Forgive my ignorance, but say I have an LCD with one HDMI port, an Apple TV and a Roku. Any way to plug both players into the TV, or must I manually unplug on and plug in the other = major bummer.??
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One TV with Multiple Set Top Boxes
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Yes, and to add to that, there are individual HDMI switchers like this example:
http://www.amazon.com/5-Port-HDMI-S...3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1293567799&sr=1-3
OR, almost all modern home theater receivers employ HDMI switching. So if you're thinking about going the surround sound route, that'd be the way to go. A good example of one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-STR-DH51...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1293567925&sr=1-1
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Or, hey, maybe Apple will build Amazon VOD and Pandora, etc. into ATV so I won't even need a Roku. Highly unlikely, right? 
Or, hey, maybe Apple will build Amazon VOD and Pandora, etc. into ATV so I won't even need a Roku. Highly unlikely, right?
Now why in the world would Apple build in the ability to buy from a competing company? Amazon VOD competes directly against iTunes rentals.
As a shareholder Apple would have to answer that before they even think of doing such a thing. They have a responsibility to their OWNERS, those that OWN the company, not their customers.
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So why does apple allow Netflix on iPhone and on apple tv, and pandora on iPhone?
Is Netflix not a direct competitor? And pandora not such on iPhone but would be on apple tv?
So why does apple allow Netflix on iPhone and on apple tv, and pandora on iPhone?
Is Netflix not a direct competitor? And pandora not such on iPhone but would be on apple tv?
Netflix is too ubiquitous to not have. Yes it competes with iTunes but it was already an established leader in movie watching. if the ATV wanted to compete in the set top market it needed that service. I am hoping for something like Hulu Plus on the ATV but then again probably not going to happen. If we could get something like Playon on the Roku then there would be a good Mac box. Unfortunately Playon claims they need $10M to build it.
Does the iPhone/iPad Kindle app allow you to purchase Kindle books? If so, doesn't that compete with iBooks?
I just love how the topic of this thread went from HDMI switching to an argument about Netflix on the Apple TV...if you want to start a conversation about Netflix on the Apple TV, start that thread yourself. No offense really...
Aside from that, I think we answered the OP's question.
The Kindle App was release for iOS well before the iBookStore was released. This is way different, than if it was the OTHER way around and the iBookStore was only available on iOS and APPLE wrote the Kindle app into the iOS SYSTEM itself, this is what the OP is asking APPLE to do for Amazon VOD on the AppleTV2, put it in as a NATIVE app.
If after the app store comes to the AppleTV2 *and* Amazon choses to write an App for their VOD like their Kindle app, this would be okay, and *ONLY* this would be the logical equivalent of your argument.
Your logic fails with by way of an Equivalency Argument which is invalid.
Amazon has to build it in and submit it for inclusion into an App Store for the AppleTV2, not Apple has to build it in for inclusion. If Apple even wanted to write it into the OS itself, APPLE would have to get permission from AMAZON along with their DRM keys. Something APPLE will not allow ANYONE else to have access to, to add iTunes rentals to their NON-APPLE devices. Furthermore, the movie studios would pitch a fit if anyone gave out the DRM keys to another competitor, they'd pull THEIR material from BOTH companies.
The only reason I need an HDMI switcher is because I cannot find one box that will do it all - and this is why my wish for Amazon VOD and Pandora, and throw Hulu in there, comes into the discussion.
If you wish to have everything in one, buy a Mac Mini. It will pretty much do everything you mention.
Or, you could build yourself a HTPC for a few hundred dollars.
As of right now, in my opinion, there is no way to get the best of all worlds in one device.
Well the Apple TV box does do Pandora. Just Airplay it from an iOS device. I'm actually doing this now from my iPhone as I type this post on the phone with Pandora multitasking in the background. And in a couple minutes when I leave the house I can switch back to my iPhone and play on my stereo in the car without skipping a beat. How cool is that?