The Roku can be the best ever set top box and I won't consider buying it. I won't be able to use it with an Music subscription and it won't infuse easily with my other Apple equipment. Some things don't have to be the best to be preferred........or most used. Thinking of Windows after that last line.
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Apple TV Fell to Fourth Most Popular Streaming Media Device in U.S. in 2014
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There's really nothing compelling about the AppleTV as it stands. Certainly not in comparison to the other devices that offer plenty of other options. The ONLY thing it offers is the ability to play DRM content from iTunes. AirPlay used to be pretty compelling, but now you can do it on just about everything else. It even works to an old XBOX 360 using AllCast on iOS. Let's see what you've got Eddie Cue come September. Hopefully something more than the second round of Ping....er um...Apple Music.
What is with all the absolutes in this article in the section about the potential upcoming AppleTV? It's written as if it, as well as all of its features have already been announced. So far those items are still very much so rumors, unless there is information that is being withheld, like, a press release from Apple.
Lack of MKV support is what's holding Apple back. They'll never get it right. I still use a Boxee Box; it still blows everything out of the water thats available today.
I use my Apple TV all the time - The Airplay streaming is my key.
If they add Apps & I can get Plex natively on there (not the hacky trailers way) it'll be great.
If they add Apps & I can get Plex natively on there (not the hacky trailers way) it'll be great.
Apple is no longer focused on the best, under TC. Profit margins is all that matters, so the iPhone is all Tim cares about. Other companies have caught up and surpassed in a number of areas.
-Roku and Google make a better streaming media device
-Astell&Kern, FiiO, Sony, Pono all make better portable music players
-Roon and JRiver make better music player software
-Spotify and Tidal are a better music streaming service
-Apple software slipping. Etc, etc….
And the list is growing.
-Roku and Google make a better streaming media device
-Astell&Kern, FiiO, Sony, Pono all make better portable music players
-Roon and JRiver make better music player software
-Spotify and Tidal are a better music streaming service
-Apple software slipping. Etc, etc….
And the list is growing.
I would like to have a single streaming box for everything. Now I have to use an HTPC running Kodi for local files on my NAS via SMB, an AppleTV 3a for Airplay and a Roku for choice of streaming channels.
I've tried the Amazon Fire TV and returned it. It was way too laggy for me. I then picked up one of the Fire TV Sticks when they released on sale for $19 and that thing can't play a single streaming movie from any service without pausing and lagging every 30 seconds, literally. I absolutely hate it. I LOVE my Apple TV and will buy the next version on day 1 to replace this POS Amazon stick. I wanna try a ROKU, but won't until this stick craps out.
Oh it is absolutely in the same ballpark... It's just getting its butt kicked by a way better team.
I don't think so. Streaming has become mainstream now, which it was not even 2-3 years ago.
Apple TV is a nightmare. It must be able to connect to my NAS directly without an iMac and iTunes open! Are we in 2015? SONOS is a very good system, no need to have iTunes running, you only set a folder in your NAS and that's it. I can't buy movies in others countries with Apple TV. So stupid.
The apps built into the "smart" TVs are generally very limited both in terms of number of apps and their functionality compared to what is found in a dedicated streaming box.
Not only that but we have had rumors that this is definitely happening for 4+ years now.
I just wish I could get things like HBO Now on my Fire TV in the UK, let alone Apple TV which won't get it in the UK, alas I fear this will never happen thanks to licensing terms.... or in other words greed from satellite and cable companies.
And the reason Rupert Murdoch has been seen sitting in the audience at Apple events no doubt.
I am SOOO hoping this new streaming IPTV kicks them hard.
And the reason Rupert Murdoch has been seen sitting in the audience at Apple events no doubt.
I am SOOO hoping this new streaming IPTV kicks them hard.
You can AirPlay to just about anything these days. It just can't be anything with Apple DRM. Look up AllCast on the App Store. I can even Airplay to my XBOX 360 from my iPhone.