I bought AppleTV primarily for Netflix streaming. I bought it over Roku because it offered some cool integration with iTunes/iPhoto and I thought it had more upside potential than the Roku box for future enhancements. I also think I will rent the occasional movie from AppleTV.
I think Apple is taking it slow on the app side just like they did with the iPhone. Eventually things like pandora, etc. will come to AppleTV. Anything that is currently streaming over the internet only will come to AppleTV. I don't see why it wouldn't.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
Take Hulu for instance, the content partners want that for portables, but not your TV. That is why they had to pull it from Boxee. They want to provide something for people who aren't in front of a TV, but don't want to jeopardize those dollars from the cable company.
During the last olympics, they were streaming some of the less popular events live. Your internet provider had to be participating to get it. Mine was (fios). So I authenticated myself on their web site and it came back with "You don't subscribe to fiosTV, so you can't watch this streaming internet only content." I was peeved, but they are going to protect that cash cow that is cable tv to the bitter end.
Personally, I refuse to pay $50/month to have commercial television in my house. Cable TV with commercials in it should be nearly free if not free altogether. The commercials should provide all of the profit - and it could if the American people would wake up and stop paying.
Well.. The good news is their making a remote control app for Google TV (barring disapproval from Apple)..
Fact is. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. Google TV is better than Apple TV. Maybe the new AppleTV is just a precursor to something bigger from Apple. Who knows? We'll next year or the next. If ever..
I know the "cool" thing here is to bash anything that doesn't ship with an Apple logo on it, but Google TV looks pretty good to me. Has DVR albeit only with Dish Network now (which stinks), but I would imagine it'll expand to others later. Seems to offer a lot more than Apple TV. I'm an Apple fan, but sorry, I don't see why anyone would buy Apple TV when you can get similar Apple TV features and a lot more with Google TV for I'm guessing a noticeably higher price.
If there could be some way I could get live sports (NFL mainly) and the NFL Network on this thing I'd buy it and cancel my Comcast.
Stop complaining folks, competition is good - this will only push Apple to improve Apple TV on their next go-round.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
Take Hulu for instance, the content partners want that for portables, but not your TV. That is why they had to pull it from Boxee. They want to provide something for people who aren't in front of a TV, but don't want to jeopardize those dollars from the cable company.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
It might be different for the Google device if Google doesn't demand a 99 cent price point. The end game of all of this (years down the road) will be digital distribution on demand, so the last thing the networks want is to immediately devalue the content with their very first step down that scary road.
The good news is they're making a Google TV remote control app for iOS devices (unless Apple disapproves it). So iOS devices are not left behind..
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
This is actually pretty good. It's been tried before, correct, but so have other things been tried before when their time just wasn't right (remember the Apple MessagePad?)
The idea I think is pretty good: you have the best screen in the house, and it's under-used.
Apple TV comes up short, because it can't make Apple enough profit margins. But that doesn't mean Google TV is not a good idea. Google makes their money indirectly, in a different way than Apple.
It may be the biggest screen in the house, but it is far from the best.
Try doing some word processing, spreadsheets or web browsing-- it's torture!
Seems to offer a lot more than Apple TV. I'm an Apple fan, but sorry, I don't see why anyone would buy Apple TV when you can get similar Apple TV features and a lot more with Google TV for I'm guessing a noticeably higher price.
Well, the ability to stream my own video content from my computer is a major feature for me. If Apple TV did not allow that, then I wouldn't have purchased one. So the important question: can Google TV do that? (I doubt it.)
So now perhaps you could see why someone might want Apple TV over Google TV, even if the feature I described is not important for you.
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV.
First of all, which device is better is subjective.
I agree that Google TV will probably have more external content available upon launch, because Google is not nearly as controlling as Apple during negotiations with partners. However, what about my own content? Will I be able to access my 350+ digitized movies that are living on my home computer via Google TV? If not, then that's a show stopper for me.
I know the "cool" thing here is to bash anything that doesn't ship with an Apple logo on it, but Google TV looks pretty good to me. Has DVR albeit only with Dish Network now (which stinks), but I would imagine it'll expand to others later. Seems to offer a lot more than Apple TV. I'm an Apple fan, but sorry, I don't see why anyone would buy Apple TV when you can get similar Apple TV features and a lot more with Google TV for I'm guessing a noticeably higher price.
If there could be some way I could get live sports (NFL mainly) and the NFL Network on this thing I'd buy it and cancel my Comcast.
Stop complaining folks, competition is good - this will only push Apple to improve Apple TV on their next go-round.
Apple doesn't need to make money on content, although they do. They are in the smart electronic device market. They will sell tons of AppleTVs, iPods Touches, and iPads that will give individual privacy for social networking and remote capabilities to control HDTVs, all through iOS, with or without big content providers. But the big content providers WILL come evenually. People will pay $99 just for AirPlay wireless streaming technology. There is plenty of content in iTune libraries, iLife, or on the iTMS for the average consumer. Apple doesn't need to compete for content. They will just make devices with intuitive interfaces, and everyone will say "why did I think of that."
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
Wait, reality check, something that doesn't exist yet for anyone to use can't be better than something which already does exist and people use, can it?
This is typical ms mind warp and google have taken a good lead here.
The good news is they're making a Google TV remote control app for iOS devices (unless Apple disapproves it). So iOS devices are not left behind..
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
Google TV isn’t out yet. How can it be better than Apple TV?
Well, the ability to stream my own video content from my computer is a major feature for me. If Apple TV did not allow that, then I wouldn't have purchased one. So the important question: can Google TV do that? (I doubt it.)
So now perhaps you could see why someone might want Apple TV over Google TV, even if the feature I described is not important for you.
Thompson
I feel you, am only sharing my thoughts. Everyone must buy what best fits their need(s). GTV does stream Pandora and Napster (but who uses Napster anymore?). They should find a way to allow iTunes streaming, maybe down the road, but I think for content GTV wins - at least for me. If I really want to play my music over my TV right now I can connect my iPhone, that's good enough for me. But as I said we all must buy according to our needs. Later.
Wait, reality check, something that doesn't exist yet for anyone to use can't be better than something which already does exist and people use, can it?
This is typical ms mind warp and google have taken a good lead here.
GoogleTV already exists! Its just not available for consumers yet. There have been GoogleTV demos already.
Those leaked videos of GoogleTV is enough for me to make a judgement. Even the limited info on the GoogleTV website already tells me that it can do and has way more than ATV.
I love Apple but it doesn't bother me to know and say that there's a product better than Apple's.
GoogleTV is surprisingly polished for a new Google product. It usually takes Google to release a crappy product and then make it better overtime. Of course not everything they worked on worked out for them.
I feel you, am only sharing my thoughts. Everyone must buy what best fits their need(s). GTV does stream Pandora and Napster (but who uses Napster anymore?). They should find a way to allow iTunes streaming, maybe down the road, but I think for content GTV wins - at least for me. If I really want to play my music over my TV right now I can connect my iPhone, that's good enough for me. But as I said we all must buy according to our needs. Later.
Yes it is. And for one device to be better than the other, there needs to actually be two devices to compare.
Well, OK. Let's not mince words here. If Microsoft had announced this, I'd take it with a huge grain of salt. But if Google is saying that Google TV is coming in the near term and has features A, B, and C, then I am inclined to believe that this is more than just vaporware. Anyone in the market for such a device right now would be wise to take the information into account even though the device is not shipping quite yet.
So I can take the other poster's comments in the vein in which they were intended (even though the use of the present tense is technically incorrect). That is, he has looked at the announced features and has determined that they are superior for his needs. My point is that even under those conditions, superiority of the presumed feature set is still subjective.
First of all, which device is better is subjective.
I agree that Google TV will probably have more external content available upon launch, because Google is not nearly as controlling as Apple during negotiations with partners. However, what about my own content? Will I be able to access my 350+ digitized movies that are living on my home computer via Google TV? If not, then that's a show stopper for me.
Thompson
True it can't stream directly from iTunes but if you do extra work you can stream your content to it. GoogleTV has it's own version of AirPlay.
But then again reading your comments so far, it looks like AppleTV will be the best fit for your needs.
Okay I'll rephrase what I said. "For me" Google TV is better.
GTV streams Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand, and numerous TV channels and Sports (for now only NBA I think) via apps - others coming soon I'm sure. As for streaming movies/video from your computer as in iTunes, that is not explained or mentioned yet, so for now I'm guessing that's not possible, but could be wrong. I'm sure there must be a way to do it or will be later.
True it can't stream directly from iTunes but if you do extra work you can stream your content to it. GoogleTV has it's own version of AirPlay.
Is the server-side software for streaming to Google TV actually there and ready? Is it robust? Or is it all just potential until the coding is done and tested?
Comments
I think Apple is taking it slow on the app side just like they did with the iPhone. Eventually things like pandora, etc. will come to AppleTV. Anything that is currently streaming over the internet only will come to AppleTV. I don't see why it wouldn't.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
Take Hulu for instance, the content partners want that for portables, but not your TV. That is why they had to pull it from Boxee. They want to provide something for people who aren't in front of a TV, but don't want to jeopardize those dollars from the cable company.
During the last olympics, they were streaming some of the less popular events live. Your internet provider had to be participating to get it. Mine was (fios). So I authenticated myself on their web site and it came back with "You don't subscribe to fiosTV, so you can't watch this streaming internet only content." I was peeved, but they are going to protect that cash cow that is cable tv to the bitter end.
Personally, I refuse to pay $50/month to have commercial television in my house. Cable TV with commercials in it should be nearly free if not free altogether. The commercials should provide all of the profit - and it could if the American people would wake up and stop paying.
Fact is. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. Google TV is better than Apple TV. Maybe the new AppleTV is just a precursor to something bigger from Apple. Who knows? We'll next year or the next. If ever..
If there could be some way I could get live sports (NFL mainly) and the NFL Network on this thing I'd buy it and cancel my Comcast.
Stop complaining folks, competition is good - this will only push Apple to improve Apple TV on their next go-round.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
Take Hulu for instance, the content partners want that for portables, but not your TV. That is why they had to pull it from Boxee. They want to provide something for people who aren't in front of a TV, but don't want to jeopardize those dollars from the cable company.
Hulu Plus.
Content from broadcasters/cable channels is tougher. They want to get that $ from you for your cable subscription. I don't think that will be any different for the Google device.
It might be different for the Google device if Google doesn't demand a 99 cent price point. The end game of all of this (years down the road) will be digital distribution on demand, so the last thing the networks want is to immediately devalue the content with their very first step down that scary road.
Thompson
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
This is actually pretty good. It's been tried before, correct, but so have other things been tried before when their time just wasn't right (remember the Apple MessagePad?)
The idea I think is pretty good: you have the best screen in the house, and it's under-used.
Apple TV comes up short, because it can't make Apple enough profit margins. But that doesn't mean Google TV is not a good idea. Google makes their money indirectly, in a different way than Apple.
It may be the biggest screen in the house, but it is far from the best.
Try doing some word processing, spreadsheets or web browsing-- it's torture!
.
Seems to offer a lot more than Apple TV. I'm an Apple fan, but sorry, I don't see why anyone would buy Apple TV when you can get similar Apple TV features and a lot more with Google TV for I'm guessing a noticeably higher price.
Well, the ability to stream my own video content from my computer is a major feature for me. If Apple TV did not allow that, then I wouldn't have purchased one. So the important question: can Google TV do that? (I doubt it.)
So now perhaps you could see why someone might want Apple TV over Google TV, even if the feature I described is not important for you.
Thompson
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV.
First of all, which device is better is subjective.
I agree that Google TV will probably have more external content available upon launch, because Google is not nearly as controlling as Apple during negotiations with partners. However, what about my own content? Will I be able to access my 350+ digitized movies that are living on my home computer via Google TV? If not, then that's a show stopper for me.
Thompson
I know the "cool" thing here is to bash anything that doesn't ship with an Apple logo on it, but Google TV looks pretty good to me. Has DVR albeit only with Dish Network now (which stinks), but I would imagine it'll expand to others later. Seems to offer a lot more than Apple TV. I'm an Apple fan, but sorry, I don't see why anyone would buy Apple TV when you can get similar Apple TV features and a lot more with Google TV for I'm guessing a noticeably higher price.
If there could be some way I could get live sports (NFL mainly) and the NFL Network on this thing I'd buy it and cancel my Comcast.
Stop complaining folks, competition is good - this will only push Apple to improve Apple TV on their next go-round.
Apple doesn't need to make money on content, although they do. They are in the smart electronic device market. They will sell tons of AppleTVs, iPods Touches, and iPads that will give individual privacy for social networking and remote capabilities to control HDTVs, all through iOS, with or without big content providers. But the big content providers WILL come evenually. People will pay $99 just for AirPlay wireless streaming technology. There is plenty of content in iTune libraries, iLife, or on the iTMS for the average consumer. Apple doesn't need to compete for content. They will just make devices with intuitive interfaces, and everyone will say "why did I think of that."
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
Wait, reality check, something that doesn't exist yet for anyone to use can't be better than something which already does exist and people use, can it?
This is typical ms mind warp and google have taken a good lead here.
The good news is they're making a Google TV remote control app for iOS devices (unless Apple disapproves it). So iOS devices are not left behind..
Google TV is better than Apple TV for now. Like it or not. Admit to it or not. It has so much more content than ATV. Maybe the new ATV is a precursor to something big. Who knows? Maybe we'll see it next year or next or never.
Google TV isn’t out yet. How can it be better than Apple TV?
Well, the ability to stream my own video content from my computer is a major feature for me. If Apple TV did not allow that, then I wouldn't have purchased one. So the important question: can Google TV do that? (I doubt it.)
So now perhaps you could see why someone might want Apple TV over Google TV, even if the feature I described is not important for you.
Thompson
I feel you, am only sharing my thoughts. Everyone must buy what best fits their need(s). GTV does stream Pandora and Napster (but who uses Napster anymore?). They should find a way to allow iTunes streaming, maybe down the road, but I think for content GTV wins - at least for me. If I really want to play my music over my TV right now I can connect my iPhone, that's good enough for me. But as I said we all must buy according to our needs. Later.
First of all, which device is better is subjective.
Yes it is. And for one device to be better than the other, there needs to actually be two devices to compare.
Wait, reality check, something that doesn't exist yet for anyone to use can't be better than something which already does exist and people use, can it?
This is typical ms mind warp and google have taken a good lead here.
GoogleTV already exists! Its just not available for consumers yet. There have been GoogleTV demos already.
Those leaked videos of GoogleTV is enough for me to make a judgement. Even the limited info on the GoogleTV website already tells me that it can do and has way more than ATV.
I love Apple but it doesn't bother me to know and say that there's a product better than Apple's.
GoogleTV is surprisingly polished for a new Google product. It usually takes Google to release a crappy product and then make it better overtime. Of course not everything they worked on worked out for them.
I feel you, am only sharing my thoughts. Everyone must buy what best fits their need(s). GTV does stream Pandora and Napster (but who uses Napster anymore?). They should find a way to allow iTunes streaming, maybe down the road, but I think for content GTV wins - at least for me. If I really want to play my music over my TV right now I can connect my iPhone, that's good enough for me. But as I said we all must buy according to our needs. Later.
What about streaming your movies?
Thompson
Yes it is. And for one device to be better than the other, there needs to actually be two devices to compare.
Well, OK. Let's not mince words here. If Microsoft had announced this, I'd take it with a huge grain of salt. But if Google is saying that Google TV is coming in the near term and has features A, B, and C, then I am inclined to believe that this is more than just vaporware. Anyone in the market for such a device right now would be wise to take the information into account even though the device is not shipping quite yet.
So I can take the other poster's comments in the vein in which they were intended (even though the use of the present tense is technically incorrect). That is, he has looked at the announced features and has determined that they are superior for his needs. My point is that even under those conditions, superiority of the presumed feature set is still subjective.
Thompson
First of all, which device is better is subjective.
I agree that Google TV will probably have more external content available upon launch, because Google is not nearly as controlling as Apple during negotiations with partners. However, what about my own content? Will I be able to access my 350+ digitized movies that are living on my home computer via Google TV? If not, then that's a show stopper for me.
Thompson
True it can't stream directly from iTunes but if you do extra work you can stream your content to it. GoogleTV has it's own version of AirPlay.
But then again reading your comments so far, it looks like AppleTV will be the best fit for your needs.
Okay I'll rephrase what I said. "For me" Google TV is better.
What about streaming your movies?
Thompson
GTV streams Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand, and numerous TV channels and Sports (for now only NBA I think) via apps - others coming soon I'm sure. As for streaming movies/video from your computer as in iTunes, that is not explained or mentioned yet, so for now I'm guessing that's not possible, but could be wrong. I'm sure there must be a way to do it or will be later.
Full current features here:
http://www.google.com/tv/features.html
:later.
True it can't stream directly from iTunes but if you do extra work you can stream your content to it. GoogleTV has it's own version of AirPlay.
Is the server-side software for streaming to Google TV actually there and ready? Is it robust? Or is it all just potential until the coding is done and tested?
Thompson