robbyx

AppleExposed said:

robbyx said:

TVs supporting AirPlay2 and an iTunes app for TVs tell me two things:

1) Apple has completely abandoned the idea of offering their own TV hardware (if that was ever really a possibility anyway)

2) Apple's upcoming video service is going to be a lot more than just some free original content to sweeten the deal for existing Apple hardware owners (as some sources have suggested)

Personally I'd like to see Apple make their TV app the center of the Apple TV experience.  Right now it's confusing with so many different apps and interfaces, some of which work with the TV app while others don't.

1) Apples next Apple TV is gonna be a powerhouse. At least with an A10 chip. If Apple can go all out with an A12X chip with a focus on gaming there will be many benefits of owning one.

2) Free on Apple devices but paid on on other devices would be wonderful!

The TV App fails when it crams in purchasable content with your paid content. Makes me skip the mess. They could easily add an "iTunes" tab if they still want us to buy more but mixing it in with my viewable content is confusing.

The TV app is not without its problems, I agree, but I think they're on the right track.  My big complaint is that all these different apps have different interfaces and that doesn't really make sense since they all essentially do the same thing.  It's counterproductive for the user.  In the end, we just want to watch the content, not have to learn a different app for each service.  And some of the streaming app interfaces are downright awful, like Hulu.  Some sort episodes most recent to oldest.  Others show the most recent at the bottom of the list, etc.  A standard streaming interface would be a great benefit to customers.

I don't know how much it matters if the next Apple TV is a "powerhouse".  I mean, the current one packs a decent punch.  I've always hoped that Apple would get serious about gaming.  Apple TV games are pretty pathetic.  An updated Apple TV with a focus on gaming could be a winner, though, especially with a great first-party game controller.  I still wish Apple would buy Nintendo.  They might not have the most cutting edge hardware, but they always manage to impress with their user experience and game controllers.  Plus having all of the Nintendo franchises as Apple exclusives would be a huge selling point.

I totally agree with you on #2, but I doubt that will happen!

StrangeDays said:

robbyx said:

Personally I'd like to see Apple make their TV app the center of the Apple TV experience.  Right now it's confusing with so many different apps and interfaces, some of which work with the TV app while others don't.

It does this now -- the default is for the ATV home screen to be the TV app. (I didn't like this tho and immediately switched back to the home screen). If a video app doesn't support the TV app, that's their decision. Amazon Prime does, HBO Go does, Netflix does not. 

True, but it's still a bit confusing.  In my opinion they should make (an updated) TV app the only interface for TV viewing and require developers to support it.  The TV app needs some work, but I like the direction it's going.  Every TV app having its own interface is not very user-friendly in my opinion.

TVs supporting AirPlay2 and an iTunes app for TVs tell me two things:

1) Apple has completely abandoned the idea of offering their own TV hardware (if that was ever really a possibility anyway)

2) Apple's upcoming video service is going to be a lot more than just some free original content to sweeten the deal for existing Apple hardware owners (as some sources have suggested)

Personally I'd like to see Apple make their TV app the center of the Apple TV experience.  Right now it's confusing with so many different apps and interfaces, some of which work with the TV app while others don't.

NoFliesOnMe said:

robbyx said:

Rayz2016 said:

robbyx said:

NoFliesOnMe said:

robbyx said:

NY1822 said:

what new services do you guys think Apple should get into?

That's a good question.  Other than video, what has mass appeal?  I'd be curious to hear what services people currently use.  It's hard for me to imagine what services Apple might launch outside of video and perhaps some kind of all-you-can-eat magazine subscription service (based on their acquisition of Texture).

That’s an easy one. The service that is ripe for takeover is something to rival Facebook that doesn’t steel, sell or absconded with your private data and still allow you to be in contact with your friends and family.

I disagree.  Several companies have tried to create such a service and failed.  It's a nice idea, but people simply aren't willing to pay for it.

Well, they wouldn’t pay for it on its own, but as part of something else … ?

I personally don't believe so.  If Facebook believed that enough users wanted a paid, secure service with no data sharing, don't you think they'd already be doing it?  I think that would be a hugely foolish avenue for Apple to pursue.

But Facebook don’t need to do that they run ad’s.

The very fact that Facebook could go up to the hill and make a mockery of your country’s government in the way it did during those hearings speaks volumes to how much respect it really has for its customers. Now, while we are on that topic, who are they exactly? Do you think for a second that it is you and me that has a a Facebook account or do you think that it is those faceless organization and social influencers that has purchased the ads? I would bet that Facebook really looks at us as a commodity to be exploited in as many was as they can get away with.

I for one would be very happy for Apple to step in and clean up this very dirty aspect of social media and the internet.

I'm no fan of Facebook, but let's great real.  Facebook isn't making a mockery of anything.  People are dumb.  It isn't Facebook's job to police thought or nanny us on the Internet.  If people are dumb enough to fall for Russian troll posts, that's on them.  Facebook built a platform.  They can't help it if people are stupid and click a bunch of dumb surveys without thinking and grant unknown entities access to their data.  That isn't to say that Facebook is without blame.  Clearly they built the platform and didn't consider how easily it could be used to manipulate and gather data from stupid people.  It's no wonder the Russians love it.  They are masters at propaganda and Facebook is the perfect tool for manipulating the stupid, lazy, and uninformed.  But is that Facebook's fault?  I don't think so.

As for not needing to offer a secure/paid service, it's not about need.  The point is, if people really wanted that, Facebook would offer it as every company exists to make money and this would be another revenue stream for them.  And it's already within their wheelhouse.  They've built the platform.  They already have the users.  If people really wanted a totally secure/private social network, Facebook would offer it.  But most people don't want that, at least not for a monthly fee.  Very few people are going to pay $20/month (or whatever) to connect with their friends.  A handful of people will, but the vast majority of people won't and a social network is pretty pointless if only 5% of the people you know are on it.  That's the reason it has to be free, ultimately.

Others have tried to create a paid/secure social network and they've all bombed.  It's simply not something most people are willing to pay for.

Rayz2016 said:

Extend the iCloud backup so it works with Macs, not just iPhones/iPads. 

I'm somewhat surprised they haven't done this.  I also think it might be a little less compelling in the age of iCloud Drive and the majority of Mac apps supporting versioning.