eightzero

Japhey said:

CheeseFreeze said:

I see zero use for an AppleTV now I have the Apple TV+ app on my Samsung TV.
What is the device’s purpose other than supporting users that don’t have such a smart TV yet?

Unless Apple would positioned it more as a console as well, including an exclusive game line-up?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but personally I prefer the UI of my ATV to all the other smart devices in my house. These include tv’s, smart Blu-ray players,Fire sticks, PS4, etc…The UI is just more intuitive to me than those other devices. Also, it’s tight integration with all of my other Apple gear and services, data privacy, Fitness+, and screen savers make it my streamer of choice. After my iPhone, it’s actually my second most used Apple product. It’s not perfect, of course…The TV app is a mess, and the remote’s issues are well documented; but it’s still better than my alternatives.  Still holding out hope for that massive gaming upgrade next gen. 

I have the exact opposite opinion. I prefer the UI of my TV to the ATV's, particularly that terrible remote. I have no plans to buy any updated ATV...unless it does something new and unique. And I can't imagine something like that coming...or being of use to me. YMMV. 

I learned my lesson with the Newton Message Pad. I steer way clear of tech that I don't have an actual need for. Cute, interesting, cool, sure sure. I saw these speakers come out, looked at the speakers I have (and have had for 20 years) and said to myself "skippit until those get to $99...for 2x in stereo and with a lifetime of Apple Music on them." That's not happening.

I hardly ever use my AppleTV, mostly because of the shitty remote. The AppleTV box itself doesn't provide me with anything I value, as I can do everything I would use it for on other devices. YMMV. If/when I gift my ATV3 to someone, I might (might) get a 4k replacement if I see an ATV+ show I want to binge. For now, all that it on that list is "Foundation" but all the studios are shut down, so I don't see this happening any time soon. YMMV. 

iqatedo said:

Who else read the Foundation series when they were young? Hours sitting up in bed into the late hours reading Asimov, Doc E. Smith and others. Very, very fond memories of days before the Net and personal devices (including PCs).

Yes indeed. While I read others too (Geo. O Smith/ Venus Equilateral; Heinlein, AC Clark, Schmitz) Isaac was always the fave. What was sort of tragic was how those personal devices like the PCs seemed to affect Isaac's writing. Once he got his hands on a word processor (about about 1980 or so) he seemed to stop editing. Later "Foundation" books were not as good (IMO). He wrote about breaking into the business in getting "Nightfall" published, and it was common to be paid by the word. OTOH, perhaps this is common for successful writers. Once they Hit The Big Time, publishers will take anything from them, because there is a ready audience, no editing needed. David Weber and Tom Clancy are two I know that suffered from this. Their first 1/2 dozen books really excellent. Then...crap. 

Hope the production staff stays safe, and they can resume soon. This is the one bit of content that would make me seek out Apple TV+.

If one starts with the premise that content costs money to create, and therefore the creators must be compensated, then it sort of seems clear getting the consumer to pay is the logical consequence. But how?

It seems perhaps there are 3 obvious models:

1. Advertising pays. Traditional TV is predicated on this. Shows were even designed around acts and dramatic moments right before a commercial. The content was designed for this model. Even live sports events do this. 

2. Subscription. You pay up front for the buffet. All you can eat, even if you can't eat any. 

3. Pay per view. Buy a movie, or a "series pass."

There are free things for sure. Go to the library, or something like PlutoTV. Are there any alternatives? Will OTA TV with an antenna and tuner go the way of the dodo? 

ready go