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Hardware Doubts Swirl Around Followup to Apple TV
Jason Mick (Blog) - August 25, 2010 7:06 PM
Print 18 comment(s) - last by macthemechanic.. on Aug 27 at 11:06 PM

Apple TV has gone nowhere, thus far. Is the device doomed for good? And if so, why is Apple reportedly preparing to launch a new version of the low-volume device.  (Source: Burak)
Apple CEO Steve Jobs is reportedly pessimistic about the device's prospects

Bloomberg earlier today aired a story about an upcoming Apple event and how it would herald a slew of new products including a new iPod Touch and a new version of Apple TV.  Now in a followup, Bloomberg's Peter Burrows says that Apple isn't optimistic about the new version of Apple TV.

Mr. Burrows writes:

Even with the refresh, Jobs isn't convinced the new version will be a mainstream hit, says the person familiar with Apple's plans.  Most consumers aren't ready to cut the cord on their cable company, or put up with the tech-nastics required to stream content from the iTunes collection on their PC to their living room big-screen TV.  In other words, it's a product that at best will delight some of the 'hobbyists' that have always been interested in the product.

He alleges that Apple is instead focused on pushing iTunes video rentals for the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, with the Apple TV left on "tail end" of the strategy.

That's in line with the words of Apple CEO Steve Jobs who has repeatedly called the device a "hobby" over the course of its 3-year deployment.  He stated at the annual All Things D conference in June, "The only way that's ever going to change is if you can really go back to square one, tear up the set top box, redesign it from scratch with a consistent UI across all these different functions, and get it to consumers in a way that they're willing to pay for it. And right now there's no way to do that."

Perhaps the sentiments expressed by Mr. Burrows and Mr. Jobs are overly harsh.  After all, the current Apple TV can only receive streamed video or act as a home theater iPod of sorts.  The Apple TV is rumored to run a version of iOS (use on the iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad) and access the App Store. 

If Apple can offer TV-based gaming, it could essentially beef up its value by turning its device into a budget gaming console.

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Again.
By DPigs on 8/25/2010 7:14:11 PM , Rating: 3
Why would anyone buy this??




RE: Again.
By Gio6518 on 8/25/2010 7:17:40 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Why would anyone buy this??


not a clue

lets see you have on demand with cable tv, satellite, netflix, why buy another device and pay another monthly subscription.........still trying to figure why a new iPod device, the smart phone has pretty much killed (or killing) off the segment...


RE: Again.
By hughlle on 8/26/2010 4:34:49 AM , Rating: 2
Agreed. I have not touched my Zune since i received my HTC Desire, although i'm sure if i was going on a long trip i'd probably use it to save phone battery life.


RE: Again.
By amanojaku on 8/25/2010 11:08:27 PM , Rating: 2
Stupidity and/or boredom, with a touch of insanity. It speaks volumes that Steve won't (can't?) sell this since he purportedly can sell anything.

However, the cynical side of me believes he's working on something else. Steve isn't one to give up on anything, but he will switch gears and take a different tactic, e.g. PowerPC->x86, PC sales->consumer device sales, etc... My guess is AppleTV will die in favor of an updated iPad. The iPad is capable of resolutions just under the AppleTV (1024x768 and 1280x720, respectively) so there isn't much of a difference. The iPad is also software programmable via the App Store, whereas the AppleTV is pretty much an appliance. And then there's the AppleTV content via iTunes vs. the iPad with iTunes, plus anything that will play on an App or HTML 5'ish thing.

The stagnation of the AppleTV and the relatively strong video capabilities of the iPad don't strike me as a coincidence. Particularly when Apple can make more off the cheapest iPad (don't forget the accessories!) than it can off the AppleTV.


RE: Again.
By Da W on 8/26/2010 2:12:04 PM , Rating: 2
I read apple will use AMD's fusion chip (Bobcat) on those. If it's true, it should output at 1080p. And since it's x86 i'm not sure it will feature just plain iOS.

True, your still better with a full blown HTPC, with a blue ray reader, HD TV tuner to record your shows, killer 7.1 speaker set, subsciption to zune for music and/or netflix for movies, and may be even a decent videocard to play games, but i find it hard to win at Starcraft II while sitting on the couch. Plus if you let your wife access internet shopping sites at will in your living room, your heading strait to backrupcy!


RE: Again.
By AssBall on 8/25/2010 11:17:51 PM , Rating: 3
No one.

The article title is misleading. There is actually not any real "doubts" about it. Everyone unanimously believes it is a stupid idea.


RE: Again.
By MatthiasF on 8/26/2010 1:30:45 AM , Rating: 2
No one.

Of course, I don't understand why anyone buys/steals DVDs or digital media anymore when there are plenty of cheap or free streaming services available with full catalogs.


RE: Again.
By eek2121 on 8/26/2010 2:31:51 AM , Rating: 1
Why? Lets see, let me think:

1) Freedom from monthly 'fees'. I pay $90 for 'expanded basic' cable after taxes, fees, etc. through my cable provider. If i bought an apple TV, i estimate i'd save $54/mo minimum.

2) Broader selection of on demand. My current on demand selection via my cable provider sucks. Satellite isn't an option because i enjoy on demand.

3) Netflix will be likely releasing an AppleTV app. Don't kid yourself, apple is going to do for TV what they did for the phone. They won't block Netflix due to antitrust issues. Having netflix available in hd on a device faster than my bluray player will be awesome.

4) Support for 3rd party apps. Being able to kick back on my couch and browse the web or play simple games will be awesome. Sometimes i just feel like playing pac-man instead of mario or MW2. The apple TV will be perfect for this

5) Support for photos, books, etc. I'm sure the new appleTV will support these items. When I have the family over it'd be great to show them family photos, etc.

6) Apple Bashers go away. I'm a droid loving PC addict, but i think the apple TV will be a hit. God knows i'll buy one, simply because of the money it will save.


RE: Again.
By undermined on 8/26/2010 3:03:00 AM , Rating: 2
So you basically want a Apple branded Wii? All 3 current consoles play netflix and have the ability to buy simple games already and the PS3 and Xbox360 can also stream HD either from their prospective online stores or from you own networked PCs

The only thing Apple adds is the ability to buy from iTunes... no wait I mean rent since apple wants to rent you access to shows not just give you access for a fee ala Netflix.

Apple will also try to leverage the app ecosystem but for me at least, if I want applications on a TV I'll connect my pc to it. All new tv's can display photos and I'd never try to read a book on a tv screen when a iphone/ipad/kindle makes so much more sense.

This device is at best going to be a overpriced WDTV like device or a iOS box that will use your TV as a display.

I want live 1080p with real surround sound not 720p iTunes downloads and if i want simple games in the livingroom I'll pull out a smartphone, the wii, xbox live, something off playstation network or a iPad not buy another device to access stuff I already can.


RE: Again.
By Shadowself on 8/26/2010 3:10:49 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Having netflix available in hd on a device faster than my bluray player will be awesome.

You are seriously delusional if you think Netflix streaming video is even in the same class of bit rate or overall quality as Blu-ray. "Faster tha Blu-ray"? Only if you think it is faster than getting into your car, going to the rental place then returning with a Blu-ray disk. By any other measure it is significantly slower -- and lower quality.


RE: Again.
By nafhan on 8/26/2010 10:09:24 AM , Rating: 2
Everything you mentioned is applicable to current gen consoles, which a lot of people already have. Plus, if the "apps" you want on your TV are mostly games, it would be rediculous to purchase an iTV instead of an Xbox/PS3/Wii. All three have plenty of casual games along with "real" games.


RE: Again.
By Flunk on 8/26/2010 9:03:32 AM , Rating: 2
certainly not anyone who owns a 360 or PS3 since both of those already do everything the Apple TV is meant to do, arguably with better format support.


Google TV vs. Apple iTV
By CZroe on 8/26/2010 12:55:44 AM , Rating: 2
Could it be that Apple is a little unsure now that Google had the same idea and beat them to the punch with their Google TV announcement? Obviously, Google TV is set to leverage the Android Marketplace just as Apple iTV is set to use the App Store.

His second thoughts are probably more due to not being sure that the market is big enough for both of them.




RE: Google TV vs. Apple iTV
By PAPutzback on 8/26/2010 9:51:04 AM , Rating: 2
I was waiting for the Google TV to be mentioned, both of these boxes will be useless. Just by a newer TV with the Netflix app built in and seeing as they can run java all these other apps shoould be able to be installed.

The key is for someone to invent a decent controller for these devices. I have tried a dozen remote keyboards and none of them work right.


Horrible move
By SunAngel on 8/25/2010 9:45:00 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
If Apple can offer TV-based gaming, it could essentially beef up its value by turning its device into a budget gaming console.


I hope Apple avoids this market at all costs. Let Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft continue to battle it out on that front. Apple needs to continue their current path.

Attention Apple: We believe. Ease of use and 'it just works' is working for me and a lot of others. Don't change a thing.




RE: Horrible move
By FaceMaster on 8/26/2010 12:18:40 AM , Rating: 2
They SOOOO should have saved the name 'ipad' for their console controller.


I HEART my Apple TV
By schmizz on 8/26/2010 7:05:59 PM , Rating: 2
I have had my Apple TV for over 2 years and there is not a day that I have not used it. I have all the consoles, but for simple streaming to my big screen it can't be beat. It is much more reliable than it's PC competition such as the WD video players. It paid for itself in a few months since I was able to cancel cable. I don't think Apple marketed this product properly from the get go. It was a real missed opportunity and I think it's kind of late in the game to try and make it a success now, even though it deserves to be one.

The Boxee Box by D-Link is peaking my interest.
http://www.boxee.tv/box




By macthemechanic on 8/27/2010 11:06:16 PM , Rating: 2
1. No commercials.
2. No computer keyboard needed when watching on the big screen.
3. No need for a computer hooked up to the TV. AppleTV isn't much bigger than a slice of pizza.
4. No constant Patch Tuesday interrupting watching TV.
5. I can watch what I want, when I want.
6. I'm not paying for shows I don't want to watch at that time, nor those I will never watch - as with cable.
7. It just works without having the troubleshoot it every other time as with other solutions we've tried over the past few years.
8. I can take my shows on the road with me on my iPad and watch in any country I want regardless of local politics or language barriers.
9. Simple connections: 1 HDMI and 1 FiberOptic for incredible sound and video.
10. It is much cheaper than cable when compared at the yearly ownership level. (12 months of $125 digital HD TV is $1500). I still don't understand why we have to pay extra for digital TV. Then there's pay for view (extra), movie channels (extra). Versus the cost of AppleTV ($400), plus the $25-$40 per season and I order 5 series per season at an average cost of $162.50 for a full season and that's twice a year for a total of $325 per year. Movies are $5 for HD (1080p) mostly with some (720p) non HD. I buy some 4 per month for a yearly total of $240. Total cost for the first year is: $965. Second year is $565. I get Internet also out of the cost savings per year.

Bonus one: It worked during a hurricane when the cable was out for weeks.




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