“For almost as long as there’s been a rumor of a next-gen Apple TV, there’s been a rumor of an Apple game console,” Scott Stein writes for CNET. “In a year where Apple’s product portfolio has been conservative — to be kind — it feels like new products, like the fabled iWatch, might be sliding off towards 2014.”
“So what, if anything, could Apple surprise with? Of all the new products Apple could release this fall, a revamped Apple TV/game console would be the easiest to make… and could deliver a huge unexpected disruption to the upcoming next-gen game consoles from Sony and Microsoft,” Stein writes. “I’m not talking about an actual TV with Apple hardware: I’m talking about a next-generation Apple TV box. Take the existing $99 black puck that’s already out there, add an upgraded A6 or A6X processor, and onboard storage, at least 16GB and hopefully higher. Maybe the hike up the price to $199.”
But here are five reasons why an Apple TV with gaming would be a great move for Apple right now:
• MFi game controllers will be here soon
• Apple has tons of game developers already on the App Store
• An aggressive price and cheap games could undo other console players
• Second-screen gaming’s already part of the equation
• Still plenty to offer for non-gamers
Read more in the full article here.
I’ve been saying this since 2010. Hurry up and do it. I always thought it would be cool to have the Apple TV setup as the console, where the iPhones could be used as the controller. Then anyone who comes to your house would already have their own controller that they can use (yeah, that’s right, people without iPhones aren’t welcome in my house, lol)
I think a Bluetooth tactile game controller would be way better than an iPhone as a game controller for many reasons, but having iOS devices as an option for a controller should still be there.
I personally always use my Apple TV tactile remote for Apple TV, when I could use IOS devices with the remote app. It’s a much easier to use and I never have to look at it, to use it.
Kinda cool. I wonder if Game Center will just be an app, or the actual name of the device. … It sounds just like Play Station 😉
Pippin!!
Yes please.
But let’s get some real controllers. The idea of iPhones or iPod touches as controllers has been bandied about for a while, but it’s a terrible idea. A good game controller needs tactile feedback.
If Apple ever spins the valve open and let the insatiable developers tap into the potential of a hypothytical Apple TV App Store with a dedicated SDK, then I think hell will break loose on Nintendo et all.
The number of games released on the App Store is way more than the number of games released for all the game consoles and handhelds ever!
I saw this study since the days of iPhone 3GS!
If I’m not mistaken, I believe news around the time of this year’s WWDC claimed that Apple had quietly released an SDK for the Apple TV. The new HBO app was one of the first which was built entirely in-house (without Apple supervision).
A possible trojan horse to calculate interest in future Apple TV apps?
Edit: Spoke too soon I guess, or the news I read around or after WWDC was incorrect. SDK still “coming soon”.
Just upgrade the ATV into two versions. one that is just the ATV for sub $100 and one that is an ATV+Games for near $250 (maybe even $300). Everyone will buy the + version anyway, but you can still keep the Roku’s of the world at bay with the cheaper version.
And, just take my $250 damn it!
Or just allow apps to be developed for the existing Apple TV and not confuse and needlessly take peoples money.
The technology already exists with the current Apple TVs.
“Needlessly take peoples money?” No.
The games version would need faster processing. It would also need more memory.
That will cost extra.
If it doesn’t need the extra hardware…..SURE! No need for a more games friendly version. The present version is OK for streaming and buffering video…..but I don’t think the present version is capable of graphics intensive tasks required by the most realistic games. Do you?
So you basically want an Apple Playstation 4 with it’s own software ecosystem for $250. hahaha good one.
Allowing Apple TV access the current largest selection of games known to man (iOS app store) is a way better way to go.
As iOS devices continue to gain better processors, Apple TV can continue to use the better processors as well, just like Apple has been doing all along (Apple TV 2 A4, Apple TV 3 A5). Apple TV can easily support any processor and graphics chipset that an iOS device can support.
To add another product into the mix that requires entirely different software development than iOS devices can support is exactly the opposite way that Apple has been heading. If you think Apple is going to go in that direction for a dedicated gaming machine keep dreaming.
BTW we just had an article last week that indicated that Electronic Arts now makes more revenue through iOS downloads than it does through retail/online distribution of it’s own products.
I think this is a bit of an indicator where developers should be focusing their efforts. iOS is where it’s at and it’s only going to continue growing.
OK you want to intentionally misconstrue and misunderstand go right ahead.
I did not say playstation sw. You made that up.
I did not say don’t use iOS apps. You made that up too. Pulled it out your ass is another way of putting it.
Don’t quite know if you are unable to understand or you are just playing a dumb ass.
I am going to try to explain just once more time. Here goes…
Airplay is not good enough. Believe me, I have tried….cant even play Real Racing without crashing due to lag. So that means iOS games have to run NATIVE on the ATV. That means more memory that it presently has. With me so far? OK, next…For future games are going to get only more and more demanding. So a good processor….one with better graphic abilities than the present one would be a good hedge.
That’ll have to do. If you are still incapable of understanding…..fuck off. And don’t give me any of you “did you have to resort to bad language” crap either. Obviously, I did have to resort to that.
……….. Chill. I get you 🙂
Chill buddy. Bandit Bill is a nice guy – he just makes his points extra forcefully, that’s all. I have had a few run-ins with him in the past (I came onto him too hard and he shot back – fair game) but he makes a couple of valid points in his argument. I think you both do – make good points that Apple should look into.
I’m understand you, I just don’t agree with you.
There’s a difference.
You said make a souped up ATV+Games for $250 to $300 along with a standard Apple $99 ATV. I say let the Apple TV have the same processor and graphics capability of the latest iOS devices (which means it’s due for an upgrade). Keep the price $99 and only offer one version.
We don’t agree. Big deal. The comment sections would be pretty boring if everyone agreed.
So all Apple has to do is make a controller that an iPad snaps into with all the tactile elements on the “iGame Frame”.
Designed right it could accomodate iPhone/Touch, iPadMini, iPad or 3 different sized adaptors would be available to match to the tactile console.
iPad has the connectivity and horsepower whether the screen is used or not. Keeps the price low.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.Apple will NEVER make a game console. The fact is they already have game consoles – iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad mini. Each one of the these devices is a game console. What is missing is the tactile device traditional consoles use. This was introduced at the developer conference so now app developers can include this as an input device. Getting the game to the television will be done using the Apple TVmand AirPlay.
There are already games (I know of 1 but assume there must be others) that allow an iPhone to be used as a controller for a Mac game or an iPhone game. With Airplay mirroring I play the game on my TV using an iPhone as the controller. The game is running from my MBA or iPad. The advantage, which I think is huge, is you can take your games with you. The other advantage is everyone with an Apple TV has already purchased the ‘console’. All that is left is the tactile device. Anyone that thinks otherwise is thinking in the past and that is not how Apple approachs existing markets.
I think you’re right or they probably would have done it already. I have to admit I would like to see an Apple game console just for the sake of busting Microsoft’s and Sony’s hump, but it really doesn’t make much sense for Apple to waste time on something like that. I’ll settle for Apple making AppleTV more open to third party channels like the Roku is. I really want to see PLEX on AppleTV.
You’re right, we’re just trying to imagine how the AppleTV will incorporate Gaming.
Never! Contrary to what iHaters believe, Apple does not make toys. So all you children hoping for one are just going to be out of luck
The answer is the MFi controllers that are coming online when i07 comes out. There is no need for a more beefier apple tv console. Better wifi technology and stronger iphone technology will be the better route for apple. Game developers already make millions off iOS games.
The way Apple should do it is NOT to make a separate “game console” that requires a whole new App Store infrastructure and app ecosystem that needs developer commitment.
The “no brainer” way to add gaming to the Apple TV experience is to do with using a new enhanced version of AirPlay…
These games are iOS apps that run on iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. Apple creates a new enhanced AirPlay display mode that sends a portion of the app to the Apple TV. That portion runs ON the Apple TV. The HDTV screen does NOT mirror what is on the iOS device; the HDTV screen becomes the primary screen for the game, and the iOS device screen becomes a customized remote control device.
This already works in a limited way. The operation is similar to how the Apple TV now works with an iOS remote control app. The Apple TV is running its built-in software, and the iOS device is controlling it. The only difference is that the Apple TV is running the “sub-app” that came from the iOS device.
This solves a few key obstacles:
(1) These games works as “regular” iOS apps, when not using the enhanced AirPlay mode. So the market for developers is the entire HUGE iOS user base, not the few million current Apple TV owners, or ZERO users if this new “console” requires a new version of Apple TV. The only additional commitment from developers is adding the new enhanced AirPlay mode to their apps/games (where such a mode makes sense). Apple makes it relatively easy, with new APIs. And Apple does not need to set up a whole new App Store, just for Apple TV apps and games.
(3) There is no need for a new “game console” version of Apple TV that comes with specialized controllers and additional storage for downloading games. The iOS device acts as the storage, and its screen becomes the controller, customized for each game. The existing A5-based Apple TV works, and maybe even the A4-based version. This means there will be millions of existing potential users from Day One. If a new version of Apple TV is needed, there are ZERO users on Day One.
(3) There is a whole new reason for buying an Apple TV, that makes it NOT a “hobby” anymore. Just about every current customer of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch user will consider getting an Apple TV, so they can use this new enhanced AirPlay mode that they see in their games and apps. And having 10x more Apple TV boxes “out there” strengthens Apple’s position, when negotiating for new content deals for Apple TV.
Completely agree.
I agree with all but using the screen as a controller. Although I think it should always be an option, but like I said in a previous post, the mfi controllers are going to be so well recieved in the marketplace. The reason a controller works well is because it removes you thumbs off the screen that your playing on. And if you are airplaying to a TV, then you know what button your mashing because there is a object your pressing on and not just a big flat screen with buttons on it. Now incorporating both screen and a mfi controller sounds good as well
If those controllers that are either Bluetooth or “Mfi,” it should work. It would be interacting with the iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch), which is the “master control” for the game. It is not interacting directly with Apple TV, which allows existing Apple TV boxes to work with such controllers.
There is no need to add support for new user interface devices to the Apple TV, in software or hardware. The Apple TV itself can just continue to work with that simple IR remote control, and continue to cost just $99, for customers who just want to watch TV content on it, not play games.
Good points ken1w buddy.
You do both. You make a game console that utilizes both blue ray (yes… blue ray) discs as well as the existing App Store ecosystem.
iPhones as controllers would be just fine. Let 3rd party developers handle “true” controllers.
Approach game devs from everywhere and have them develop for the platform. Would probably be able to secure some exclusivity deals too.
Whether this would be contained within a set top box or an actual tv… who knows? Either way would work fine and sell like hot cakes.
Apple won’t do blu-ray:
– They didn’t adopt blu-ray for Macs
– They are phasing out CD/DVD drives from Macs
– They were late adopters of 1080p on Apple TV in order to be early providers of pure digital content. They won’t go backwards for games.
What they will do is lower the cost of games, and widen the customer base, with games that may not be as good as top line PS/XBox games initially, but will vacuum up the overall gaming dollars.
Eventually, as with 1080p on AppleTV and 4G on iPhones, they will catch up with competitors specs. But initially Apple focuses on getting ecosystems right for the majority of customers and creating new customers, not on specs.
They will be very focused on making sure people enjoy buying and playing AppleTV games, and not at all focused on matching high end game box graphics. But what are high end graphics today will become easy to match more cheaply as processors continue to rev up in power each year.
Disruption of the Xbox One is already there because of it’s high price tag of both the console and the games. Nitendo’s Wii U is not selling all that great so the only real competitor is Sony’s PS 4. For the ATV everything is in place to make a giant wave in the game console area. If only Apple can take advantage of this.
Attaching a Mac Mini to a large screen TV makes more sense to me — right next to the Blu-Ray player that plays the true high-definition content and, unfortunately, the obscenely overpriced cable tuner that is necessary to receive any live sports.
Cheap games suck, IMO.
The problem is, Apple changes their hardware too often. Would there be an ATV console # 2 next year ? #3 year after ? You bet, and how long before the 1st gen console can’t play the latest games anymore or very well and isn’t supported like iPad1 now? This isn’t a good model for game consoles, but that’s how Apple rolls with their annual h/w updates.
IMHO, no. This is what Steve’s example of “focus” was. Great mass of energy and attention needs to be imbedded in a games console to work; and it always need’s to be updated and configured. Sure, Apple could…. Make an excellent console but do they really need to make it for the sake of making it? MS are in the game but they don’t really have heart nor class with their console. I may be wrong on this, and could be open to a debate but I just don’t think it’s where their focus should be. Nintendo are the Apple of video games, … Come
On… You can’t see that??
All these conjectures when the finished product is just waiting for the software to catch up.
Nah… Game consoles are for idiots.