Apple Says New Apple TV 4K is Tremendous Value at $179, Not Designed to Compete Directly With Xbox or PlayStation

[0815]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

I would agree if all the apps (streaming, not games) would be available on my SmartTV. It's great that I can even install the appleTV+ service on my SmartTV, but that offers only the apple TV services, not the apps I can install on my AppleTV. Sure I could workaround by installing those apps on my iPhone and then airplay, but that has other disadvantages.

 

[cateye]

• Faster, smoother interface due to a much faster CPU

Literally no difference between my ATV4K (previous version) and my LG CX. Both are smooth and speedy.

• Tight integration with Apple services and devices

While I realize this varies, my LG supports both HomeKit and AirPlay2, and has an AppleTV+ client that is identical in function to the one on my ATV4K.

• You can use iPhone as a remote in a pinch

Thanks to HomeKit integration, can do the same with my LG.

• Availability of some games, including most Apple Arcade games

Point to AppleTV, although Smart TVs are starting to add game streaming apps. Which, of course, Apple doesn't allow.

• Wider selection of apps (NBC, ABC, Crunchyroll, Plex, CBS News, you name it)

Varies based on SmartTV manufacturer, absolutely. Any TV running GoogleTV/Android will have all of the same apps as the AppleTV does. My LG's WebOS has every app I commonly use on my ATV4K, and many more, although again, I fully admit this will vary based on individual needs.

• Now, the usability and convenience of the remote is far better than you'll find on any TV remore

Personal preference. I'll take my LG's magic remote over the stupid, worthless, die-in-a-fire Siri Remote any-day. But looking forward to picking up one of the new remotes as I suspect it will be much better.

• Cast audio to HomePod stereo pair via AirPlay

Given the HomePod Maximum is now discontinued, I don't know that I would trumpet this as some kind of tentpole feature. But yes, if you have two HomePods, this is a nice bonus.

• AirPlay screen mirroring has significantly less lag and significantly fewer compression artifacts on Apple TV versus a smart TV

Have not noticed any problem or difference with AirPlay-ing directly to my LG versus my ATV4K. Obviously, if you buy some $200 WalMart special TV, you get what you deserve, performance-wise.

All this being said: My point was not to rag on your post, or on the ATV4K. I like mine very much, despite having a very capable TV. But I also wouldn't call it an "essential" device. I bought it back when I had a much older TV that didn't have any smart capabilities. Now that I have a modern TV, it would be hard for me to justify buying an ATV, especially since I also have a Switch and an XBox Series X, the latter of which also serves as a perfectly adequate media box (although I'm not a huge fan of using a game controller as a remote).

 

[sw1tcher]

Did Apple really suggest the ATV was meant to directly compete with Xbox or PlayStation?

Yes. Yes, they did.

Twerdahl said Apple's focus with gaming has been on Apple Arcade, which he also said delivers a tremendous value, but he admitted that the new Apple TV 4K is not designed to compete directly with consoles like the Xbox or PlayStation.

 

[applefanboysince93]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

My Smart TV places adds in the interface of the TV… it takes a about 10 clicks to switch to headphones… I can’t talk to Siri to turn it off and on… it’s slower… it can’t quickly switch between apps… you can’t play games on it… the apps that are there are lower quality and pokey… Apple doesn’t sell my viewing habits… I could go on

 

[Cosmosent]

If AAPL was smart they would have offered a version @ $179/2 = ~$90 USD !

$179 USD is a NON-starter !

 

[Madmic23]

The one thing I wish the AppleTV would do is play my local media from a NAS. VLC works in a pinch but it’s not what I would expect using an AppleTV.

You can use the Computer app on the Apple TV to play content from your Mac with Home Sharing. It's a little clunky since you need to have your computer on, but it works. I use it for viewing home movies on my Apple TV.

Send your Mac library media to Apple TV with Home Sharing

Set up Home Sharing to stream music, movies, TV shows, and other iTunes content from a Mac, an iPhone, or an iPad to your Apple TV.

support.apple.com

NAS support would be a great option.

 

[smithrh]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

Vizio makes nearly as much money from ads and data as it does from TVs

Vizio monetizes its cheap smart TVs and free video options by collecting viewer data and selling ads.

www.engadget.com

Vizio isn't the only one...

 

[Blackstick]

I truly hope no one was thinking this would replace an Xbox or PS...

 

[Vangeli]

Ngl, I’d be interested in an “Apple TV mode” being available on Macs, especially the new M1 Mini. That power with this interface and apps/games, being able to back out and do actual computer things… it’d be pretty dope. They’d just need to sell one with HDMI 2.1.

 

[osufan88]

Honestly, the Xbox Series S for $100 is much, much better value.

It has a Zen 2 8-core CPU, a 4 TFLOP GPU, 512 GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and comes with a controller.

If you like to game, and don't have a "smart streaming box", this is what I recommend to people. It's also very small for a video game console, and whisper quiet.

 

[Star Brood]

All I want is higher bitrate for iTunes movies.

Honestly, the Xbox Series S for $100 is much, much better value.

It has a Zen 2 8-core CPU, a 4 TFLOP GPU, 512 GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and comes with a controller.

If you like to game, and don't have a "smart streaming box", this is what I recommend to people. It's also very small for a video game console, and whisper quiet.

I think you mean the Series S for $100 more. But then you spend $100 more than that for an (albeit unavailable) digital PS5 and $100 more for a PS5. So to each their own.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Homekit integration. For example Homekit Secure Video

That space is filled by the homepod/mini at a much cheaper price point.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Why not make a 3rd variant that has a faster SOC in it, with more RAM and storage, and see what happens? Maybe you can find a market where customers don't demand Xbox/PS power, but just want fun games for the entire household? I dunno, like Nintendo.

Why not make a 3rd variant that has a faster SOC in it, with more RAM and storage, and see what happens? Maybe you can find a market where customers don't demand Xbox/PS power, but just want fun games for the entire household? I dunno, like Nintendo.

This is actually rumored.
An Apple TV with an “A14X” *in all likelihood just an M1*, with an Apple designed game controller, and higher Storage options.
But I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in the $299 range

 

[Rogifan]

I have an Apple TV box but since I got my Roku 4K smart TV the only time I used my Apple TV Box was when HBO Max wasn’t on Roku. Maybe the Apple TV UI is ‘smoother’ but I don’t spend enough time navigating the UI to notice.

 

[SCReagan21]

Why not make a 3rd variant that has a faster SOC in it, with more RAM and storage, and see what happens? Maybe you can find a market where customers don't demand Xbox/PS power, but just want fun games for the entire household? I dunno, like Nintendo.

Totally agree! It doesn't have to match the raw horsepower of the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Nintendo never comes anywhere close to having that kind of horsepower, but that doesn't stop them from having one of the most fun systems! And Apple could put an SOC into the Apple TV that would absolutely shame whatever Nintendo will be putting in their next console, right now. It just needs developer support!

 

[emmab2006]

A Total waist, the Chip is Lackluster, and the Remote is a joke, Not adding Find my functionality to the remote is a joke as well, my advice, buy the last 4K one on eBay for 60 bucks and the new remote

 

[Td1970]

The one thing I wish the AppleTV would do is play my local media from a NAS. VLC works in a pinch but it’s not what I would expect using an AppleTV.

Then Apple has no control over your viewing habits

 

[Td1970]

I would agree if all the apps (streaming, not games) would be available on my SmartTV. It's great that I can even install the appleTV+ service on my SmartTV, but that offers only the apple TV services, not the apps I can install on my AppleTV. Sure I could workaround by installing those apps on my iPhone and then airplay, but that has other disadvantages.

Not trying to be difficult but what apps other than video and maybe audio do you use on your Apple TV? Maybe photos?

 

[HappySponge]

I have more faith in using the Apple TV and my privacy vs. those smart tv apps. I am looking for a new TV and trying to find one without smart apps isn't easy at all.

 

[fwmireault]

I love my Apple TV, but we can’t honestly even compare this with gaming boxes like PS or Xbox

 

[mazz0]

Good.

As someone who owns a Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, ATV 4K v1 and soon the ATV 4K v2, I can say the ATV is in a completely different category from the dedicated consoles. The graphical fidelity and scope of games is just not comparable.

Apple tried to pitch the ATV as a game console killer but the lack of a bundled controller and limited storage made that a nonstarter (most modern AAA games would fill up the entire 32 or even 64 GB of storage).

Plus there's a chicken-or-egg problem with developers not wanting to develop for a "console" with no users and users not wanting to buy a "console" with no developer support.

Thankfully, the ATV can do more than games so it's not another Pippin!

I still think there's the potential to make change this situation.

I play games on my iPad that I also play on my PC (plugged in to my TV), eg strategy games like XCom or Civilization, classic RPGs like Knights of the Old Republic of the various Final Fantasy games, etc.

It would be really convenient for me if I could have the same games installed on my Apple TV and on the iPad/iPhone, with my saves synced. Then I could play on a different device depending on the circumstances, where I am etc. A bit like with Nintendo Switch, but without the hassle of plugging and unplugging it and its controllers, and crucially without having to carry an extra device around when I go out (I have my phone anyway).

Airplay isn't an ideal solution for this as it ties up the source device as well as the receiving device, introduces lag and fiddles regarding which controller is connected to where.

Mostly this could all be accomplished with software - make it super easy to make your iOS games work on Apple TV (and Mac). The only hardware improvement you'd need would be storage - the Apple TV would least at least the same storage options as the iOS devices. I suspect if these two improvements were made you'd get a flood of games designed for the whole ecosystem, and the chicken-egg problem would be solved - iPhone+iPad+Apple TV+Mac with one app is an easy way to reach a very big audience.

Obviously without cutting edge graphics it wouldn't compete with the Playstation, Xbox or PC for hardcore gamers, but it would open up some possibilities in that direction (as opposed to being mostly limited to very casual mobile gamers as Apple are now).

 

[0815]

Honest question: What advantages does Apple TV bring to a Smart TV?

My TV already has a smart hub that does more than I can use, it can record shows and AirPlay comes built into it, so I can seamlessly mirror my iPhone or iPad screen, or even use it as a monitor wirelessly. I do not even have a set top box, the TV can already handle the TV-input from the provider.

I would agree if all the apps (streaming, not games) would be available on my SmartTV. It's great that I can even install the appleTV+ service on my SmartTV, but that offers only the apple TV services, not the apps I can install on my AppleTV. Sure I could workaround by installing those apps on my iPhone and then airplay, but that has other disadvantages.

Not trying to be difficult but what apps other than video and maybe audio do you use on your Apple TV? Maybe photos?

Mostly steaming apps from international TV stations - those apps are nowhere to be found on SmartTV's. I don't care about games on appleTV, but I care about some of the streaming apps.

 

[GeoStructural]

I would agree if all the apps (streaming, not games) would be available on my SmartTV. It's great that I can even install the appleTV+ service on my SmartTV, but that offers only the apple TV services, not the apps I can install on my AppleTV. Sure I could workaround by installing those apps on my iPhone and then airplay, but that has other disadvantages.

Which Smart TV do you have? I have a Samsung Smart TV and I can install all the apps I can imagine: Netflix, Hulu, Spectrum, a Browser, games, etc.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I have not seen an Xbox or Playstation available for sale in 6 months. I agree, AppleTV doesn't compete with those vaporware products.

 

[Lemon Olive]

Considering Apple TV has been the sole device connected to my house's TVs for 10+ years, I agree...tremendous value.