Another Neil article where he has no clue who AI and Apple customers are.
If you, the reader, think AI "core" readers are the "typical" Apple user, you're really mistaken in that regard.
For instance, if you think that, then you think that nearly the entire Apple user base wants a Mac mini tower, with PCI and PCI-E storage. The reality is, almost nobody outside the "core" AI readership gives a single crap about it. In fact, most prefer thin and light everything, instead of the constant cry that we get here for a shitload of ports, and thick to support that.
Reviews like this have to appeal and apply to the larger audience, and not just the AI "core." Related to this, we've turned off comments on tips, because of ridiculous comments like "Why did you write this, this is obvious" -- when it really isn't to most.
The AI "core" is 30% of our total readership, and dropping, as Apple's reach grows and we grow in readership. We're not abandoning that core, but there is zero chance we're going to ignore the other 70%.
To be fair jwdawso may have been suggesting the crowd of AI/Apple folks that believe there can be zero criticism of Apple and any and every product they make is by default a 5 out of 5... anything else demonstrates cluelessness...
This was a rational, honest and well done review... a 2.5/5 would be a middle "C" grade, which Neil justified and defended well.
Everyone was hoping for a M1 but we got the three year old A12 instead. I guess Apple was afraid people would hack it to run MacOS.
“Everyone” meaning you, apparently. Literally just you. Nobody thought that. You’ve slipped up here, gone a step too far—only an actual troll would say that.
People were hoping for the A14, yes. The M1 in a $180 streaming box, no.
Agree with you on this. No one was expecting M1, except the OP. I saw many people asking for A12Z, instead of A12. But I don't remember seeing anyone else asking for M1 in Apple TV refresh.
Exactly. Given the scope of the device, adding M1 in the mix would have been a much larger PITA. New OS, new apps, etc.
After a week and a half with the new Apple TV I’ve decided to return it and stick with the previous version. The spec bump isn’t worth the price at all and I actually hate the new remote.
I really wanted to love it but I just hate it. I much prefer the old Siri remote. The new remote is heavy and uncomfortable in the hand with its sharp edges. I was CONSTANTLY activating Siri accidentally when I’d pick it up. ALL the time. The power button and D pad are useless to me since the Apple TV is the only thing hooked up to my TV (I’m never trying to control anything else). The mute button is no big deal (who cares). And swiping on the d pad isn’t nearly as nice as swiping on the previous remote. The only thing I liked about it was that the 10 second skip is much more reliable than touching and pressing the edges of the old remote. And the scrubbing is kind of cool but whatever. It barely works in ANY apps at all anyway other than the TV app. So it’s going back. And I might buy an old Siri remote or two while I still can to have on hand in case my current one ever dies.
Considering the update Google just shoved out to its Shield devices, which now means it has giant ads at the top of the Home Screen, showing you content to watch and buy regardless if you subscribe to the services or not, or weather you want to see the content or not. Then I think the new Apple TV is a 5 out of 5 product.
Comments
This was a rational, honest and well done review... a 2.5/5 would be a middle "C" grade, which Neil justified and defended well.
I really wanted to love it but I just hate it. I much prefer the old Siri remote. The new remote is heavy and uncomfortable in the hand with its sharp edges. I was CONSTANTLY activating Siri accidentally when I’d pick it up. ALL the time. The power button and D pad are useless to me since the Apple TV is the only thing hooked up to my TV (I’m never trying to control anything else). The mute button is no big deal (who cares). And swiping on the d pad isn’t nearly as nice as swiping on the previous remote. The only thing I liked about it was that the 10 second skip is much more reliable than touching and pressing the edges of the old remote. And the scrubbing is kind of cool but whatever. It barely works in ANY apps at all anyway other than the TV app. So it’s going back. And I might buy an old Siri remote or two while I still can to have on hand in case my current one ever dies.