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Would not be surprised if this comes in between $30 and $50. Lose/break even on hardware and make money on the services.
 
Time

It is time for Apple to open up an SDK on Apple TV. There is a tremendous opportunity here. The hardware doesn't need to be much more than an iPod touch with a power supply and no screen. There would need to be a simplified OS, but by using the ubiquitous iPhone as the remote (or better yet, an iPad) interface should be pretty easy. This should work. And since the Apple TV has been unchanged for the most part for several years, they've had the time to get this to work.

Here is something that they might be making. Virtual machine using those huge data centers as the processor and the Apple TV as the output. All of a sudden you can then play AAA titles on Apple TV because none of the content or the processing happens at the Apple TV. It all happens at the data center. Now there might be lag. But really multi-player already has a lot of that lag already.

I just think Apple can get into the living room in a way that is more interesting than just streaming TV/Movies.
 
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?

Sorry, but could you explain what sense that would make?

As I see it, Amazon has its service available on a plethora of devices. Including the Apple TV (which is besides the XBOX and Playstation probably the most ubiquitous set top box on the planet) would add a major additional channel for Amazon and would drive sales.

It makes sense for Apple to exclude Amazon, to drive sales of the iTunes store. But, with Netflix available on the Apple TV now, it might be possible that Amazon might get an agreement in place too.
 
I hope Amazon remembers about other countries

A box with 99% of the services only available to the USA won't sell well in other countries.

As for their streaming services, I hope Amazon takes into account that Canadian ISPs are even worst than the ones in the USA. We need a "lower quality" setting and Netflix Canada understood that from the start. With monthly caps as low as 35GB and the total lack of competition anywhere but the major cities, it's necessary.
 
For those who follow the ATV more than I....

Is Apple considered one of the front runners in this market?

ATV sales have steady grown since v2 but I don't perceive any brand has a decisive lead. As you note each has advantages but also serious disadvantages. Apple opening ATV to devs could change that though. A $99 casual game console + movies/music streaming could leap ATV to front esp. if Apple also announces some sort of attractive video subscription plan.
 
Sorry, but could you explain what sense that would make?

As I see it, Amazon has its service available on a plethora of devices. Including the Apple TV (which is besides the XBOX and Playstation probably the most ubiquitous set top box on the planet) would add a major additional channel for Amazon and would drive sales.

It makes sense for Apple to exclude Amazon, to drive sales of the iTunes store. But, with Netflix available on the Apple TV now, it might be possible that Amazon might get an agreement in place too.


Than explain why I can stream Amazon Prime through Airplay? Once again we are going through this no one has proof that Apple blocked Amazon Prime to be on Apple TV if they allowed Amazon through Airplay than there is a chance to be on Apple TV. Does not make sense at all what you are saying when Netflix is on Apple TV I wonder how much sales that is driving on iTunes also Amazon Streaming on iPhone or iPad if that is allowed on those Apple devices explain to me how different is it on Apple TV because you can also rent or buy a movie or a TV show from iTunes on your iPhone or iPad.


There is no proof of why Amazon Prime is not on Apple TV everyone has their own fantasy stories. I can understand why VUDU will never be on Apple TV ;)
 
I know Amazon has been successful with the Kindle, but I just don't see them as a hardware company. I'd like to see Amazon content on my Apple TV, though.
 
List of things Apple TV needs:

1. Amazon Prime
2. App Store
3. 802.11ac
4. Better UI
5. Video Games (Coming soon I heard)
6. Other streaming apps such as: Cinemax Go, EPIX, Showtime Anytime, Starz Play, Encore Play, Snagfilms, and many other free streaming apps that exist other than Crackle.
7. Fix the issue with Netflix where Super HD movies or TV Shows snaps back to SD (Happening since December 2013) one of the biggest issues.

Apple TV has so much work needed to compete with other streaming devices.
 
Apple needs to really step it up lately, having the same iphone but with a fingerprint reader and a skinnier ipad aren't gonna cut it these days.
 
Hopefully the long awaited AppleTV with an App Store will sort that out.

Not possible.

Issue 1: Apple makes their profits on hardware. $100 does not cut it if Amazon comes out swinging. Amazon could do free and still be happy with prime subscriptions. One free box with each prime account sounds right.

Issue 2: Apple is not treating Apple TV seriously. It’s a hobbyist device.
 
None of this matters anymore in the US. Buy whatever box you like. Your ISP will throttle the service now that net neutrality is dead and there's only going to be a couple of providers shortly. :mad::mad::mad:
 
Not possible.

Issue 1: Apple makes their profits on hardware. $100 does not cut it if Amazon comes out swinging. Amazon could do free and still be happy with prime subscriptions. One free box with each prime account sounds right.

Issue 2: Apple is not treating Apple TV seriously. It’s a hobbyist device.

Well rumor has it that Amazon Prime is being increased to about $99 because of all the costs now involved with their streaming service. So I don't think they would include hardware. Sell for "cheap" yes - but not give away

None of this matters anymore in the US. Buy whatever box you like. Your ISP will throttle the service now that net neutrality is dead and there's only going to be a couple of providers shortly. :mad::mad::mad:

It's being challenged and I believe will most likely be overturned.
 
I know Amazon has been successful with the Kindle, but I just don't see them as a hardware company. I'd like to see Amazon content on my Apple TV, though.
They are a very good cheap hardware company which they use as loss-leaders to their additional sales.
 
Why? Amazon supports it's other services on iOS even though it competes w/ Apple w/ Kindle. Based on history, it seems only Apple is holding back an Amazon video app. If ATV is ever opened to devs I'd expect an Amazon video app of some functionality.

Also why is competition a bummer? Personally I'm very happy Amazon competes w/ Apple especially on music. Amazon frequently has better pricing.

----------



Huh? The first ATV looks & functions nothing like gen 2 or 3. And Apple is very clear that it's a hobby product. Not sure where your expectations come from.

Forget the 1st gen. But, gen 2 and 3, come on! Same crappy interface and no App store. Roku's interface looks much better and I can add channels I want.
 
And Roku will continue to quietly kick everyone else's butts.

No! This device is to compete with the ONLY set-top box that anyone is buying, the Apple TV. All other devices are horrible and have horrible sales and not worth mentioning, ever. Also they are all copying what Apple is doing and Apple is the first company to ever consider doing anything related to set-top boxes.

(This is what y'all sound like whenever there's a story about Samsung doing anything with a new phone)
 
And Roku will continue to quietly kick everyone else's butts.
Exactly what I was thinking. The Apple TV isn't even in contention unless you restrict your tech purchases to Apple-branded gadgets. Roku kicks the everloving crap out of ATV and everything else currently on the market.

Apple needs to really step it up lately, having the same iphone but with a fingerprint reader and a skinnier ipad aren't gonna cut it these days.
Too late. Apple needs a first mover advantage to really shine, at this point they're already getting their asses handed to them by multiple competitors.
 
I've had nothing but positive experiences, some so far and beyond what any other company has done for me its unreal, so not sure what you're so upset about and you can't even list any experiences or policies that you don't like.

You should probably do some research into their crappy worker policies and their even crappier scorched earth policies when it comes to eliminating local competition and skirting around local laws.

Like I said, rational people that do research into these things know better.
 
I sucks that Amazon bought Double Helix out before they were finished with Killer Instinct.

I'm sure they will finish season 1 but season 2 is up in the air. I guess Microsoft should of snagged them before amazon.

I also don't see how Double Helix and other big studios will be satisfied making games for a glorified Apple TV or Ouya like console.
 
This will probably be far more capable than ATV out of the box.

The sad fact is that it's not really that difficult to beat Apple in this regard.
 
Interesting move by Amazon as their services are platform agnostic so hopefully that continues. I feel like this is just going to be 'another set top box' though. Very different situation, and much more crowded field, than what their Kindle e-readers and tablets face.


Sounds like Wal-Mart.

Or Apple. ;)

Jobs talking about the new iTunes Music Store:
"We would like to break even/make a little bit of money but it's not a money maker," he said, candidly.

So now we have it on record: the music store is a loss leader. Jobs said Apple would pay its dues to the RIAA, then seek to make money where it could, from its line of hardware accessories. When the conversation turned to rivals such as eTunes and Napster, Jobs said: "They don't make iPods, so they don't have a related business where they do [make money]".


It's being challenged and I believe will most likely be overturned.
What's being challenged? The FCC said they aren't going to going to appeal their lost court case against Verizon and that they aren't going to classify ISPs as common carriers but will instead rule on case-by-case basis so Net Neutrality is effectively dead. With regards to the Comcast/TWC deal being blocked by the government, I know it's early in the process but I haven't heard any negative rumblings from DC so it seems like all the lobbyist money did the trick and the acquisition will be approved.
 
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