Apple TV software update adds Bluetooth keyboard support, hints at new hardware - Page 2

AppleTV needs apps.  There are really only two things the current AppleTV doesn't support, that's 3D and an App store.  Technically you don't need a new AppleTV to have an App store, but more memory would certainly be useful for that as some of the current memory needs to be set aside for storing video.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstone 

Definitely. I have a really long Apple ID /password for my iTunes account and an equally complex wifi password. Occasionally my aTV loses the connection requiring the re-input of the everything. Honestly, the last time that happened it took me around 4-5 tries to finally get it connected again. I wonder if the new BT keyboard will allow pairing out of the box to avoid that crazy Apple remote interface.

That seems odd. I have a 6-year-old or older Airport Express and I use my newer gen Atv everyday; I've only had to re-enter my password once in many, many months.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gazoobee 

 

This makes even less sense.  What does ... "My brother in-law receive on for Xmas."  mean exactly?  

 

Even if I take "on" as meaning "one," it can only refer to a "Windows machine"since you can't get updates for Xmas and grammatically, you're referring to the sentence immediately previous.  So you want us to believe that your brother got a brand new Windows computer, but discovered it didn't stream iTunes content as well as he'd like and ditched the entire machine as a result?  (without trying to find out what the problem even was BTW)

 

That's just crazy talk.  

 

I mean it's hard to know what you're even talking about here.  Are you on iTunes match?  Are you trying to stream from the cloud without it? (because up until today it didn't work that way).  Or are you not talking about Windows computers at all and rather are talking about AppleTV?  If it's Apple TV ... again, before today it didn't work that way unless you have iTunes Match.  

 

Finally, if you're talking about iTunes Match, then yeah... I've heard it's not ready for prime time also and that there are lots of bugs, but that isn't what the article is about and isn't anything to do with the streaming that we are talking about as a result.  

I have no intention of dignifying your rudeness with any other response!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwmac 

I don't have an Apple TV. I have a PS3 and a Roku for Netflix, Hulu, Crackle and several more channels along with Plex and Playback for streaming content from my Macs. Does the Apple TV not allowing using an iPhone or iPad's keyboard for search now? A BT keyboard could also be useful, but using your iPhone as a remote and also to search for titles would seem to be even easier. Is this not possible now?

Obviously for Netflix you could just just open the app, search for a title then add to your instant queue, but is it possible to do that directly from the Apple TV screen?

I also wonder if Apple will ever open up a bit to add more channels. Roku has tons of private channels to choose from like CNN, Vevo, TuneIn, SyFy, Pandora, Weather, and even Facebook. Apple TV would be a lot more useful with more content.

You can add content to your Instant Queue with the included remote. I actually find that Apple's little remote is a bit easier to use than the Remote app I have on my iPhone. The app remote is dog slow and the Ui/UX is crippled. What you will notice is that content discovery on the Atv and rearranging your queue is all but impossible on the Atv. But that has to do with the  Atv Netflix app, not the remote, per se. I need to use my MBA to properly manage my Netflix account and I don't think a BT keyboard will change that.

On another note, I hope that 802.11ac will help future Macs and Airplay devices mirror content more smoothly.

Originally Posted by Dunks 
Explain how an Apple TV with a dedicated games store and tactile, bluetooth controllers with a much crisper response rate than video mirroring doesn't make sense? Multitouch work for some kinds of applications, but it's clearly not suited to everything.

Because Apple will never make a tactile Bluetooth "controller" and a D-pad+one button isn't enough to be worth an SDK.

I didn't realize the ATV2/3 even HAD Bluetooth until this update.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


I wasn't aware that was a possibility. I have my iTunes account linked to my Apple TV and only when I have songs loaded locally in iTunes does the Music option appear above Movies, TV Shows, etc. Perhaps there is an iTunes Match settings I haven't seen (or remembered).

Hmmm.... strange. I've been doing this since Day 1 (of iTunes Match)!

It can't be getting streamed from anywhere else, since I've done it a gazillion times when no other piece of Apple equipment is turned on around the house.

If it eludes you -- of all people! -- something tells me that Apple needs to make it all a bit more obvious!! 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 

1) Does this include streaming iTunes Match from iCloud?

2) This addition so late to the Apple TV makes me think there is some major changes for this device category coming up shortly.

 1) i think it was already working previously as i was using iTunes Match on my apple tv from long time… i don't understand what's new with the streaming?

2) ref to the 1st point.

edit: i see anantksundaram beat me to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slurpy 

Nice! Love how the AppleTV is constantly getting more capable. Now if they through it a basic web-browser, would be pretty cool. But I understand why they wouldn't.

I don't understand why it wouldn't add a web browser. Every other competing system has one, even the X-Box 360. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kr00 


Why? You can AirPlay almost any games apps from your iPad or iPhone and stream audio and video as well. What would you use as a controller? Your iPhone/iPad? But You have those apps on there in the first place. Funny 'bout that. Think about it.................. What apps would you need on your ATV? Your grocery list?

I agree you can use Air Play to do a lot, however, there is lag especially with some games. If certain apps could reside on the Apple TV directly, there would likely be less lag. I also would like an integrated iMessage App similar to DSL and Cable boxes that let you know how is calling. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


They really didn't need to before this BT keyboard option. Using the included remote control would have been tedious, to say the least, when trying to use Safari. And since AirPlay Mirroring was introduced you can use Safari on the Apple TV and it works well.

I can see your point. I'd still like an integrated iMessage App and some of the graphic intensive games would work better if they were on the device. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBell 

 

 

I agree you can use Air Play to do a lot, however, there is lag especially with some games. If certain apps could reside on the Apple TV directly, there would likely be less lag. I also would like an integrated iMessage App similar to DSL and Cable boxes that let you know how is calling. 

i agree for the lag part.. i think it will be smooth once 802.11ac is available.

Originally Posted by saarek 
Whereas I think local content providers such as the BBC.

Yes! And there'll be app-style access for them! They're the ones that actually deserve it!

The Apple TV can be Apple's vessel for ramming and sinking the decades-old monopoly the telephone telecoms have had on programming. Obscuring that with Angry Whatever, crap games, useless iOS apps, and what have you can only ruin that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anantksundaram 


If you're using an Ethernet connection (e.g., as some people prefer, so that 1080p does look like 1080p) you'll need the original remote.

Really? You're telling me that an iPhone on WiFi and an ATV on Ethernet, both on the same subnet (because they're on the same router) can't talk to each other?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonton 


I can tell you that they can, as long as your ATV is plugged into your wireless router via the Ethernet cable. Perhaps not if your wireless router is connected to another router.

Yeah, that's what I would assume. The previous post implied that it wouldn't work (which makes little sense to me).