.<\/p>\n There is a workaround for some of these \u2013 Discovery+ (with TNT Sports), Apple TV+, and Paramount+ are all available as Prime Video Channels<\/a> through the Prime Video app, which is supported on the Aero.<\/p>\n That means you can access these services, but only through Amazon\u2019s version of the subscriptions. In the US, both Apple TV+ and Paramount+ offer ways to link your standalone subscription with the Prime Video Channels version.<\/p>\n Whether and when that capability arrives in the UK remains unclear.<\/p>\n In addition to the major streaming services, TiVo OS provides access to TiVo+, a free, ad-supported service offering 400+ streaming channels and a library of on-demand movies and shows.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a compromise. You\u2019re getting the major services that most people actually use \u2013 BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube \u2013 but niche streaming apps or specific services might be missing or require workarounds.<\/p>\n The licensing arrangement means Manhattan doesn\u2019t have the same direct control over the operating system as they do with their other devices.<\/p>\n However, I\u2019m told they worked closely with TiVo\u2019s software team during development, with TiVo making specific changes to their OS for the Aero, tailoring it to Manhattan\u2019s requirements and the device\u2019s specific needs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a collaborative approach \u2013 TiVo provides the platform and handles ongoing software updates, whilst Manhattan contributes hardware expertise and specific feature requests to make the system work better for UK viewers.<\/p>\n Aero vs Pleio: The Direct Comparison <\/p>\n Price: The Aero costs \u00a369.99. The Pleio costs \u00a3109.89. That\u2019s a \u00a340 difference \u2013 36% cheaper for Manhattan\u2019s device.<\/p>\n Platform: The Aero runs TiVo OS with access to major streaming apps but some notable gaps (NOW, Discovery+, Apple TV+, Paramount+ require workarounds or aren\u2019t available yet).<\/p>\n The Pleio runs Android TV 14 with broader app compatibility through the Google Play Store, though the implementation is locked down to prevent sideloading.<\/p>\n Connectivity: The Aero includes both WiFi 6 and Ethernet. The Pleio is WiFi only.<\/p>\n Gaming: The Pleio bundles a wireless gamepad and includes 12 months of cloud gaming access (250+ games) plus 150+ extra FAST channels.<\/p>\n The Aero doesn\u2019t focus on gaming at all for now, though it does support Netflix Games if you have a Netflix subscription. There\u2019s no bundled controller, and gaming clearly isn\u2019t the device\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n Positioning: The Pleio markets itself as a multi-purpose entertainment device \u2013 Freely plus gaming plus extra channels, with a subscription model treating the hardware as part of a service bundle.<\/p>\n The Aero positions itself as a straightforward Freely box with some streaming apps \u2013 you buy it once, it\u2019s yours, no subscriptions or ongoing fees beyond any streaming services you choose to subscribe to separately.<\/p>\n For buyers who want cloud gaming and don\u2019t mind the higher price, the Pleio remains the only option. For everyone else who just wants Freely and major streaming apps without paying extra for features they won\u2019t use, the Aero\u2019s pricing is significantly more attractive.<\/p>\n The app selection difference is worth considering carefully. If you\u2019re heavily invested in Sky\u2019s NOW or need specific streaming services that aren\u2019t currently available on TiVo OS, you\u2019ll need to work out whether the Prime Video Channels workaround is acceptable or whether the Pleio\u2019s Android TV platform is worth the extra \u00a340.<\/p>\n But for most viewers using BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, the Aero covers the essentials.<\/p>\n What About Recording? <\/p>\n The Aero doesn\u2019t record anything. There\u2019s no aerial port, no tuners, no local storage for recordings.<\/p>\n That\u2019s a deliberate choice. Manhattan already offers the T4-R recorder and T4 Freeview Play box for viewers who want traditional aerial-based recording.<\/p>\n Adding Freely to these types of devices would create a complex hybrid requiring support for both broadcast tuners and streaming infrastructure.<\/p>\n Instead, Manhattan has created a separate streaming-first device for a different use case entirely \u2013 households where aerial reception is poor, second rooms without aerial connections, rental properties where installing aerials isn\u2019t practical, and anyone ready to embrace streaming-first television without the baggage of traditional broadcast infrastructure.<\/p>\n For viewers who want recording, the T4-R remains available<\/a>. For those happy with streaming and catch-up services, the Aero offers a cheaper, simpler alternative.<\/p>\n The upcoming Humax Aura EZ, however, will offer recording capability alongside Freely, but at \u00a3249 for the 2TB model, you\u2019re paying significantly more for that flexibility.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Netgem Pleio and Manhattan Aero <\/p>\n
The Humax Aura EZ Where To Buy <\/p>\n