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Apple will continue to invest in the Apple TV

Z

zedsdead

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Jun 20, 2007
3,463
1,438
Q: What about Apple TV?
A: Still a hobby for us, but movie rentals are increasing popularity. We will continue to invest in it, because we believe there is something there.

This is great news. I didn't expect them to change their view about it being a hobby, but it is nice to hear that they will continue development of the Apple TV. Hopefully new hardware is coming soon...possibly what all the news about the Atom processor is about.
 
I still think that rumor about the Atom going in the Mac Mini was hilarious. Yes, the response to it was moreso, but why would Apple suck the power out of a product at the same price?

I don't know much about the Atom processor aside from it is supposed to cure cancer (along with the G1 and the Pre). I think the ATV needs more software work than hardware, unless you count the crap remote. Some sort of Wii-like remote and many more options on playback would improve the device by leaps and bounds.
 
This is encouraging. There were indications that Apple wasn't putting much of an effort into it.

It always made sense that Apple would stay in this market – it will be a huge market one day – or somebody else would come in and win it. Nonetheless, hearing from Apple themselves that they're sticking to their guns is good.

Looking forward to 3.0
 
I just can't see Apple abandoning the AppleTV without providing another way of placing your iTunes content on a TV. Think about it. Media is no longer about just music. And while there was a time when the only high-def viewing device in your house was a computer monitor, that's no longer the case. Apple knows the days of your computer being your primary HD viewing device are drawing to a close. Hell, I spent less on a 50" HD 1080p plasma than I did on my 24" imac (not much, but a little).

The AppleTV's not going anywhere. Now, whether Apple devotes a lot of time to software upgrades or a hardware upgrade is another argument...
 
hobby?

That term may have some legal significance for Apple. As a corporation, subject to public disclosure of operations, calling this product a hobby could be little more than an accurate accounting term for: "something we are going to lose money at for a while, so don't ask about it". I thought there was some official rule about the number of years you could take a loss and not call something a hobby. Must not be or certain car manufactures could be said to have a hobby of making automobiles.

In any case, we might take this "hobby" term with a grain of salt. Apple probably takes this emerging market very seriously. It has the potential to be a bigger market than anything prior. Assuming that's the case, I think we'll see a substantial hardware upgrade in the near future.
 
I think they need to stop treating it like a hobby and put some real effort into making something everyone wants to buy. Right now I can see that a number of other companies are positioning themselves to create alliances or open software alternatives that threaten to render Apple TV irrelevant.


They've had 2 years with this as a 'hobby' now - that's 2 years while every other company has been aiming for a point in the future to beat Apple...

I have to say they're slipping badly with Apple TV. I'd buy one in the UK if it were the equivalent of $400 dollars for a 40Gb version...I'd buy one at the current price if it acted as an all-in-one media delivery, recording and storage solution - but it really isn't anything more than a wireless 'dvd-rip' Mac to LCD TV interface'...
 
i like the appletv concept. for me, i don't have a widescreen tv (yet) although i know I can still run one on mine.

for me, i'm waiting for apple to make something with some raid storage in it.

i know I can get a unit to attach to 1 of my macs, but honestly, i don't want my macs, the appletv AND an external HD unit all running. It just doesn't make sense.

one combined unit connected to my tv, now that makes sense and I'm willing to buy into it. :)

don't get me wrong, i have nothing against the appletv, but i'm just waiting :)
and it's not easy just waiting when I know I'll love it, but i'm hoping my wait will be sweeter in the end.

cheers,
keebler
 
Hobby Time Needs to End

surferfromuk said:
I think they need to stop treating it like a hobby and put some real effort into making something everyone wants to buy. Right now I can see that a number of other companies are positioning themselves to create alliances or open software alternatives that threaten to render Apple TV irrelevant.
Click to expand...


I totally agree with this. None of my friends know what the AppleTV is, however, when they come to my house and see it they're all amazed. Apple needs to put some $$ into making the AppleTV better, making more content available, and marketing it so people know what it is. There is a mini "Apple Store" at my local best buy but they don't even sell :apple:TV there. :(
 
I agree with the earlier poster who mentioned the software over hardware. Apple can optimize the software for the current AppleTV, what they need to do is increase the functionality of the machine. Opening up the USB port for an external drive would be a great way to do this.

Apple should look at how to make this thing work in the CENTER of the home theater and not just some needless add-on that it currently is. I know some of us do use the AppleTV as the main component but reality is, not many people even know what the hell it does or its purpose.
 
I adore my AppleTV. if they ever announce they are gonne be done with it I will buy 3 asap because I couldn't do without mine! Also because I want a second one for the basement LOL
 
Apple is really serious about the Apple TV.

After renting a HD movie, I received the iTunes receipt which had a link to "report a problem". While the movie rental process and viewing were exceptional, I did report a problem with poor audio quality of my rental, ie. very soft dialog volume and very loud volume during the loud parts of the movie which made watching very frustrating because I would have to adjust the volume on my TV constantly. It got to the point I gave up on the movie a third into it.

After filing the report, Apple immediately responded and gave me a refund on the rental, which came as a total surprise to me.
 
techfreak85 said:
i dont see why a lot of people dont like it/buy it. i love mine!
Click to expand...
While I love the idea of AppleTV, the reason I don't have one (yet) is that it doesn't play VIDEO_TS out of the box. I'm not interested in hacking it or anything, so I'm out of luck there until Apple decides to support VIDEO_TS (and MPEG-2 mts streams from EyeTV or other devices).

I have several TV's around the house and in my perfect AV set-up, each TV would have an aTV attached. A Mac mini (also not yet owned) would serve as the central server with TBs of HDDs attached.

While I'm dreaming, it wouldn't hurt if Apple added support for sites like Hulu, etc. Or at least open up the architecture to allow for plug-ins or an App Store to allow developers to add functionality.

If this were to happen, I'd cancel Comcast and stick an antenna in my attic. I'd spend the $60/mo that I'd save on Apple products.

All in all, it's a win/win ...

ft
 
What is your source for this statement OP?
It is funny, if we post something like this in this format about an upcoming release people cry fake and start the arguing. The OP formats a question and answer citing no sources and people pat him on the back.


I am not convinced Apple would not abandon this project, much like the mini. I certainly hope they make me a liar.

Wiska said:
Apple is really serious about the Apple TV.

After renting a HD movie, I received the iTunes receipt which had a link to "report a problem". While the movie rental process and viewing were exceptional, I did report a problem with poor audio quality of my rental, ie. very soft dialog volume and very loud volume during the loud parts of the movie which made watching very frustrating because I would have to adjust the volume on my TV constantly. It got to the point I gave up on the movie a third into it.

After filing the report, Apple immediately responded and gave me a refund on the rental, which came as a total surprise to me.
Click to expand...


This makes them serious about iTunes rentals and not your ATV.
 
jessica. said:
What is your source for this statement OP?
It is funny, if we post something like this in this format about an upcoming release people cry fake and start the arguing. The OP formats a question and answer citing no sources and people pat him on the back.
Click to expand...
It was stated during their quarterly earnings conference call earlier this week.
 
I think they are maintaining it as a hobby is because the two fundamental problems with the video distribution are primarily out of Apple's control.

Bandwidth and licensing.
 
ftaok said:
While I love the idea of AppleTV, the reason I don't have one (yet) is that it doesn't play VIDEO_TS out of the box. I'm not interested in hacking it or anything, so I'm out of luck there until Apple decides to support VIDEO_TS (and MPEG-2 mts streams from EyeTV or other devices).
Click to expand...

The biggest roadblock preventing the AppleTV from being all that it could be is the movie studios. Does anyone honestly think that Apple is going to make it easy to play ripped DVDs on the AppleTV and risk the wrath of the studios? There is no chance that Apple will allow the Apple TV to play VIDEO_TS unless the studios agree to dump DRM. And that is not going to happen.

If you want to rip DVDs and play them on your AppleTV, there are tools available out there to let you do that. However, don’t hold your breath waiting for Apple to provide the capability “out of the box”.
 
mchalebk said:
The biggest roadblock preventing the AppleTV from being all that it could be is the movie studios. Does anyone honestly think that Apple is going to make it easy to play ripped DVDs on the AppleTV and risk the wrath of the studios? There is no chance that Apple will allow the Apple TV to play VIDEO_TS unless the studios agree to dump DRM. And that is not going to happen.

If you want to rip DVDs and play them on your AppleTV, there are tools available out there to let you do that. However, don’t hold your breath waiting for Apple to provide the capability “out of the box”.
Click to expand...
Honestly, I don't buy that explanation at all. What's the difference between the aTV playing VIDEO_TS and a Mac playing VIDEO_TS? Hell, Front Row can play VIDEO_TS without using that script that was developed by of our forum members.

I agree that Apple won't have VIDEO_TS capabilities in the aTV anytime soon, but I don't buy that it's the movie studios behind forcing it. In any event, I won't be buying an aTV unless it has these features, or something else that replaces that functionality.

ft
 
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