Apple Considering Low Cost Apple TV Dongle to Provide Wider Access to Upcoming Streaming Service

[MacRumors]

Apple is considering creating a lower-cost Apple TV dongle that's similar to the Amazon Fire Stick or the Google Chromecast, reports The Information.

Apple has held discussions about introducing such a product, which would be priced lower than the Apple TV and would be able to be plugged into the back of a television set.

The company is said to be contemplating such a hardware device to promote an upcoming streaming service that's in the works. A lower-cost Apple TV dongle would make the service, which will be available only on Apple devices, more accessible to potential buyers.

Right now, Apple's only television product is the Apple TV, priced at $179 for the Apple TV 4K and $149 for the non-4K version. Current TV dongles from Amazon and Google are priced much lower, at $25 to $35.

Rumors have suggested Apple is planning to roll out a streaming service next year, perhaps as early as March, and it is set to launch in more than 100 countries in 2019.

Apple may offer the streaming service on a standalone basis, or bundle it up with Apple Music and an Apple News subscription that includes Texture, the magazine service that it purchased.

Original television content created by Apple could be made available for free to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users through the TV app. Apple is also negotiating deals to provide access to subscription channels like HBO and STARZ.

For its streaming service, Apple has more than a dozen original television shows in the works, and it has inked deals with production companies for movies. A full list of all of the projects Apple has in the works right now can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Article Link: Apple Considering Low Cost Apple TV Dongle to Provide Wider Access to Upcoming Streaming Service

 

[markfc]

Apple is considering creating a lower-cost Apple TV dongle that's similar to the Amazon Fire Stick or the Google Chromecast, reports The Information.

Apple has held discussions about introducing such a product, which would be priced lower than the Apple TV and would be able to be plugged into the back of a television set.

The company is said to be contemplating such a hardware device to promote an upcoming streaming service that's in the works. A lower-cost Apple TV dongle would make the service, which will be available only on Apple devices, more accessible to potential buyers.

Right now, Apple's only television product is the Apple TV, priced at $179 for the Apple TV 4K and $149 for the non-4K version. Current TV dongles from Amazon and Google are priced much lower, at $25 to $35.

Rumors have suggested Apple is planning to roll out a streaming service next year, perhaps as early as March, and it is set to launch in more than 100 countries in 2019.

Apple may offer the streaming service on a standalone basis, or bundle it up with Apple Music and an Apple News subscription that includes Texture, the magazine service that it purchased.

Original television content created by Apple could be made available for free to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users through the TV app. Apple is also negotiating deals to provide access to subscription channels like HBO and STARZ.

For its streaming service, Apple has more than a dozen original television shows in the works, and it has inked deals with production companies for movies. A full list of all of the projects Apple has in the works right now can be found in our Apple TV roundup.

Article Link: Apple Considering Low Cost Apple TV Dongle to Provide Wider Access to Upcoming Streaming Service

[doublepost=1542835957][/doublepost]New dongle £109...next years AppleTV 5 - £499

 

[Manzanito]

Apple and cheaper don’t belong in the same sentence.

 

[robjulo]

If there is one thing Apple knows how to do, it's dongles.

 

[AngerDanger]

Can't wait for the Apple TV XR.

 

[826317]

I have a feeling that the release of such a product would be a big sales-dropper for the likes of Firestick and all the others.

 

[Mjmar]

How will they compete with the cross platform streaming services? They really think people will buy new hardware just for their streaming service?

 

[840quadra]

Will be interesting to see if this happens. I want to replace some older Apple TV devices at home, but don't want to the the plunge on another 4K model. Really wished there was more 3rd party TV options though other OEMs.

 

[ksnell]

Apple -> Tim -> Dongles = Take it to the bank

 

[tromboneaholic]

If it has AirPlay support, I could see it being a success just for streaming from an iOS device to a TV.

 

[rmoliv]

Original television content created by Apple could be made available for free to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users through the TV app.

The TV app is not available in most countries.

 

[munpip214]

I just want an airplay 2 dongle!

 

[ovo6]

Omg yes please but it better have air play

 

[WannaGoMac]

Smart move. Building the low cost iPad pretty much ended the android tablet.

Also, while I much prefer the ATV4 to roku, I wouldn't have gotten it were it not via the DirectTV deal for $99

 

[lec0rsaire]

This is a mistake. The ATV 4 and ATV 4K are worth every penny. At first I was underwhelmed with my ATV 4 but I now use it more than my PS4. It is fast, consumes just 5W and I get my full internet bandwidth over 5 GHz ac. The quality of Netflix is superb on it.

A cheap dongle like the Chromecast doesn’t belong in Apple’s lineup. They should stick to making premium products. Leave budget to everyone else.

 

[anthonymoody]

I do wonder what you'd lose with this...presumably less (no?) storage for apps. But they'd have to allow for the obvious ones like Netflix, Amazon, etc.

 

[Xavier]

It it means all it can do is stream content, not interested.

 

[scottcampbell]

I just don't have much faith in these rumors, after the 2018 iPad wasn't "sub-$300" and the XR was another premium phone.

 

[zorinlynx]

Surely the Apple TV doesn't cost that much to make. Apple could just give up some of the profit on it and cut the cost to $50.

 

[CarpalMac]

If there is one thing Apple knows how to do, it's dongles.

And yet if there's one thing Apple doesn't know how to do, it's low cost.

 

[Cosmosent]

Bold Prediction Time ...

That could be the very first product announced by the new CEO !

Tim Cook's days are numbered, & the AAPL Board is very-likely already interviewing candidates to replace him.

NOT Rocket Science !

 

[tromboneaholic]

I do wonder what you'd lose with this...presumably less (no?) storage for apps. But they'd have to allow for the obvious ones like Netflix, Amazon, etc.

Maybe it only uses the iOS Remote app and control center widget, so it would have Siri but not TV volume control...

 

[zorinlynx]

This is a mistake. The ATV 4 and ATV 4K are worth every penny. At first I was underwhelmed with my ATV 4 but I know use it more than my PS4. It is fast, consumes just 5W and I get my full internet bandwidth over 5 GHz ac. The quality of Netflix is superb on it.

A cheap dongle like the Chromecast doesn’t belong in Apple’s lineup. They should stick to making premium products. Leave budget to everyone else.

I love the fact that the Apple TV has wired ethernet, too. I like being able to plug it directly into my network and not have potential interference affect it when I'm watching stuff. Stuff like Chromecast and FireTV don't have that; you MUST use WiFi.

 

[colorfuel]

I dream of a device that lets me Airplay my iPad screen to the school beamers. Such a dongle might just do it.

 

[CarpalMac]

Bold Prediction Time ...

That could be the very first product announced by the new CEO !

Tim Cook's days are numbered, & the AAPL Board is very-likely already interviewing candidates to replace him.

NOT Rocket Science !

I doubt that. Immensely.

The only time he'll leave Apple is if he decides to enter into politics. Given the near bare faced BS statements he comes out with, all whilst maintaining a straight face, we should all be incredibly worried if that ever happens.

"We always have the customer in mind"...