“Late last week, a Reddit poster who claimed to work at Amazon said Amazon Prime Video wouldn’t be coming to Apple TV until at least the end of October,” Bryan M. Wolfe writes for AppAdvice. “As the poster explained, ‘The app is done, and has been done for months already. However there are a lot of politics going on beyond my pay grade that are pushing the launch back.'”
“I’ve been a faithful user of Apple TV since the first model arrived in 2007. I was thrilled eight years later when Cupertino finally introduced an Apple TV with an app store. Little progress on the device has occurred ever since,” Wolfe writes. “The launch last month of this fifth-generation Apple TV should have been a time to celebrate. Instead, it felt underwhelming, at best, for a few important reasons. While adding 4K HDR support to Apple TV was a necessary step, it’s one that should have happened two years ago. In other words, thank you Apple, but what took you so long?”
“Another big issue is the price Apple charges for the fifth-generation devices… The top-of-the-line Roku Ultra is $99, compared to $69 for the recently introduced next-generation Amazon Fire TV,” Wolfe writes. “One final beef: The Siri-based remote has stuck around for another Apple TV release. Why Apple, why?”
Eddy CueMacDailyNews Take: Because Apple inexplicably either didn’t take Apple TV seriously enough for at least the last half a decade (to be charitable) and/or because the “management” of the Apple TV project isn’t up to the job.
But, come on: Are you really going to look at the Roku Ultra and/or the new Amazon Fire TV? Sure, you’d save $100 – $130 per unit, get better remotes, and immediate Amazon Prime access, but you’d be foregoing Planet of the Apps!
Apple’s Eddy Cue should really use his Apple Watch more… and seriously, the piss poor design coming out of Cupertino… for shame. But oh Boy is Tim quick with the PC and criticism.
Gosh, the list of AAPL stories isn’t real good. Fortunately, the cam and Bionic chip in the new phones is super and crushes the competitors. The ATV is a botch in too many ways…cost, i/o, remote and… I don’t even think it’s a hobby any more. I really enjoy my hobbies and it doesn’t look like Apple is doing anything but filling the set-top TV notch (niche is more apropos, but notch creates a parallel-negative). The compromisers don’t have to moan b/c I’m yearning for “the day,” but when your dealing with a man who revolutionized tech, his mindset needs to be revisited as a reference and reminder of how it all came to be. Just a couple of Jobsian goodies: “We’re gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make “me, too” products. Let some other companies do that.” “I think the artistry is in having an insight into what one sees around them. Generally putting things together in a way no one else has before and finding a way to express that to other people who don’t have that insight….”, “You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” “In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.” ATV has absolutely nothing to do with this thinking–far from it. Also, Steve would have fired the person that ok’d the “notch.”
He died at his home, what happened after was all pro forma. He had a full cardiac arrest at home- if you do not get high quality CPR quickly and advanced cardiac care shortly after you are done. The rest is just conversation.
I came for Apple news and am stuck reading from a bunch of “techies” that can’t figure out how to use a simple remote.
I am thoroughly enjoying the new AppleTV the picture is beautiful and the performance is snappy. If you want a device with an interface designed by Playskool, and made from materials gathered from the local dump, by all means enjoy your Roku and google products. If not take an extra 30 seconds and learn how to use the remote, I can assure you it’s quite simple and works beautifully.
“If you want a device with an interface designed by Playskool, and made from materials gathered from the local dump, by all means enjoy your Roku and google products. If not take an extra 30 seconds and learn how to use the remote, I can assure you it’s quite simple and works beautifully.”
I have roku ultra, I bought it for amazon and vudu app with hdr content and also because Apple TV did not have 4k. For me with so iTunes music and movies ATv 4k is obvious choice, movies on fandango and VUDU are $10 to rent (4k movies) as compared to $6 on iTunes. All new movies are $20 sac ompared to $30 on VUDU even the old movies. That $80 extra is nothing in comparison to cost of purchases in long run. The conversation of all available 4k movies of HD (previous purchase) is big bonus way more than $80 one pays for ATv. Remote is terrible as compared to roku for me personally I have never used any remote from any manufacturer because I use harmony elite. Remote is the sticking point for many people. ATv 4k is a winner in my case. Already upgraded to two units selling my Atv4. I am planning now to purchase 4k on iTunes instead of disks as they are expensive and digital copy comes with it is not 4k if it is not iTunes (UV) which really pisses me off after spend $30-$35 and not having 4k digital. The reviewers forget to write this in comparisons to other streaming device. It is the content not the box only.
This is just the way I looked at it. I don’t like the remote. I use my iPhone some of the time. The cost for 4K movies is what really sold me. This reviewer needs to look at the entire system before he does a review and makes recommendations.
I forgot to mention that Eddy Cue seems to have no imagination. What he needs to do is use his product more. Heaven forbid that Apple spends a little more money and get’s the product right. We all know that money is tight there so I guess they could not afford it. Weak Up Eddy. People like me bought it because of the movies not the box and remote.
“unique features”, yes. But those also came with huge usability issues that no one at Apple seemed to notice and still don’t notice apparently since they did nothing to address them. In a darkened room, using the remote can be a disaster. I have many times picked it up (or just touched it) on the wrong end (the touch interface) and messed up the show I was watching when all I wanted to do was pause it. When you need a 3rd party kludge to avoid a major hassle, then the usability is a fail.
The reason why I went Roku was because of ATV4.
The remote was barely usable and it was overpriced. It also didn’t have Amazon and I wasn’t going to wait around.
Bottom line, Apple treats their ATV like a red headed stepchild. Often ignored, beaten and starved.
As a red headed step child I take serious offense to this!
I wish I could get Kodi on my ATV.
Create an app. It’s not that difficult.
Apple’s Eddy Cue should really use his Apple Watch more… and seriously, the piss poor design coming out of Cupertino… for shame. But oh Boy is Tim quick with the PC and criticism.
Gosh, the list of AAPL stories isn’t real good. Fortunately, the cam and Bionic chip in the new phones is super and crushes the competitors. The ATV is a botch in too many ways…cost, i/o, remote and… I don’t even think it’s a hobby any more. I really enjoy my hobbies and it doesn’t look like Apple is doing anything but filling the set-top TV notch (niche is more apropos, but notch creates a parallel-negative). The compromisers don’t have to moan b/c I’m yearning for “the day,” but when your dealing with a man who revolutionized tech, his mindset needs to be revisited as a reference and reminder of how it all came to be. Just a couple of Jobsian goodies: “We’re gambling on our vision, and we would rather do that than make “me, too” products. Let some other companies do that.” “I think the artistry is in having an insight into what one sees around them. Generally putting things together in a way no one else has before and finding a way to express that to other people who don’t have that insight….”, “You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” “In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. It’s interior decorating. It’s the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.” ATV has absolutely nothing to do with this thinking–far from it. Also, Steve would have fired the person that ok’d the “notch.”
Not buying the new Apple TV until they fix the damn remote.
This is really turning out to be a shitty day. Tom Petty died, if you have not heard.
i have to agree. i could live with the price tag to stay in the eco system. the remote is HORRIBLE
I own a 4th Gen Apple TV, a Roku Primere + at home and have a Roku TV in my Hospital Call room. There is nothing compelling to justify the new box.
The reports of Petty’s death are greatly exaggerated. Ill, but alive.
Mr. Petty passed at 11:40PM Pacific Time. 🙁
He died at his home, what happened after was all pro forma. He had a full cardiac arrest at home- if you do not get high quality CPR quickly and advanced cardiac care shortly after you are done. The rest is just conversation.
30 years around ERs leads me to that conclusion.
No, he’s gone. Sad, but very true.
Overpriced, underwhelming apple bullshit
ATV4 remote = modern day iMac puck mouse
I came for Apple news and am stuck reading from a bunch of “techies” that can’t figure out how to use a simple remote.
I am thoroughly enjoying the new AppleTV the picture is beautiful and the performance is snappy. If you want a device with an interface designed by Playskool, and made from materials gathered from the local dump, by all means enjoy your Roku and google products. If not take an extra 30 seconds and learn how to use the remote, I can assure you it’s quite simple and works beautifully.
Finally, someone with sense!
Let me repeat,
“If you want a device with an interface designed by Playskool, and made from materials gathered from the local dump, by all means enjoy your Roku and google products. If not take an extra 30 seconds and learn how to use the remote, I can assure you it’s quite simple and works beautifully.”
I have roku ultra, I bought it for amazon and vudu app with hdr content and also because Apple TV did not have 4k. For me with so iTunes music and movies ATv 4k is obvious choice, movies on fandango and VUDU are $10 to rent (4k movies) as compared to $6 on iTunes. All new movies are $20 sac ompared to $30 on VUDU even the old movies. That $80 extra is nothing in comparison to cost of purchases in long run. The conversation of all available 4k movies of HD (previous purchase) is big bonus way more than $80 one pays for ATv. Remote is terrible as compared to roku for me personally I have never used any remote from any manufacturer because I use harmony elite. Remote is the sticking point for many people. ATv 4k is a winner in my case. Already upgraded to two units selling my Atv4. I am planning now to purchase 4k on iTunes instead of disks as they are expensive and digital copy comes with it is not 4k if it is not iTunes (UV) which really pisses me off after spend $30-$35 and not having 4k digital. The reviewers forget to write this in comparisons to other streaming device. It is the content not the box only.
This is just the way I looked at it. I don’t like the remote. I use my iPhone some of the time. The cost for 4K movies is what really sold me. This reviewer needs to look at the entire system before he does a review and makes recommendations.
I forgot to mention that Eddy Cue seems to have no imagination. What he needs to do is use his product more. Heaven forbid that Apple spends a little more money and get’s the product right. We all know that money is tight there so I guess they could not afford it. Weak Up Eddy. People like me bought it because of the movies not the box and remote.
The Siri remote is not a me too product. There was no other remote with it’s unique features before it.
“unique features”, yes. But those also came with huge usability issues that no one at Apple seemed to notice and still don’t notice apparently since they did nothing to address them. In a darkened room, using the remote can be a disaster. I have many times picked it up (or just touched it) on the wrong end (the touch interface) and messed up the show I was watching when all I wanted to do was pause it. When you need a 3rd party kludge to avoid a major hassle, then the usability is a fail.