Will Rentals EVER Happen

[BoulderBum]

I just got my TV to be able to use my Apple TV yesterday. Woo hoo!

My first impressions are that it's pretty cool. The YouTube feature is more useful than I thought it would be (though I can't seem to pull up my personal videos after I log in), but, well, the device is kind of lackluster without rentals. Rentals are the only reason I bought the thing and, like many here, I bought the Apple TV the very day they made the anouncement.

Now, however, I'm getting a little worried.

"Take 2 in two weeks" became "just a week or two more" which became "okay, just a week or two more". This is a little troubling by itself, but I also noticed that the iTunes store doesn't seem to be getting a new stock of rentals, either. People are renting the same old movies as they were a month ago.

Everything is probably okay and they're just working out the kinks and establishing their system, but a little voice in the back of my head is starting to ask the question of if everything is really okay. Could licensing fall apart? Are there problems behind the scenes beyond technical? Could I have just purchased a $230 paperweight that won't REALLY be able to get all the rentals I planned never to get again from Blockbuster?

 

[Chaszmyr]

There's nothing to be worried about, just give it another week or so for Take 2, and expect new movies to be continually added from that point on every week or two. Big companies aren't really known for rolling stuff out on time, but when they make near term announcements like this, they don't just fall apart.

 

[PROJECT359]

Everything is probably okay and they're just working out the kinks and establishing their system

Correct.

Could licensing fall apart? Are there problems behind the scenes beyond technical?

Very unlikely. If you check iTunes, you will see that Rentals are appearing nearly everyday. Seems like there is no issue there. Plus, Apple would have fully secured any licensing deal before the announcement.

Could I have just purchased a $230 paperweight that won't REALLY be able to get all the rentals

There is more to Apple TV than rentals. In my opinion, if a user only buys one for rentals, they're missing out on other features.

Sit back, relax, get to know your new gizmo and wait patiently for the cool new update.

 

[/dev/toaster]

I wouldn't expect the rentals until the end of the month. (No, I don't have any inside info, just a hunch)

 

[BoulderBum]

...just give it another week or so for Take 2...

Heard THAT one before.

Okay, maybe I'm being a little hysterical, but Apple did a bad job of setting some unrealistic expectations and they aren't doing a good job as to communicating why everything is taking so long.

I guess it's the mystery that's troubling.

 

[Chaszmyr]

Heard THAT one before.

Okay, maybe I'm being a little hysterical, but Apple did a bad job of setting some unrealistic expectations and they aren't doing a good job as to communicating why everything is taking so long.

I guess it's the mystery that's troubling.

That's really just the way these things work. For better or worse, if you stick around you'll get used to it in no time.

 

[ayale99]

I like my paperweight because it streams movies to my tv. Rentals, just a bonus option to me.

 

[Subiklim]

If Apple making you wait another two weeks for a simple software update makes you this frantic, I think you have another problem...

Heard THAT one before.

Okay, maybe I'm being a little hysterical, but Apple did a bad job of setting some unrealistic expectations and they aren't doing a good job as to communicating why everything is taking so long.

I guess it's the mystery that's troubling.

 

[kbunch]

I too bought my TV for rentals and I am getting very frustrated. Since I have bought it there have been several occasions where my wife and I wanted to rent a movie and curl up on the couch after putting the baby down for bed. But we got stuck renting it on the Macbook and just watching it in bed. I am sure the update is coming soon. I am hoping for early next week.

I do also use the TV for TV shows that I already have in my iTunes Library.

 

[mr_matalino]

they aren't doing a good job as to communicating why everything is taking so long.

I guess it's the mystery that's troubling.

Communicating? Mystery? Remember, this is APPLE we're talking about.

 

[Marvin1379]

I too bought my TV for rentals and I am getting very frustrated. Since I have bought it there have been several occasions where my wife and I wanted to rent a movie and curl up on the couch after putting the baby down for bed. But we got stuck renting it on the Macbook and just watching it in bed. I am sure the update is coming soon. I am hoping for early next week.

I do also use the TV for TV shows that I already have in my iTunes Library.

Take 2 might have widgets incorporated too, so they may be working out the kinks. I'd rather have a nicely working products, rather than ranting and raving that "they should have done this" when it doesn't work well. Give it time...we're all in the same boat. I can't wait for renting off my TV!!

 

[Chaszmyr]

Take 2 might have widgets incorporated too, so they may be working out the kinks. I'd rather have a nicely working products, rather than ranting and raving that "they should have done this" when it doesn't work well. Give it time...we're all in the same boat. I can't wait for renting off my TV!!

MacNN digs up an AppleTV widget patent from August 2006, and you just assume "oh, this is probably a secret feature in the new software that's coming out next week!" Not going to happen.

 

[levitynyc]

MacNN digs up an AppleTV widget patent from August 2006, and you just assume "oh, this is probably a secret feature in the new software that's coming out next week!" Not going to happen.

I just hope they enable us to sync events in iPhoto and enable me to browse photos rather than just view slideshows

 

[BoulderBum]

Communicating? Mystery? Remember, this is APPLE we're talking about.

I guess I'm a PC guy, I'm still getting used to this Apple stuff.

 

[netdoc66]

I guess I'm a PC guy, I'm still getting used to this Apple stuff.

You should be used to lies if you're a PC guy . DOn't believe anything these CEO liar's have to say. I remember buying the thing day one. Thinking they're gonna do great things with this. Now I know better then to get excited when Steve Jobs opens his mouth to lie about how great apple is. I have not had the same enthusiasm for new Apple products since I brought my macbook with the defective case and faulty logic board & fan. I'll upgrade my stuff only if i have to, not because they make announcements. That would be just stupid...

 

[HotRodGuy]

I just hope they enable us to sync events in iPhoto and enable me to browse photos rather than just view slideshows

it'd also be nice if they'd let us PC users use a program other then Adobe Photoshop Album which is the biggest PITA i've ever experienced