Apple TV 4 Reviews: Siri is Helpful and There's Loads of Potential

[andsoitgoes]

The one basic thing the device must do is have a good HMI, take away the Siri and make the grid and the basic input of letter that is left worse, you are left with a bigger issue than single apps take time to get up to date.

Yes, and the iPad came without multitasking. These are problems, I won't deny that. But everyone thought the end was already there when the iPad launched because it was missing so many features.

As for the interface, Siri is there. The remote app WILL be updated, I trust in time for or shortly after, and the bitch fest about input issues will push for it to be rectified post haste.

It won't be perfect, but at this point we don't even know what will launch on Friday, we could all simply be having a hissy fit about the unknown.

Did no one here read the thread from this very forum about the introduction of the iPod?

Or the iPad?

It'll be fixed. Especially if people are vocal in their hatred.

 

[Juicy Box]

It's 20-30$ bucks to get a converter, seriously! Coax and optical are on their way out.

My receiver is pretty old, I will probably upgrade it once I get done my media room. Until then, I will stick with my optical from the TV.

Seems as big an oversight as no 4K support. Am I wrong?

Or if you have a receiver that supports hdmi pass through, the easiest solution is a splitter, $10 and youve got a passive 3-way splitter that has worked for me for years.

I know that optical is a older format that is being replaced, but I would bet money that there are more people using optical on their current setups than there are people with 4K TVs.

 

[andsoitgoes]

This is so annoying. I think it might be a form of security to reduce people from sharing cable sub accounts. I could be wrong.

I agree. I have a few providers that are insanely annoying to deal with, constantly having to log back into their app. I do hope that the remote app update comes sooner rather than later.

 

[Yumbo]

Yes, it does.

As in quiet listening is possible?

 

[Keirasplace]

"Yahoo Tech's David Pogue says that the new on-screen keyboard is far more difficult and "excruciating" to use than the previous on-screen keyboard."

let's face it, reading anything by Pogue is excruciating.

In general on screen keyboard on a TV has always been idiotic, no matter who does it...

 

[ErikGrim]

As in quiet listening is possible?

Yeah. Explicitly mentioned in one of the reviews.

 

[inkswamp]

In general on screen keyboard on a TV has always been idiotic, no matter who does it...

I don't suppose Apple thought to make voice recognition available when the keyboard comes up on-screen to allow you to dictate your text entry, did they?

 

[ErikGrim]

I don't suppose Apple thought to make voice recognition available when the keyboard comes up on-screen to allow you to dictate your text entry, did they?

It's coming, as stated in several of the reviews.

 

[anek007]

Since Amazon was the one who banned AppleTV and Chromecast from their web store (including 3rd party resellers), and are giving the blank stare to media when they ask if they are planning to release an app, I think it's just as likely Amazon doesn't want to support a competitor such as Apple, despite Amazon's mission statement.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Apple+TV

People read too much blogs and forums and repeat the same BS. Amazon stop selling Apple TV and chromecast but they did not ban third party resellers. Amazon does have an iOS app and it works great so I don't think it's an issue with app development. No one really knows the true story but I hope someone ports the Amazon video on iOS app to the Apple TV.

 

[ke-iron]

I don't care about the review. But was that some kind of projector technology he used to display the Apple TV or was it some kind of video editing effect?

 

[TheSuperE]

This is so annoying. I think it might be a form of security to reduce people from sharing cable sub accounts. I could be wrong.

I'm sure you're right but having to do it over and over ruins the experience when I have to go to my phone, iPad or computer just to relog in- I can't be alone here- it definately takes the experience away.

 

[maclook]

In general on screen keyboard on a TV has always been idiotic, no matter who does it...

I pull out my iPhone, open the Remote app, wait for my Apple TV to pop up, and use that keyboard just to avoid having to punch in what I want with the on-screen keyboard.

 

[ryanmcv]

This appears to hit directly between the eyes my #1 hatred of app style TV. If I don't use the FX app for a few weeks I have to completely redo my passwords. That is becoming a deal breaker for the future of tv. It's the biggest pain in the ass. You settle in content to watch Fargo or Its always sunny and BOOM please renter your information... WHY!?!

Completely agree, and this is the main reason I often dread using my Apple TV. That and the ridiculous thumb-workout I get trying to navigate through the seemingly endless grid of apps. Also, I'd love to know what the hell they were thinking with this new keyboard layout. What a disaster.

 

[andsoitgoes]

The new one sucks and is worse than the old one, but even the old one was balls.

They suck hardcore, I really hope it's fixed soon. I really think they're wanting a huge siri function when that gets turned on.

I'm sure you're right but having to do it over and over ruins the experience when I have to go to my phone, iPad or computer just to relog in- I can't be alone here- it definately takes the experience away.

Yes but it may not be apple's choice, it's likely something the developer has messed up, happens to me constantly air playing.

 

[Juicy Box]

Yes but it may not be apple's choice, it's likely something the developer has messed up, happens to me constantly air playing.

I don't think it is a mess up, at least when you have to re-authenicate after a few weeks of non-use.

I think it is a form of security and control. It makes it a little harder for people using someone else's cable sub to use the ATV's channels.

 

[TheSuperE]

Completely agree, and this is the main reason I often dread using my Apple TV. That and the ridiculous thumb-workout I get trying to navigate through the seemingly endless grid of apps. Also, I'd love to know what the hell they were thinking with this new keyboard layout. What a disaster.

Well let's be honest, as much as I love my Apple TV, the menu without Siri integration is currently garbage. I am sure in due time it will, but right now...I tend to agree, and will go one better, none of the other guys have it right either.

I don't think it is a mess up, at least when you have to re-authenicate after a few weeks of non-use.

I think it is a form of security and control. It makes it a little harder for people using someone else's cable sub to use the ATV's channels.

And while those of us that aren't thieves are still paying the price for others. Treat the least of your people I guess...

 

[Juicy Box]

And while those of us that aren't thieves are still paying the price for others. Treat the least of your people I guess...

It is really annoying for us that have multiple ATVs. Seems like I have to re-authenicate at least once every two weeks on one of my ATVs.

 

[dotnet]

The new one sucks and is worse than the old one, but even the old one was balls.

Maybe you should hold your horses until you've used the keyboard. It's obviously laid out for fast swiping left/right on the touch pad. The old grid layout would be a lot worse for that.

 

[Mike MA]

Completely agree, and this is the main reason I often dread using my Apple TV. That and the ridiculous thumb-workout I get trying to navigate through the seemingly endless grid of apps. Also, I'd love to know what the hell they were thinking with this new keyboard layout. What a disaster.

Actually the new keyboard makes sense. You don't need to constantly search by crawling up, down, left or right with your eyes, but only relying on the alphabtical order of the letters to find the right one.

Where I do agree is that the logging on procedure still is very annoying though.

 

[Grumpyman]

and what is wrong with qwerty?

 

[TheSuperE]

It is really annoying for us that have multiple ATVs. Seems like I have to re-authenicate at least once every two weeks on one of my ATVs.

And yes I get the irony of this #firstworldproblem but we are all here bitching about something tech savvy so it's really in all of our best interest that if this really is THE FUTURE OF TV.... Then act like it because IF this is what jobs meant by cracking the code.... On second thought he would have made the initial launch date, WITH Cable network package deals in tow.

 

[dotnet]

and what is wrong with qwerty?

It's made for typing with two hands.

 

[Grumpyman]

It's made for typing with two hands.

That is true but fact still remains that most people know their way around a qwerty better than alpha ordered. Its like riding a bike. But now we have to learn how to ride a unicycle.

 

[George Dawes]

Think I'll wait this one out - for a change...

 

[recoil80]

Perhaps I missed something, but didn't they fail to mention that the new Apple TV also just happens to be a lot more expensive than the old one?

Apple TV version 3 $69 (US)
Apple TV version 4 (32gb) $149 (US)
Apple TV version 4 (64gb) $199 (US)

At over twice the price, it better be a heck of a lot better, and at least include all the same ports, plus the ability to handle 4k video.

But, it doesn't. It's missing an optical audio out port, and only handles 1080P video.

The remote is worth $79 while the old one is "only" $19 so $60 are for the remote, $20 for the new hardware (you get 32GB instead of 8GB of storage and faster SoC).
Of course I'd like prices to be lower when speaking about Apple, but the new ATV is not expensive compared to other Apple's products.