Apple TV Generation 3

[Revels]

I don't have one yet. Being in the UK with more expensive shows/movies and nothing to stream, it's not such an attractive proposition.

I'd love love love them to do an unlimited streaming service. Even at $30 a month or something. That would be absolutely perfect.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

A newbie? That wouldn't be accurate. I've been using Macs for about 17 years. As for bias... maybe the bias is that I like to see Apple succeed. Apple TV seems like a missed opportunity and has been so for years.

The "newbie thing was to your just joining up here on the MR....

The bias was bias towards gaming. Until an ATV App store opens up; many of us like what it can do right out of the box.

Would be refreshing to look at what a product does instead of what it doesn't do.

Amen there... held off on the 1st gen ATV because of price and limitations. The ATV2 knocked them all out for me. Love the streaming of my movies from my iMac to my two TV sets with ATV2's.

The interface is fine by me. Love being able to listen to my iTunes library while the screen saver is running pics from my iPhoto library. The addition of Airplay and Remote capabilities from my iPhone or iPad is even nicer.

 

[jaw04005]

Apple TV (Late 2010) was about two things:

1) bringing the price of the hardware down to $99
2) porting the Apple TV software to ARM/iOS

Apple sold more than 1 million units in less than 90 days. That's a huge win for the device.

The hints are pretty conclusive they aren't going to let Apple TV stagnate this time.

In fact, Apple TV has been in the "news" quite a bit of recent:

- Steve Jobs tells Bloomberg "When the time is right, Apple could open an App Store for the TV that could do for television sets what all those apps have done for the iPhone."

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-...ving-rooms-with-new-apple-tv-set-top-box.html

- Engadget receives information from their source (who correctly provided information about the current Apple TV) that "Apple is at work on the second generation of its redesigned Apple TV, which will include that new A5 processor. The CPU is said to be blazingly fast, cranking out 1080p video like running water.'"

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/exclusive-the-future-of-the-ipad-2-iphone-5-and-apple-tv-and/

- Jobs replies that AirPlay would be coming to third-party applications and Safari in 2011. (It's now available in developer beta form as part of iOS 4.3).

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/11/3...oming-to-safari-and-third-party-apps-in-2011/

- Former members of the Apple TV team that transferred to other product teams are back working on the product again. (Maybe they'll fix the glaring "missing features" from the old Apple TV software update like nested folders for TV Seasons and Movies)

(Not going to out the source of this one.)

- Netflix Apple TV usage surpasses even iPad use.

http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-earnings-analysis-2011-1

They'll hopefully release the Apple TV App Store at WWDC. Then ship a new 1080p capable Apple TV in September 2011.

 

[Photics]

The bias was bias towards gaming. Until an ATV App store opens up; many of us like what it can do right out of the box.

It's not just gaming that I'm interested in. I like the idea that Apple TV is a possibility for content producers to side-step the cable companies and broadcast directly to the viewers — Channels as apps!

By opening up the hardware to developers, that's when Apple TV can be interesting.

Games are a big part of the iTunes App Store, but that's not the only thing that goes on there. If Apple TV pretty much runs on iOS, why did Apple hold back? I'm not sure. The good thing for Apple TV, it seems to be in a better position than Google TV.

Netflix Apple TV usage surpasses even iPad use.

http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-earnings-analysis-2011-1

I think you're linking to the wrong Business Insider Article...

http://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-apple-tv-passed-the-ipad-in-viewing-hours-2011-1

I saw the article before and I thought that was an interesting read. Heh, I was thinking about this thread when I read it. I thought that factoid might be a bit misleading. I don't see the iPad as a movie viewing device like the Wii, XBox 360 or PlayStation 3. The article didn't contain information on how Apple TV Netflix usage compared to non iOS devices.

I think there's lots of potential for the Apple TV. But right now I'm still disappointed with it. If there is an Apple TV App Store on the way, and it's retroactive for the 2010 version of the Apple TV, will I feel bad about spending $30 on a iOS to composite cable?

No.

I was just watching Netflix. (I watched "The Exam" which was surprisingly entertaining for me.) Heh, I find it funny that an iPhone can also a great movie player. I can still pick up an Apple TV later. I'm waiting to see what happens with the hardware / software for the Apple TV.

 

[Joshwawilson]

that's a great idea, especially when the technology is only on wifi anyway, why not be able to facetime while watching TV instead of only while on your iphone?

but i still think that the current $99 TV is a great deal, and does a lot for the money (especially when compared to the first gen)

I can use FaceTime with my 42" tv! all I did was used the av adapter cable to mirror my iPad 2 onto my tv and used the smart cover to stand up my iPad and pointed it at myself. worked great!

 

[prss14]

It amazes me just how "controversial" the ATV has been. I have both ATV1 and ATV2. I have loved every minute of it and really can't imagine life without it. Also, my ATV2 was refurb, so, only $85. Why pay $100 for the same thing? The ATV is very upfront with what it isn't. It isn't for the person who must have 1080p from any format. Everyone knows it streams from iTunes and does 720p. Need something better get BlueRay. I am tired of the discs and boxes of cd/dvd cases. I give up a little picture quality, but don't have to deal with that. ATV is for people who use iTunes a lot. That happens to be me. So, ATV really works to play music/TV/movies for me.

What has apple done that makes people think they are going to make a device that has the top specs and will do everything? Would it be nice if they added some things that people have suggested? Sure, and I would welcome it, but people talk like they heard Steve say at a Keynote that ATV's will play every format and do everything and then upon release took it away and put in limitations. It should be quite obvious that Apple wants you to use apple products, use apple software and purchase media content from iTunes. We can disagree with that, but they are no different from any other company. The way they are different is they can actually get people to do it. Why don't people ask why PS3 doesn't play all the Nintendo or XBox games from the factory and sync with a Kinect or Airplay GameBoy Advance? (I am sure there are people who do complain) about that, but it seems more like just something to complain about thank looking at realistic solutions

 

[thesk1llerz]

ill buy one as soon as i can stream my videos from a hardrive connect to the atv

 

[Che Castro]

ill buy one as soon as i can stream my videos from a hardrive connect to the atv

You can do that with the first apple tv

 

[thomasvision]

Apple TV

I'm surprised no one mentioned a jail broken Apple TV2. Its pretty Awesome! Ice films is great.

 

[pilotError]

It's funny, I just had this argument in the comment section on Engadget. Someone commenting about how ATV sucks and his XBox is better...

For $99 its not a bad deal. It's an iTunes extender with a few cool features. It does what it does and fairly well.

Seriously, it's about as good as its going to get with all the Douchebag content providers holding everything back. Google didn't succeed because they tried to strong-arm the content providers by putting it out and then getting licensing. The content providers pulled the plug and Google TV was a still birth.

I wouldn't hold my breath for anything groundbreaking in the next release either. I can really see an iteration with the A5 CPU and 1080P output, which has probably been its biggest complaint.

Aside from that, it probably won't do much more than it does today unless content providers jump on board and free up the log jam for any content less than 10 years old. If they can pulling off streaming video with iCloud, that might just happen, but I doubt it. They are too afraid of marginalizing their business model...

The only way these things will ever take off is if the Cable companies allow 3rd party boxes along the lines of a Tivo to replace what they put out now. One box for everything, but it will never happen. The industry pretty much killed the cablecard initiative. What we have now is just too much work for the average consumer.

Whew... And finally!!! LOL Nobody can really agree what should be in the living room to begin with. Game machines that stream movies... DVR that can slice and dice video to your other gadgets... Cheap extenders that can also play games... I don't see that game changer happening any time soon.