“Start-ups and tech giants alike are offering what they say are easy ways to pipe shows and movies to a TV, hoping to win over people who might want a cheaper or more diverse alternative to cable and satellite service,” Wortham reports. “These companies have a lot of convincing to do. Most people do not have the tech-savviness to tackle the hardware and software setup that these products often require. And the companies are not able to offer access to many shows and channels that are on traditional pay TV, nor bundle services like phone service and Internet access at a discounted rate, as TV service providers do.”
Wortham reports, “Even Apple has struggled with Apple TV, a $229 set-top box that is its attempt to bring its iTunes software and store to the heart of home entertainment. ‘People love Apple, but we’ve seen a low adoption of their Apple TV,’ said Jonathan Hurd, director of Altman Vilandrie, a Boston consulting firm that studies media habits. ‘Setup is a big factor. It’s typically more complicated than the average consumer is willing to put up with.'”
MacDailyNews Take: Yeah, you have to plug it into the wall. Then there’s that tricky HDMI cable between Apple TV and the TV set… Oh, wait, we’re all-Apple. Most people are constantly trying to get their crappy no-name Wi-Fi base station to work. Getting Apple TV to join their slipshod network is probably what’s killing them. So, Apple’s best bet at idiot-proofing would be to offer TVs with Apple TV built-in that comes with not only an Ethernet jack, but also a small Wi-Fi base station that’s preset to talk to the Apple TV. That way, these average idiots, er… “consumers” will only be challenged with plugging the thing into the wall and plugging in the base station and then… Oh, whoops, it’s already too complicated for the mouth-breathers. Okay, how ’bout this? Introducing Apple’s personalized Apple TV installation service, available at Apple Stores worldwide. Free installation with annual subscription. Coupon for a free six-pack of Brawndo, too! 
Wortham continues, “There is speculation that Apple may be gearing up to take another shot at the market with a new device.”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Glenn H.” for the heads up.]