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Amazon's Apple TV Competitor Expected to Debut at April 2 Media Event
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Right now, Apple doesn’t allow any iTunes consumption outside of their own devices (I suppose you could say Windows + iTunes is kind out of their ecosystem).
However, with Amazon, it can be consumed through dozens of different platforms and devices: Roku, PS3/4, Xbox, hundreds of “smart” TVs, Tivo, BD Players ... including iOS devices (and with an AppleTV, it’s easily streamed to a TV).
That’s a lot of dilution - leads me to believe there’s going to be a notable differentiator ... maybe a full on App compatible device? With controllers? New content delivery model like Hulu? (i.e., real-time-ish type subscription offerings)
However, with Amazon, it can be consumed through dozens of different platforms and devices: Roku, PS3/4, Xbox, hundreds of “smart” TVs, Tivo, BD Players ... including iOS devices (and with an AppleTV, it’s easily streamed to a TV).
That’s a lot of dilution - leads me to believe there’s going to be a notable differentiator ... maybe a full on App compatible device? With controllers? New content delivery model like Hulu? (i.e., real-time-ish type subscription offerings)
Sorry, I think I misunderstood the other post. I just meant that everything has to be accessed through Amazon. Like how Apple controls all apps/services. From what I remember Kindle Fires, in spite of being Android, don't have Google Play and can't unless you root it.
The Apple TV doesn't do everything I want, yet, and amazon have some different content deals that they stream as part of a subscription model. Maybe there will be something in this product that might inspire Apple to develop it more.
I appreciate that with apple it is often what they leave out that is as important as what they choose to include in functionality, but although it's great to see all this myriad of channels appearing from time to time, the majority of them are of no interest to me and frankly I hide nearly all of them.
The potential of the device has always been waiting in the wings; I personally have been looking forward to an App Store and better content since Apple TV2 and it's been a long time now. Also the cost of iTunes films and shows are not competitively priced, and aren't completely offset by the convenience of immediate streaming.
I currently use an atv3 and have a netflix subscription, and I have also been using my ipad to airplay Vikings and The Shield from my amazon prime sub, and been reasonably impressed. If apple did something like that I might well drop netflix and amazon, but the content and price need to be right.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Wow! Judged & rejected without even seeing what it is. Wow!
One cannot judge whether something unseen & unknown is a viable alternative for one's needs (unless one thinks this is about an orange couch or used popcorn). For all we know it might be a gateway to everything ever made in 4K or 8K able to be viewed on any device (Apple or not) for free if you've ever bought one thing from Amazon? Probably not, but no one can know or judge- even for themselves- until they at least see what it is.
Something new? Not from Apple? It must be bad. Not for me (or you either).
Something new? From Apple? Shut up and take my money! I'm already in line. How did we ever get by without this?
Competition is good- even for Apple. I hope whatever this turns out to be is WOW, WOW, WOW great!!!
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If this is a low-margin Chromecast-style device that runs $35, since I'm a Prime member, I will buy it just to get Amazon's streaming video on my TV without having to deal with the horror that is the PlayStation Network (PS3).
I'd stick to the AppleTV, but as I've written here before, Apple and Amazon aren't playing nice--so no Amazon app.
Just because I'll buy a KindleKast doesn't mean I'll next be using a Fire to surf the 'net. Or that I'd consider buying* a video from Amazon.
(*By "buying," they actually mean temporarily leasing restricted derivative rights to play a heavily-protected poor facsimile of a movie on some devices maybe.)
I'd stick to the AppleTV, but as I've written here before, Apple and Amazon aren't playing nice--so no Amazon app.
Just because I'll buy a KindleKast doesn't mean I'll next be using a Fire to surf the 'net. Or that I'd consider buying* a video from Amazon.
(*By "buying," they actually mean temporarily leasing restricted derivative rights to play a heavily-protected poor facsimile of a movie on some devices maybe.)
Do you currently have an AppleTV and one iOS device? That works pretty nicely for Amazon VOD. Depending on pricing it might not be that much more (if at all for that matter) that this Amazon offering (plus you get some nice additional perks with AirPlay/Mirroring).
Side note: the * footnote was hysterical
Amazon has yet to offer any real Apple competition in any space (by real competition, I mean an equally valuable and capable product in any category).
However, whatever device they are looking to launch in this space, I DO feel could offer Apple a run for their money, due to the fact that Apple has not seen fit to update the AppleTV at all in over 2 years.
Despite the fact that rumors have run rampant about an overdue refresh coming early this year...those have gone quiet, and so has Apple, once again, for seemingly the entire first half of the year.
Granted they could still show something off in April or May.....but why? They have WWDC in June, and likely very little to talk about this year anyway:
- iOS 8 will be much like iOS 6, in the way that iOS 6 was a features/polish update to iOS 5....not terribly exciting but still a lot of good stuff.
- Perhaps the next version of OS X to talk about....and perhaps not.
- Retina MacBook Air
- NEW Apple TV and SDK
Without a new AppleTV and SDK at WWDC, that event is looking a bit slim.
However, whatever device they are looking to launch in this space, I DO feel could offer Apple a run for their money, due to the fact that Apple has not seen fit to update the AppleTV at all in over 2 years.
Despite the fact that rumors have run rampant about an overdue refresh coming early this year...those have gone quiet, and so has Apple, once again, for seemingly the entire first half of the year.
Granted they could still show something off in April or May.....but why? They have WWDC in June, and likely very little to talk about this year anyway:
- iOS 8 will be much like iOS 6, in the way that iOS 6 was a features/polish update to iOS 5....not terribly exciting but still a lot of good stuff.
- Perhaps the next version of OS X to talk about....and perhaps not.
- Retina MacBook Air
- NEW Apple TV and SDK
Without a new AppleTV and SDK at WWDC, that event is looking a bit slim.
I will be interested in seeing what they have to offer but I am really waiting to see what apple will be bringing in the new apple tv.
Yes, I have a plethora of iOS devices and a couple of AppleTVs. AirPlay is nice, but doesn't AirPlay recompress the video stream en route to the AppleTV? So, even less than the initial crappy quality!
Also, I like to be able to watch video without faffing about with a phone/tablet/etc. This is part of why the ChromeCast is a total fail for me. All I need is a simple 12 foot interface and the AppleTV remote!
hurry Apple...
+1.
Aside from the obvious Apple Store and public SDK, I would love to see:
- 802.11ac.
- Wireless ad hoc network: When traveling (especially to places without Internet), I need to either (1) create WiFi network using a Mac, (2) enable personal Hotspot on iOS device to mirror to Apple TV, or (3) carry AirPort Express. Such steps shouldn't be necessary for simple mirroring. There's a rumor floating that Apple may be combining Apple TV and AirPort Express into a single product.
- Search: Among supported channels with search API, of course.
- Ability to stream iTunes contents stored on Time Capsule or remote disk on AirPort Extreme Base Station.
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Competition?
Let customers buy/rent the films and shows they want direct from the studios, and watch them on a common platform, instead of having to subscribe to multiple subscription services and possibly buy different hardware in the hope that one of them will get in the stuff you want to see.
That would be competition.
It might even compete with piracy.
Interested to see what Amazon will do.
Apple clearly seems interested but has taking any initiative in a while on Apple TV.
Apple clearly seems interested but has taking any initiative in a while on Apple TV.
Not Exactly a Competitor
Kindle is popular because it focuses on reading and does so well, where is the iPad can display books but not meant for the avid reader.
Where is an AmazonTV won't be able to differentiate itself enough from AppleTV. Clearly it will allow people to use their AmazonPrime video service but that's already possible on Tivo and other devices and iTunes and AppleTV and Hulu and HBO and all on AppleTV offers more content that simply Amazon.
Kindle is popular because it focuses on reading and does so well, where is the iPad can display books but not meant for the avid reader.
Where is an AmazonTV won't be able to differentiate itself enough from AppleTV. Clearly it will allow people to use their AmazonPrime video service but that's already possible on Tivo and other devices and iTunes and AppleTV and Hulu and HBO and all on AppleTV offers more content that simply Amazon.
No, I feel an urgent urge to shout at my daughter asking what's wrong with you, why can't you get the popcorn into your mouth without throwing it around, you clean it up right now, I'm not your servant.
I will be interested to see what Amazon announces. As someone who has both the Chromecast and Apple TV, I really think the it will be hard for Amazon to enter this market. If it is just another set top box or dongle that streaming Netflix, Hulu, HBOGO, etc. than I am not sure how they thing they are going to get people to buy it. However, I am sure they will offer some incentive for people to use their device, like this ad-supported streaming service that is being rumored now. Also, we have seen a controller so maybe Amazon will put an app store on it. Personally, I just want to see Amazon Instant Video on more devices (like the ATV). I just want one box that lets me access any content I want, and has a nice UI. I believe Apple will provide the best UI, and if they bring the app store to ATV then it's game over. Until then, I hate that they don't let anyone with competing stores on the device.
Also, I would like to see more features concerning using an iDevice to control the ATV. I think it would be cool if you could launch content from your iDevice and have the ATV stream it, like Chromecast. AirPlay is nice but I hate how drains your battery and sometimes if you leave the app it just stops. It would also be cool to be able to route the audio from your tv to your iDevice so you can plug in headphones, like with a Roku 3.
Also, I would like to see more features concerning using an iDevice to control the ATV. I think it would be cool if you could launch content from your iDevice and have the ATV stream it, like Chromecast. AirPlay is nice but I hate how drains your battery and sometimes if you leave the app it just stops. It would also be cool to be able to route the audio from your tv to your iDevice so you can plug in headphones, like with a Roku 3.
I'll get the Amazon streaming dongle as soon as it comes out. There're one or two shows free on Amazon prime that I'd like to see that aren't available on Netflix. I'll just plug the dongle in for the few times I use Amazon and otherwise keep the Apple TV plugged in. Amazon is no additional cost since I'm already prime for the shipping.
So just airplay amazon prime to the Apple tv,
This is clearly not going to be a box just for Amazon services so what you said makes no sense. Plus, a lot of people want full 1080p content and not have to stream it from their phone.