tv doesn't really need more features, does it?TV, or something very much like it, is key to Apple's growth strategy. It is one of the many devices that is served by iTunes.TV is the device that lives in the living room, by the TV. It only makes sense that this is (possibly) the most important device of all. Clearly, it needs to be the most consumer friendly.TV when there's nothing but music to buy? (exaggerated for effect, but you get what I mean...) broom closet... er... office.tv again, he's going to have to have signed some deal, like with Blockbuster, or with (drowning) Netflix, or some other "on demand" service, willing to deliver H.264. Then the box becomes meaningful.
1. I firmly believe that
2. I believe that iTunes is functioning as a file server, at the center of the "device" hub. The more devices served by this hub, the better. Currently, we have all forms and flavors of iPods, computers, and iPhone(s).
3.
Problems:
1. If it is even remotely important as a device, it needs to be easier to get media onto it. As one who had to reset my router, computers, watch awfully-slow synching, I realized the whole approach is not ready for "appliance" state.
2. There is just not enough media.
3. Too difficult to Rip, Encode, Tag and copy to the iTunes server since there is not enough media. To make it an iTunes-served device, and to make it an "appliance" as opposed to a hobby, they NEED MORE MEDIA. He's going to have to get the networks and the studios under control. (It looks like he's losing this battle, btw.) Otherwise, no media for download.
Hmmm.... did I mention they need more media? I forget...
What's to be updated on the AppleTV? Maybe a coaxial port so we can record cable/satellite, and maybe an on screen guide, but not really a big deal to me.
Other than that, the
apple:TV) hooked up to their TVs.TV to a consumer product, content acquisition must be fluid (almost invisible), and in large supply. We currently have a small amount of content that is fluid. Until the amount of content rises to above a minimum threshhold, Apple sees no value in making content available for purchase from the device. With consumers understanding "on-demand" purchases, it seems that for this device to go "prime time" that content must be there.TV goes prime-time, appliance/consumer-product, expect NOTHING from Apple. Why would they upgrade it? There's nothing wrong with it. 
tv are going to be limited to simply Hard Drive upgrade for the low/high end models (my guess would be 80/160 to match the iPod Classic line).tv to come out is one that can do 5.1. It is going to be a software update, and it'll probably be once apple has video content on the ITMS that has 5.1 built in. Right now Apple doesn't sell anything with 5.1, so why include it as a feature (when it has much more bang to announce a software update with it included along with media content that has it).tv, the possibility of reduced tv show prices/subscriptions, and better integration of the ITMS with the tv.tv is discontinued (which I don't believe it will by any means), the true potential of the product is not what content Apple provides, but how easy it is to start putting your own content on there. When people come over to my condo, they are blown away by the fact that all of my movies are on the hard drives in the office and the tv plays them in a "star trek"-esque experience. No searching, no discs, just tell the computer what you want to watch.
tv (no offense to the poster in any way) but think about it like this. Your iPod is not your music managing system, it is just the device that allows you to listen to your music (where ever you might go). Your mac with iTunes is your system for managing that media.tv is not at all dissimilar. You use your mac and iTunes to manage your video media and the tv serves as the device to display that content in your living room. It is not meant to act as your management device (just like your iPod isn't meant to be that). Also, I think that Steve's long term goal would to see multiple tvs in a household. In fact, if a substantially upgraded model is released in the future, most likely my 1st Gen will be retired to the bedroom and the new one will take its place in the living room, allowing my iTunes content to be in either room.
Excellent post and I agree. Isn't there already a solution for some of the other posters complaints??? the Mac Mini???1. I firmly believe that
2. I believe that iTunes is functioning as a file server, at the center of the "device" hub. The more devices served by this hub, the better. Currently, we have all forms and flavors of iPods, computers, and iPhone(s).
3.
Problems:
1. If it is even remotely important as a device, it needs to be easier to get media onto it. As one who had to reset my router, computers, watch awfully-slow synching, I realized the whole approach is not ready for "appliance" state.
2. There is just not enough media.
3. Too difficult to Rip, Encode, Tag and copy to the iTunes server since there is not enough media. To make it an iTunes-served device, and to make it an "appliance" as opposed to a hobby, they NEED MORE MEDIA. He's going to have to get the networks and the studios under control. (It looks like he's losing this battle, btw.) Otherwise, no media for download.
Hmmm.... did I mention they need more media? I forget...
-- Mike
