This would be an amazing addition to the AppleTV. Now all it needs is the ability to buy channels and FaceTime support and it will be one amazing product. 
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Upcoming Apple TV iOS Update to Unlock Bluetooth Keyboard Support
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I was having similar issues. I found it was the pos Aris modem/router Comcast supplied. I had them put it in bridge mode, hooked my own router up and haven't had a problem since.
no apps
why does everybody keep referring to apps? Theres no way Apple is going to release a SDK for ATV. Every use case described above can already be done. Watching Hulu or other video sources, playing games, reading web pages, It can all be done with the most expensive remote in the world: your iPhone/iPad and Airplay.
Im sure Apple is carefully watching if any innovations happen. And not a lot is going on. Developers should first invest more in apps where the screen on your TV is different than on your iOS device (one of the few examples I know of are the games Asphalt 6 and 7).
why does everybody keep referring to apps? Theres no way Apple is going to release a SDK for ATV. Every use case described above can already be done. Watching Hulu or other video sources, playing games, reading web pages, It can all be done with the most expensive remote in the world: your iPhone/iPad and Airplay.
Im sure Apple is carefully watching if any innovations happen. And not a lot is going on. Developers should first invest more in apps where the screen on your TV is different than on your iOS device (one of the few examples I know of are the games Asphalt 6 and 7).
*
It's always seemed odd to me that Apple has not unleashed a more feature rich experience to the apple tv. Google and Boxee are in the right ball park, they're just not packing the stands. Apple could trump them in user experience if they'd get off their arses. But below is why they won't.
See, I don't think the $99 ATV will ever see these things. We know Apple is poised to enter the television market with tv sets.... I think they are holding back on all these things to make whatever product they put out more compelling. Why buy their television set (or receiver as some rumors cite) if you can have all that jazz for $99? In the world of cupertino, they wouldn't do that. They held back Siri from the iPhone 4 to force you to buy new hardware for a feature that has been proven to work just fine on hacked devices. That's just not the apple way. (Possibly apps, because that generates money... but the $99 box has only so much storage space and power under the hood.)
We will see an app store, and siri, and lots of great features... but I don't believe we will ever seem them on the $99 ATV. It's not the Apple way.
You'll either get that glory by buying an apple television set, or if they are able to get carriers to go for an apple receiver as some rumors suggest there (and you know that box will not be $99.)
I'll buy anything that eliminates passwords. Passwords on an ATV, what a joke. Ooooh, some criminals might break in and watch Hillbilly Handfishing...
I'm looking forward to an App Store with games on Apple TV. Since the iPhone 5 is 16:9 a lot of games are being updated to fit the TV screen perfectly... Apple TV would have more games available on launch than any other console...
Do you suddenly have a big touch screen tv for them to function on? Just curious how you're going to operate all these apps.
Airplaying an app to your ATV does not give you the same video quality. I would love to have a browser and mail native on the ATV.
Seems fine on the XBox 360...
(talking about purpose made tv apps, for instance BBC iPlayer or spotify)
You're assuming everyone has enough money laying around to buy an iPhone or iPad.
The
TV is a 99$ iOS device. It's competing with other ~99$ devices, which right now are 7 to 8 inches Android 4.0 tablets from Polaroid, Coby, etc.
The current interface method would be adequate for media, news, reading, and even some simple gaming apps. With the addition of a keyboard you could also operate instant messaging, email, and basic text editing apps.
Last edited:
If you can't run to an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch (and something like HippoRemote), then the Logitech DiNovo Mini keyboard/controller is excellent.
I've used the DiNovo Mini with my Mac Mini. It's palm sized and works a treat.
http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/dinovo-mini?crid=26
For those who don't own an iOS device, the choice as it stands now is, either spend an extra $69 for an additional BT keyboard, or keep pairing/re-pairing your Mac supplied BT keyboard with your computer or
There are a few keyboards that allow for that. Logitech makes one that can switch between your computer/tablet/smartphone (or presumably any 3 devices you want).