I never use my Apple TV anymore. I don't dislike the Apple TV, but I mostly stream in 4K now. I have both a Roku and Fire TV, but those don't get much use either. I'm just using the built in apps on my TV, mainly Vudu for Dolby Vision.
Now that I upgraded to a 4K TV, which is likely anyone on the market for a new TV beginning this year (My local Best Buy doesn't even really have 1080p sets anymore), I am also using the built-in apps rather than my Apple TV. It's just far more convenient than switching sources and navigating on the Apple TV, not to mention, the lack of 4K and HDR for those programs that offer it, which is quite a bit of Amazon and Netflix original programming. This if nothing else virtually guarantees that Apple will likely enter the Smart TV market. That said, I will upgrade to a new ATV this Fall if it includes 4K. Otherwise, I'll probably only use it if I want to AirPlay something from a device, or watch a movie I already own in my iTunes library. As for rentals, Apple is already losing my money to Amazon which offers 4K HDR rentals.
What interests me about the article is that it hints at Roku selling more because of their entry level devices, but is that actually part of the survey? Roku also makes some fine top of the line boxes that compete head to head with Apple, so that could also be a factor -- Roku offers 4K HDR, with an excellent interface for around the same price as Apple's aging box.
Regardless, I'm excited to see what Apple unveils in September. It would make perfect sense to unveil it alongside the iPhone if in fact it makes the perfect companion for displaying those beautiful 4K videos via AirPlay which currently have no means of easily sharing in their native resolution.
I'm holding off updating my ATV 3, in the hope they will improve the remote. I have a feeling they will not. For now, this is the best ATV 3 with that old remote.
Apple continues to ignore the basics. MacPro updates? Mac Mini Updates? Truly moving the MacBook Pro forward technologically? No, no, no. Please Mr. Cook, a little attention to the foundational products. Airports? pretty much dead.
Mac Pro updates...coming! You can guarantee the new MacPro will not be cheap at all...I would expect at least a $4500+ starting point.
Mac mini updates...who cares except for a few select people and it won't be what you want anyways. Its never going to be some modular Mac with interchangeable parts. Just isn't going to happen on anyone's watch as CEO of Apple. Not at the price point of the Mac mini.
MacBook Pro....arguably the most technically advanced laptop Apple has ever released. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone else doesn't. If everyone was so unhappy with it then why are sales higher than the outgoing model and continue to be? Please explain this?
I never use my Apple TV anymore. I don't dislike the Apple TV, but I mostly stream in 4K now. I have both a Roku and Fire TV, but those don't get much use either. I'm just using the built in apps on my TV, mainly Vudu for Dolby Vision.
Now that I upgraded to a 4K TV, which is likely anyone on the market for a new TV beginning this year (My local Best Buy doesn't even really have 1080p sets anymore), I am also using the built-in apps rather than my Apple TV. It's just far more convenient than switching sources and navigating on the Apple TV, not to mention, the lack of 4K and HDR for those programs that offer it, which is quite a bit of Amazon and Netflix original programming. This if nothing else virtually guarantees that Apple will likely enter the Smart TV market. That said, I will upgrade to a new ATV this Fall if it includes 4K. Otherwise, I'll probably only use it if I want to AirPlay something from a device, or watch a movie I already own in my iTunes library. As for rentals, Apple is already losing my money to Amazon which offers 4K HDR rentals.
What interests me about the article is that it hints at Roku selling more because of their entry level devices, but is that actually part of the survey? Roku also makes some fine top of the line boxes that compete head to head with Apple, so that could also be a factor -- Roku offers 4K HDR, with an excellent interface for around the same price as Apple's aging box.
Regardless, I'm excited to see what Apple unveils in September. It would make perfect sense to unveil it alongside the iPhone if in fact it makes the perfect companion for displaying those beautiful 4K videos via AirPlay which currently have no means of easily sharing in their native resolution.
The only reason I have a Roku stick is so I can use the Amazon Prime app, everything else is viewed on my two Apple TV Gen 4's. With VUDU and Prime Video coming to the Apple TV, there will be more adoption, but they are never going to capture the market on people who want to spend $50. The Fire Stick and low end Roku devices are like the cheap Android phones and tablets that are on the market. People buy them because they are cheap, and Apple is never going to compete there because its not profitable. Anecdotally, I've found the product most people are disappointed with is the Google ChromeCast, not realizing it isn't as full featured as the Roku or Fire sticks...
Netflix and others need to redesign the UI but I think they are using Apple UI components so it may not be their fault? For example, I HATE scrolling sideways through each "category" which only servers to make it look like there's more content than there really is. I want back the grid view for movie selection.
Netflix and others need to redesign the UI but I think they are using Apple UI components so it may not be their fault? For example, I HATE scrolling sideways through each "category" which only servers to make it look like there's more content than there really is. I want back the grid view for movie selection.
I also agree the remote needs a redesign. Its way to slippery for one thing, using it just isn't a good experience at all IMO, its hard to find certain buttons without looking, or in low light situations, etc. Yes, you can use your phone as a remote, but Apple cannot depend on every owner having an iOS device, nor should Apple make it a requirement.
They could help the slippery part by not making it out of aluminum and glass. Yes its fancy and cool looking, but in the end its a remote and it needs to be functional and robust. Nobody here can tell me they've never dropped a remote before and making something like this with glass in it is not a good idea at all, and then making it out of aluminum so its incredibly slippery wasn't a good decision either.
i love the Apple TV, but wish some things were enhanced: obviously the remote being revamped is a start...simply moving it on my bed triggers an action, i can't tell which is the top and bottom in the dark, it's too thin (bought a case for it). Maybe getting into more gaming could help them also. Not that fixing a remote would help sales, but gaming would.
I personally do not use the Apple remote, I have a Harmony remote to control all my electronics including the Apple TV. It works great and does not have issue like you pointed out. I have one remote for all my devices, this include the family room, bed room and my theater room. Harmon has a pretty nice Phone or iPad app if I choose use it. The only time I use the app is when I am across the room and not near a remote.
Most people I know are using the amazon fire tv for illegal streaming.
What's "illegal streaming"? Your own converted DVDs that you purchased legaglly long time ago and you do not want to swap discs in some funky device while purchased content is linked with only provider and can be watched only from remote servers managed by some corporation so you converted them to MP4/H.264 for home use?
He means streaming the Korean version of Despicable Me 3 to the Fire. Something the aTV can't do and Apple doesn't mind that.
I used to rip my DVD/BR. Now I only buy discs with digital copy as part of the sale. Ive even bought some titles I owned before to avoid the hassle of ripping and storing. It would be nice to be able to download to aTV for when the hotel internet is a bit sketchy.
Most people I know are using the amazon fire tv for illegal streaming.
What's "illegal streaming"? Your own converted DVDs that you purchased legaglly long time ago and you do not want to swap discs in some funky device while purchased content is linked with only provider and can be watched only from remote servers managed by some corporation so you converted them to MP4/H.264 for home use?
Really?! Every person I know that has a Fire stick installs a program (forgot the name) that allows them to illegally stream almost anything. From new release movies to cable shows and everything in between. It's the streaming equivalent of buying DVDs on a street corner. Sometimes, it's good quality, sometimes it somebody holding a camera in the movie theater.
In five years or less, all of these add-on devices will be superfluous unless there is a compelling value-add to the box. Virtually every TV now sold streams without the need for an Apple TV or a Fire or a Roku. In a few years, they all will. Frankly, it is easier for me to use the streaming services built in to the TV and I get some semblance of 4K. I only use my ATV now for the apps that are not built in to the TV. Seamless integration with HomePods, Home Kit devices and Air Play may be the reason ATVs are around in a few years when all the others have died away.
I'll echo all the comments on the remote: it's a far cry from the simplicity and ease of use (historically an Apple hallmark) from the Apple2/3 remote. This new one (which I got a few months ago, so "new" to me) almost always requires a direct look at the remote to operate, it's too small and slippery so it's easy to drop, and the touch area is actually so large that erroneous inputs are frequent. I'm somewhat surprised this design made it to the shelf to be honest.
Unfortunately, it still remains a hobby for Apple. Lack of marketing is probably the biggest reason for low sales (even to the Apple ecosystem crowd) - you never see Apple market this at all outside of a bit of time at keynotes. I am sure there is a financial reason for that - even if they doubled their share with aggressive marketing, it would amount to the square root of diddly-squat beside the main products - so it is a better use of Ad $$ and time for those products. It is also the case that the competitive products mentioned are often much lower priced - so a bit like comparing an Apple Watch to a fitness band. Both do a similar thing in one area, but the other has much more functionality.
Certainly the hardware can be improved, and beyond all of the tech required for 4K. Here is my wish list for ATV5 h/w (again, under assumption 4K will be there) - solving the problems many users have 1) Really put user experience of the Siri remote front & centre. - Is something that thin/small the right form factor for quickly picking up & using? Maybe just a bit thicker is better, or a little longer, or a slightly different shape - Make the buttons backlit (even better - only in low light conditions - to save on battery) - Change the material so you can easily tell which end is being held - Enable the remote to emit a sound if you have lost it (activated through your iPhone remote app - or iCloud) => this is about solving a problem we all have - where is the damn remote!
2) Enable inductive charging of remote on top of the unit, magnetically held & aligned. With the backlit buttons there may be a need to charge more often, and this is an elegant solution for storage and charging
3) Put some Industrial Design prowess behind it. I know it does not need to be a beautiful piece of glass you hold in your hand, but surely it can look better than that. The HomePod shows much more attention to design.
4) Work with HomePod for great sound. Definitely a possibility. Two HomePods would be in same ballpark as a single Sonos sound bar.
We know how much Apple values market share as measure of success.
Having said that, a little advertising would help. Perhaps when the new version gets rolled out?
With Apple, it's always about declining market share. Just hearing the term "declining market share" makes me know they're talking about Apple. Has Apple ever had "increasing market share" in anything over the last few years? I'm happy to be an Apple shareholder but I never knew that Apple would always be losing market share to every other company on the planet. This should be Apple's motto, "We're losing market share and we're proud of it." It's downright sickening to hear when Apple has an abundance of wealth and resources yet keeps losing out to smaller rivals. I stupidly never knew market share percentage was Wall Street's most important metric for valuing a company.
Most people I know are using the amazon fire tv for illegal streaming.
In my case, I use my FireTV for legal and illegal use. Legal use is Amazon Prime Video, PLEX, Youtube, Pandora and Dramafever. My illegal use is an abundance of Kodi video add-ons. Hey, it just works.
Revolutionizing the television watching experience is I think Apple's biggest missed opportunity in the past few years. There were all of these rumors about the "car" and competing with Amazon and Netflix on content creation, while the Apple TV barely changed and didn't become nearly what it could have.
Why is it Apple is basically standing still when it comes to streaming boxes? What company has the most revenue and profits on the planet and yet sits back and lets the much weaker competition walk all over them? I can only imagine Apple obviously doesn't care because they're too busy with their cash-cow iPhone business.
The main reason I didn't replace my Apple TV from 2010 is because Apple removed the optical audio output, which means I wouldn't be able to connect a new Apple TV directly to my stereo when I'm streaming iTunes.
Most people I know are using the amazon fire tv for illegal streaming.
In my case, I use my FireTV for legal and illegal use. Legal use is Amazon Prime Video, PLEX, Youtube, Pandora and Dramafever. My illegal use is an abundance of Kodi video add-ons. Hey, it just works.
In the US it is not illegal to stream media that you did not pay for AFAIK, tho the studios and other content creators would like for us to believe that it is. Now downloading it to then have personal possession is a different story.
I've been using a Fire TV on my UHD tv until Apple TV starts supporting 4k (hopefully next month.) My bottom line is that, as one who enjoys being in the iOS world, I can't wait to dump the Fire TV and get back to Apple TV. Lost of Airplay alone is killing me at the moment. Add to that that the Fire TV's interface is (at least for me) markedly inferior. In general, getting back to 'where you left off' is a major pain. Can't wait for next month.
there are airplay apps in the store. they just aren't free.
To this day, the interface on the Apple TV 3 still wins for simplicity and usability. The Apple TV 4 remains one of my least-liked Apple products ever.
And Tim Cook will say in a few years that he's surprised to hear of the complaints.
Comments
What interests me about the article is that it hints at Roku selling more because of their entry level devices, but is that actually part of the survey? Roku also makes some fine top of the line boxes that compete head to head with Apple, so that could also be a factor -- Roku offers 4K HDR, with an excellent interface for around the same price as Apple's aging box.
Regardless, I'm excited to see what Apple unveils in September. It would make perfect sense to unveil it alongside the iPhone if in fact it makes the perfect companion for displaying those beautiful 4K videos via AirPlay which currently have no means of easily sharing in their native resolution.
Mac mini updates...who cares except for a few select people and it won't be what you want anyways. Its never going to be some modular Mac with interchangeable parts. Just isn't going to happen on anyone's watch as CEO of Apple. Not at the price point of the Mac mini.
MacBook Pro....arguably the most technically advanced laptop Apple has ever released. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean everyone else doesn't. If everyone was so unhappy with it then why are sales higher than the outgoing model and continue to be? Please explain this?
AirPort is not a major product for Apple...sorry!
Agree the remote needs a redesign.
Netflix and others need to redesign the UI but I think they are using Apple UI components so it may not be their fault? For example, I HATE scrolling sideways through each "category" which only servers to make it look like there's more content than there really is. I want back the grid view for movie selection.
They could help the slippery part by not making it out of aluminum and glass. Yes its fancy and cool looking, but in the end its a remote and it needs to be functional and robust. Nobody here can tell me they've never dropped a remote before and making something like this with glass in it is not a good idea at all, and then making it out of aluminum so its incredibly slippery wasn't a good decision either.
1: too expensive
2: overpriced
3: too expensive.
I personally do not use the Apple remote, I have a Harmony remote to control all my electronics including the Apple TV. It works great and does not have issue like you pointed out. I have one remote for all my devices, this include the family room, bed room and my theater room. Harmon has a pretty nice Phone or iPad app if I choose use it. The only time I use the app is when I am across the room and not near a remote.
I used to rip my DVD/BR. Now I only buy discs with digital copy as part of the sale. Ive even bought some titles I owned before to avoid the hassle of ripping and storing. It would be nice to be able to download to aTV for when the hotel internet is a bit sketchy.
Certainly the hardware can be improved, and beyond all of the tech required for 4K. Here is my wish list for ATV5 h/w (again, under assumption 4K will be there) - solving the problems many users have
1) Really put user experience of the Siri remote front & centre.
- Is something that thin/small the right form factor for quickly picking up & using? Maybe just a bit thicker is better, or a little longer, or a slightly different shape
- Make the buttons backlit (even better - only in low light conditions - to save on battery)
- Change the material so you can easily tell which end is being held
- Enable the remote to emit a sound if you have lost it (activated through your iPhone remote app - or iCloud) => this is about solving a problem we all have - where is the damn remote!
2) Enable inductive charging of remote on top of the unit, magnetically held & aligned. With the backlit buttons there may be a need to charge more often, and this is an elegant solution for storage and charging
3) Put some Industrial Design prowess behind it. I know it does not need to be a beautiful piece of glass you hold in your hand, but surely it can look better than that. The HomePod shows much more attention to design.
4) Work with HomePod for great sound. Definitely a possibility. Two HomePods would be in same ballpark as a single Sonos sound bar.