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Apple Could Be Planning to Release Updated Apple TV Box Next Month
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I don't think the hardware will change substantially, but what good would an app store be if you don't have any on-board storage for the apps? I know there is a small amount of ram, but when (and if) Apple opens up the AppleTV to third-party developers, they will have to add at least some on-board ram for storing the apps.
This is the only real hardware change I could see until 4K is widely accepted.
This is the only real hardware change I could see until 4K is widely accepted.
I'm praying for a spec bump, Amazon Prime, Vudu (not necessary), and DEFINITELY a USB port so we can plug in an external drive with movies/pictures.
PLEASE!!!!!
If they do, Im buying one and ditching my Roku for sure. I've been waiting for the Amazon VOD mainly, but USB would be HUGE to me.
You know that I meant it in the sense the poster suggested it - official support for plugging in external media drives. Won't happen. iTunes Store, iTunes Library sharing and Airplay is your way to go.
I'm praying for a spec bump, Amazon Prime, Vudu (not necessary), and DEFINITELY a USB port so we can plug in an external drive with movies/pictures.
We are talking Apple here...
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Right, normalize that micro-USB port for those that would like to revive local storage. That had it in the first generation and the hackers found a way to normalize THAT usb port so that 2TB could be attached as local storage. There is a crowd that wants that feature and another crowd that wants to stream everything. Apple could never get any internal storage concept right so this is THE way (IMO).
Along with some of the other options referenced in this thread, a few additional things I'd love to see:
Before someone says the above would cost a fortune, note that much of that is in <$99 BD boxes so it could be done without a massive price hike... if Apple had the will to make it happen.
Along with some of the other options referenced in this thread, a few additional things I'd love to see:
- add a stereo jack back in (for the zone 2 receivers that need analog stereo)
- add variable frame rate playback (besides 30fps). For years, consumers have been able to also shoot 24fps and 60fps on camcorders & cameras. Let us play that stuff back at native framerates
- Dolby Digital is a 1992 audio standard. There has been HUGE progress on audio since then. Match the BD audio formats toe-to-toe for those that would prefer higher quality audio
- Up the video hardware playback capabilities to get fully toe-to-toe with BD too. Right now, there's a cap at around 25Mbps but BD players can do much better. Match that or beat that so that there is no sense that BD has advantages on what this little box can do
- NAS media storage capabilities so that those with NAS storage can have the media stored there (an alternative for attaching local storage)
- Resurrect the better navigation layout of the first gen. For example, our own movies should be in "movies" not "computers", etc.
Before someone says the above would cost a fortune, note that much of that is in <$99 BD boxes so it could be done without a massive price hike... if Apple had the will to make it happen.
Here's how I'd redesign the AppleTV:
(1) A little more storage, because it would now support Apps. I'm saying, 8 Gig, tops.
(2) Pass-thru HDMI, so you don't need multiple connections, just leave it on the cable box but it jumps in when needed. If it can get power from HDMI, bonus, but not high on my list.
(3) USB slot dedicated for Webcam. Sell a bundle with a webcam - Facetime is one of the bundled apps (but only shows up if a webcam is connected).
Those would be the biggies. I'd also probably add another USB slot or two for third parties, like for an RF blaster or something like that.
I'm praying for a spec bump, Amazon Prime, Vudu (not necessary), and DEFINITELY a USB port so we can plug in an external drive with movies/pictures.
NEVER would apple include Amazon Prime.
The question is, if Apple supports Apps, would Amazon make one?
Baring that, yes, I could see Apple include it. Rule#1 to keep in mind about Apple, it's the hardware that provides the profit. If Amazon Prime support sells more hardware, they'll do that.
iPad 4 (A6X) grfx style games with an iOS device as controller, or new 3rd parties.
Thus: Apple TV with A6X and 32 / 64 GB flash.
DEFINITELY a USB port so we can plug in an external drive with movies/pictures.
Probably doesn't solve all of your problems, but here's an option:
If you have a NAS drive, get AirPlayer from the app store. It will allow you to stream media from your NAS to your ATV via AirPlay. It works pretty well, although I've had some audio issues with non-standard video formats.
Software upgrades yes, obviously don't need an updated design. But I would think if it was anything substantial Apple would change the design to differentiate the models. So for 720p->1080p, it made sense to keep the design, as they are basically the same thing. But what else could they add that isn't big enough to cause a design change, but enough to warrant an upgrade. Software update would be much appreciated though.
Although I would love to believe this...Those days are long gone. Weve seen "so much" iphone because its the most popular device on the planet. There is NO way to keep it hidden (Although they did do a nice job keeping the actual, physical design of the new home button a secret until basically 3 days before the event). So good job there. But none of those leaks were intentional...Especially for the reason of re-directing our attnetion because big and magical is being locked down. No way!
I would think if Apple was shipping some new hardware-based feature, we would have seen it in the betas for the Apple TV 5.4 software update coming on the 18th.