Apple TV - Apple's stealth bomber.
27/12/07 22:54 |
Apple
Most people
dont 'get' Apple TV. Neither did we until
recently...but things are changing.
Apple TV is way more interesting than you think, here is why.
Apple TV is way more interesting than you think, here is why.
It's an
unusual beast Apple TV. Most people think it's
missing a TV-tuner, some say it should have a DVD
drive. Then there are lots of people that say it's
missing lots of different abilities.
In some ways, they all have a point. Sure, a TV-tuner would make it a more 'normal' set-top-box and a DVD drive would make it more attractive to Ma and Pa Average. And yes, we agree that the ability to play a boatload of video formats would make it more attractive to the 'tech-savvy pro-sumer'. But...That's not what Apple TV is about.
There has been dozens of attempts at media PC's and set-top-boxes in the past (and even now), but all suffer from similar problems:
- Feature bloat
- Clunky Interface
- Compulsory Technical Know-how
Apple TV is tightly integrated with iTunes, just like your iPod. In fact, it IS an iPod...for your TV.
The TV-tuner issue is a moot point, watching and recording live broadcast TV is the past. Apple know this, they have the means to distribute content on a large scale and now they have the device to bring it straight to your lounge room. It appears that it's never been Apple's intent to give people an easy way to do what they do already TV - this is a 'mind-set' changing device.
Change the way people get their entertainment by providing a simple, easy to use device and 'normal' TV seems like it's from the stone age.
The DVD drive is also a non-issue. You don't put music onto your iPod with a CD, why should you be able to put movies on Apple TV with a DVD? More to the point, why provide something that you already have? Apple want you to BUY movies and TV shows though iTunes. Having said that, Apple make no effort to help you put movies from a DVD into iTunes directly - but they don't stop you either.
Apple TV is a stealth bomber in every sense - It's flying under the radar as people continue to ignore it yet, it carries a motherload of potential as it has executed a single handed removal of the big issues that plague other set-top boxes:
- Straight forward feature-set with fully upgradeable software platform to allow more features to be added later.
- Simple, elegant interface that even my mother can use.
- Anyone that has setup a TV before will more than manage plugging in one HDMI cable, not to mention the already familiar (iPod-like) way Apple TV integrates into iTunes.
Of course, in a perfect world were everything you want is on the iTunes Store, Apple TV is an invaluable device. But...Apple don't have everything they need on the iTunes store (look at Australia for example). So if my mum wants to put her favorite show on to Apple TV, or in iTunes...well...I do it for her. But for the more technically proficient of us, it's far from a big effort. I'd be more than happy to pay for the convince of being able to download and watch TV shows and movies at my leisure - but that's another post entirely.
We agree, Apple TV has a way to go before it has as tightly integrated experience as the iPod. But the device is very well executed for what it's supposed to be, and iPod for your TV.
Zillatron & Broadmier
In some ways, they all have a point. Sure, a TV-tuner would make it a more 'normal' set-top-box and a DVD drive would make it more attractive to Ma and Pa Average. And yes, we agree that the ability to play a boatload of video formats would make it more attractive to the 'tech-savvy pro-sumer'. But...That's not what Apple TV is about.
There has been dozens of attempts at media PC's and set-top-boxes in the past (and even now), but all suffer from similar problems:
- Feature bloat
- Clunky Interface
- Compulsory Technical Know-how
Apple TV is tightly integrated with iTunes, just like your iPod. In fact, it IS an iPod...for your TV.
The TV-tuner issue is a moot point, watching and recording live broadcast TV is the past. Apple know this, they have the means to distribute content on a large scale and now they have the device to bring it straight to your lounge room. It appears that it's never been Apple's intent to give people an easy way to do what they do already TV - this is a 'mind-set' changing device.
Change the way people get their entertainment by providing a simple, easy to use device and 'normal' TV seems like it's from the stone age.
The DVD drive is also a non-issue. You don't put music onto your iPod with a CD, why should you be able to put movies on Apple TV with a DVD? More to the point, why provide something that you already have? Apple want you to BUY movies and TV shows though iTunes. Having said that, Apple make no effort to help you put movies from a DVD into iTunes directly - but they don't stop you either.
Apple TV is a stealth bomber in every sense - It's flying under the radar as people continue to ignore it yet, it carries a motherload of potential as it has executed a single handed removal of the big issues that plague other set-top boxes:
- Straight forward feature-set with fully upgradeable software platform to allow more features to be added later.
- Simple, elegant interface that even my mother can use.
- Anyone that has setup a TV before will more than manage plugging in one HDMI cable, not to mention the already familiar (iPod-like) way Apple TV integrates into iTunes.
Of course, in a perfect world were everything you want is on the iTunes Store, Apple TV is an invaluable device. But...Apple don't have everything they need on the iTunes store (look at Australia for example). So if my mum wants to put her favorite show on to Apple TV, or in iTunes...well...I do it for her. But for the more technically proficient of us, it's far from a big effort. I'd be more than happy to pay for the convince of being able to download and watch TV shows and movies at my leisure - but that's another post entirely.
We agree, Apple TV has a way to go before it has as tightly integrated experience as the iPod. But the device is very well executed for what it's supposed to be, and iPod for your TV.
Zillatron & Broadmier
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