Apple TV Is Now Almost 20 Years Old

[JohnC1959]

Obviously no one 'needs' one, but realistically, none of us 'needs' anything that apple sells. Almost every product Apple sells has an alternative that can be had cheaper. But for those that buy it, it's usually one of a couple of things:
1. The integration works better (things like AirPods being recognized by all your devices and not having to repair them to other devices when you switch), or being able to sync your photos.
2. Apple's style. Apple certainly has their own look & feel and for a lot of people that is worth something.
3. Security. While not bulletproof, Apple does a lot of things right when it comes to your personal information. Specific to TV's, I remember reading that a lot of smart TV's were not secure (this was several years ago, so things could absolutely have changed by now. I don't need a new TV so I haven't been keeping up).

I do love the fact that now that I put an Apple TV on each of my TVs I can use my AirPods easily with any of them. No fussing around -- they just worked.

 

[ralphthemagi]

I do love the fact that now that I put an Apple TV on each of my TVs I can use my AirPods easily with any of them. No fussing around -- they just worked.

And the audio is actually in sync, which can not be said for most BT headsets. Most BT headsets will sync with a codec that has trash latency or trash bitrate.

 

[pugxiwawa]

It doesn't have ads the way other Smart TVs do. They sync across multiple TVs. It can easily be controlled with an Apple Watch or Phone. Works quite well with two HomePods in stereo mode, which is how I run them.

If it wasn't Apple TV, I'd probably use a PS5 or Xbox Series S. Really, I would use just about anything other than the trash built into Samsung and LG TVs. It's horrible. Ads everywhere and somehow the interfaces are laggy. It's not that Apple TV is really that great. It's fine. It's more that the UI built into every Smart TV I've ever used is either trash or becomes trash over time. I think it's actually amazing how bad the software built into TVs is. My preference when buying any TV is actually to buy a commercial display so I can avoid that trash entirely. I would rather have nothing than a Smart TV. Google/Android TV can be just fine, but it really depends on the manufacturer.

Being over the top dramatic. You turn on smart TV and a list of icons for apps show up. How's that trash?

 

[ralphthemagi]

Being over the top dramatic. You turn on smart TV and a list of icons for apps show up. How's that trash?

It's slow. It's laggy. There are ads. They aren't all terrible, but I know if it's Samsung or LG, it really is that bad. Like I said, it's impressive how bad they are. I say that because a Pi5 will run better than whatever is built into a $3,000 TV. I really don't understand WHY these interfaces are so bad. You would think after all these years they would have made something decent, but apparently enough people really just don't care and so neither do they.

Have you used a Samsung or LG TV? Have you used Apple TV? The answer to one of these questions must be, "No," because I do not understand how someone couldn't understand this.

 

[svish]

Long history. Looking forward to seeing the next version. Don’t think Apple will release a version at a lower price tag. Maybe the current version could then be had at $99 till stocks last at retailers.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Always fun looking back at history, especially when it seems like yesterday when I watched that OG product announcement. Now let’s get the new Apple TV out Apple. We’re ready!

 

[ambientdaw]

I do not want my TV set to be connected to the Internet. It is of the smart type but I prefer it to be “dumb as straw” as we say in German.

How do you stream then? I have not had a TV in 30 years. I just stream onto my Mac. I am now interested in Apple TV and would love the dumbest TV possible. Any suggestions or tips?

 

[MichaelAdam]

I didn’t purchase the original aTV as I didn’t really understand the purpose of it
Now my aTV 4k are the epicenter of my home acting like a hub, link with my TV and HomePods and accessories and allowing a really efficient FaceTime experience … I wish it was a much better gaming console … But otherwise you can’t fault it

 

[realLucaR]

I have to say I still miss the fact that you were able to locally store movies, music etc. on the original Apple TV's hard drive. Always used to sync my favorite movies when I was a kid and the watch them on my CRT in my bedroom.

Really nice memories were made with it!

 

[realLucaR]

How do you stream then? I have not had a TV in 30 years. I just stream onto my Mac. I am now interested in Apple TV and would love the dumbest TV possible. Any suggestions or tips?

I have a 75" TCL 4k 120hz TV, and what I did is set it up as "basic TV". That basically allows you to set it up without WiFi, Google and all the other BS that's gonna make this extremely underpowered CPU sweat.

Now it runs very smooth. It is only supposed to be a display anyways, my PS5 Pro and the Apple TV do everything else.

 

[ambientdaw]

I have a 75" TCL 4k 120hz TV, and what I did is set it up as "basic TV". That basically allows you to set it up without WiFi, Google and all the other BS that's gonna make this extremely underpowered CPU sweat.

Now it runs very smooth. It is only supposed to be a display anyways, my PS5 Pro and the Apple TV do everything else.

How are you streaming without wifi?

 

[realLucaR]

How are you streaming without wifi?

The Apple TV is connected via Ethernet, only the TV is not connected to the internet.

 

[eifelbube]

This was my thought, if the headline is “almost 20 years” I’d assume you meant this week, or this month, not it’s turned 19. In terms of it also being 20 years today is no more significant than yesterday or the day before. Very bizarre headline choice.

MacBook Neo Is Now Almost One Year Old

 

[MacMikePro]

My question is why does anyone need this device? My “smart TV” seems to be able to access all of the AppleTV content.

I use to think the main answer was lack of ads, because all smart TV’s built in UIs just plasters ads all over the place and it is just super annoying. But then I once actually used a TV’s built in interface, as well as a Roku device, and couldn’t believe the lag. You click on an app, wait 20 seconds, it finishes opening, click on a tab, wait another 20 seconds, etc etc. it absolutely blew my mind, and I couldn’t believe that people actually put up with that when an Apple TV is so cheap. And then on top of that you have the App Store with pretty much every app you can think of, all the AirPlay functionality, use your iPhone as a remote, smart home hub, the list goes on and on, all while being super fast and snappy and with zero ads. Seriously every single person who owns a TV should have an Apple TV and it’s crazy that they don’t, the only people who don’t are the ones who haven’t experienced it and are unaware how much better it is.

 

[Tim Jobs the 2nd]

This was my thought, if the headline is “almost 20 years” I’d assume you meant this week, or this month, not it’s turned 19. In terms of it also being 20 years today is no more significant than yesterday or the day before. Very bizarre headline choice.

So start your own website or newspaper and title things the way you think they should be titled if you know better.

 

[MacHeritage]

I still have my original Apple TV 1G and love it. Plug in the Ethernet and the wireless signal shuts off. I really wish the newer ones had that feature.

It needs a new HD etc. after all these years but it is still ticking. Have use the older version of iTunes that still syncs to it.

Apple should have also kept the syncing feature in newer versions of iTunes/Music, like they have for older iPods but they didn't.

 

[N47H]

So start your own website or newspaper and title things the way you think they should be titled if you know better.

Weird response, do you tell your teachers at school not to give feedback on your homework?

This is a discussion forum pal, not an echo chamber.

 

[nickf]

Apple seem to be unaware that Gurman announced that an updated AppleTV would be shipping in 2025.

 

[Marty80]

I now have four in my house.

 

[Allin44]

My question is why does anyone need this device? My “smart TV” seems to be able to access all of the AppleTV content.

Smart TV apps are nowhere near as fast or as fluid as they are on Apple TV, despite what many people think. The difference in many cases is night and day. Apple TV is just a way more premium feeling experience.

 

[MacBH928]

Roku 4K stick is $40 and it has Apple TV app. Why are people paying $130 for this device?

I went to their website and had a bit of difficulty finding the device, combined with their service renamed to Apple TV, i am going to guess Apple TV device will be deprecated .

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I use to think the main answer was lack of ads, because all smart TV’s built in UIs just plasters ads all over the place and it is just super annoying. But then I once actually used a TV’s built in interface, as well as a Roku device, and couldn’t believe the lag. You click on an app, wait 20 seconds, it finishes opening, click on a tab, wait another 20 seconds, etc etc. it absolutely blew my mind, and I couldn’t believe that people actually put up with that when an Apple TV is so cheap. And then on top of that you have the App Store with pretty much every app you can think of, all the AirPlay functionality, use your iPhone as a remote, smart home hub, the list goes on and on, all while being super fast and snappy and with zero ads. Seriously every single person who owns a TV should have an Apple TV and it’s crazy that they don’t, the only people who don’t are the ones who haven’t experienced it and are unaware how much better it is.

I have a Roku TV, that is a bit over a year old, and it doesn't lag at all. Pick the streaming app and it's up and running in about the same time as my "new" model 4k Apple TV. No discernible lag. The Roku has Airplay, too. Newer Rokus are fast, very fast.

Kids and wife don't care for the Apple TV interface, so it's beeen relegated to the exercise room. They like being able to switch inputs like they are apps too (Roku), instead of using another remote and figuring out a different interface.

Apple TV is fine, it's just not for us.

 

[jbn858273]

1. it works better
2. reliable updates with new features
3. no ads on the home screen
4. better privacy
5. seamless connection to other Apple products
6. you can connect to any other TV and all your stuff is right there
7. acts as an Apple Home hub, if you need that

How often do Smart TVs receive security updates? Some of the biggest elements in botnets are domestic IoT devices. Smart TV with a camera too? No thanks!

 

[AppleTO]

Roku 4K stick is $40 and it has Apple TV app. Why are people paying $130 for this device?

I went to their website and had a bit of difficulty finding the device, combined with their service renamed to Apple TV, i am going to guess Apple TV device will be deprecated .

I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion here, but I really do think the Apple TV as a device will be discontinued once the new home hub is announced and released.

As you pointed out, Apple can’t compete on price with Roku and Amazon, and non Apple enthusiasts buy those things up like there is no tomorrow. I moved from Apple TV to Roku back when the 4th Gen (HD) was current, which I had purchased. I just couldn’t take the remote anymore. The Roku remote was a world of difference. I haven’t bothered going back because, at least in my case, it didn’t really provide anything the Roku couldn’t do.

Almost every streaming device has the Apple TV app and AirPlay now as well.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion here, but I really do think the Apple TV as a device will be discontinued once the new home hub is announced and released.

As you pointed out, Apple can’t compete on price with Roku and Amazon, and non Apple enthusiasts buy those things up like there is no tomorrow. I moved from Apple TV to Roku back when the 4th Gen (HD) was current, which I had purchased. I just couldn’t take the remote anymore. The Roku remote was a world of difference. I haven’t bothered going back because, at least in my case, it didn’t really provide anything the Roku couldn’t do.

Almost every streaming device has the Apple TV app and AirPlay now as well.

I think you're right, Apple has lost interest in the Apple TV, and it doesn't offer anything that other cheaper (or included) devices don't.

I'm the only one I know that owns an Apple TV. My brother had one but sold it..my buddy had one but quit using it.