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Amazon's Fire TV Looks A Lot Like the Rumored Apple TV Update

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Apr 12, 2001
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Earlier today Amazon launched its Fire TV media streaming box, entering a market that features fierce competition from Roku and its streaming boxes, Google's Chromecast and the Apple TV. To help set it apart from its competitors, Amazon included an app store, strong gaming support and much more for its box, which are features that have been heavily rumored for Apple's next generation streaming box.
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While gaming on a media streaming box is nothing new, as Roku has allowed users to play games like Angry Birds on its devices, Amazon has gone through great lengths, including purchasing Killer Instinct game developer Double Helix and reaching out to third-party publishers like EA, Disney, Ubisoft and Minecraft creator Mojang, to bring 133 high quality games to the Fire TV, with more arriving in the future. In addition, they've launched a $39 Xbox-like controller to make it easier for users to play advanced games on the box.

Apple has long been rumored to be including gaming support on the next version of the Apple TV with support for gaming controllers. More recently, Apple and third-party hardware manufacturers have begun shipping iOS 7 game controllers for iPhones, but they've been poorly received due to build quality issues and high price tags.

To power these high quality games, Amazon has outfitted its Fire TV with a quad-core processor, which Amazon says boasts 3 times the power of Apple TV, a dedicated graphics engine and 2 GB of RAM, which is four times the amount in the Apple TV.

While its unclear what specs the new Apple TV could sport, it's likely it gets a significant improvement over the currently used A5 chip to the much more powerful A7 chip, which is used in the iPad Air and would allow developers to easily port over their best-selling iPad and iPhone games and vice versa.

Other rumored changes for the new Apple TV include a brand new interface that blends TV listings with apps and video from the web rather than a the current setup of a grid of app icons. Amazon's Fire TV does something similar according to a hands-on report by The Verge, displaying various movies and TV shows next to apps and games when the device is turned on.

In addition, Apple has been rumored to want to include some sort of Siri-like voice control to allow users to easily navigate through the interface without a remote control. While Roku already had voice control on their media streaming box, Amazon has included voice control "that just works" on its Fire TV remote control, allowing users to bypass typing for voice searches.

However, the largest difference between the new Apple TV and Fire TV could be content. While Amazon says its streaming device is "open" and has an app store, Apple has been long rumored to also include an App Store to allow for a greater variety and quicker access to more "channels" than ever before. While that would put the two boxes at parity, Apple has also been rumored to be discussing a possible partnership with Comcast for a streaming TV service on the new Apple TV, allowing users to switch between live TV via Comcast, a Hulu-like on-demand video service and third-party apps like HBO Go, YouTube and Netflix.

Apple has been rumored to be launching their new Apple TV as early as April.

Article Link: Amazon's Fire TV Looks A Lot Like the Rumored Apple TV Update
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/04/02/amazon-fire-tv-new-apple-tv-comparison/
HappyDude20

HappyDude20

macrumors 68040
Jul 13, 2008
3,666
1,447
Los Angeles, Ca
Apple is definitely just kicking back seeing their competitors release all these products, while I'm sure the competitors are just as scared for when Apple announces a keynote event and readys to impress everyone.

This Fire TV from Amazon can essentially be a software update from Apple.

Theres a reason why Apple has remained quiet in recent times concerning this space...

It's because they're preparing to strike.

Can't wait for the new Apple TV. :D
 
D

DavidG328

macrumors regular
Mar 17, 2009
191
0
Portland, OR
I'm interested in this thing, especially if we'll see games being developed for it. I'll give it a shot if that's the case. My Apple TV rarely gets used anymore. There's simply nothing special about it.
 
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S

sfrancis928

macrumors member
May 31, 2012
53
54
Main things I want in a streaming device:

  • iTunes Streaming (local libraries, podcast app, iTunes U app, music, etc.)
  • HBO Go
  • Showtime Anytime
  • Plex
  • YouTube (with a solid interface)
  • Watch ESPN

No single device currently does all of these things. Hopefully Apple brings in those missing features soon.
 
Osty

Osty

macrumors 6502a
Jul 15, 2008
561
518
Melbourne, AU
I usually lambast Apple's rivals with 'Too little, too late' however come the next Apple TV release and I have a feeling I'll be directing that statement to Apple.

Oh well, at least we can get the Apple TV in Australia; I can't say the same for the Fire TV or even the Chromecast.
 
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M

Michael CM1

macrumors 603
Feb 4, 2008
5,681
276
darkslide29 said:
It did seem like Apple got beat to the punch, stole some of their thunder. This says as early as April, but I think it'll be a bit later. Looking forward to WWDC!
Click to expand...

Apple releases first :apple:TV model in 2007. Second generation comes out in 2010, third generation in 2012.

Amazon releases set-top box in 2014 and "Apple got beat to the punch."
 
3N16MA

3N16MA

macrumors 65816
Jul 23, 2009
1,011
177
Space
Apple has to have something in the works that is going to differentiate itself from the competition besides the obvious (iOS, AppStore). I find it hard to believe that they couldn't produce a box like the Fire pretty easily and released it last year if they wanted to.
 
X

xmichaelp

macrumors 68000
Jul 10, 2012
1,815
626
No idea why Apple didn't release this a while ago. Everyone knew it would come, we just hoped it was from Apple.

This thing looks pretty cool, let's see if Apple comes and one ups it. I'd rather just get the Apple version.
 
Nicky G

Nicky G

macrumors 65816
Mar 24, 2002
1,148
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Baltimore
If the new Apple TV is similar to the Fire TV, with a full-on App Store, and obviously supports Airplay, I am ALL IN! I've been waiting for a "full-on iOS" Apple TV with App Store for a couple years now! MAKE IT SO, Apple!

Yeah, I realize that an iPad/iPhone plus current Apple TV is more or less the same thing thanks to Airplay. Still would be nice to have more capability in the Apple TV itself. :)
 
D

Dreamer2go

macrumors 6502a
Jun 23, 2007
679
303
crap... I'm too deeply integrated into Apple's ecosystem, I can't just buy Fire TV out of the blue.......

You got me there, Apple.... you got me...
I'm waiting for your Apple TV update.

Love,
iSheep
 
X

xmichaelp

macrumors 68000
Jul 10, 2012
1,815
626
HappyDude20 said:
Apple is definitely just kicking back seeing their competitors release all these products, while I'm sure the competitors are just as scared for when Apple announces a keynote event and readys to impress everyone.

This Fire TV from Amazon can essentially be a software update from Apple.

Theres a reason why Apple has remained quiet in recent times concerning this space...

It's because they're preparing to strike.

Can't wait for the new Apple TV. :D
Click to expand...

Software update? Doesn't the ATV have an A5 and 512MB of RAM? This thing is quad core and 2 GBs. The ATV is not fit for gaming in it's current state. It's gonna need a hardware and software overhaul.
 
B

bozzykid

macrumors 68020
Aug 11, 2009
2,430
492
HappyDude20 said:
Apple is definitely just kicking back seeing their competitors release all these products, while I'm sure the competitors are just as scared for when Apple announces a keynote event and readys to impress everyone.
Click to expand...

I doubt they are scared. It seems most non Apple TV devices are not marketed towards heavy iOS users invested in the iTunes ecosystem. The Apple TV mostly appeals to only iOS users. I would be shocked if the new aTV wasn't the same. In the end, I think it hurts Apple by limiting their potential market share but Apple wants to control the ecosystem and experience.

I think the Amazon Fire TV hurts Roku more than anybody else as it seems to be a direct competitor and similar experience (albeit w/ beefier hardware).
 
T

Tech198

Cancelled
Mar 21, 2011
15,915
2,151
I like this.. i Really like this...

the voice search needs improving, since he had to say it twice..... but apart from that, its all good.


This thing looks more like a piece of chocolate than an streaming device... flat and dark...

I too an round up in the Apple TV universe with already purchased movies.. however Amazon looks like it should be the way to go, while Apple tinkers round with using their APple TV through their tablets/phones to control, have apps available etc..



What can APple do without a USB port ? They did it, they feel the pinch.
Personally, i favor features and content available over "working together" as i don't want to/need to use an iPhone as a remote... there only $35.

If i could ditch the Apple tv in favor for content, features.. then i wouldn't need to think about it, not to mention expandability.
 
M

MikhailT

macrumors 601
Nov 12, 2007
4,582
1,325
Osty said:
I usually lambast Apple's rivals with 'Too little, too late' however come the next Apple TV release and I have a feeling I'll be directing that statement to Apple.

Oh well, at least we can get the Apple TV in Australia; I can't say the same for the Fire TV or even the Chromecast.
Click to expand...

ZeRoLiMiT said:
bottom line its who ever brings it first! and AMAZON JUST DID IT!!!
Click to expand...

I think you forgot to add /s at the end there.

It really isn't about being the first all the time. Apple has historically always been late to the game. They don't make new categories, they usually redefine them later.

iPhone, iPad, iPod, all of those things were not first to the game, far from that.

Notice what Amazon said during the event about how they learnt from the customers buying the devices from their store and seeing what the problems were, etc. That's what Apple does as well and now they'll learn from FireTV as well, finding a better experience.

The question is, is Apple going to stop considering ATV as a hobby and get serious about it? Who knows.
 
alfonsog

alfonsog

Contributor
Jul 17, 2002
532
527
Cape Coral, FL
I'm not interested in this Fire TV at all and I have a Kindle 2, Paperwhite, and HDX.

I already have an Apple TV mostly to access iTunes movies I've collected over the years (mostly digital copies) and to rent movies when I get discounted gift cards.

I also have a Roku 3 which I love the headphone jack on the remote. Also, the Roku has VUDU (which I have 100+ movies on it, all "disc to digital" or digital copies) and Amazon's video and music stuff anyway, plus private porn channels (free and paid) and some basic games.

And I have a blu-ray player and PS3 that accesses everything but iTunes anyway.

I quit Netflix a few years ago. I'll probably quit Prime since I don't use the shipping or streaming video service much anymore. I just started using HBO Go which I like better but costs more than both Amazon and Netflix monthly.

For music I sent in all my discs to murfie.com so I use that with a Sonos system for lossless streaming. My iTunes music is all in the cloud and also synced to Google Music and Amazon *just in case*
 
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69Mustang

69Mustang

macrumors 604
Jan 7, 2014
7,895
15,043
In between a rock and a hard place
Got mine ordered. Can't wait to see if it is as good as it seems on paper. I will see how it compares to my Roku and Chromecasts. I don't have an ATV so I can't say it will be better/worse.

If it's even half as good as it looks (specs and features) I will give Amazon a hat tip. For a 1st gen product, they came pretty hard.
 
C

cmwade77

macrumors 65816
Nov 18, 2008
1,071
1,200
bozzykid said:
I doubt they are scared. It seems most non Apple TV devices are not marketed towards heavy iOS users invested in the iTunes ecosystem. The Apple TV mostly appeals to only iOS users. I would be shocked if the new aTV wasn't the same. In the end, I think it hurts Apple by limiting their potential market share but Apple wants to control the ecosystem and experience.

I think the Amazon Fire TV hurts Roku more than anybody else as it seems to be a direct competitor and similar experience (albeit w/ beefier hardware).
Click to expand...

I don't know, Amazon Fire TV supports Plex, which in turn means it supports iTunes.

Additionally, I foresee a point when Amazon and other providers will match content (movies and Apps), similar to what they are doing with Music now. It really wouldn't be too hard for them to do. This would eliminate the ecosystem issue completely, but really I don't see it being an issue here, as you would generally want to purchase movies from other places than iTunes, as it limits where you can play it and Ultraviolet and Amazon can be played on virtually any device now, as well as downloaded.

I don't think there will be a lot of overlap in the Apps, so I don't see that being an issue either.
 
L

lk400

macrumors 65816
Aug 26, 2012
1,049
626
ZeRoLiMiT said:
bottom line its who ever brings it first! and AMAZON JUST DID IT!!!
Click to expand...

Precisely!! This is why the iPod, iPhone and iPad were remarkable successes as apple was first to market for each of the MP3 player, touch screen smart phone and tablet products!
 
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