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

[tann]

Of course they would say that, they probably also say the 21.5" iMac they sell is also a great deal.

The truth is it's completely overpriced. It should be $99 with the A12. If it had an A14 maybe they could argue such a high price tag is worth it, but a 2018 A12? Which in itself is not really much different from the 2017 A10x before it?

It's one of the worst value propositions Apple offer.

 

[jimbobb24]

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.

I used to do something like this with Plex but it has been glitchy lately.

 

[JCCL]

Um. How much would apple charge for a console that’s equivalent to an Xbox series S, I wonder.

799, with the Pro version being 1199

 

[Vangeli]

Um. How much would apple charge for a console that’s equivalent to an Xbox series S, I wonder.

Is the M1 Mac Mini comparable in any way? Once there’s an M2 they could always take the M1, shove it into a cheaper Apple TV-like black plastic shell, swap HDMI 2.0 for 2.1, bring the Apple TV interface to Mac OS, and sell it for $500. Apple TV Pro.

For $500 you could get a much more powerful console but said consoles aren’t computers, so there’s the tradeoff. Would probably be a hit not just for gaming but in meeting rooms and offices and the like, not forgetting the HTPC market.

 

[Realityck]

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

This resembles the what’s the difference between Apple TV app and the Apple TV 4K device.

per https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250002962

With the Apple TV app on your smart TV or third party streaming device, you can access:

• iTunes Store movies and TV shows (buy or rent);
• Apple TV+ channel featuring Apple Originals, by subscription;
• other premium Apple TV app Channels, each by subscription.

With the Apple TV box, you can additionally get

• A choice of 12,000+ apps from the tvOS App Store, including streaming services that may not (yet) be available on some other platforms
• Integration of some of these streaming services apps into the Apple TV app
• iTunes Extras (bonus content for iTunes Store movies) for titles that have this feature
• Home Sharing (local network) movies, tv shows, music, photos, home videos, podcasts, audiobooks
• AirPlay streaming from devices to the Apple TV box [Some smart TVs may support this as well]
• Apple Music on TV [Some smart TVs may support this as well]
• Photos from iCloud
• Apple Podcasts
• Games, individual apps or Apple Arcade line of games subscription
• Siri voice assistant for TV, where available
• HomeKit hub smart devices integration
• Beautifully paced aerial screen savers (a selection from near 100 randomized clips)
• Personal photo screen saver option through iCloud Photos or Home Sharing

Additionally both ITunes Movies, and MoviesAnywhere app offer higher bitrate streaming (32 Mbps peak) compared to watching movies in the App.

You may have a lot of streaming apps on a LG TV but their interface is not as nice.

 

[BigKahunaBurguer]

I have an Apple TV 4K (2018) but now having a smart tv (LG Oled) I hardly use the AppleTv anymore. I have all the apps I use just there with a click of the remote. I don’t have the problems that others comment here. now smart TVs have taken a big step forward. If you don’t have a ”new” smart tv, or you require siri or you want to play with Arcade, the Apple TV will be very useful, of course. I will continue with mine just in case I give it an occasional use.

 

[Cycom]

Apple TV 4K is an outstanding streaming box, but to call it a “tremendous value” at $179 is laughable. Pass me the dutchie, Apple!

 

[Druggar]

There are rumors that Apple is developing a more gaming-centered Apple TV with A14 and much better graphics, and an Apple designed gaming controller. I don’t know if it will ever be announced and when, but that could be very cool if done right

799, with the Pro version being 1199

But if they come up with one costing $500 would you buy it? I definitely would, and I’m sure a lot of other people would too.

 

[kcslc]

Is the M1 Mac Mini comparable in any way? Once there’s an M2 they could always take the M1, shove it into a cheaper Apple TV-like black plastic shell, swap HDMI 2.0 for 2.1, bring the Apple TV interface to Mac OS, and sell it for $500. Apple TV Pro.

For $500 you could get a much more powerful console but said consoles aren’t computers, so there’s the tradeoff. Would probably be a hit not just for gaming but in meeting rooms and offices and the like.

I believe the M1’s GPU was compared to an Nvidia GeForce 1050 Ti. That’s some weak sauce right there. Xbox Series X is what. 2080-ish? Not sure about the S though.

 

[tgwaste]

Is it nice? Yes. A tremendous value? Absolutely not. With most Tv's supporting airplay now and every major streaming service the only point of an apple TV is to have specific features like arcade and fitness+....(oh wait now you can stream that to tvs via airplay now).......so yeah. For 179 they should bundle a game controller and 3 months of arcade and do that gaming bundle. At most this should be $149 otherwise.

The problem is the space. its should be 64G and 128G which is especially needed now with apple arcade (those games take a lot of space). But this is Apple Greed per usual.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

All I want is higher bitrate for iTunes movies.




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.

No, he means the Xbox One S

Xbox One S | Xbox

Explore the world of Xbox with Xbox One S. Play thousands of games and enjoy built-in 4K Ultra HD and 4K video streaming on the Xbox One S console.

www.xbox.com

If you’re just gonna use it as a streaming box that also plays some games it makes little sense to go next gen.
For a much lower price you get 4K streaming, Dolby Atmos support and 4K BluRay playback.

 

[fwmireault]

But if they come up with one costing $500 would you buy it? I definitely would, and I’m sure a lot of other people would too.

I’m not much of a gamer, I owned only an Xbox a few years ago and never used it. I wouldn’t likely buy it. But I’m sure there is a market for that

 

[ikramerica]

Has Apple explained why you might need 64GB instead of 32GB?

 

[richpjr]

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.

I'd love that too, but that wouldn't push the customer base to buying/rent content from Apple so I'll guess it will never happen.

 

[icerabbit]

If it was $100 it could be a tremendous value. $179 for a base model, not so much

I was surprised in the fall to see you can buy $300 4k smart tvs that include Apple TV & AirPlay. Logged in with Apple ID. There's the content. AirPlay to it.


So, what do you need a 4k Apple TV for?

 

[George Dawes]

Apple Tv has so much potential it's scary , I've got a PS5 and tbh it's garbage , very unimpressed overall

Apple will win this game , mark my words

 

[Realityck]

Apple TV 4K is an outstanding streaming box, but to call it a “tremendous value” at $179 is laughable. Pass me the dutchie, Apple!

I think what is upsetting people is expecting a decent update from Apple, but to claim the A12 Bionic is a massive improvement over the A10X and the only thing they boost about is high frame rate HDR? It was a hoo hum update and IMHO it was because the A10X was EOL and they know it. The remote lost the accelerometer and gyroscope also although it looks better.

 

[gnipgnop]

Did Apple really suggest the ATV was meant to directly compete with Xbox or PlayStation? Can’t say I remember that if they did and I really hope no one ever seriously thought the ATV and PlayStation were in the same category.

Apple has made comparisons of graphic capability with consoles for specific SoCs. They compared the A12X with the Xbox One S. That doesn't mean that they're comparing the overall product to Xbox. iOS/iPadOS/ATV don't support game pricing that is as high as consoles, so publishers aren't going to port a bunch of Xbox One S games to iOS/iPadOS/ATV.

 

[projectle]

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.

Take a look at the app Infuse. It does exactly that, including automated Library generation from your files metadata in addition to just browsing folders, and can handle Cloud Storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive as well.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

Of course it’s not designed to take on PS5 or Xbox.

For that, there’s another “pro” model Apple TV coming out later this fall with A14X (or possibly M1 chip) with higher storage capacity gamers and pros that demand more from their desktop box.

 

[gnipgnop]

I think what is upsetting people is expecting a decent update from Apple, but to claim the A12 Bionic is a massive improvement over the A10X and the only thing they boost about is high frame rate HDR?

The thing to remember about the ATV version of the A12 is that it's always going to be plugged in. That will boost performance versus use in hardware that needed to conserve battery life.

There's also the possibility that Apple could tweak the overall clock speeds up a bit as well for the same reason.

 

[SCReagan21]

Nintendo sells consoles because they make great games. Not because they slap some components together; hire somebody to tell you how magically it is; then charge $1999 for it.

Totally agree. That's why developer support for a more powerful Apple TV would be crucial. I guess the point I'm making is that the great games Nintendo creates do not require absurd amount of graphical capability and people still love them, and it seems like there may be room in that market for more than just Nintendo.

 

[genovelle]

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.

The fact that he came out and said this tells me that is what they are planning. Say this was completely unnecessary unless it’s to change the subject. There have been quite a few times that Apple has made these kinds of statements to kill rumors and then come out with something that changes the market in ways previously unimagined.

 

[MrJM]

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

LG Magic Remote FTW. It even controls my PS5!

 

[JCCL]

But if they come up with one costing $500 would you buy it? I definitely would, and I’m sure a lot of other people would too.

Not really. I already own a Series X, a PS5 and a Switch. Not sure what Apple could bring to the market that is not covered by those devices.