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Apple Not Yet Ready to Show Major Revamp of Apple TV Hardware

No hardware needed, just new software. More specifically, let us use it as an AirPort Express if we want (since it has the hardware), and give it the App Store.

Here's my dream though: No HDCP!!! :mad: :mad:

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crzdcolombian said:
Are you guys going to be super disappointed if all the new one does is have AC wireless? Isn't the only difference between 2 and 3 that it went from 720P to 1080P?
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First question: No. Second question: Yes.
 
I have long predicted that the new TV product would plug the hole that was left in Apple's release calendar by shuffling iPads to the fall.

Spring - TV
Summer - Macs, iOS, OS X
Fall - iPhones, iPads

I had thought that they might start seeing some seeds during this week's keynote to setup the full unveil next year, but it seems like they won't have time or don't need to right now.
 
The AppleTV doesn't need better hardware right now... what it really needs is an open SDK and an app store

The wide selection of music- and videoservices on iOS show what is possible. Making the device open for them would make the AppleTV a must have media device in the living room.
 
uhh, I am relieved since I just got my ATV 3 during June, not that I do not want a newer hardware but I want to wait for while until it burns out and then upgrade.

Hopefully they will also take their time to make it perfect rather than a faulty ATV 4.


Now, if only Apple would allow Amazon Prime on ATV would be really nice, I do appreciate for HBO Go but I can not get it because of my stupid cable company not allowing on ATV only on iPhones.
 
Yes. A simple USB host on Apple TV would be a godsend. Even if it only read HFS+ I'd buy a dedicated hard drive just for my ripped collection for Apple TV. No need to stream off a computer. Unplug the effin cable already!
 
Patriot24 said:
I have long predicted that the new TV product would plug the hole that was left in Apple's release calendar by shuffling iPads to the fall.

Spring - TV
Summer - Macs, iOS, OS X
Fall - iPhones, iPads

I had thought that they might start seeing some seeds during this week's keynote to setup the full unveil next year, but it seems like they won't have time or don't need to right now.
Click to expand...

I wonder if Apple should move some of their typical announcement/release dates. WWDC is usually held in June so presumably they don't want to release iOS devices until after this date to benefit from the latest enhancements. However, if iPhones are announced September and iPads October, this puts a huge pressure on manufacturing similar devices around the same time especially given the number of iPhones they are now selling. Both devices use similar parts so it would be better if these devices were released further apart.

The most logical solution is to move the iPhone earlier in the year, given that people will buy the iPhone whenever it is releases and the iPad probably benefits more from the Christmas/Holidays sales period. However, if the WWDC remains in June and iOS beta testing takes several months, then the iPhone can't really be much earlier than the current period.
 
crzdcolombian said:
Are you guys going to be super disappointed if all the new one does is have AC wireless? Isn't the only difference between 2 and 3 that it went from 720P to 1080P?
Click to expand...

There was some other technical changes to the ATV3/a as unlike the ATV2, the ATV3/a cannot currently be jailbroken. For this reason, ATV2 sells for far more than the original purchase price.

xyz01 said:
The AppleTV doesn't need better hardware right now... what it really needs is an open SDK and an app store

The wide selection of music- and videoservices on iOS show what is possible. Making the device open for them would make the AppleTV a must have media device in the living room.
Click to expand...

Definitely agree. Most TV platforms in the UK (Freeview/Freesat/Sky/Virgin/YouView) and devices (PS3/XBox/Blu-Ray players/Smart TVs) all include iPlayer from the BBC and other services such as itv Player, 4OD etc. Apple TV does not.

coolspot18 said:
But Apple makes it very difficult to play non-iTunes media... i.e. no Network support or USB support.
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Watching content from network drives is essential for me. Currently, you have to either jailbreak (not possible on ATV3) or import the content into iTunes and have your computer running to watch your own content. I have an ATV but I have to use my Smart TV, Blu-Ray player or PS3 (depending on which room I'm in) to watch my content. The ATV is more than capable of doing this.

I currently only use the ATV for Netflix or Airplay. At £99, I would purchase an ATV for each TV if it could stream contents from NAS drive and had more UK content.
 
JoshAlfie said:
Better than that is to use Plex. No need to convert to mp4.. You can run Full HD movies (mkv) on your iDevice and AirPlay it to your TV without quality loss.

That's what I do anyway :)
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Or just run VLC on your macbook and airplay it to the ATV.

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dlondon said:
Watching content from network drives is essential for me. Currently, you have to either jailbreak (not possible on ATV3) or import the content into iTunes and have your computer running to watch your own content. I have an ATV but I have to use my Smart TV, Blu-Ray player or PS3 (depending on which room I'm in) to watch my content. The ATV is more than capable of doing this.

I currently only use the ATV for Netflix or Airplay. At £99, I would purchase an ATV for each TV if it could stream contents from NAS drive and had more UK content.
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Yeah it would be slightly more elegant for the ATV to support a wide range of video formats (ie MKV) allowing videos to be easily played from a network drive. That being said, opening the VLC player on my MBP and streaming the video via Airplay to my ATV is still rather elegant.
 
volcomvenom said:
Don't you actually have to buy movies to play them on Apple TV? 5th.
Click to expand...

Your 4th not 5th dude.

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xyz01 said:
The AppleTV doesn't need better hardware right now... what it really needs is an open SDK and an app store

The wide selection of music- and videoservices on iOS show what is possible. Making the device open for them would make the AppleTV a must have media device in the living room.
Click to expand...

I agree with you there too. I love the Apple TV I have as it is but yeah bring in an App Store and it will make it even more better.
 
Rocco83 said:
Seems to me that a lot of the front page speculation stories never have enough information to warrant a full article, half article, or even a mention on the front page. I know the site is MacRumors, but a little more real information, and a little less speculation would be highly appreciated.
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You don't get to decide that, arn does. And if you don't like it, don't read it. Nothing to lose there buddy.
 
I'm as familiar with and used to Apple refusing to announce products in advance as anyone; but it really does have a negative impact on customer experience.

It was my friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago and he had treated himself to an Apple TV, which was sitting there in the plastic wrapping when I saw him. I had to tell him, 'You should know, an update is heavily rumoured to launch shortly'.

So he had to take his present, purchased with birthday money, back to the Apple store for a refund; and has no idea if a new one is out. It now looks like he will go back and buy it if it's not announced tomorrow, hoping it won't be updated before next year.

How many people have forked out significant sums of money over the years on their computers, to find out that a brand new model with great new features has arrived, only a week or so later? Or received one as a present that is already superseded by the time it's opened?
 
For me an app on my iPad that totally replaces the current remote, and supersedes all current app remotes. I want to be able to type on my iPad and do search like that. I'd like an app that mirrors what I see on my TV.
 
How many people have forked out significant sums of money over the years on their computers, to find out that a brand new model with great new features has arrived, only a week or so later? Or received one as a present that is already superseded by the time it's opened?
Click to expand...

Mate, its only 100 smackas. He would have probably got $100 of fun out of it in the meantime.
 
jertronic said:
I lucked out with receiving an apple tv for christmas 2012. [...] I moved the ATV upstairs to a bedroom tv. Easy Peasy 1 cable and power cord.
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While I do own and like an AppleTV, I find the Chromecast much mure interesting in terms of handling. No cables - simply plug it into the TV set, no further footprint.

In my opinion most of the current feature set of the Apple TV should fit into a Chromecast-like device easily. Unless Apple really adds some feature that justifies having a dedicated set-top box...
 
Rocco83 said:
Seems to me that a lot of the front page speculation stories never have enough information to warrant a full article, half article, or even a mention on the front page. I know the site is MacRumors, but a little more real information, and a little less speculation would be highly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I wish that people wouldn't get so hung up on the "MacRumors" website name. The editorial staff have made it abundantly clear over the years that they will report on more things than just MACS.... and on more than just RUMORS. Besides, we are just the readers, not the owners. It is a free website to us.

"MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms."

For the record, the New York Times reports on things other than news about New York. However, they still call themselves the NEW YORK Times. Kentucky Fried Chicken also sells more than just chicken. As well, some of their chicken is now grilled, not fried. The list goes on.

:)
 
Michael CM1 said:
You basically need your DVDs and HandBrake, an application you can find with an easy Google search. ..................... Then you can use various software -- Subler, Meta Z -- to put appropriate tags on them.
Click to expand...

There's a wonderful bit of software (paid for) called iVI that does all of this in one package. I use it all the time. Buy directly from Southpolesoftware though, the App store version doesn't do the ripping bit. (mac only)

(No affiliation other than a satisfied user)
 
alexjholland said:
It was my friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago and he had treated himself to an Apple TV, which was sitting there in the plastic wrapping when I saw him. I had to tell him, 'You should know, an update is heavily rumoured to launch shortly'.

So he had to take his present, purchased with birthday money, back to the Apple store for a refund; and has no idea if a new one is out. It now looks like he will go back and buy it if it's not announced tomorrow, hoping it won't be updated before next year.
Click to expand...

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

If you had kept your mouth shut, your friend would have enjoyed his Apple TV for weeks and would have been quite happy and content. Because of you, he went through all the trouble going to the store, returning an item, then going back again, buying the same item, and looking like a right idiot, and all for nothing.
 
SunshineFires said:
Am I the only one that gets confused about what they are referring to (the set top box or the actual TV) when articles mention Apple TV? Lol
Click to expand...

Yup, its just you....

The Apple TV or :apple:TV is a set top box,

i suspect that a true "television" with :apple:TV features may be called something else, like the iVision or something...

it wont be called iTV, because the UK TV network of that name will OWN apple after the lawsuit if they release a product using the iTV name.
 
The longer they hold off on a hardware upgrade the longer I still have the current model! :)
 
peterh988 said:
There's a wonderful bit of software (paid for) called iVI that does all of this in one package. I use it all the time. Buy directly from Southpolesoftware though, the App store version doesn't do the ripping bit. (mac only)

(No affiliation other than a satisfied user)
Click to expand...

I can second this , the non-appstore version of iVI pro is well worth the money and can be purchased from http://www.southpolesoftware.com/iVI/iVI.php

a word of warning, the AppStore version of the software DOES NOT RIP DVDS, they had to remove the feature for it too pass apples draconian review policy and get it on the store.

(Also No affiliation other than a satisfied user :D)
 
Always found the Xbox a better media content player than the Apple TV. The Apple TV doesn't even support USB. Hopefully, the next revision will be maxed out with capabilities.
 
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