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Amazon's Set-Top Box Competitor to Apple TV and Roku Launching Before Holidays

realeric said:
Don't know why Apple don't allow apps for Apple TV.
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I think that is the question of when, not if. One of the worst kept secrets is that many of the content carriers themselves have been developing Apple TV apps using Apple TV API and SDK all along.
 
musicianm said:
Amazon should be more concerned with making a deal with Apple to have PRIME on AppleTV.

Not making something that only so many people will buy.
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Totally agree. I'm also afraid this will fragment the set-top box market further. This will solidify Apple's decision to leave Prime off the AppleTV and possibly others in the future as everyone wants their own piece of the streaming pie.

I just don't want to end up with a different set-top box for iTunes, PRIME, Hulu, Netflix, etc (all of which I use BTW)
 
I don't believe it, it will be like the "Amazon phone" that was 100% free and going to take over the world lol

Amazon is happy throwing its software on literally every device I can imagine that can support it, no reason to get into the hardware business that I can see.

Then again, they were really successful with their e-readers and I assume their tablets must be selling decently enough to not be canceled so what do I know?
 
giantfan1224 said:
I guess I don't understand the need for Amazon to have their own hardware when their video player is available on pretty much any platform. They're not a hardware manufacturer (at least they're not profitable in that arena). They'll probably sell it at cost or for a loss which baffles me why they wouldn't just focus more on making their content the best possible. I understand they want to lock people into the ecosystem but in the end, if their video service and content is the best (cheapest, variety), that will be what ultimately makes them money.
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But why not have a settop box? Assume for a second that Amazon can get their content on to every hardware device out there:

Right now the majority of hardware devices in the set-top box arena for streaming content are also players that are providing their own content. If, for example, AppleTV+iTunes or XBox+(w/e it's called) become HUGE, and the majority of households have one, they can cut Amazon out with absolutely no loss or fear. Even if you're a customer that favors amazon content what exactly are you going to do?

Now imagine a world where Amazon has a solid but not quite as slick device as Apple, and has 10% of the hardware, and Apple has 90% of the hardware. But assume the content is split 50-50 regardless of the device being used. Now can Apple afford to cut Amazon content off their device? They stand to lose a lot of hardware sales, potentially as much as half.

Even if Amazon hardware doesn't sell well, it represents a threat, one that current Apple customers could move to if Apple does anything stupid even in the short term. It also gets Amazon practiced at making good hardware. If Amazon doesn't have that ace of their sleeve and expertise in their pocket, Apple or anyone else can make an Aggressive move and it would take Amazon years to respond with their own hardware solution. Take any cell phone company that is now folding: They were unprepared and it took them too long to build devices that could even be considered second rate.

Amazon may not be shooting for first place, but they want to be in the race, and as a consumer I'm glad they will be, even if I'm quite happy with my Apple TV right now.
 
nutmac said:
I think that is the question of when, not if. One of the worst kept secrets is that many of the content carriers themselves have been developing Apple TV apps using Apple TV API and SDK all along.
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I have heard from a few developers (who do work for Roku Channels) that 2014 is "the" year for AppleTV apps.

It is unknown (at this point) according to them on who is developing, if Apple will be charging to be included or how the process will work. But 2014 seems to be the "year"
 
Too many boxes... We have an (original) Apple TV under our main TV, along with a PS3 and a DirecTV box. The ATV may as well not be there, since the PS3 runs Netflix AND Amazon. Another room has DirecTV and a Roku. Another - just a Wii, and another room has a PS3. In all bar the main room Netflix/Amazon are watched constantly.

Out of curiosity I removed one of the services from the devices to see how we'd use it... Oddly, with only Netflix OR Amazon available, the streaming device was basically left off. For some mysterious reason, we'd need both available just to watch either of them. I don't see the Amazon box fitting in with our usage style.
 
FrizzleFryBen said:
Totally agree. I'm also afraid this will fragment the set-top box market further. This will solidify Apple's decision to leave Prime off the AppleTV and possibly others in the future as everyone wants their own piece of the streaming pie.

I just don't want to end up with a different set-top box for iTunes, PRIME, Hulu, Netflix, etc (all of which I use BTW)
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Actually, I see this as perhaps convincing Apple to allow Amazon Prime on the Apple TV. Apple is still a hardware Company, right? Unless their business model has changed, Apple would rather sell you an AppleTV than a movie. Amazon on the other hand would rather sell you a movie than a piece of hardware (their business model might be changing though).

But right now Apple doesn't risk losing hardware sales (or enough of them) because they don't support Prime. If Amazon comes out with a budget piece of hardware and starts pulling Apple TV customers away SIMPLY because Apple doesn't have PRIME, that is bad for Apple, where as Amazon may not care one way or the other, as long as they can sell their content (see Amazon e-reader app available on iOS).
 
Earendil said:
But why not have a settop box? Assume for a second that Amazon can get their content on to every hardware device out there:

Right now the majority of hardware devices in the set-top box arena for streaming content are also players that are providing their own content. If, for example, AppleTV+iTunes or XBox+(w/e it's called) become HUGE, and the majority of households have one, they can cut Amazon out with absolutely no loss or fear. Even if you're a customer that favors amazon content what exactly are you going to do?

Now imagine a world where Amazon has a solid but not quite as slick device as Apple, and has 10% of the hardware, and Apple has 90% of the hardware. But assume the content is split 50-50 regardless of the device being used. Now can Apple afford to cut Amazon content off their device? They stand to lose a lot of hardware sales, potentially as much as half.

Even if Amazon hardware doesn't sell well, it represents a threat, one that current Apple customers could move to if Apple does anything stupid even in the short term. It also gets Amazon practiced at making good hardware. If Amazon doesn't have that ace of their sleeve and expertise in their pocket, Apple or anyone else can make an Aggressive move and it would take Amazon years to respond with their own hardware solution. Take any cell phone company that is now folding: They were unprepared and it took them too long to build devices that could even be considered second rate.

Amazon may not be shooting for first place, but they want to be in the race, and as a consumer I'm glad they will be, even if I'm quite happy with my Apple TV right now.
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I understand that without any hardware in the game they are at the mercy of the hardware platforms and that they could be cut out but I'm guessing that wouldn't fly too easily passed the DOJ. If they are a major player on the content delivery side, through apps on all the major platforms, it would be very difficult to just get rid of them.
 
I think theres a lot of companies trying to get into everyone's living room via set-top boxes...that's great an all but the streaming content is still crap. There's a lot of focus on the physical units but where is the quality content?

I know it all comes down to the major copyright holders releasing their content to netflix, itunes, amazon, etc.

Here's what frustrates me... Netflix / Amazon prime I can only stream about 1/10 of the titles through their paid subscription.... Ok so I'll rent on iTunes / Amazon - Oh wait, I can only rent another small portion of films, everything else I have to buy. Anyone else miss blockbuster? I do.
 
I'm calling this one...

Will be a plug in device similar to the Chromecast that is controlled via an app on your phone/tablet/computer.

First device will be FREE with Amazon Prime subscription.

Additional devices cost $20-25 each.

No data storage as it will all be stored on Amazon's Cloud, so music will also be accessible not unlike Apple TV.
 
giantfan1224 said:
I guess I don't understand the need for Amazon to have their own hardware when their video player is available on pretty much any platform. They're not a hardware manufacturer (at least they're not profitable in that arena). They'll probably sell it at cost or for a loss which baffles me why they wouldn't just focus more on making their content the best possible. I understand they want to lock people into the ecosystem but in the end, if their video service and content is the best (cheapest, variety), that will be what ultimately makes them money.
Click to expand...

Rogifan said:
You forget that Wall Street doesn't give a toss if Amazon makes money or not. As long as Amazon's top line keeps going up and up and up the market doesn't seem to care what happens to the bottom line.
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ViperDesign said:
I swear you have that same comment just ready to go whenever there is an amazon post. You literally say the same thing over and over about amazon.

http://theweek.com/article/index/235488/how-long-can-amazon-go-without-making-money
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Rogifan said:
Because its true.
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Only the OP never brought up Wall Street or Amazon's stock or their investors. I think what Viper (and I) notice it that it doesn't matter what is said in a thread - this is your "go to" answer. You have a few of them. This one for Amazon; there's the one questioning why MacRumors considers something a news item; etc

Now don't get me wrong - I don't think you are incorrect about your Wall Street comment. And I think your "beef" with the editorial team here is something you'll probably just have to get over because it's their site and they can post whatever stories they want.
 
bryanescuela said:
Aren't there enough setup boxes already to have another one?
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Yeah - and too many of them seem like they are primarily a portal into an online store. I saw a demo of AppleTV at an AppleStore and it consisted of showing me that I could either buy or stream content if I paid more money to Apple.

No thanks.
 
bryanescuela said:
Aren't there enough setup boxes already to have another one?
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It seems dumb to me. Amazon should take more of a Netflix approach and just try to have its app on as many devices as possible. Netflix originally had its own device designed, but then decided that releasing it would alienate hardware manufactures who might keep its apps off their devices.
 
Rogifan said:
You forget that Wall Street doesn't give a toss if Amazon makes money or not. As long as Amazon's top line keeps going up and up and up the market doesn't seem to care what happens to the bottom line.
Click to expand...

You're welcome to bet against Amazon in the long term and short their stock. I'm not going to, however.
 
Amazon Prime Instant Video works perfectly on my Roku 3 so I don't know why Amazon would have to have their own hardware. Amazon can get away with just about anything and the share price continues to rise. It's really amazing how they can have their hands into so many pies and investors stay completely happy. If Apple decided to go into some other line of business, the analysts would be crying about how Apple has no focus and spreading itself too thin. The analysts were even negative about iTunes Radio saying how it couldn't really compete with Pandora.

Does anyone really think Amazon can compete with Apple in hardware? I suppose Amazon investors think Amazon's set-top box will put AppleTV and Roku out of business. Why would investors be happy about something like this. How can Amazon have any edge over Apple unless Apple allows it to be that way? I really don't get Wall Street's bias at all.

Except for not supporting Youtube I think the Roku 3 is absolutely fantastic since it also supports all my personal content using PLEX. PLEX does support Youtube but not perfectly (no caption support).
 
bawbac said:
Amazon needs to up their content but they've got a good start/foundation.

When did Apple offer free movies or a subscription for $79 or less a year to view a catalog of content?



http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Video/b/ref=topnav_storetab_mov_aiv?ie=UTF8&node=2858778011
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They do have a good foundation but if they are releasing hardware in addition to a stand alone app, they'll have to boost their offerings a little.

Also, Apple doesn't offer a subscription to stream movies--but it should be noted that you are not allowed to stream a lot of the best stuff Amazon offers. That $79 is more like the continental breakfast included at a hotel--rather than an all you can eat buffet.
 
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