“When it comes to gadgets, Apple and Amazon tend to have very different audiences,” Andrew Hayward writes for Macworld. “Consider tablets, for example: Amazon’s entry-level Fire tablet is priced at a stunning $50, while Apple’s cheapest active iPad (2013’s iPad Mini 2) sells for $269. There’s a noticeable gap in quality between the two in many regards, but Amazon’s focus on cheap, usable tech contrasts sharply against Apple’s higher-end polish and performance.”
“The difference is less obvious when it comes to set-top boxes, however,” Hayward writes. “Last fall’s overhauled Apple TV was a big leap for the device, adding apps and games along with the touchpad remote, but Amazon had already mined that territory with the first Fire TV. Right after the Apple TV was released, Amazon refreshed the Fire TV with added processing power, 4K resolution support, and other enhancements. And the price difference isn’t quite so dramatic.”
“Apple doesn’t make its own official Apple TV gamepad, but there are several licensed MFi (Made for iOS) controllers that work well with it—and the recent SteelSeries Nimbus and Hori Horipad Ultimate also have the Apple TV Home button clearly marked. My pick is the Nimbus ($50), which feels great in the hand, is nicely sturdy and responsive, and has a battery pack that you charge with a Lightning cable. It’s a near-console quality device.”
“After spending the last couple weeks with the latest Fire TV, we think there’s healthy competition here,” Hayward writes. “If you’re an Apple fan, should you really grab an Amazon box?”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV needs a little but more time – it’s only been on the market fro a few months – to get some of the more sought-after games. Beyond gaming, the only reason we’d consider an Amazon Fire TV box ($99) is to feed our Sony 4K TVs.
SEE ALSO:
Hello, Apple? One-third of US households will have 4K TVs by 2019 – December 11, 2015
Jeremy Clarkson confirms new post-Top Gear Amazon Prime show will be in 4K – November 20, 2015
Why Apple TV doesn’t need 4K Ultra HD video – November 12, 2015
Apple TV and the 4K Ultra HD conundrum – October 8, 2015
Amazon embarrasses Apple with new 4K Fire TV box or something – September 17, 2015
Amazon unveils $100 Fire TV box 4K video support, Alexa voice control – September 17, 2015
With the all-new Apple TV, Apple changes the game, yet again – September 14, 2015
Analyst: Apple TV streaming service on the way, could cost at least $40 a month – September 14, 2015
Local media streaming app Plex coming to Apple TV – September 14, 2015
What Apple got right in Apple TV’s user interface – and what needs work – September 11, 2015
New Apple TV has the potential to do for television what iPhone did for mobile phones – September 11, 2015
Apple preps to conquer living room with all-new Apple TV – September 11, 2015
Hands-on with the all-new Apple TV – September 10, 2015
Gruber: Apple TV will define how all TVs will work in a few years – September 10, 2015
Here’s how much RAM is inside Apple’s iPhone 6s/Plus, iPad Pro and new Apple TV – September 10, 2015
New Apple TV sounds great, but where’s the 4K? – September 10, 2015