Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

'Apple TV Air' Concept Imagines a Simple HDMI Dongle

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,537
30,847



With rumors of a revamped Apple TV circulating over the past few months, German magazine Curved has been exploring some concepts to help get discussion rolling, beginning earlier this month with a new box similar to the current one but with styling similar to Apple's latest iOS devices and with a versatile iPod touch-like remote.

In its latest concept, Curved follows the trend of Google's Chromecast, Roku's Streaming Stick, and Amazon's rumored device to picture the next Apple TV as a simple dongle that plugs into an HDMI port on the back of the user's television set.

apple_tv_air_concept_1.jpg
"Apple TV Air" concept (bottom) size comparison with current Apple TV and remote (top)​
The concept envisions the "Apple TV Air" package containing two similarly sized devices: the dongle with a cap for the HDMI connector and a separate remote offering the same button configuration as on the current Apple TV remote. Both devices would be made of plastic to allow for a Bluetooth wireless connection to control the dongle hidden away behind the television set.

apple_tv_air_concept_2.jpg
"Apple TV Air" dongle plugged into HDMI port​
Apple has been rumored to be exploring a number of enhancements to the Apple TV, including enhanced game support that could see the launch of an App Store for the device. Apple has also been rumored to be looking at integrating AirPort base station functionality for the next Apple TV. Depending on how aggressive Apple wants to be with the new device's capabilities, it may be a stretch for the company to fit all of the necessary components into a dongle, but Curved's concept serves as a good focal point for discussion about directions Apple could take.

Article Link: 'Apple TV Air' Concept Imagines a Simple HDMI Dongle
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/03/24/apple-tv-air-concept-dongle/
Klae17

Klae17

macrumors 65816
Jul 15, 2011
1,227
1,578
Not everything needs the Air moniker or to be smaller. We need a device that has gaming capabilities, controller support, and fast WIFI AC streaming with more content. If Apple has to double the size, so be it!
 
Starflyer

Starflyer

macrumors 6502a
Jan 22, 2003
696
1,076
OMG, Apple copying Google.. Blah, blah, blah!!1! Apple can't innovate, doom3d...
 
P

pmz

macrumors 68000
Nov 18, 2009
1,949
0
NJ
I would welcome that concept if functionality is not reduced. Clearly you're losing optical audio out, except passed through the TV, among other things (Ethernet, though not critical.)
 
T

troop231

macrumors 603
Jan 20, 2010
5,822
553
Would actually look more like this, considering power over HDMI hasn't really gotten anywhere.

pZcJPkS.jpg
 
KindredMAC

KindredMAC

macrumors 6502a
Sep 23, 2003
975
218
I personally hate dongle form factors. I have a home theatre set up that is already cramped. I could not fit a stick out the back of my A/V Receiver at this time. I can't understand why people use the speakers from their televisions today. The speakers are so weak compared to what you can get with even a cheap 2.1 set up.
 
Z

Z400Racer37

macrumors 6502a
Feb 7, 2011
711
1,664
The mockup looks cool for light stuff, but I'd like to see a set top box version that looks like the New Mac Pro design if it needs a fan, but hopefully with a heatsink that attaches right to the case so it doesn't need a fan and then just keep the current design but make it with (Liquid?)metal. That'd be cool. :cool:
 
BJMRamage

BJMRamage

macrumors 68030
Oct 2, 2007
2,713
1,233
but does Apple want to "Hide" their device?

Normally Apple loves to display their products.
 
arkmannj

arkmannj

macrumors 68000
Oct 1, 2003
1,728
513
UT
I thought the AppleTV is/was already small & light enough. If you want to hide the AppleTV it is trivial to attach a velcro strip and hide it behind the tv, on the back of the TV, under a tv stand, etc...

In fact If Apple wanted to make the size bigger to fit in more horse-power I'd be all for it getting even as big as the original (silver) Apple TV. Really what I'm saying is, that although small can be nice, at the end of the day features, content, and ease of use will be what people will care the most about.
 
S

SuperRob

macrumors 6502
Mar 14, 2011
253
4
lewisd25 said:
The dongle is too wide and will block other HDMI ports. Fail.
Click to expand...

Not to mention that such an implementation would require MHL. Most people can figure out if they have the right shaped port on their TV, or alternatively, know what HDMI is. Hardly ANYONE knows what MHL is, and not every TV with HDMI supports MHL (in fact, relatively few do).
 
seamer

seamer

macrumors 6502
Jul 24, 2009
426
164
arkmannj said:
I thought the AppleTV is/was already small & light enough. If you want to hide the AppleTV it is trivial to attach a velcro strip and hide it behind the tv, on the back of the TV, under a tv stand, etc...
Click to expand...

The current aTV wants to be visible for the IR controller.
 
anthonylambert

anthonylambert

macrumors regular
Mar 20, 2002
193
47
UK
Apple TV already too small...

The Apple TV is already too small. Have you tried stack one with an Airport express. They are too light to stop the cables from lifting the units and stopping them from falling around, usually the floor or down the side of my other units.

Currently it's a case of style over function.

And why do I need an Airport Express they could just add the software to the Apple TV to give it the Airport functionality. Also a few extra Ethernet sockets would be good too.... I wouldn't have to run a mini router then.
 
Last edited:
P

prowlmedia

Suspended
Jan 26, 2010
1,589
813
London
Someone's gone to the effort of making a too wide dongle and not realise that perhaps if Apple were to make such a thing the remote probably be all touch

D- must try harder.
 
Yvan256

Yvan256

macrumors 603
Jul 5, 2004
5,081
998
Canada
Remote

I love the current remote made from a machined block of aluminium. It has some weight and it's the proper length for a remote, it feels like quality when you hold it.

The remote from the concept is not only way too short to be comfortable to hold, it looks like a low-cost plastic remote that comes with some no-name, low-quality electronics you can buy on sale at Wal-Mart.

As for the next version of the AppleTV, I wouldn't mind a 33% size increase as long as we get more features. I already have to use an optical-to-analog converter box to plug in my headphones, if the next model is HDMI-only then I won't buy it.
 
N

nohairdave

macrumors newbie
Mar 24, 2014
5
2
Why?

There's no benefit in miniaturising the ATV to the size of a dongle. Especially when HDMI doesn't provide power. So, why would Apple do it? Surely they want their stuff to be designed, visible and oooodled over.
 
rdas7

rdas7

macrumors regular
Nov 17, 2002
165
22
London, England
Hey let's draw pictures of products instead of actually making them!

Ok congratulations for being able to use a 3D program. Unfortunately you failed to understand a thing about the product you were modeling.

"At CURVED/labs we are one step ahead" : Thanks for highlighting your technical prowess by stating it'd be made out of plastic and have bluetooth "to allow for a Bluetooth wireless connection to control the dongle hidden away behind the television set", but forgetting to add to your pictures how your innovative design would be powered. Maybe there should be a caption "Wireless power solution goes here ->"?

Pretty sure that anything Apple release will look 0% like anything you've suggested. But thanks for contributing to the discussion!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom