Simple fix for remote issues, use Apple's "Remote" app for iPhone/iPad. Haven't used my actual Apple TV remote in a looong time.
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle (Touch ID would simplify it if you have that). No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle. No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
Changing your inputs on the TV requires an actual remote. Neither the Apple TV remote and Remote app can change inputs so not sure how that is a problem. If you don't want your iPhone sleeping, there is a setting within the Remote app called "Stay Connected" or you can just turn off your iPhone/iPad sleep option to "never" for the time being. Mine is set on "Never" but each to their own. But since you used the remote app once since it was released, I would try it again.
Well, I'd rather wait for the new Apple TV spec, Amazon and paid writers comparing to the soon to be outdated spec...plus it's better to stream or order thru one Eco system
Wonder how responsive it will be after a couple of months of downloading a few games and deleting them to make room for others. My android tablet crawls now compared to when it was purchased. Also why does someone not build a browser into these set top boxes to make them proper smart TVs.
Wonder how responsive it will be after a couple of months of downloading a few games and deleting them to make room for others. My android tablet crawls now compared to when it was purchased. Also why does someone not build a browser into these set top boxes to make them proper smart TVs.
I'm trying to figure out what makes this such a big improvement.
oh it has voice control. doesn't work outside of searching Amazon. If you try to use it in something like Netflix you don't get Netflix hits but Amazon ones. So that's basically a fail of an interesting idea.
it's 802.11n despite ac being out so that's no better than everyone else.
it supports 7.1 sound in the hardware but what about the content. Something tells me that most of it is likely still 5.1 so is that a huge deal.
it doesn't need line of sight for the remote. Neither does an Apple TV if you are using a device like an iPhone which many folks are cause the silver remote is a pain in the ass.
it supports Amazon Prime/instant video rather than iTunes. Well that's a parallel issue not an improvement one. Folks highly invested in Amazon aren't likely using iTunes much if at all anyway. And vice versa probably
you can download games to it. Like six games and they either require an iffy experience via the remote or getting a bluetooth controller so that's a wash against using airplay off your device
so what exactly are these "iterative improvements" the headline speaks of
The pressure is on Apple. If these new Fire TV additions are mocked here as "iterative" then Apple needs something very substantial with their upgrade. It's been 3 years since SJ announced he'd cracked the TV. Expect a serious stock drop if otherwise. We shall see.
I'm trying to figure out what makes this such a big improvement.
oh it has voice control. doesn't work outside of searching Amazon. If you try to use it in something like Netflix you don't get Netflix hits but Amazon ones. So that's basically a fail of an interesting idea.
it's 802.11n despite ac being out so that's no better than everyone else.
it supports 7.1 sound in the hardware but what about the content. Something tells me that most of it is likely still 5.1 so is that a huge deal.
it doesn't need line of sight for the remote. Neither does an Apple TV if you are using a device like an iPhone which many folks are cause the silver remote is a pain in the ass.
it supports Amazon Prime/instant video rather than iTunes. Well that's a parallel issue not an improvement one. Folks highly invested in Amazon aren't likely using iTunes much if at all anyway. And vice versa probably
you can download games to it. Like six games and they either require an iffy experience via the remote or getting a bluetooth controller so that's a wash against using airplay off your device
so what exactly are these "iterative improvements" the headline speaks of
You don't need to buy a $500 phone to get it to work properly so that's a win for Amazon.
And I bet since HBO is reporting this, I'm sure it includes those who get the "special" 3 months free who are not actually paying for HBO.
So for a large majority, they don't care if it has HBO Go. Myself included.
I wonder what percentage of people with AppleTV/whatever have HBO. That's really the number that matters. If a high percentage of the 70% without HBO also don't have a STB, then that's a fairly irrelevant statistic.
HBO has consistently -- for decades now -- been the most high-level programmer, the most awarded programmer, the most innovative programmer. And remember, it's not just HBO programming that HBO GO allows you to watch. There are movies. There's sports.
Why would it be dumb. For £119 I can buy a Tesco Hudl with quad core processor , 16gb memory and HDMI out. I can connect it to a TV and do more than the Amazon Fire TV does and can connect Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and game controller. I could then take it with me wherever I go. Much more useful than Fire TV. I want my TV box to do everything a tablet can do on my TV.
Wall Wart is a deal killer to me. My Apple TVs are hidden behind the TV; many have a little indent that they squeeze into nicely without any tape or other mounting material. I can even still use the remote when I angle the AppleTV just right so the sensor is visible, and bounce the IR off the ceiling. A wall wart means you cannot hide it behind the TV, at least not without an extra cable running exposed.
Surprised Amazon couldn't do any better, given that the Apple TV hasn't really been updated in years.
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle (Touch ID would simplify it if you have that). No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
It's a matter of taste I suppose, but it sounds a bit like what Blackberry users used to say.
I can't use dedicated remotes wether it's IR or BT, I need to be able to control all my equipment and don't want to use several remotes. I now use Roomie Remote; works great and will work even better if the next Apple TV would sport IP control.
Comments
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle (Touch ID would simplify it if you have that). No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
This looks OK, other than the glaring omission of HBO GO. I mean, huh? Wow.
I'm just waiting for the next AppleTV anyways. But if that weren't the case, I'd consider this, as I am a Prime member.
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle. No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
Changing your inputs on the TV requires an actual remote. Neither the Apple TV remote and Remote app can change inputs so not sure how that is a problem. If you don't want your iPhone sleeping, there is a setting within the Remote app called "Stay Connected" or you can just turn off your iPhone/iPad sleep option to "never" for the time being. Mine is set on "Never" but each to their own. But since you used the remote app once since it was released, I would try it again.Getting HBO Go is probably in the works. Apple TV was without it for quite some time.
Getting HBO Go is probably in the works. Apple TV was without it for quite some time.
Yeah, but that's a HUGE missing link for a device that is being released into a market that already has many other available entries.
I mean, it's HBO for crying out loud.
Who writes the app? HBO does, not Amazon. If there's a delay then it's HBO dragging their feet.
Wonder how responsive it will be after a couple of months of downloading a few games and deleting them to make room for others. My android tablet crawls now compared to when it was purchased. Also why does someone not build a browser into these set top boxes to make them proper smart TVs.
Cause that would be dumb.
Who writes the app? HBO does, not Amazon. If there's a delay then it's HBO dragging their feet.
It's not relevant whose fault it is. It's still a glaring omission.
Yeah, but that's a HUGE missing link for a device that is being released into a market that already has many other available entries.
I mean, it's HBO for crying out loud.
You do realize that HBO reports a 29% penetration rate of pay TV subscribers, right? So 70% of those who pay for TV do not have it at all?
http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/premium-tv-networks-say-npd-study-purporting-to-show-their-decline-is-hogwash-1201066121/
And I bet since HBO is reporting this, I'm sure it includes those who get the "special" 3 months free who are not actually paying for HBO.
So for a large majority, they don't care if it has HBO Go. Myself included.
oh it has voice control. doesn't work outside of searching Amazon. If you try to use it in something like Netflix you don't get Netflix hits but Amazon ones. So that's basically a fail of an interesting idea.
it's 802.11n despite ac being out so that's no better than everyone else.
it supports 7.1 sound in the hardware but what about the content. Something tells me that most of it is likely still 5.1 so is that a huge deal.
it doesn't need line of sight for the remote. Neither does an Apple TV if you are using a device like an iPhone which many folks are cause the silver remote is a pain in the ass.
it supports Amazon Prime/instant video rather than iTunes. Well that's a parallel issue not an improvement one. Folks highly invested in Amazon aren't likely using iTunes much if at all anyway. And vice versa probably
you can download games to it. Like six games and they either require an iffy experience via the remote or getting a bluetooth controller so that's a wash against using airplay off your device
so what exactly are these "iterative improvements" the headline speaks of
If these new Fire TV additions are mocked here as "iterative" then Apple needs something very substantial with their upgrade.
It's been 3 years since SJ announced he'd cracked the TV.
Expect a serious stock drop if otherwise.
We shall see.
You don't need to buy a $500 phone to get it to work properly so that's a win for Amazon.
Not really when all things are considered. It's just a matter of time.
You do realize that HBO reports a 29% penetration rate of pay TV subscribers, right? So 70% of those who pay for TV do not have it at all?
http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/premium-tv-networks-say-npd-study-purporting-to-show-their-decline-is-hogwash-1201066121/
And I bet since HBO is reporting this, I'm sure it includes those who get the "special" 3 months free who are not actually paying for HBO.
So for a large majority, they don't care if it has HBO Go. Myself included.
I wonder what percentage of people with AppleTV/whatever have HBO. That's really the number that matters. If a high percentage of the 70% without HBO also don't have a STB, then that's a fairly irrelevant statistic.
HBO has consistently -- for decades now -- been the most high-level programmer, the most awarded programmer, the most innovative programmer. And remember, it's not just HBO programming that HBO GO allows you to watch. There are movies. There's sports.
It's a pretty huge thing, HBO.
Why would it be dumb. For £119 I can buy a Tesco Hudl with quad core processor , 16gb memory and HDMI out. I can connect it to a TV and do more than the Amazon Fire TV does and can connect Bluetooth keyboard, mouse and game controller. I could then take it with me wherever I go. Much more useful than Fire TV. I want my TV box to do everything a tablet can do on my TV.
Surprised Amazon couldn't do any better, given that the Apple TV hasn't really been updated in years.
Except to change the inputs from your TV to your Apple TV.
I still like the physical buttons on the remote better, especially for channel surfing, Guide info and muting or volume adjustments. If the iPhone goes to sleep, you have to enter your password and look at the screen to make any selection. Kind of a hassle (Touch ID would simplify it if you have that). No look, no login is better in my opinion. I personally only used Remote app once to test it when it first came out so I'm just speculating on the awkwardness of the operation. I don't use it.
It's a matter of taste I suppose, but it sounds a bit like what Blackberry users used to say.
I can't use dedicated remotes wether it's IR or BT, I need to be able to control all my equipment and don't want to use several remotes. I now use Roomie Remote; works great and will work even better if the next Apple TV would sport IP control.