If this is true, Apple TV is going to be awesome!!!

[karin037]

http://www.9to5mac.com/27015/airplay-is-apples-go-to-market-internet-tv-strategy

AppleTV is a Airplay-compatible device, meaning it can stream video/sound from other Apple devices. We found out last night that it isn’t just iTunes content that it will be able to broadcast. *Any H.264 content from the web can be broadcast over Airplay to your HDTV.

That includes any video that can play on your iOS 4.2 device, like: Facebook video, YouTube, Netflix, Videos, BBC News, MLB and really anything else you can watch on your iOS device. *That also includes videos built into Apps and magazine subscriptions too. *All of this can be beamed to your AppleTV via Airplay.

 

[Seydlitz]

http://www.9to5mac.com/27015/airplay-is-apples-go-to-market-internet-tv-strategy

AppleTV is a Airplay-compatible device, meaning it can stream video/sound from other Apple devices. We found out last night that it isn’t just iTunes content that it will be able to broadcast. *Any H.264 content from the web can be broadcast over Airplay to your HDTV.

That includes any video that can play on your iOS 4.2 device, like: Facebook video, YouTube, Netflix, Videos, BBC News, MLB and really anything else you can watch on your iOS device. *That also includes videos built into Apps and magazine subscriptions too. *All of this can be beamed to your AppleTV via Airplay.

Why would you stream from those devices if you can stream from a much much much more powerful computer?

What's the huge advantage of using a lowly A4 processor which is tuned for a much lower resolution?

I mean sure, it's a nice gimmick, but the hand-helds just won't have the OOMPH to upress this content.

 

[DJinTX]

This article is very interesting.

Of course only time will tell how accurate it is, but if they basically make it possible to stream free SD content (even if it is ad-supported), and HD rentals for $.99 for TV and $3.99 for Movies, then this will certainly change the TV landscape. I doubt it will be that universal, otherwise it would kill the cable companies. But I really like the concept.

Articles like this really make my day

Thanks for sharing karin!

 

[DJinTX]

Why would you stream from those devices if you can stream from a much much much more powerful computer?

What's the huge advantage of using a lowly A4 processor which is tuned for a much lower resolution?

I mean sure, it's a nice gimmick, but the hand-helds just won't have the OOMPH to upress this content.

Currently I use my MacBook to stream music from my iTunes library to my living room speakers over AirPlay (formerly AirTunes). If this article turns out to be correct, then it seems the logical progression that any mac will be able to stream directly to the ATV, also over AirPlay. If iTunes can do it, then why not Safari? If Apple is allowing other companies to license AirPlay to send audio/video to the ATV, then of course they will give this same functionality to their huge customer base of Macs.

Am I right?

 

[Seydlitz]

Currently I use my MacBook to stream music from my iTunes library to my living room speakers over AirPlay (formerly AirTunes). If this article turns out to be correct, then it seems the logical progression that any mac will be able to stream directly to the ATV, also over AirPlay. If iTunes can do it, then why not Safari? If Apple is allowing other companies to license AirPlay to send audio/video to the ATV, then of course they will give this same functionality to their huge customer base of Macs.

Am I right?

Consider me completely idiotic.. but Connect that Mac to your PC and .. tahdah.. infinite posibilities. So why need the ATV again? I'm not saying it's a useless idea, I'm just not seeing the revolutionary gain.

Connecting your apple PC/laptop directly to the TV trumps anything an ATV can deliver. I'm not sure this is the strategy Steve has. I think they are indeed looking at the Handheld streaming idea, it just seems so unreal.

Hope I'm proven wrong

 

[newagemac]

Consider me completely idiotic.. but Connect that Mac to your PC and .. tahdah.. infinite posibilities. So why need the ATV again? I'm not saying it's a useless idea, I'm just not seeing the revolutionary gain.

Connecting your apple PC/laptop directly to the TV trumps anything an ATV can deliver. I'm not sure this is the strategy Steve has. I think they are indeed looking at the Handheld streaming idea, it just seems so unreal.

Hope I'm proven wrong

So we need to disconnect all the cables and lug our iMacs and Mac Pros downstairs and connect them to the TV? And even if you have a Macbook Pro or some other laptop, you think that's easier and more effortless to do than to just whip out your iPhone or iPod Touch?

If connecting expensive power hungry computers to TVs (and rendering them unuseable while connected) was such a great option then more regular people would be doing it.

I don't see the average soccer Mom connecting a computer to a TV to watch some video or photos of her kids or a movie or tv show on the big screen in the living room but I can see her pulling out her iPhone and touching a button to do the same. And if she wanted to go upstairs to watch on a different TV in the master bedroom she doesn't have to lug a computer back upstairs. All she has to do is select the other TV on her iPhone using Airplay.

And if she wanted to leave the house and watch while in the car, she doesn't have to lug her computer into out of the house and into the car. And once she arrives at her parent's house, she can pop the same video/tv/music/movie/etc. over to their tv using the same iPhone and resume playing where she left.

And the whole family and/or friends could join in taking turns showing favorite clips of video, photos, and music on the TV from the web, youtube, and iOS apps.

If you can't yet see how significant this is, you aren't even trying.

 

[DJinTX]

Consider me completely idiotic.. but Connect that Mac to your PC and .. tahdah.. infinite posibilities. So why need the ATV again? I'm not saying it's a useless idea, I'm just not seeing the revolutionary gain.

Connecting your apple PC/laptop directly to the TV trumps anything an ATV can deliver. I'm not sure this is the strategy Steve has. I think they are indeed looking at the Handheld streaming idea, it just seems so unreal.

Hope I'm proven wrong

I'm not saying it is revulutionary, but it is evolutionary. Yes of course you could just connect your computer to the TV, but the average TV watcher does not want to do this. Most users want an elegant simple solution in the living room, or they aren't going to bite. So, if Apple can provide a good TV solution, that encorporates their wildly popular iDevices, and allows users living room access to their massive library of Apple DRM'd music and movies, then it could be extremely successful. Maybe a success like this would give Apple the leverage to finish the job and convince cable companies and networks to want to make the internet TV transition (a la YouView in the UK). This is the true Holy Grail.

I think Apple is looking to replicate the industry changing success they created with the first iMac, and the iPhone, but in the TV space. I don't know how it all fits into the puzzle, but the whole AirPlay concept is just the beginning part of the plan. Now what the rest of the plan is, I certainly don't know. If I did my initials would be SJ instead of DJ (no relation)

 

[boston04and07]

Totally agree that this could be huge. The benefit would be being able to download the apps for the channels that you care about - if all you want is HBO and baseball, then great, you don't have to pay for hundreds of extra useless channels in order to get them. And then you just fire up the app on your iWhatever, choose where you want its video content to play (i.e. which Apple TV in your home), and there ya go. No more time consuming or complicated than choosing a cable TV station on the television. The iPhone still acts as the remote, to pause/play etc, but the video is displayed via the Apple TV. And if you need to leave or change rooms in the middle of your show, just switch the Airplay output on your iPhone. If you need to leave the house, you can keep watching wherever you are. If this functionality is kept in the general public rollout of 4.2 in November, it'll be a hugely convenient option for a lot of people.

 

[Seydlitz]

So we need to disconnect all the cables and lug our iMacs and Mac Pros downstairs and connect them to the TV? And even if you have a Macbook Pro or some other laptop, you think that's easier and more effortless to do than to just whip out your iPhone or iPod Touch?

If connecting expensive power hungry computers to TVs (and rendering them unuseable while connected) was such a great option then more regular people would be doing it.

I admit I was thinking along the lines of the everywhere visible Laptop Note that the concept of streaming asks some Mac hardware and in many cases that will be a macbook (considering sales that is not a stretch...).

I don't see the average soccer Mom connecting a computer to a TV to watch some video or photos of her kids or a movie or tv show on the big screen in the living room but I can see her pulling out her iPhone and touching a button to do the same. And if she wanted to go upstairs to watch on a different TV in the master bedroom she doesn't have to lug a computer back upstairs. All she has to do is select the other TV on her iPhone using Airplay.

Well, you see soccermom setting up Itunes on the iMac and then configuring her iPhone to control that and the Atv... maybe... but I very much doubt "soccer mom" is the target demographic. Call me crazy, but soccer mom just watches cable.. that's a lot easier.

And the whole family and/or friends could join in taking turns showing favorite clips of video, photos, and music on the TV from the web, youtube, and iOS apps.

Gimmick? I'm serious here... how often do you go through photos from your vacation? And the average joe will just connect his mini HDR to the tv and play it.. he won't import it into Itunes. What he might show is his iPhone movie, but how often will you do that?

Music+youtube.. it's been done by many devices, including the Appletv, without the need of streaming. In fact, this is also true for the new Atv. You will go to Youtube directly, not through the iPhone...

If you can't yet see how significant this is, you aren't even trying.

Consider me not trying. I just don't see being able to show photos on your TV as either new or very appealing. In my experience I put photos online a lot more often than showing them in my living room.

Also, the HUGE thing has been covered by the Atv version 1, except the Netflix/IOS4 integration. The first one failed (I love it, but for Apple it's hardly a success).

The second one might succeed, but it will be the Netflix, not the ability to show photos on your telly. Otherwise the AppleTV version one would have been a barnstorming success.

Sorry, I'm just a bit allergic to this "Soccer mom will love this device" mantra. It's a geek device. The specs in itself just miss some key factors the average consumer is being bludgeoned to death with of which 1080P will be most important (Yes, 1080P is overrated, but it's the most important selling point on AV devices).

 

[DeusInvictus7]

Consider me completely idiotic.. but Connect that Mac to your PC and .. tahdah.. infinite posibilities. So why need the ATV again? I'm not saying it's a useless idea, I'm just not seeing the revolutionary gain.

Connecting your apple PC/laptop directly to the TV trumps anything an ATV can deliver. I'm not sure this is the strategy Steve has. I think they are indeed looking at the Handheld streaming idea, it just seems so unreal.

Hope I'm proven wrong

The point is to not use a computer. It's to be able to just take your device, beam content onto the tv, and that's it.

Consider this scenario: you go to a friend's house and want to show him something that you saw on a website on your idevice. Instead of going to his computer to watch the content there, or using you example, getting his computer and plugging it into the tv, you can just play it on your device and stream it to the tv with the apple tv.

You eliminate having to use the computer, and moreso having to plug the computer to the tv. Sure the apple tv isn't as powerful as a fullblown computer, but its no supposed to be.

 

[tripjammer]

So we need to disconnect all the cables and lug our iMacs and Mac Pros downstairs and connect them to the TV? And even if you have a Macbook Pro or some other laptop, you think that's easier and more effortless to do than to just whip out your iPhone or iPod Touch?

If connecting expensive power hungry computers to TVs (and rendering them unuseable while connected) was such a great option then more regular people would be doing it.

I don't see the average soccer Mom connecting a computer to a TV to watch some video or photos of her kids or a movie or tv show on the big screen in the living room but I can see her pulling out her iPhone and touching a button to do the same. And if she wanted to go upstairs to watch on a different TV in the master bedroom she doesn't have to lug a computer back upstairs. All she has to do is select the other TV on her iPhone using Airplay.

And if she wanted to leave the house and watch while in the car, she doesn't have to lug her computer into out of the house and into the car. And once she arrives at her parent's house, she can pop the same video/tv/music/movie/etc. over to their tv using the same iPhone and resume playing where she left.

And the whole family and/or friends could join in taking turns showing favorite clips of video, photos, and music on the TV from the web, youtube, and iOS apps.

If you can't yet see how significant this is, you aren't even trying.

Now I see the potential! Totally awesome the AppleTV will be!

 

[tripjammer]

The point is to not use a computer. It's to be able to just take your device, beam content onto the tv, and that's it.

Consider this scenario: you go to a friend's house and want to show him something that you saw on a website on your idevice. Instead of going to his computer to watch the content there, or using you example, getting his computer and plugging it into the tv, you can just play it on your device and stream it to the tv with the apple tv.

You eliminate having to use the computer, and moreso having to plug the computer to the tv. Sure the apple tv isn't as powerful as a fullblown computer, but its no supposed to be.

You right all the AppleTV has to do is take the stream and display it on the TV. A apple A4 chip with a good enough amount of ram will be able to do this with ease!

 

[hitekalex]

Connecting your apple PC/laptop directly to the TV trumps anything an ATV can deliver.

No it doesn't. Been there, done that. Connecting PC/laptop to your TV is cumbersome in every way possible.. and just so.. 2003. Connecting a small, silent, diskless appliance (aka ATVv2) is the way to go.

And with AirPlay giving ATVv2 easy hook into any iOS device (and hopefully Macs down the road) - the possibilities are truly endless. I am sorry you don't get that.

 

[Seydlitz]

No it doesn't. Been there, done that. Connecting PC/laptop to your TV is cumbersome in every way possible.. and just so.. 2003. Connecting a small, silent, diskless appliance (aka ATVv2) is the way to go.

Like a Macmini or *gasp* an Atom? And they als use a HDMI cable so don't even go there ^^. Add to that that it does indeed play more than the Apple TV it's not exactly cumbersome. What I do agree with is that it will never become mainstream. However, where I differ in opinion is if the Apple TV will become mainstream. I think it will appeal to geeks and I can explain why.

And with AirPlay giving ATVv2 easy hook into any iOS device (and hopefully Macs down the road) - the possibilities are truly endless. I am sorry you don't get that.

Woah tiger.... it's all hedged into the Apple fences called iTunes and is limited by the hardware itself. So endless? I assume you know that you are using hyperbole.

Now what you guys do not explain is this:

I have an Iphone, but it's not big enough to host all my media. So I guess I would need to stream from a Mac. Hmmm.. that is a big hit for simplicity and asks you to have a few expensive devices.

Note that I can stream to AND play directly from the old ATV, so at least half of the goodies are actually existing features. The first one had a hard time, it's not so clear to see that this one will be a barnstorming success.

The big selling point for the ATV will be rentals, but for that it seems rather expensive.

Now I know a lot of people here are saying it will cause canceled cable subscriptions, but that will be minor. Sport, news etc, thats where cable shines. Add to that that cable is brainlessly easy and doesn't require an extra interface it seems clear that it will just coexist next to cable.

In the end, what the new Apple TV brings to the table has been done before in the XBOX and PS3, but the Apple TV will be (a lot) more elegant. I sincerely doubt that it will cause a major shift in consumer tastes like the iPhone did. It's will be a niche product which will sell well with geeks. For a non-techie family it will be an extra device which is quite expensive to use (rental) when they already have paid for their tv episodes through their cable bill.



Mark my words... it will be an awesome device. I just agree with Apple... it's a minor item, no long rows, no big launch.

 

[DJinTX]

For those of you mentioning soccer moms, lets just leave them out of this. Some soccer moms may be interested, and some won't, but this isn't about them.

There is a much bigger picture here...

Apple wants to transform the TV industry using their huge install base of iTunes users. How do they do this? Well this is my rudimentary explanation...

1. Give the iTunes base an inexpensive add-on so they can access all iTunes info in the living room where they want to veg in front of the TV. (Yes, they tried in the past, but the box was way too expensive). $99 is chump change.

2. While working on step 1 above, float the idea of a possible app store addition at some point. Why? Because iTunes/iPhone users are now addicted to apps. They are powerless against the appeal of apps.

3. Then, to woo a segment of the tech nerd population, float some info that AirPlay will allow them to stream any html5 web feeds from their PC or iOS device to the ATV.

4. From there, launch the ATV app store, deliver some really cool apps, including gamecenter, and developers will furiously churn out thousands of cool apps (and thousands of HD fart apps) that add even more functionality, taking away any edge that roku, boxee, or googleTV had.

5. Once this is yet another success, Apple becomes immensely more powerful and popular, they then have the leverage needed to make the cable companies bow to their wishes of instant-satisfaction on demand programming. Who needs a la carte channels when you can choose to stream any content at anytime for one low flat rate (somewhere between $10 and $1,000,000 a month).

So this is the rough outline of the plan. Any questions?

 

[BoulderBum]

I agree this feature, if true, will be huge! Every streaming service I have for iPhone but wish were on Apple TV can be there!

I want to confirm that the rumors are true, but I'm pre-ordering my Apple TV the second I find out if they are!

 

[DJinTX]

I agree this feature, if true, will be huge! Every streaming service I have for iPhone but wish were on Apple TV can be there!

I want to confirm that the rumors are true, but I'm pre-ordering my Apple TV the second I find out if they are!

Well, this may not be something that is really known for awhile. Apple could decide to announce new features early, but it is more likely we won't know for sure until iOS 4.2 launches in November and people can test it out in the real world. Of course my opinion on pre-orders is that while the ATV will be pretty popular in the beginning, I doubt they will sell out. I'm sure on launch day, or any other point after that you can walk into any Apple Store or Best Buy and pick one up.

 

[mags631]

Consider me completely idiotic.. but Connect that Mac to your PC and .. tahdah.. infinite posibilities. So why need the ATV again? I'm not saying it's a useless idea, I'm just not seeing the revolutionary gain.

The size is definitely cool:
aTV = 0.9 x 3.9 x 3.9 = 13.7 in^3 (1x)
15" Dell Laptop = 14.7 x 1.02 x 9.6 = 144 in^3 (10x)
Mini = 1.4 x 7.7 x 7.7 = 83 in^3 (x6)
Dell Zino HD = 3.4 x 7.8 x 7.8 = 206 in^3 (15x)
Dell Studio XPS 7100 = 16 x 7 x 18 = 2016 in^3 (147x)

(maybe you don't care -- but I do!)

 

[hitekalex]

Like a Macmini or *gasp* an Atom? And they als use a HDMI cable so don't even go there ^^. Add to that that it does indeed play more than the Apple TV it's not exactly cumbersome.

Yes, even Mini with HDMI is still cumbersome. It is still a COMPUTER, and it's not intended to be a set-top box. It doesn't have the right UI (don't even get me started with Frontrow). It's not designed to be operated solely by a remote. You can't do anything else with it while it's outputting video to your TV screen.

And that is why it will never become mainstream.. not because it's ultra technically difficult to hook it up to a TV, but because the resulting experience is not average-user friendly. Repeat after me - "computer connected to a TV = fail".

Woah tiger.... it's all hedged into the Apple fences called iTunes and is limited by the hardware itself. So endless? I assume you know that you are using hyperbole.

Wrong again. It's been shown in the last 2 days that AirPlay on iOS devices is NOT limited to iTunes content, for example - NetFlix works over AirPlay. Time will show what you will be able to push from a Mac desktop, but it's shaping up to be a very intriguing set of capabilities. Certainly not like anything that's been done on Xbox, PS3 or anything else.

 

[newagemac]

In fact, it appears ANY video that plays through the normal iOS video player (Quicktime) will work with Airplay in 4.2. That means MLB at Bat, ABC, Air Video, Plex, Netflix, and the thousands of other iOS apps that play video on iOS devices already work without the developers having to do anything to "enable" Airplay once 4.2 and the new Apple TV are available.

And yes it has been confirmed that web videos work over Airplay as well. You can browse in Safari and if the web site has video on it that plays on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch (most video on the web these days), just Airplay it to your TV. This has already been demonstrated to work on 4.2 beta. With that the possibilities truly are endless.

An iOS device could become like a personalized Boxee Box in the palm of your hand. The TV is just a display device and the Apple TV just enables the connection between the dumb display and the smart little computer in your hand that you already own.

I can see the new Apple TV becoming an accessory that effectively sells more iOS devices.

 

[emegmac]

Maybe it is just me but I do t see this being a big deal. I stream stuff using airvideo to my ipad to watch movies in bed. The quality is not hd. Its ok on the small screen but im not going to want to watch it on my 50 inch plasma. Mlb.tv looks good on my iphone, ok on the ipad but on my plasma it would look bad. Video playing on the ipad is meant to be viewed on it, a 10 inch screen. Maybe Im not seeing the advantage here but it sounds like a sales gimick. If it could stream a 720mkv that would impress me.

 

[J&JPolangin]

Is this feature supposed to work on the old aTV?

Our base PX is blowing out the first gen 160Gb models for $119 NIB and I'm tempted to get one...

 

[gianly1985]

1) A lot of Money + Knowledge&Tinkering + non-U.S. citizen (no itunes shows/movies) = MacMini + Plex/Nine + Remote Buddy + Wii Remote + Wireless Keyboard and Magic Mouse/Trackpad

2) Just 99$ + No_need_to_be_geeks + iOS_integration + U.S. citizen (iTunes rentals) = new AppleTV

@mags631 and others
Size and loudness ----> gimme a break A Mini is already tiny and silent enough to sit under a TV. That's not the point. (compared to a Mini)

 

[8CoreWhore]

The App itself will have to support Video Out for it to be streamed. For instance, MLB At Bat 2010 does not support video out to your TV should you use the cables (So, I've read). So the deveoper has to express that.

It's possible some TV Apps won't support it per content provider agreements.

But, yeah... IOS4.... Apps... very cool.... curious what jailbreak apps will come available. Interesting.

 

[Seydlitz]

Yes, even Mini with HDMI is still cumbersome. It is still a COMPUTER, and it's not intended to be a set-top box. It doesn't have the right UI (don't even get me started with Frontrow). It's not designed to be operated solely by a remote. You can't do anything else with it while it's outputting video to your TV screen.

And that is why it will never become mainstream.. not because it's ultra technically difficult to hook it up to a TV, but because the resulting experience is not average-user friendly. Repeat after me - "computer connected to a TV = fail".

Yes, my lord... I will repeat your mantra based on falsehoods. yes my lord, I will not look at the facts.

Sorry that it's all nonsense in the extreme, but there you go.

1. A HTPC with XBMC is operated with a remote. Odd huh? Only been there for a couple of years now...
2. There are things like Plex and XBMC which are dead easy to setup and have a consistent, easy to use and gorgeous UI. They also have been around for a couple of years.
3. Why can't you do anything? A Mac is more than powerful enough to do stuff in the background.

So your arguments are being waylaid by facts. Now I'm sure that won't change your opinion... but excuse me if I don't go to yours. I'm a sucker for facts you know.

Wrong again. It's been shown in the last 2 days that AirPlay on iOS devices is NOT limited to iTunes content, for example - NetFlix works over AirPlay. Time will show what you will be able to push from a Mac desktop, but it's shaping up to be a very intriguing set of capabilities. Certainly not like anything that's been done on Xbox, PS3 or anything else.

Say what again? We do not know what is possible yet, but you expect all content limitlessly being streamed to your ATV, using a lowly A4 (both as sender and receiver). Yet you call it limitless. (Keep in mind Apple still links Airplay to iTunes in their communications).

The 9to5 Mac "scoop" isn't a scoop as it's already squarely on the Apple page itself.

Do you really want to bet that Apple goes for DRM free, do all you want(risking the wrath of all content providers which they need)? Or is it more likely that they hedge it in? What is the usual strategy from Apple? In other words... what would a betting man choose?

I'm pretty sure you can stream almost anything from a dedicated PC or Mac (It's an old trick). I'm also sure it will be the best device for this on the market.

What I do not see is how this will be mainstream... you just need to many expensive items and have to set up and manage several devices. It's wonderful... but it's geeky.