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“He fixed an old design blunder by popping buttons back onto the iPod Shuffle,” Pullen writes. “He completely revamped the Nano, not only making it smaller but more functional. He finally introduced an iPod Touch that’s a true iPhone without the phone, helping a crippled product live up to its full potential. He also pulled an entire social network out of thin air, with 160 million built-in users all raring and ready to LOL.”
“To be sure, it was an amazing display of Apple’s hardware and software engineering might,” Pullen writes. “But in his last at-bat, with the announcement of a revamped Apple TV, Jobs swung for the fences again, this time falling short.”
Pullen writes, “It’s possible, notes Daring Fireball’s John Gruber, that future updates to iOS could extend the new Airplay features to apps such as MLB At Bat, allowing iPads and iPhones to stream video other than iTunes media through Apple TV onto HDTVs. But there’s a good reason those iDevices go blank when Airplay starts slinging their movies up onto a connected television: latency. It doesn’t matter how smart Apple programmers are or how good your wireless connection is — there will be a delay between what’s on your handheld and what’s showing on your big screen, which means this isn’t a suitable workaround for playing Tap Tap Revenge at a mind-blowing 52 inches.”
MacDailyNews Take: Just as Apple TV’s USB port did, the new Apple TV’s micro USB (which Apple reserves for “service and support”) is intriguing. Could Apple have plans for it be used for something beyond “service and support” in the future? The thing does run iOS and it is powered by an A4 chip…
Pullen writes, “Without a hard drive, Apple TV is nothing more than a rental box, which is exactly what Rokus, TiVos, Vudus, and many other console devices already are… Without storage capacity and the ability to add functionality — either through Apple or by other means — the new Apple TV is likely to fall short, too. Yet at $99, it may yet be a hit. But hits are only enough to keep you in the game.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Surely Apple thought about the value of allowing, say, a weather app or the MLB app or umpteen other apps to run on Apple TV, right? It’s so glaringly obvious that there must be something else that we’re not seeing or haven’t considered yet. Anyone have any ideas?
I would think the new version has some storage — flash to buffer video and music. Don’t know if there’s enough to add any significant future apps.
I’m not excited about the show rentals. Doesn’t suit my needs and I can’t imagine using it… so, I’ll just ignore it. No biggie for me. I can see why the studios are nervous — the consumer is yearning for some sanity here and that scares them.
Also, another benefit I’m looking forward to is that it’s cooler. The previous version runs hot in my entertainment cabinet.
All-in-all, it seems like an improvement for the things I use my aTV for… but doesn’t quite replace satellite (which I was hoping it might).
Couldn’t the USB allow for an external hard drive? Customer chooses storage capacity.
The Apple TV streams the CONTENT from an iPad. So the video “file” is streamed to the Apple TV and the Apple TV does the work of putting it onto the HDTV screen. It does NOT “stream” what’s showing on iPad’s screen directly, like when two Macs are doing screen sharing. That would be a huge waste of bandwidth.
Therefore, any future gaming-related extension of this streaming feature would not have any “latency” issues. The way Apple would do it is to make the iPad (or iPhone or iPod touch) into a controller device. The game interface shown on the “iDevice” screen is designed so that the user can interact with it without looking at it; it may even be mostly a blank tracking surface and the game is controlled with multi-touch gestures, “relative” movement on the tracking surface, and/or motion tracking (like Wiimote). The point is that the user should always be looking at the HDTV screen, not the iDevice acting as a controller.
Therefore, an Apple TV version of the game is running on the Apple TV, not the iDevice. The only data that need to go from the iDevice to the Apple TV are those user’s control inputs, which is very little data that can be sent and received almost instantaneously. So no “latency” (delay) issues. That’s the way Apple will implement any iDevice to Apple TV “streaming” capability. The Apple TV does the hard work, not the iDevice; the iDevice is mostly acting as a remote controller (and storage location for the file being streamed). It will NEVER be the iDevice sending its entire current screen as streamed data to the Apple TV.
Rental is a fail for me because I don’t always know what I want to watch. Free shows with iAds would be a hit with me, and I could surf shows, episodes…
I thought the original Apple TV was a POS. Downloading or renting HD movies or TV shows required planning, like start it in the morning, and maybe you can watch it in the evening. Poorly designed. Overheated. Destroyed hard disks. No 1080p. No 7.1 Dolby. Junk.
New one. Junkier, but it’s cheap and for what it does, deliver mediocre quality content and a couple of networks, it’s fine. I call it a sacrifice fly. Gets runs over for iTunes store. Nothing else.
HIT: for $99 dollars, this is a great Netflix streaming box with the option to rent first run movies from iTunes if Netflix doesnt have what you wnat. Buy u know what, It kicks @@@ over a Roku box. Thanks Apple. Now hurry up and ship it.
What you’re actually missing here is WHO this is actually targeted at! This won’t be for the guys who have tons of media already- although it can do it… (much like the current one..) but this device caters for the people who either can’t afford or don’t want a cable/sattelite provider, it fits the niche for people who aren’t tech savvy and that ultimately want simplicity in watching certain programmes or films, the only limitation is the initial limited tv shows.. As the others come on board for .99c rentals, this product will cater to those who have always been left out by all of the other ‘solutions’ out there. The new ATV is simple with no fuss and more importantly and overlooked by many thus far, is that it is only technically a media streamer, as it is in fact a stand alone device! This is what a lot of people are looking for; simplicity, affordability, and convenience. Apple have released the MacMini with HDMI port for the other guys who want more… (I’m looking for an OSX front row UI update..- to make it similar to the ATV in terms of smooth look and operation) I doubt the micro USB is for anything specific, as this would negate the simplicity of the device.. Apple will learn a lot from this run, as I’m sure they did from the previous one… They can only try to produce something that they think people will like, if it’s good they win, if it’s bad they refine or re-engineer.. – Case in point the shuffle regaining it’s buttons!
I’d say it’s more like a walk (base on balls), just feeling around to get on base to get in scoring position. There’ll be big batters coming up later. This TV battle is going to take a while because of the nature of the market and all the media studios, the cable/satellite companies and the consumer electronics giants involved besides the big tech players like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, HP, etc. The biggest “winner” may not get more than 20% market share. There’ll be plenty of competition and that should be a good thing for all consumers.
@Dave
“This is after all going in the living room and it will basically disappear in my dark wood entertainment center…”
I thinks that’s, sort of, the point!
I have an APTV and love it, haven’t bought masses of movies or TV shows, but some. Use it for Movie trailers (although it doesn’t seem to have very many – is it just me – am doing something wrong?) But I love listening to my tunes with the photo library through the HDTV sound system – especially on a Sunday after Face the Nation & McLaughlin Group LOL! The new ATV has so much more going for it that it is a no-brainer that I will be getting it as soon as funds (and spouse) allows. I do wonder if Apple gave any consideration to all the 3-5 million people who will be upgrading and whether they will be operating an exchange or re-cycling program, because it would be a shame for all the old ATV’s just to go to a landfill!
This is the razor. The rentals are the blades which keep on genating revenue. Many non techies who don’t even know what Roku is will be enticed by the in store displays, the adverts, the in store “how to seminars”. I’m still betting that Airplay will replicate the video from the ipod/iPad screen making them in effect game controllers with little need for ATV to have built in apps. Heck, the SEC bureaucrats can stream their Tube8.com porn from their iPhone to their in office TVs.
Sorry, I think those criticizing Apple TV on this thread do NOT represent normal consumers–the ones Apple is targeting with this product. Apple is targeting the MANY, MANY people who do not have TIVO, or Roku, or any of the other similar geek boxes on their TVs. They are aiming this at folks who want simplicity, at the majority who like to watch TV & movies but who are interested in owning only a few. You want to buy a movie? Download it onto your computer (or rip it from a DVD), then stream it. I had little or no interest in the previous model, but I want this one.
At $99, this will be HUGE!!!
Here in the UK apple have priced it at £99 ($154). We’ve become used to Apple charging a bit of premium over here – more than the £/$ rate + sales taxes. But never as much as this. There’s less UK content too. So big miss here.
Maclover to the rescue! Now that you’ve asked the question – I’ve thought about it. To me – syncing an ipad, or iphone to the tv and using those apps full screen is obvious. The ipad/iphone is the trackpad, with motions showing up on screen. I dont own either, but for those who do, can you use it without looking if it was hooked up to a big screen?
For me it’s a Hit.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” /> I just want to rent good looking movies, and for me it’s perfect. If I want to own, I’ll download to my iMac and be done with it.
I grew up on crappy old rabbit ears TV, now watching anything on my 50″ Plasma looks great. I don’t have a movie library, I don’t like to watch the same movie over and over already knowing what is going to happen.
There is no requirement for every Apple product to be a blockbuster. Apple TV is doing just fine by any other measure.
I enjoy your articles very much but cannot stand how often I click on a story and nothing happens except a blank page. What is going on?
A Hit! What makes it a hit: #1 the price. More people will buy it. Like me. I don’t have the original ATV because of the price and the features that you get for the price. #2 A4 processor and iOS. This is just the beginning for the new one. Apple or other people will add more functionality to it. From Apple: Games and Apps controlled by a iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Airplay is just the tip of the iceberg. Your iOD device could be used as a controller and not only to stream media. Or someone other than Apple can make programs like XBMP, ATVFlash or Boxie. I am sure that the mini USB on the back is something more than “service and support” or else Apple would not put it in. One day some one will figure it out.
Two things would have made the aTV greater at launch:
• an OnLive game channel with free access for 6 months (for gamers)
• a KeyNote Presentation display app (for enterprise/education iPads via AirPlay)
I worked on a project a few years ago to build a DVR service in the cloud. Every show ever broadcast would be recorded (forever) and users could watch last year’s SuperBowl game on a whim. Never came to pass due to legal reasons, not technical.
It just may be that Steve Jobs has the legal side of the problem under control and can offer DVR services in the cloud from his brand new NC datacenter.
You won’t need a disk drive locally, Steve has the program stored on his petabyte DVR.
Just cancelled my cable TV subscription. Upgrading to Virgin fibre 50 M up and down. It should be cheaper with Free-to-Air in TV, old aTV, BlockBuster and EyeTV.
Until the device:
1. Allows for external storage via the USB slot.
2. Allows more Codecs ie. Divx, MKV,
I am going to have to call this one a failure. Sorry.
HIT!
I’m buying one. The $99 price tag nails it. The fact that it is 720p only is shockingly regressive, but for my purposes 720p is excellent. When Apple catch up with the real world, IOW 1080p, maybe I’ll have caught up as well and will buy that revision of the Apple TV.
‘RickW’ sez he wants an AppleTV that:
1. Allows for external storage via the USB slot.
2. Allows more Codecs ie. Divx, MKV…
I’m happy with the new AppleTV as is. HOWEVER, each of these two points are only a matter of software in the box. I fully expect hacks to allow BOTH.
But Apple MUST wake up and provide these things out of the box. There is no excuse for this neglect that I am aware of other than sucking up to the MPAA and further anti-customer corporate oligarchy cult scum. SERIOUSLY! Here we have Apple, the inventors of QuickTime, the extensible media system with COMPONENTS AVAILABLE for ALL the major media codecs. Drop them in and run with it. Dirt easy.
HEY APPLE! Put FULL QuickTime capability into the AppleTV
N O W ! Or we’ll hack it in there for you! DAMMIT!
@ LeftCoastDude: “Downloading or renting HD movies or TV shows required planning, like start it in the morning, and maybe you can watch it in the evening…Overheated…Destroyed hard disks. No 1080p. No 7.1 Dolby”
WTH are you talking about? I have the original Apple TV and a 10 Mbps Internet connection. I have never had to wait longer than 2 minutes before being able to watch an HD movie rental without interruption.
As to the rest, my Apple TV has never overheated nor has it ever had a hardware failure of any kind.
It outputs 1080p: http://forums.macresource.com/read.php?1,819906,820550#msg-820550
And finally, it outputs true, discrete channel Dolby 5.1 just fine through both HDMI and TOSlink.
Why do you makes things up?
I will hear songs over and over again; but I will only watch a movie only once. Songs are of short duration and can be flexible in many different situations and environment. You can also do other activities while listening to songs.
Not while you are watching movies: they require your undivided attention and you are rooted to only one location. You cannot study, cannot drive, cannot do hundreds of other activities together while watching a movie. You are a slave to the idiot box while you can be as free as you want with a melody box. Do you want to spend another 2 hours or so re-watching the same movie when you already know the plot?
So renting a movie is the better choice and buying songs is a non-brainer. I think the AppleTV should not be encumbered with storage and synching. As I have pointed out the different paradigm between a movie and a song, it would be a waste of time and money to buy movies.