As expected, a NEW Apple TV has been unveiled … clocking in at a comparatively hefty $149-199. Yet, with brand recognition and that shiny, shimmery interface, they’ll surely move many when they go on sale next month.
Apple TV highlights include the redesigned remote, featuring a glass covered gesture area and Siri voice control, along with what appears to be a full-fledged App Store.
Neither of these features are unique to aTV, but Apple has more reach than most and the Siri interactions go well beyond Roku and Fire TV’s universal voice search in terms of opening apps, pulling up the weather, and natural language interaction (more akin to Xfinity, believe it or not). As to the newly introduced finger tip control, having directed my Fire TV, Xbox One, and even existing Apple TV via their respective gesture-based smart phone apps … I don’t particularly care for it, finding increased utility via discrete actions and tactile feedback. But Siri does look strong. Real strong.
On the app front, there’s still much to learn. I’ve seen reports that indicate existing iOS experiences can be easily ported to tvOS, but I’ve also come across one that seemingly conflicts. Related, I’m not sure if anyone’s gone through Apple’s terms and conditions yet. There’s bound to be at least one gotcha, right? And I fully expect universal search providers will be invite-only, as we currently see on competing streamers. Apple’s big push here appears to be gaming. Indeed, the new aTV remote also features motion control like the (Hillcrest-powered) Roku 3 remote and third-party controllers can be paired over Bluetooth à la Fire TV. Notably missing from the lineup is Apple’s rumored television service.
Hardware-wise, the new Apple TV shares the same footprint as the retained $69 model while growing about a centimeter in height. Although this unit jumps from 5.1 to 7.1 audio capabilities, Apple has retired the optical port… which will negatively impact a subset of potential customers. Also, on the downside for some, this is not Apple TV 4k. Granted, it’s early. But the competing Roku and Fire TV look to be going UHD in 2015. TiVo, too. But we do have some nice hardware consolations as the Apple TV will supposedly control our televisions via a combination of HDMI-CEC (on/off) and IR (volume) – reducing the need for a Sideclick. Of course, this would be even more significant should Apple really, truly launch a compelling television subscription service down the road.
So, are you in? As it stands, I think I’m content to sit on the sidelines given the various streaming devices I already possess. But I reserve the right to change my mind next month.
Likely won’t work in Canada since their are so few content providers here.
Seeing that Apple TV remote makes me wish that the XBox 1 would make a new remote with a mic and headphone jack so we can use Cortana without a Kinnect. Also they need to steal the “What did they say?” Feature, especially if they can make it work with the pass through….
No mention of HomeKit integration at all with this release. That’s a disappointment.
Yeah, Ananth, that alone may make this purchase-worthy. So often I go back and flip on captions, just like that. Maybe we’re old. :)
BJ, good point. Hmmm… Can’t wait for the teardown!
Not in. Not yet. Waiting to see what Roku and Amazon do first, and waiting to see who ends up with the better app catalog.
“So, are you in? As it stands, I think I’m content to sit on the sidelines given the various streaming devices I already possess. But I reserve the right to change my mind next month.”
Hells, no.
I really dislike having my content provider tied to my box provider, which is one of the things that attracted me to TiVo in the first place.
And I do buy a-la-carte video. With teevee shows, there’s no option, obviously. And for movies, if the sale price is only 2x the rental price, (depending on how utterly disposable I think the movie is, of course), I sometimes buy instead of renting.
So why would I want to tie my content library to hardware from a single company? Doesn’t make sense to me in the least. Buy the content from Amazon. Access the content on the hardware of your choice.
Cupertino lock-in is an ugly thing. (Of course, we’ll see if Apple bizarrely decides to abandon the Prime Directive and meaningfully open up the Apple TV to content competitors as Roku-Switzerland does. But I’m on record as saying I’ll literally eat my laptop if that comes to pass.)
As a daily Apple TV user, the improvements over the current model have me sold.
I’m also wondering how the on board storage can be used by developers. Seems unlikely that they’ll allow it to function as a media server. Also, can I hope that you’ll be able to connect external storage to it via USB with a large movie library rather than relying on a network connection to iTunes?
Unfortunately, I’ll need a newer receiver. My old pioneer has only 1 hdmi input and it only does video (yes, it’s really old).
I’m not in. I don’t really understand why someone would choose this Apple TV over a Roku – even the current version. I don’t think 4k matters much in such a device either.
I personally am waiting for Google to add full, chromecast capability to my Google Fiber TV Box and then I’ll just have that one box for everything except Amazon Prime. The current Google Fiber TV Box has Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube along with unified/global search across the guide, VOD and the three services mentioned above. Once they finally add complete Chromecast capabilities I’ll get rid of my Chromecast.
If I didn’t have Google Fiber, I would probably go with a Roku as it has all of the content I want/need in such a device. I don’t care about or even want voice control (especially if its powered by Siri) or non video apps.
I’m not in, either. Honestly, we have a Wii, a Chromecast, and phones, and can already do every important function of the new AppleTV. If someone wants to look up the cast of the movie we’re watching, they need to look it up on their phones and not burden the other viewers with it. Who searches for “movies by ____” when they are trying to find a movie to watch. Instead, they look at lists of recommendations by friends, curated experts, etc.
The future of TV watching is select-on-device/push-to-TV, NOT the 10-ft interface with a D-pad. When are these companies going to figure this out?
Chucky, if you had a Plex app and an Amazon Video app (even if you had to purchase via phone or computer), would you feel different?
I am on the fence. I have the last generation Apple TV, which I almost never use. I prefer the Amazon Fire TV, Roku, TiVo, or Chromecast (in that order) to the Apple TV I own.
I will wait to read reviews by others before deciding whether to give Apple more of my money for outrageously over-priced hardware.
No. Deep into Roku (we have three) and barely touch the Apple TV we have.
No way is it work $149
“Chucky, if you had a Plex app and an Amazon Video app (even if you had to purchase via phone or computer), would you feel different?”
Don’t need the Plex app. I use my Mac Mini HTPC endpoint, since I hate transcoding, and significantly prefer the superior UI.
As far as Amazon Video goes, I already rent/buy via web browser, not on the box, so that’s not an issue. Inclusion in search, however, is a big, big issue. Without that, definitely no go. With search inclusion, I’d start getting somewhat less adamantly resistant.
However, even if they did all that, I’m still not sure I see the point. Why pay $200 instead of $60 for a disposable box? Siri? I don’t even want voice search on the Roku. Even the TV controls on the Apple remote do me no good unless they also control the input setting. Just don’t see any meaningful competitive advantage.
Finally, there are a couple of admittedly idiosyncratic caveats I have:
– I’m not entirely comfortable with supporting Cupertino’s plans to crush all competition. I stuck with Mac OS computers in the dark days of the mid-late ’90’s, even when Windows had some notable advantages, in some part due to the same distaste for Microsoft. Viva Roku! Viva! Viva! Vote with your wallet. (Of course, if Cupertino actually succeeds in crushing all competition, then I won’t have any choice, and I’ll move over against my will.)
– Also, I’m not a typical case in that I use TiVo OnePass for the large bulk of my OTT viewing, resorting to my Roku only for authenticated services that the MSO’s won’t let TiVo have. BTW, shouldn’t the FCC do something about that?
Yeah, I probably need to do a post why the 2015 Roku 2 is probably the best streaming box for most.
I forgot to answer the question. No. Unless FiOS adds a Quantum DVR client App or FiOS gets on Demand App and there is TiVO client…
The new appletv, much like the _old_ appletv, will primarily be interesting to users who already bought in to the apple ecosystem. If you watch your movies and TV shows on the iTunes store, have an iphone and maybe an ipad, it will be a clear shot.
It will fail on gaming, because people really don’t want to play mobile-type games on their TVs. Major players, Amazon and Google, already swung at this and missed. No reason to think Apple will succeed. The market just doesn’t seem to exist for this. People would rather play mobile games on their phone with the TV on in the background, and core gamers want to play the latest AAA titles, which takes a PS4/Xbone.
If you haven’t bought into the apple ecosystem, you’re better off with a FireTV, Roku, or AndroidTV. Streaming capabilities will be absolutely identical– Netflix, Hulu, HBOgo, Plex, Youtube, Vimeo, Pandora, etc, are all table stakes right now.
One difference of note is that AndroidTV and AppleTV lack Amazon prime streaming while Roku and FireTV (obviously) has it. Also, the FireTV and AndroidTV both run Kodi.
I’m in. I absolutely Tivo’s one box solution, but also am too deep into Apple ecosystem to start over with Vudu or Amazon.
Just another thought on Apple TV. Routinely ebay deals offer $100 iTunes gift cards for 20% off. When ever they do I grab my limit (usually 3) and put them in my iTunes account. Since there is always money in there I am essentially getting 20% off all movie/music/tv show purchases and rentals. Also I subscribe to Netflix and Hulu through iTunes I am getting the same 20% deal on those as well. I have not seen any other discounts so readily available for any other digital providers.
I rented Interstellar for only 99 cents via Amazon… That’s like an 80% discount. ;)
https://twitter.com/davezatz/status/640993495189209090
But, point taken, I should get one of those cards and do my Netflix via Apple.
Yes but it was also the apple movie of the week for 99 cents. So think what you could have done with the 19.8 cent savings!
http://slickdeals.net/f/8066016-interstellar-99-cents-digital-rental-itunes-and-update-amazon
This is why I need a +1 or Like button here. :)
I believe Rodalpho nailed it, the new Apple TV isn’t different enough to make a non-Apple-ecosystem user into one. The real question is if you own (and use) the last Apple TV, will you upgrade? I will, but mostly just to try it. In practice I typically only use my ATV to for AirPlay with music and to watch HBO and ESPN (since TiVo can’t).
I’m not interested in the games. And although, I’m a huge proponent of HDMI-CEC, my TV and AVR are so old, it actually isn’t useful to me — holding out for a flat OLED 4k set.
It was never about the device itself. Apple was originally working towards offering an entire streaming product on their own, disrupting the cable TV market like the original iPhone did cell carriers, essentially a “cable” subscription on-demand. They originally planned to debut the new appletv at WWDC, but delayed it until now to try to get that service up and running. Ultimately they couldn’t make the content agreements happen, so they released the new appletv anyway.
Can developers be allowed to create apps alike iOS including webkit based apps? can we forsee plex app in the near future?
Yes indeed they can. The TVOS SDK is out, and Plex tweeted they’re already on it!
https://developer.apple.com/tvos/
I can’t tell you when was the last time I switched away from my Tivo, it does almost everything now. The Roku and Chromecast are getting lonely, not to mention my smart tv that I’ve never used beyond seeing that it played network files.
I can’t see a reason to buy an Apple TV.
If TiVo would ever get the Showtime and HBO Now OTT apps, I’d hardly ever use my current Apple TV for anything but occasional in-home music streaming from my iTunes library. So while I’m a Mac/iPad/iPhone user and the new Apple TV does look slick, I see no reason to fork over $149 to upgrade to it. I have a Wii U I rarely use for games, so I definitely have no need for games on Apple TV.
Really wish TiVo could become my “one box” for TV…
Much like my desire to buy a MacBook one day just so I can say I know Macintosh, I’d like to buy an Apple TV one day just to say I’ve used Apple TV. But it probably won’t ever happen, as we are almost all Roku-based now and that meets our needs (in addition to FiOS cable boxes/DVRs). Since we’re an Android house (other than the kids’ iPads), I don’t see a compelling reason to pay 50-150% more for an Apple TV box over the Roku line.
Still, I wouldn’t kick an Apple TV box out of bed for eating crackers, if you know what I mean.
I have a mix of current Apple TV/Roku 3/Tivo/Xbox One/Chromecast/Nexus player in my house and find the new Apple TV intriguing. I use Tivo mostly with some Roku 3 occasionally. I like the voice search on the Apple TV remote (& Nexus player) as opposed to on Kinect which just doesn’t work well for me (young kids consistently shouting doesn’t help). I really think Apple has the best shot (besides Xbox One) at building an extensive TV app library if history is any indication so the prospect of TV apps that work well is enticing. If anything I will probably get one for the loft where my kids play Xbox/Wii so they can use it as a casual gaming console and I can play with new tvOS apps. Once it takes off perhaps I will add it to my other TV’s. If Apple TV gets Vudu/Amazon Instant/Tivo/Plex apps and they work with universal search then that would likely be enough for me to use as my primary device. I would like Xbox One to be that device but doesn’t seem as practical due to size/cost/power consumption.
With the new app store, is there anything stopping Amazon Instant / Prime and VUDU from coming to the Apple TV?
Personally, now that I’ve moved to the Roamio, I use it almost exclusively. I only jump on the Fire Stick when I need HBO Go or want to stream Prime Music. Once in a while I will fire up Apple TV but it’s rare now.
I think Apple has priced the new box too high given where the rest of the market is.
Having an Apple TV and a Roku I would say they complement each other but don’t replace each other. Apple TV is very useful for podcasts for the iTunes store. Having internal storage for downloaded video is handy. Amazon Fire TV looks like an also ran, once you factor out the games, what apps are left?
Depending on how the app store shapes up will determine when I’ll get the new ATV.
I would love to get it, but the lack of optical audio output would require me to get a new receiver, which sucks.
Also, I was really hoping that fancy remote would do more in terms of alternate device control. It does have IR, so maybe Apple will update it to act more like a Harmony at some point? Or… depending on the limits of tvOS, perhaps Logitech themselves could just make an app that allows for this?
I could forgo the new remote for now… But the audio out is a tricky one.
I am on the fence, but leaning towards NO for now. Tivo made some amazing changes and improvements making it hard default choice for media in my house.
Recently I purchased refurbished Apple TV for $59 in order to watch soccer on ESPN and Fox Sports 2 Go through Airplay. Based on my usage of Apple TV so far I see a lot of potential for tvOS and a bright future for new Apple TV, but I think we will have to wait 1-2 years before it will be worth the upgrade.
Once the developers create compelling apps and move the existing ones from iPhone and iPad (which knowing Apple will be easy to do) then Apple TV may become go to device for many households.
Time will tell, for now we wait. I am actually looking forward to new TIVO.
I think as others have said, depends on the apps. I like what they said about the NHL Center Ice, and hopefully a Sunday Ticket app is on the way. Plex may or may not influence me. I’m just starting to get in to Plex and the clients I already have make me wonder whether there is a better one out there. Tivo’s is limited — at least for now (according to Plex: “TiVo devices currently only support video playback up to 4Mbps, 720p quality. Content with higher bitrates or resolution will automatically be transcoded down. We’re working with TiVo on supporting higher bitrates and 1080p playback in the future.”) The Samsung client on my TV doesn’t seem to have that limitation — BUT, I really need to test what sort of sound output it has once I get my additional speakers set up — its connected via TOSLink to my receiver — which means DD5.1 at most. I don’t know if it will send DTS and newer Dolby that is in my BluRay rips.
I sold my apple tv last week in hopes of getting the new model but after the announcement, I’m not in any rush to pick it up. I use my roku 3 every day mainly with plex on my bedroom tv and had the atv on a different set but just wasn’t using it very much. I’m planning to cut the cord in the next few months and was hoping for more from apple. Now I’ll wait and see what shakes out. At the very least, there’s bound to be some good discounts around Christmas on things like Xbox one. As it stands today, the product is underwhelming (I own an apple watch so I know what I’m talking about) and the lack of a tv power button on the remote is a just a huge glaring oversight and means I will hang onto my harmony remote for a while longer too.
They missed the mark I think. With *everyone* going 4K this year, they should have released 4K hardware, specially since they also own the distribution channel (iTunes), and would have been easy to start streaming 4K content. Now users will probably have to wait 2+ years for the next hardware refresh.
People would say 4K is not yet important enough, but how about this…
All current Apple computers, are 4K capable. The new iPhone 6S, is capable of shooting 4K video as well. What better way to show all your iPhone recorded videos, than through your AppleTV. Nope, you’ll have to do that on your computer. So, they give you the tools to produce something, but not to properly show it.
Seeing all the demos of games using the new remote control, reminded me of people playing with the Wiimote 10 years ago.
I think the hardware is underwhelming (come on, a 10/100 port?)
I think they missed the boat on an upgrade that could have been great, not just ‘ok’.
Personally, I think the biggest drawback is the non-functional remote, with the revolutionary new Apple Pencil™ serving all control functions.
Not only do 99% of teevees not support styli control, but who in god’s name wants to control their teevee by having to get up from the couch every time to touch the teevee with their stylus?
Seems to me as if they really should have thought this through a bit better…
I applied with my dev account to get a free one. I’ll find out tomorrow.
https://developer.apple.com/tvos/developer-kit/register/
Interesting… I just applied as well. I’ve never built any apps, but both my employer and I have routinely paid into the dev system for pre-release software compatibility evaluation and preparation. We’ll see if I get one. And, if I do, you may not know until official release – they have something of a confidentiality clause which I would honor.
Prior to Apple’s commercial release of Apple TV, you agree not to publicly write about, review, or display the Apple TV Developer Kit.
I’ve got an app that has been around since the iPhone started making apps, and I think it would do very well on the TV. Let’s hope Apple feels the same way.
I will indeed be getting a new Apple TV.
I think Apple missed the mark with 4K. Like Jorge Asch said, Apple’s new iPhone 6s will record 4K video, and I think it’s a pretty big fail on their part that the new Apple TV won’t display it.
I also would have liked to have seen a second microphone built in to the Apple TV itself and not just the remote (unless there is one and I missed it?).
Other than those two things, I’m very excited by what I see.
I also think some of the criticism I’ve seen towards the box is unfair. For instance:
Jorge Asch mentions the lack of a gigabit port. OK, in this day and age, that stuck out to me as well, but honestly, the Apple TV really doesn’t need one. Maybe there would be some advantage to gigabit if it supported 4K, but since it doesn’t, the 100mbps wired speed and 300mbps wireless speed will be more than fast enough for most anybody. A friend of mine recently purchased a computer, and all of the PCs below $500 didn’t have gigabit either, nor does my TiVo Roamio (base model).
As for the similarities to the Wii… something I’ve seen other people mention as well, and I even made that comparison, but honestly, this feature has sort of been around on the Apple TV for years. Some of you may not know, but some iOS games allow you to AirPlay the games on the Apple TV and you use your iOS device to control it. For instance, I’ve played a racing game where I used my iPad as a steering wheel.
While there are multiple comments on this thread that I’d like to comment on, I’m going to focus on one last thing I’ve seen on this thread. People don’t want to be locked into Apple’s ecosystem. I like their ecosystem, so I don’t really have a problem there, though I certainly don’t deny that I wish I had iTunes integration with TiVo OnePass. However, this Apple TV will most likely eventually get other video provider apps. I have little doubt that Amazon Video, VUDU, and perhaps even Google Play and M-Go. Though like their iOS counterparts, I feel the tvOS apps will be playback only (no purchasing capabilities).
If you purchase a Disney movie on iTunes and you have a Disney Movies Anywhere account, you can view this same movie on VUDU, Google Play, and now Amazon and Windows (and vice versa with purchasing a movie on VUDU and viewing the same movie on iTunes). While this sadly does not include Touchstone films or Disney TV series (“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, “Marvel’s Agent Carter”, “Once Upon A Time”, etc), I suspect we’ll see other studios offering similar services soon.
Is it October yet?
There is a chance that the ATV hardware supports 4k, but the software doesn’t because the iTunes store doesn’t have 4k content. We have seen this in the past with codecs, etc.
Either way, to me 4k is more about the display technology then it is about source content. I do believe people will be able to appreciate the difference in a 4k TV, but am far less sure that 4k content will actually make noticeable improvement — the reason for this is that all TVs scale (most of the time) and scaling is mathematically easier with more pixels.
The 10/100 port is curious, but not an issue as most internet connections are slower than that (this is a cloud client, more than anything else).
“If you purchase a Disney movie on iTunes and you have a Disney Movies Anywhere account, you can view this same movie on VUDU, Google Play, and now Amazon and Windows … While this sadly does not include Touchstone films or Disney TV series … I suspect we’ll see other studios offering similar services soon.”
I strongly suspect you are incorrect about that. The Disney label has always been an outlier here and in other ways, for reasons that make a certain amount of sense to that particular brand and its particular audience. Other studios, and other branches of the Disney Corporation have essentially zero incentive to follow that path, either now, or in the future.
“People don’t want to be locked into Apple’s ecosystem. I like their ecosystem, so I don’t really have a problem there.”
Well, of course, the problem with investing in Apple content that are only accessible via Apple hardware is mostly not a problem for you now. (Though you do mention your “now” problem of no access on TiVo.) The problem comes down the line when you have a Procrustean choice between abandoning your content or being forced to stick with hardware you no longer prefer to some new, better option.
In short, by tying your content to a lone hardware supplier, you set yourself up for future heartache, no matter how much you adore Apple’s ecosystem today. The problems with lock-in are, by definition, overwhelmingly not about “now”.
(And that’s not even touching on Apple’s appalling record of continually abandoning various online services for decades now with no migration path.)
He is right, Chucky. Vudu has a deal with Disney. I bought “Glory Road” from iTunes when Apple first launched HD in 2006 and as soon as I linked my iTunes with Disney Movies anywhere and Vudu with Disney Movies anywhere, I was able to watch Glory Road on Vudu on my TiVo.
“There is a chance that the ATV hardware supports 4k, but the software doesn’t because the iTunes store doesn’t have 4k content. We have seen this in the past with codecs, etc. ”
The new Apple TV has an HDMI 1.4 output. It wouldn’t have the copy protection the studios would demand for movies/TV shows. It could support 4K output for unprotected content like iPhone 6s recorded video, but only at 24fps, whereas the iPhone 6s records 4K video at 30fps.
“He is right, Chucky. Vudu has a deal with Disney.”
No doubt. I was not disagreeing with him on the Disney Movies brand, Ben.
I just disagree with his contention that this will spread to other studios and/or other branches of the Disney Corporation. I think the Disney Movies brand is an outlier for idiosyncratic reasons that really aren’t likely to be replicated.
“I strongly suspect you are incorrect about that. The Disney label has always been an outlier here and in other ways, for reasons that make a certain amount of sense to that particular brand and its particular audience. Other studios, and other branches of the Disney Corporation have essentially zero incentive to follow that path, either now, or in the future.”
I am correct.
When Disney Movies Anywhere launched, it upgraded all my SD digital copies on iTunes to HD, and added HD digital copies of several films whose reward points I had entered into my Disney Movie Rewards account.
When Disney Movies Anywhere started supporting Google Play, all my Disney films from iTunes ported over to Google Play (and can be accessed via YouTube as well).
When Disney Movies Anywhere launched on VUDU, all my Disney films ported over to VUDU.
When Disney Movies Anywhere launched on Amazon and Microsoft, all my Disney films ported over to Amazon and Windows.
Purchased films from one provider linked to your Disney Movies Anywhere account automatically ports over to the others linked to your Disney Movies Anywhere account.
As for other studios, the other studios already do this via Ultraviolet. Disney was the sole major studio that does not support Ultraviolet, so they came up with their own way of doing things. iTunes will never support Ultraviolet, and Google Play probably won’t either. While there have been rumors that Amazon might bite the bullet and do so, nothing yet. Disney Movies Anywhere is available on iTunes, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft… four providers not associated with Ultraviolet. All a studio would need to do is offer a similar service as Disney Movies Anywhere, and they could get around iTunes, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft’s lack of support for Ultraviolet.
“In short, by tying your content to a lone hardware supplier, you set yourself up for future heartache, no matter how much you adore Apple’s ecosystem today. The problems with lock-in are, by definition, overwhelmingly not about “now”.”
I have a TiVo Series 3. Earlier this year, I could download a show to my TiVo from Amazon in HD.
I have a Roamio. I can stream Amazon in SD. Okay, technically, it’s probably HD, but honestly, it looks worse than an upconverted DVD. This is due to Amazon requiring a faster speed than available via my ISP for proper HD streaming. Netflix and iTunes streaming provides a GREAT HD PQ with my slow internet.
I never said there weren’t problems with provider lock-in, but I know that regardless of which provider I choose, I am not guaranteed anything.
Both Disney Movies Anywhere and Ultraviolet have problems, but I do believe that we’ll see more DMA type deals with other studios… hopefully in addition to continued support for Ultraviolet.
“I am correct. When Disney Movies Anywhere launched, it upgraded all my SD digital copies on iTunes to HD, and added HD digital copies of several films whose reward points I had entered into my Disney Movie Rewards account.”
As noted both in my initial comment, and in my followup comment, I am not disagreeing with you on the Disney Movies brand. Simply dunno how to make myself clearer. My disagreement is with multiple other points in your comment.
“As for other studios, the other studios already do this via Ultraviolet.”
Right. And the clusterf*ck of Ultraviolet is not an accident on the part of the studios, but rather by design. It’s about marketing.
“As noted both in my initial comment, and in my followup comment, I am not disagreeing with you on the Disney Movies brand. Simply dunno how to make myself clearer. My disagreement is with multiple other points in your comment.”
You made yourself clear on the followup comment, but I didn’t see it until AFTER I posted.
It’d be pretty crazy if 4k was hidden in there somewhere… as I mentioned once before, it could be as real interesting teardown. I agree with Ben that the Ethernet port consternation may be overblown — most bottlenecks are elsewhere. Whereas the dropped optical port will be a real, versus perceived, loss for a subset of potential customers.
“You made yourself clear on the followup comment, but I didn’t see it until AFTER I posted.”
Noted.
I still think my original comment is crystal clear, but considering that Ben misinterpreted it too, my copy editor, who is currently taking a mysteriously long lunch break, might have helped to make it as clear as an azure sky of deepest summer.
“I never said there weren’t problems with provider lock-in, but I know that regardless of which provider I choose, I am not guaranteed anything.”
The issue I’m raising isn’t provider lock-in, but instead, combo provider/hardware lock-in.
While I certainly sympathize with the problems your slow internet causes in accessing that content, (as I noted when Amazon initially EOL’d downloads), the content really is still there for access outside your TiVo’s half-assed app. A Roku might well perform better, or it might not. Same deal with a Fire, to an even greater extent. Dunno, but you can always return within 30 days. At least with non-Apple providers you do have such options.
(Also, I additionally noted when Amazon initially EOL’d downloads noted that they were leaving the field open to Apple TV for folks with slow internet connections. Dunno if you rely on Apple TV’s buffering capability, in which case a Fire might well work, or simply download to iTunes on a computer, in which case there really is no other option. Since Amazon EOL’d downloads, slow internet is the now the prime rationale for sane folks to go with Apple TV. Got absolutely no quarrel with those folks going that way. I’d do so myself if I lived in rural Idaho, though I’d also definitely rely even more on physical discs than I currently do.)
But even if slow internet makes Apple TV the genuinely rational option for your use-case-scenario, you still do face a fundamentally different and worse form of lock-in than with other content providers that aren’t tied to a single hardware supplier.
I agree with @Dave — why would 4k be hidden in there? It seems like a pretty big feature to not advertise, especially given the context of iPhone 6S support for 4k.
But even if slow internet makes Apple TV the genuinely rational option for your use-case-scenario, you still do face a fundamentally different and worse form of lock-in than with other content providers that aren’t tied to a single hardware supplier.
I was just using the slow internet as an example of things changing. We can’t be sure how the future will change things. Amazon was a decent option for me, and now it’s not. My ISP is supposed to be upgrading my area to provide 10/1 service compared to the 6/.75 available now for an additional $10 more per month. That should give me the minimum for HD from Amazon, and it’s possible I may soon have a fiber option, but for now, it looks crappy.
It’s possible that at some point in the future, I won’t like the Apple ecosystem. I will then be glad to have my Disney Movies Anywhere (mostly), but I’m not going to worry about that. I’ve had purchased content removed from the cloud before, and it may never return. No digital purchase is guaranteed.
“I’ve had purchased content removed from the cloud before, and it may never return.”
FWIW, Apple has had this problem in the past. Amazon has not.
“No digital purchase is guaranteed.”
No doubt whatsoever. Which is why I still do a fair amount of physical disc renting/buying. But yet again, tying yourself to a digital service which is the sole provider of hardware necessary to access that digital service has historically proved to have a worse track record in a multitude of not-unimportant ways.
(I also see Amazon’s corporate incentives as a content provider aligning far better with my own incentives than Apple’s. But that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax.)
Regardless, enjoy your new Apple TV, Alan Gordon. If you don’t need audio output, it most definitely looks to be a significant upgrade over your previous model.
@Chucky — EXACTLY! This is why just about everything I own is on physical media and why I rip it on my own (if necessary). I buy BluRay and rip it to my NAS (though I do get the UltraViolet/iTunes content as well as “backup”). Pretty much only thing I’m not ripping is CDs ordered from Amazon which come with autorip — which I download immediately – no worry about DRM, etc since its pure MP3).
Conversely, I try to own nothing … and rent the majority of my media these days.
“This is why just about everything I own is on physical media and why I rip it on my own (if necessary). I buy BluRay and rip it to my NAS”
Yeah. I rip all physical media for convenience. Blu -> Plex is my drug of choice. (Along with TiVo -> Plex, of course. And since I like the back catalog, there’s still some DVD -> Plex too.)
However, I do indeed buy some not totally insignificant amount of digital rights. Teevee shows are one example. And if a movie I want to rent has a buy price at only 2x the rental, I’ll do the buy if I think there’s a good chance I’ll want multiple viewings.
But yeah, I spend notably more on physical media than I do on digital rights ownership.
So I guess I do “buy” TV shows from Amazon. But I think of them as rentals since I can’t rent them at a cheaper rate and rarely to never rewatch.
“Conversely, I try to own nothing … and rent the majority of my media these days.”
Ha! When the electrical grid breaks down, and you come over to enjoy entertainment via my power generator, I do hope you’ll understand when I have to charge you admission…
“So I guess I do “buy” TV shows from Amazon. But I think of them as rentals since I … rarely to never rewatch.”
And thus we now know why you’re always searching for a new show to watch. From my point of view, a top-notch teevee series supports multiple viewings in a rewarding manner. I’d far rather re-watch excellent than watch mediocre for the first time. (Hell, I think I do the entirety of The Sopranos every 18 months or so.)
Maybe it’s time for you to re-watch Deadwood, Dave…
Well, looks like I won’t have to eat my laptop after all…
Chucky and Dave’s opinions on media ownership mirror my own. I enjoy the convenience of digital media, especially for tv shows. I also think long term about purchasing content this way. I don’t control it because of restrictions (DRM) and according to the law, I don’t own it. It’s funny how they put the word “own” in their ads but then conveniently say what they really meant later after you’ve paid them. Ripping blu rays and watching them through slick interfaces like Plex and Kodi is nice and all but managing blu ray’s GIGANTIC video files isn’t! Unless you’re a collector or the content is “must have”, it’s probably best to not purchase content at all. Consumers should be much more selective in what they purchase, especially with digital content.
“Ripping blu rays and watching them through slick interfaces like Plex … is nice and all but managing blu ray’s GIGANTIC video files isn’t!”
Meh. Platter drives are cheap. It’s really not that much of a bigger deal for the user than DVD’s.
Plus, you’ve got a no-hassle, long-lasting backup in the disc itself, assuming you buy instead of renting.
(I’m occasionally guilty of renting and ripping, which makes me a semi-content thief, in the same way that decrypting TiVo recordings does. But I feel a helluva lot better about that than being a total and utter content thief with torrents, which I entirely avoid these days except for out-of-print stuff. At least the content creators are getting something out of my pocket with rentals and TiVo decrypting. And I really do my fair share of buying discs, which helps makes any feelings of guilt quite manageable.)
“Well, looks like I won’t have to eat my laptop after all…”
I’m not a developer, so forgive me for asking, but is iOS an open API? I know Apple has to approve apps for the App Store, so I didn’t really expect to see anything NOT “Apple Approved” on the Apple TV.
You too! I haven’t done it with blu rays in years, but I have a archive of TiVo recordings still on my desktop. Like I said before, I rewatch tv shows. I’m just weird (different) that way! Which is why I’ll always have some form of dvr for the rest of my life, whether TiVo, HD Homerun (Android TV) etc. The content owners get plenty of money from me (Movie theater, blu ray, cable tv etc.) but I’ve never done torrents. There is more content than I can watch!
“Which is why I’ll always have some form of dvr for the rest of my life, whether TiVo, HD Homerun (Android TV) etc.”
No you won’t. Linear teevee will go away. I think it’ll go away far, far, far slower than a lot of people seem to think, but it’s got a shelf life. You might still have a DVR in 2035, but it’ll be an objet d’art, not a functional device.
“I’ve never done torrents. There is more content than I can watch!”
Quit your job. Pop modafinil to eliminate sleep. Eat Soylent. Stop going outside. End all social interactions. You can watch it all!
(Until belated moral qualms stopped me dead in my tracks, I quite enjoyed torrenting. Nothing like the hardest thing about deciding what to watch being the chore of picking between waaaay too much quality selections.)
All things have a shelf life and I may not live to 2035. I definitely agree that if it goes, it will be slow.
Sorry for getting off topic. I forgot to answer the question but I will probably be purchasing AppleTV.
There’s an article up over on Macworld, about dealing with the lack of optical output on the new ATV. Some interesting ideas.
“Mad Max on sale for $10 – should I *buy* or rent for $5 instead?”
Yeah. As stated a couple of times above, it’s when the buy price is only 2x the rental price that purchasing digital rights starts getting attractive.
Personally, I’m torn on this one. I generally tend to consider action movies as one-time-viewing disposables. But OTOH, I worship George Miller. So I’m really not sure.
(Any idea of the details of the “sale”? Today only? Any idea what the “non-sale” price is?)
New-release rentals are generally $6 and purchases are $15-20. Thinking I rent on sale for $5 and can rent again in a year or whatever if I want. Hm.
“New-release rentals are generally $6 and purchases are $15-20. Thinking I rent on sale for $5 and can rent again in a year or whatever if I want.”
Not to mention that it’ll come to a TiVo-able channel in the meantime too.
But, yeah. Your plan seems viable. Bit of a different equation than the normal $4 rental vs $7 or $8 digital rights purchase that often hooks me in, which comes with almost no chance of a price drop in the future. (And which I take advantage of for movies that don’t generally ever play on the multicast.)
Digital rights purchase here makes sense only if you think you’ll want to watch multiple times in the next few months, which given the reviews, is actually not an outlandish proposition. (One of my favorite critics described on Twitter having turned in his glowing review for publication, and then heading right back out to the multiplex for a second viewing purely for pleasure; something he said he almost never does.)
And, again, George Miller! Babe: Pig in the City has never gotten its proper due…
OTT boxes are firmly in the commodity space.
No point in buying this when (on sale, refurbed) a Roku or Amazon stick costs $20.
Just got the link from Apple, and purchased one for $1. :-)
“Just got the link from Apple, and purchased one for $1. :-)”
Apple congratulates you on winning the lottery selection, and is happy you wish to develop for tvOS.
Unfortunately, by revealing your winning lottery selection, you have violated the NDA in the terms and conditions you agreed to. Thus, Apple will have to void your selection. In addition, as specified in the terms and conditions you agreed to, Apple will be deporting you to Guantanamo. Thank you for spending the dollar to verify your address, as Apple’s Internal Paramilitary Police are en route to your residence as we speak. All costs for the deportation will be billed to your credit card, as specified in the terms and conditions you agreed to.
Apple really does appreciate your interest, and after you finish serving your lengthy term at Guantanamo, and if you are somehow re-admitted to the US, we fervently hope you will develop for tvOS v14.
Yup, at least one for the Living Room/Family Room.
Like others I rarely switch away from TiVo now, and buy most of MY stuff from Amazon for one shot viewing. And watch Amazon, Netflix etc via TiVo as well. But there are still things we do with iTunes (gift cards mostly bought at a 20% or better discount via eBay sales or other deals) to allow things to be watched on the iPad, mostly for the kiddo. And we’ll see how well apps and games work. Might buy a 2nd remote. We’ll see.
I got the rejection notice – no $1 AppleTV for me. Not that I was really expecting one, having never written an app. :)