What do you want from ATV 3.0 software?

[kiranmk2]

The MWSF prediction thread got me thinking about the next big upgrade for the ATV.

I'd love to see a version of itunes installed on the ATV itself that allowed for streaming from NAS drives without another computer running to save power, and allowed streaming of content stored on the ATV to other clients such as computers, other ATVs and even iphones\touches over the internet in a kind of Sling-type setup.

A better (ATV-specific) version of the Remote app would make things like searching youtube and entering text much easier and even support an ATV version of Safari.

Other people have suggested an ATV app store. I don't think authors would be clambering over each other to write apps for the ATV, but I certainly think widgets would be a great idea.

A subscription model to rentals would help take up as too many people are happy with postal rental services such as LoveFilm (here in the UK). Something like £10 ($15)/month for unlimited SD films OR TV shows. Add £5 ($7.50) for both films and TV shows and another £5 for HD content. So you'd pay £15/month for unlimited SD film and HD film rentals or £20/month for unlimited video content in SD and HD.

What does everyone else think?

 

[Tallest Skil]

We really don't need another thread about this.

No subscriptions. I'd like to own my possessions, thanks.

 

[ipedro]

As I mentioned in the Macworld2009: tv Predictions thread, I think a major step forward that would be worthy of a full point, 3.0 moniker, would be an Apps or Widgets menu.

Apple could release a bunch of apps such as Weather, stocks, RSS reader, web clip (sync from Safari and iPhone bookmarks) and then allow content providers (i.e. CNN, Google, Facebook) to release Apps for their own content.

This would resolve a lot of shortcomings in one fell swoop.

 

[ipedro]

A subscription model to rentals would help take up as too many people are happy with postal rental services such as LoveFilm (here in the UK). Something like £10 ($15)/month for unlimited SD films OR TV shows. Add £5 ($7.50) for both films and TV shows and another £5 for HD content. So you'd pay £15/month for unlimited SD film and HD film rentals or £20/month for unlimited video content in SD and HD.

I see your point. The Netflix concept has been repeated in many countries and is very attractive to many people. If Apple is to compete in this field, they need to respond to such services.
I don't know how Apple will be able to offer unlimited content for $15 per month though.

 

[kfordham281]

I wrote about this on my Apple blog a month or so ago: http://applemachq.com/2008/11/09/making-the-apple-tv-relevant/

To recap:

A "Made For Apple TV" program. Similar to the iPod program, other manufactures could create hardware that interfaces with the Apple TV. Think wall mounted remote displays, etc.

App Store and SDK. Imagine if NBC released an official HULU app for the Apple TV, or the Weather Channel, or the NY Times, etc.

Apple would get a cut of the accessories sold via the Made for Apple TV program, and any paid apps. They would probably move more units too, a win-win for them.

 

[dmm219]

First of all, I'd bet a donut this whole Apple TV 3.0 stuff is way premature. There will be no Apple TV 3.0 at Macworld this year. I'll bet the next update will either be hardware, which would be a couple years away, or Apple killing the ATV altogether...

...If Apple wants to get serious about this (and every indication is, they don't), they need to get some kind of live streaming going (MLB.com, CNN or Headline news feeds).

 

[kiranmk2]

We really don't need another thread about this.

No subscriptions. I'd like to own my possessions, thanks.

So do I, but as my film collection grows, so too do the number of films I've only watched once. I don't know about the US, but in the uk flat-rate rental companies are doing very well (repeated free-trials don't hurt either). The two major problems are that you have to wait for the films to arrive and if a film is popular it can take a while to rent - both of which are solved by the ATV.

Anyway, a change in rental model is down to the film studios. I'm more thinking about the other functions of the unit.

 

[CyberBob859]

As I mentioned in the Macworld2009: tv Predictions thread, I think a major step forward that would be worthy of a full point, 3.0 moniker, would be an Apps or Widgets menu.

Apple could release a bunch of apps such as Weather, stocks, RSS reader, web clip (sync from Safari and iPhone bookmarks) and then allow content providers (i.e. CNN, Google, Facebook) to release Apps for their own content.

This would resolve a lot of shortcomings in one fell swoop.

This would be an excellent addition, because (if you think about it), it's almost like the TV channel model people are familiar with. Want to see something on CNN? Go to the CNN widget. Need an update on your weather? Go to the Weather widget.

It's something that you can demonstrate to people, and they will "get-it".