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In light of recent reports stating that Apple is hard at work on an Apple TV refresh, Amazon is allegedly readying a new Web TV box that would compete with Apple's set-top box and the Roku, according to Re/code. The report states that Amazon's new media streaming device could be available as soon as March.

amazon_logo.jpg
Similar to rumors that surfaced last year, this latest information claims Amazon's set-top box will tie into the company's Instant Video service and may support third-party content providers in a manner similar to the Apple TV and Roku.
A box is also a logical move for Amazon, which is investing heavily to build up a Web video catalog, and is starting to produce its own shows as well. An Amazon box will allow its customers to easily watch that stuff on their TVs; it should also give other content providers a chance to serve up their stuff via apps, in the way that Roku and Apple TV boxes do.

Sources tell me Amazon's box is will be powered by Google's Android operating system, which is also not a surprise -- Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets use a "forked" version of Android.
Re/code also speculates that Amazon's set-top box could contain a gaming component, noting that the company is looking to expand its Amazon Games Studio by hiring game developers who can "break down technology barriers and deliver experiences people have never seen before." This follows another recent rumor from VG247 that suggests the online retailer is working on an Android gaming console similar to the Ouya.

Amazon has stepped up its streaming content offerings in the past year, producing 14 original television pilots and using feedback to decide which get made into full shows, as well as spending significant amounts of money to secure exclusive rights to popular shows like Downton Abbey and The West Wing.

Currently, Amazon's Instant Video service is available on iPads and iPhones, the Xbox 360, the Nintendo Wii, the Sony Playstation 3, smart televisions from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, TiVo, the Roku box, as well as a number of Blu-ray players.

Article Link: Amazon Planning March Launch for Apple TV Set-Top Box Competitor
 

monty77

macrumors 6502a
Mar 4, 2005
594
173
UK, South Coast
..hopefully this means Apple will finally give us the App store we've wanted for so long - letting Amazon get there first would be extremely unwise.
 

MattG

macrumors 68040
May 27, 2003
3,864
440
Asheville, NC
Ugggh...I just want one box that does it all. Wish ATV would just do Amazon Prime.

OR...wish that somehow, some way, one of these other boxes could play the protected Apple content. But we know that'll never happen...ATV having Amazon Prime is more likely, even if only by a little.
 

scott911

macrumors 6502a
Aug 24, 2009
758
456
Ugggh...I just want one box that does it all. Wish ATV would just do Amazon Prime.

that would have it easier on the customer - and if there weren't legal/ licencing issues, it would be kind of like apple saying - we're above that.
 

Gasu E.

macrumors 603
Mar 20, 2004
5,029
3,145
Not far from Boston, MA.
For a company that makes no profit, Amazon certainly is trying to completely dominate a lot of business segments.

Just waiting for the other shoe to drop, when Amazon finally has eradicated the competition.
 

mattopotamus

macrumors G5
Jun 12, 2012
14,666
5,879
For a company that makes no profit, Amazon certainly is trying to completely dominate a lot of business segments.

Just waiting for the other shoe to drop, when Amazon finally has eradicated the competition.

wait what? Amazon is a non-profit?
 

bushido

Suspended
Mar 26, 2008
8,070
2,755
Germany
just in time for the Amazon Prime Video Streaming service to launch in Germany next week

does the iPad app allow airplay to the apple tv? probably not
 

Winni

macrumors 68040
Oct 15, 2008
3,207
1,196
Germany.
I'd really hate to see Apple lose the web TV box race.

Since Apple have repeatedly said that the Apple TV is "just a hobby", it's safe to say that they are not really in this race.

It will be much more interesting to observe the products from companies who take this market seriously: Amazon, Microsoft (Xbox One), just to name the big players who are already shipping real products - and not just publishing their "hobbies".
 

Solomani

macrumors 601
Sep 25, 2012
4,785
10,477
Slapfish, North Carolina
..hopefully this means Apple will finally give us the App store we've wanted for so long - letting Amazon get there first would be extremely unwise.

I'd agree. If this isn't the kick in the pants that Apple needed…. then I don't think Apple was even wearing pants!

Step it up, Apple. Enough with the hobby! :apple:
 

duncansby

macrumors newbie
Jun 18, 2012
17
5
just in time for the Amazon Prime Video Streaming service to launch in Germany next week

does the iPad app allow airplay to the apple tv? probably not

Here in the UK the lovefilm app allows airplay to the ATV, so hopefully the amazon app will. Quality not as good as netflix through the ATV though
 

gatearray

macrumors 65816
Apr 24, 2010
1,130
232
that would have it easier on the customer - and if there weren't legal/ licencing issues, it would be kind of like apple saying - we're above that.

What do you mean to suggest, that Apple "blocked" Amazon Prime from the ATV? Has it occurred to anyone here that Amazon might have made that call themselves?
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,084
31,015
Since Apple have repeatedly said that the Apple TV is "just a hobby", it's safe to say that they are not really in this race.

It will be much more interesting to observe the products from companies who take this market seriously: Amazon, Microsoft (Xbox One), just to name the big players who are already shipping real products - and not just publishing their "hobbies".

Last May Tim Cook said Apple TV sales had surpassed 13 million. How is that not shipping a real product? Based on 9to5Mac's recent reporting it's pretty much a guarantee we'll see a revamped Apple TV this year. My guess is it will be announced at WWDC, especially if it gets an SDK.
 

tatonka

macrumors 6502
Aug 25, 2009
495
40
For a company that makes no profit, Amazon certainly is trying to completely dominate a lot of business segments.

Just waiting for the other shoe to drop, when Amazon finally has eradicated the competition.

"a company that makes no profit" misconstrues the reality quite a bit. Amazon invests a lot in new markets with subsidizing customers (i.e. Kindle Books until Apple stopped that) and by buying companies and technologies.
Other companies sit on piles of cash without doing much with it, business wise Amazons plan seems more ambitious and promising right now.

T
 

Rogifan

macrumors Penryn
Nov 14, 2011
24,084
31,015
I'd agree. If this isn't the kick in the pants that Apple needed…. then I don't think Apple was even wearing pants!

Step it up, Apple. Enough with the hobby! :apple:

I think it's obvious something will be coming this year. My guess is WWDC.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/01/23/new-apple-tv-set-top-box-likely-coming-soon-appgame-store-possible/

http://9to5mac.com/2014/01/28/apple...ssory-to-product-line-ahead-of-major-changes/

http://9to5mac.com/2014/02/10/new-apple-tv-hardware-references-already-appearing-in-ios-7-builds/
 

Carlanga

macrumors 604
Nov 5, 2009
7,132
1,409
OR...wish that somehow, some way, one of these other boxes could play the protected Apple content. But we know that'll never happen...ATV having Amazon Prime is more likely, even if only by a little.

The apple proyectes content is not as big now as before w many movies coming w both iTunes and UV codes and apps like Vudu streaming better quality content in 10-20x less time than the eternal loading of apple movie on the same connection. The main reason to get an atv instead of other boxes is airplay which I constantly use.
 
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