“Time hasn’t been kind to the fourth-generation Apple TV,” Jared Newman writes for TechHive. “In recent months, Apple’s streaming platform has lost market share to rivals like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Chromecast, and Apple itself has admitted that sales last holiday season decreased from 2015.”
“But perhaps a turnaround is in the making. Last week, as part of a lengthy rundown of what went wrong with Apple TV, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV could arrive this year with 4K video and ‘more vivid colors’ (likely a reference to HDR),” Newman writes. “Gurman also suggested that Apple might try again at negotiating a streaming channel bundle akin to Dish’s Sling TV, Sony’s PlayStation Vue, and AT&T’s DirecTV Now.”
“The Apple TV’s woes arguably stem from Apple not having its own streaming service,” Newman writes. “By offering its own channel bundle, Apple could bring more content into its recently launched TV app, which already aggregates video from various streaming services and cable-authenticated apps. While the TV app is of limited use today — especially if you don’t have a cable login — it could become the centerpiece of a full cable TV replacement if Apple controlled the content.”
MacDailyNews Take: Time really hasn’t been kind to the fourth-generation Apple TV, likely because on the day it was released it was already antiquated. The people who buy Apple TV-type devices are already tech savvy; meaning they’d already heard of, and likely already had, 4K television sets the day the latest Apple TV was unveiled.
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Here’s an idea: This year, Apple should hold the meetings to hammer out deals with the content gatekeepers on a Tuesday, but tell Eddy they’re scheduled for Wednesday. 😉
SEE ALSO:Apple’s Eddy Cue alienated cable providers and networks with an assertive negotiating style – report – July 28, 2016
Apple’s arrogance said to contribute to struggles to make big deals – February 15, 2017
Apple hires Amazon’s Fire TV head to run Apple TV business – February 8, 2017
Why Apple should buy Disney – January 26, 2017
Apple’s new TV app shows just how painfully behind Apple is – December 14, 2016
Apple approached Time Warner about possible merger before AT&T talks – October 21, 2016
Apple’s Eddy Cue: Nope, we don’t want to be Netflix – October 20, 2016
Google signs up CBS for planned web TV service to debut in early 2017; close to deal with 21st Century Fox – October 20, 2016
Bernstein: Apple buying Netflix would be a waste of $50 billion – October 5, 2016
A chance for an Apple buyout offer as Netflix stumbles – July 19, 2016
Here comes á la carte programming – without Apple – July 13, 2016
Should Apple absorb Netflix? – July 11, 2016
Apple to buy Netflix? – May 27, 2016
Should Apple buy Netflix for $53 billion? – May 10, 2016
Apple declines to place bid on NFL Thursday Night Football – March 3, 2016
Why Apple should buy Netflix – January 7, 2016
Apple TV 4 is a beta product and, if you bought one, you’re an unpaid beta tester – November 5, 2015
Apple made ‘audacious bid’ for Top Gear trio of Clarkson, Hammond and May, but lost out to Bezos’ Amazon – September 1, 2015
Why Apple should buy Netflix – April 21, 2015
I’m done with AppleTV. After purchasing each iteration of this “hobby” I am done with it.
Until the next one.
Roku 4k until ATV gets their act together with 4k etc etc…
Same here. Though I won’t be investing in a 4K TV until later this year, converting our old style living room into something useful, like a full-on media room complete with 75-85″ 4K HDR screen and Dolby 7.1 or 5.1. Wife has had old fashioned ideas that her mother used to have in the 50’s & 60’s when it was thought a nice living for entertain guests was important. But all it’s mostly been is an unused room. Now it will REALLY entertain! 🙂
Patience padawan,
The new AppleTV iteration is coming this year fusioned with a time capsule/airport Xpress/media hub/siri/ mac mini/icloud and all the continuity features we’ve been used to.
Will it be a computer in a TV, TV in a computer, another small box? Shit! Its been a while that those two devices should be able to behave like one… I might be wrong though.
It’s in the pipeline, right? 😕
I was at first very excited about the new AppleTV. but now I’m very disillusioned .until Apple get some kind of streaming service going I probably won’t invest in a new Apple TV. I feel like they promised something they couldn’t deliver.
I think MDN is on to something telling the Cuester the wrong negotiation dates so something might actually get done. Perhaps Eddy needs to go on a joyride instead. Reminds me of this:
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/joyride-with-perot/n10313?snl=1
Apple TV in Canada has less and without a Cable or Satellite subscription even less still. However, That is all I need for my meager viewing needs. If it isn’t on Netflix or available on iTunes, I am out of luck. Even still that is enough for me.
If Apple TV is not enough for you then maybe you want too much? Remember the old days when all you had were 13 channels on a 19″ TV?
Add a silicondust HDHomeRun network tuner and the Channels app, DustyMac. Then you’ll have complete “input 1” functionality.
Nice idea, but I live in a remote rural area with no local over-the-air transmission.
Not that I mind. It is a beautiful part of the world.
To gain real market share AppleTV needs to become a standalone device, capable of streaming media without a Mac, iPad or iPhone. Unfortunately, the iTunes universe is acting as a ball and chain on sales growth, the opposite of what was intended. The UI needs to be superior to the competition, and right now it isn’t. AppleTV needs to become what the Mac was meant to be but never quite was, the hub of your entertainment system.
My own use of the Apple TV requires none of the Mac, iPad or iPhone as you suggest.
I love My 4G Apple TV. It’s an awesome device.
Better kick Eddy out due to lack of vision, commitment, talent and execution power.