What does price have to do with anything? Consoles are in the category of set top boxes, i.e., you put it on a shelf and probably never move it again.
And maybe this will illustrate my point. If Apple and Roku have 80% of the narrowly defined "set-top streaming device" category but represent only 20% of actual streamed content, doesn't that paint a very different picture of the "dominance" of these devices?
This article is trying to paint Apple as one of the leaders of media streaming but really they're just another player on a crowded field.
I agree with your second paragraph but not your first.
Is there evidence that shows that between the Apple TV, Roku, PS3/4 and Xbox 360/One that Apple's device only accounts for about 20% of the movie and TV show media extender content being streamed from a local or internet-connected server?
but those consoles cost 200%-400% more than the AppleTV for most of their product cycle.
You are not comparing Apples to Apples.
With that extra cost, one gets a considerably wider range of functionality. Also, if one has a game console, the need for a dedicated streaming device is minimized. Which makes it an interesting piece of information to compare usage and purchasing patterns, to see how the general public makes their choices of a range of options.
What next? Include PC's and Tablets that can also stream movies to your tv?
Why not? I think it would result in more interesting figures. Slicing and dicing differentiations to narrow everything down to tiny market segments seems to be a bit much.
The last time I powered up my AppleTV was to play the recent iOS presentation, and it did well, though it didn't remember where I left off to finish later, requiring a lot of fast forward to get back to position again.
Netflix just didn't play as smoothly as it did on my PS3, and the Apple remote is the least comfortable remote I've had the displeasure of using.
Bought a newer Roku about 8 months ago and I need another one before Christmas. Would love to pick up an Atv, but not having plex and Amazon is a deal breaker.
Thinks that AppleTV stinks at (as an AppleTV owner) that need to be addressed to put it on par with (or better than) Roku:
1. Channel building. There's no SDK, and most available channels are uncompelling. One can't even turn a video podcast or favorite YouTube channel into an AppleTV channel. There needs to be a way to create channels and add them just as Roku does. this should include a relatively easy way to build personal or group channels.
2. Accessing local file shares for content. The closest you get are Apple's iCloud and iTunes-based services. Well, iCloud, with 5Gb of storage doesn't hold an awful lot and, for many, is a performance dog. iTunes works, but it doesn't leverage NAS storage and has the odd-ball home sharing setup that phones home to set up permissions (and it becomes super inconvenient when you have multiple computers or accounts involved). Also iTunes requires you to have your computer and iTunes fired up at the time - kind of inconvenient.
3. Merging account content. AppleTV supports having the device sign in with multiple accounts, but you need to switch between them manually in Settings? There's no rational reason to do this. All the accounts' contents are accessible, but you can't look through it all at once, you have to plough throw multiple menus to get at it, and it's pretty well hidden.
4. Podcasts. Already a medium in their own right, with no small bit of help from Apple, but the Podcast doesn't let you add URLs of your favorites, and by default seems to only show shared podcasts from a system with iTunes on, home-sharing enabled, and podcasts pre-subscribed. You can see popular podcasts from the iTunes Store, but that's it. And, if you have a podcast that you watch frequently, there's absolutely no way to promote it to a channel (like saving URLs to the springboard in iOS).
5. Some of the support for things like Flickr is half implemented. Try and select one of your own private Flickr photo sets as a screensaver, for instance.
6. A crappy IR remote. The beam has poor spread, and it uses a protocol that universal remotes can't support. Better would be a remote that could be emulated by standard universal remotes, or at least, a remote that didn't require you to point directly at the unit like you were engaging in target practice.
All of this is pretty basic and obvious stuff. Sure, maybe you can make the case for other types of apps on there, like games or whatnot, but that's not as important.
For people complaining the Apple Tv needs the App store: Its called AIR PLAY MIRRORING- Mirror your iPhone/ipod/ipad/Mac to the Apple Tv, and there it is...THE APP STORE ON YOUR TV.....Why would they put the app store on the apple tv when it has this function? apparently this is how they want you to use the apple tv.
Bought a newer Roku about 8 months ago and I need another one before Christmas. Would love to pick up an Atv, but not having plex and Amazon is a deal breaker.
Does the roku have iTunes store or the ability to do what ?TV does with my photos yet? -not to mention airplay.
I had a roku a while back and returned it because of the clunky interface, its inability to do the above mentioned and the craptastic other apps that were included. Talk about a deal breaker. ?TV is the best unit.
For people complaining the Apple Tv needs the App store: Its called AIR PLAY MIRRORING- Mirror your iPhone/ipod/ipad/Mac to the Apple Tv, and there it is...THE APP STORE ON YOUR TV.....Why would they put the app store on the apple tv when it has this function? apparently this is how they want you to use the apple tv.
I assume you did not bother reading all of the comments, as previously stated certain TV based apps block airplay.
Each box has it's own strengths, but Apple could dominate this segment if they just had the willpower. They are on the cusp of "insane greatness" with the ATV, but as the many comments bear out, there are tiny missing features (particularly opening it up to 3rd parties like with iDevices) that hobble the ATV just enough to leave the market wide open for competitors such as Roku. If Apple doesn't quickly wake up and take the ATV seriously (drop this "hobby" mentality) I'm afraid they'll be "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory".
I assume you did not bother reading all of the comments, as previously stated certain TV based apps block airplay.
So what can Apple do about that? If the developers want to block their own app from airplay they have that right. It's not like Apple can force all apps to support airplay. That would make even less sense.
You missed my point. All apps already support airplay mirroring via iOS. My question is why would Apple force it for apps that don't need or want airplay.
All apps already support airplay mirroring via iOS.
Can, not do.
My question is why would Apple force it for apps that don't need or want airplay.
For those apps, you just wouldn’t use it. Or you would if you had a need for a larger interface. The point would be to make AirPlay a foundation-level API, requisite of the creation of the app itself, unable to be turned off by the developer.
Why would they put the app store on the apple tv when it has this function? apparently this is how they want you to use the apple tv.
Because it's a compromise solution that is prone to lag and interference, is inefficient, and therefore isn't as good quality as a native solution would be on the Apple TV.
For a while web apps were the way Apple wanted you to use third party software on your iPhone. Things change.
Thinks that AppleTV stinks at (as an AppleTV owner) that need to be addressed to put it on par with (or better than) Roku:
1. Channel building. There's no SDK, and most available channels are uncompelling. One can't even turn a video podcast or favorite YouTube channel into an AppleTV channel. There needs to be a way to create channels and add them just as Roku does. this should include a relatively easy way to build personal or group channels.
2. Accessing local file shares for content. The closest you get are Apple's iCloud and iTunes-based services. Well, iCloud, with 5Gb of storage doesn't hold an awful lot and, for many, is a performance dog. iTunes works, but it doesn't leverage NAS storage and has the odd-ball home sharing setup that phones home to set up permissions (and it becomes super inconvenient when you have multiple computers or accounts involved). Also iTunes requires you to have your computer and iTunes fired up at the time - kind of inconvenient.
3. Merging account content. AppleTV supports having the device sign in with multiple accounts, but you need to switch between them manually in Settings? There's no rational reason to do this. All the accounts' contents are accessible, but you can't look through it all at once, you have to plough throw multiple menus to get at it, and it's pretty well hidden.
4. Podcasts. Already a medium in their own right, with no small bit of help from Apple, but the Podcast doesn't let you add URLs of your favorites, and by default seems to only show shared podcasts from a system with iTunes on, home-sharing enabled, and podcasts pre-subscribed. You can see popular podcasts from the iTunes Store, but that's it. And, if you have a podcast that you watch frequently, there's absolutely no way to promote it to a channel (like saving URLs to the springboard in iOS).
5. Some of the support for things like Flickr is half implemented. Try and select one of your own private Flickr photo sets as a screensaver, for instance.
6. A crappy IR remote. The beam has poor spread, and it uses a protocol that universal remotes can't support. Better would be a remote that could be emulated by standard universal remotes, or at least, a remote that didn't require you to point directly at the unit like you were engaging in target practice.
All of this is pretty basic and obvious stuff. Sure, maybe you can make the case for other types of apps on there, like games or whatnot, but that's not as important.
1) Why ignore all the things the Ruko can't do that the Apple TV can do?
2) The Apple TV supports any remote, not just universal remotes. You simply tell it what buttons on the remote you want to use and press them. It couldn't be any easier.
2) The Apple TV supports any remote, not just universal remotes. You simply tell it what buttons on the remote you want to use and press them. It couldn't be any easier.
2) The Apple TV supports any remote, not just universal remotes. You simply tell it what buttons on the remote you want to use and press them. It couldn't be any easier.
Comments
I agree with your second paragraph but not your first.
Is there evidence that shows that between the Apple TV, Roku, PS3/4 and Xbox 360/One that Apple's device only accounts for about 20% of the movie and TV show media extender content being streamed from a local or internet-connected server?
With that extra cost, one gets a considerably wider range of functionality. Also, if one has a game console, the need for a dedicated streaming device is minimized. Which makes it an interesting piece of information to compare usage and purchasing patterns, to see how the general public makes their choices of a range of options.
Why not? I think it would result in more interesting figures. Slicing and dicing differentiations to narrow everything down to tiny market segments seems to be a bit much.
The last time I powered up my AppleTV was to play the recent iOS presentation, and it did well, though it didn't remember where I left off to finish later, requiring a lot of fast forward to get back to position again.
Netflix just didn't play as smoothly as it did on my PS3, and the Apple remote is the least comfortable remote I've had the displeasure of using.
Bought a newer Roku about 8 months ago and I need another one before Christmas. Would love to pick up an Atv, but not having plex and Amazon is a deal breaker.
1. Channel building. There's no SDK, and most available channels are uncompelling. One can't even turn a video podcast or favorite YouTube channel into an AppleTV channel. There needs to be a way to create channels and add them just as Roku does. this should include a relatively easy way to build personal or group channels.
2. Accessing local file shares for content. The closest you get are Apple's iCloud and iTunes-based services. Well, iCloud, with 5Gb of storage doesn't hold an awful lot and, for many, is a performance dog. iTunes works, but it doesn't leverage NAS storage and has the odd-ball home sharing setup that phones home to set up permissions (and it becomes super inconvenient when you have multiple computers or accounts involved). Also iTunes requires you to have your computer and iTunes fired up at the time - kind of inconvenient.
3. Merging account content. AppleTV supports having the device sign in with multiple accounts, but you need to switch between them manually in Settings? There's no rational reason to do this. All the accounts' contents are accessible, but you can't look through it all at once, you have to plough throw multiple menus to get at it, and it's pretty well hidden.
4. Podcasts. Already a medium in their own right, with no small bit of help from Apple, but the Podcast doesn't let you add URLs of your favorites, and by default seems to only show shared podcasts from a system with iTunes on, home-sharing enabled, and podcasts pre-subscribed. You can see popular podcasts from the iTunes Store, but that's it. And, if you have a podcast that you watch frequently, there's absolutely no way to promote it to a channel (like saving URLs to the springboard in iOS).
5. Some of the support for things like Flickr is half implemented. Try and select one of your own private Flickr photo sets as a screensaver, for instance.
6. A crappy IR remote. The beam has poor spread, and it uses a protocol that universal remotes can't support. Better would be a remote that could be emulated by standard universal remotes, or at least, a remote that didn't require you to point directly at the unit like you were engaging in target practice.
All of this is pretty basic and obvious stuff. Sure, maybe you can make the case for other types of apps on there, like games or whatnot, but that's not as important.
Does the Atv have Amazon instant or Plex yet?
Bought a newer Roku about 8 months ago and I need another one before Christmas. Would love to pick up an Atv, but not having plex and Amazon is a deal breaker.
Does the roku have iTunes store or the ability to do what ?TV does with my photos yet? -not to mention airplay.
I had a roku a while back and returned it because of the clunky interface, its inability to do the above mentioned and the craptastic other apps that were included. Talk about a deal breaker. ?TV is the best unit.
see how that works...
For people complaining the Apple Tv needs the App store: Its called AIR PLAY MIRRORING- Mirror your iPhone/ipod/ipad/Mac to the Apple Tv, and there it is...THE APP STORE ON YOUR TV.....Why would they put the app store on the apple tv when it has this function? apparently this is how they want you to use the apple tv.
I assume you did not bother reading all of the comments, as previously stated certain TV based apps block airplay.
Each box has it's own strengths, but Apple could dominate this segment if they just had the willpower. They are on the cusp of "insane greatness" with the ATV, but as the many comments bear out, there are tiny missing features (particularly opening it up to 3rd parties like with iDevices) that hobble the ATV just enough to leave the market wide open for competitors such as Roku. If Apple doesn't quickly wake up and take the ATV seriously (drop this "hobby" mentality) I'm afraid they'll be "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory".
All Apple has to do is stop that from happening. Boom, done.
I assume you did not bother reading all of the comments, as previously stated certain TV based apps block airplay.
So what can Apple do about that? If the developers want to block their own app from airplay they have that right. It's not like Apple can force all apps to support airplay. That would make even less sense.
Of course they can.
Of course they can.
You missed my point. All apps already support airplay mirroring via iOS. My question is why would Apple force it for apps that don't need or want airplay.
Can, not do.
For those apps, you just wouldn’t use it. Or you would if you had a need for a larger interface. The point would be to make AirPlay a foundation-level API, requisite of the creation of the app itself, unable to be turned off by the developer.
For a while web apps were the way Apple wanted you to use third party software on your iPhone. Things change.
1) Why ignore all the things the Ruko can't do that the Apple TV can do?
2) The Apple TV supports any remote, not just universal remotes. You simply tell it what buttons on the remote you want to use and press them. It couldn't be any easier.
I could have sworn it wasn't there when I bought it, but it does look like it was there since late 2010.
I only noticed it earlier this year. 2010 surprises me.
I found a few articles stamped November 2010.
This article claims November 2008:
http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/take_control_your_apple_tv_your_universal_remote
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
2) The Apple TV supports any remote, not just universal remotes. You simply tell it what buttons on the remote you want to use and press them. It couldn't be any easier.
Yep, and so noted above: http://forums.appleinsider.com/t/161213/apple-tv-roku-in-two-horse-race-for-set-top-streaming-domination#post_2447135