Apple TV is such an embarrassment for Apple.

[9594864]

It was funny thinking Apple had a great idea for the new device before it launched in 2015, only to realize upon unveiling that they have one of their worst teams working on it, and none of them have a clue. From the remote design to the lack of innumerable features that a group of high school students would have thought of, it was just crazy bad. Now, almost 2 years later they've gotten most of the software features that should've been there at launch, but the terrible remote likely isn't changing anytime soon.

I think their hardware design teams are by far the best, but the remote is the one design that is simply unintelligent. A group of intelligent humans should understand what a remote should be from its design ergonomics to its usability and button layout. This remote is truly their worst design, and I mean I hope Jony's team didn't have anything to do with it, but I'm sure they had everything to do with it. They got it wrong, and that's fine, but when you make a mistake you should fix it, which won't happen of course.

The Amazon remote is ergonomically intelligent design, whereas Apple's is not. It is asymmetrical in grip and therefore simple to grab without the thought required when you use an Apple remote. It's buttons and layout are poor, but those are actually of second importance to the ergonomics. Finally, the touch control is simply too inaccurate and finicky to be intuitive design.

Lastly, Apple remains oblivious to the really massive market they are electively losing and that is gaming. The device could be very good for gaming, but they seem to think that people want this device that does virtually the same exact thing as all TVs do, now. All they have to do is create an Apple designed gaming controller and immediately all developers would start creating games and people would buy it far more. Look at the garbage Nintendo switch...I mean come on it's so simple.

 

[niteflyr]

If you feel so strongly about it, don't buy it. Problem solved.

 

[SeattleMoose]

but the remote is the one design that is simply unintelligent. A group of intelligent humans should understand what a remote should be from its design ergonomics to its usability and button layout. This remote is truly their worst design, and I mean I hope Jony's team didn't have anything to do with it, but I'm sure they had everything to do with it. They got it wrong, and that's fine, but when you make a mistake you should fix it, which won't happen of course.

When the ATV4 came out I wondered whether to upgrade from my ATV2 because ATV3 was NOT worth the upgrade. So I decided to buy an ATV4 for my elderly mother as I thought the voice integration would be well implemented and easy for her to use. Wow, was I wrong. That remote is confusing and simple voice commands like "please resume playing rental movie we were watching" (and all variations thereof) fell on deaf ears. I think the ATV2 is better than ATV4 and the "old" remote is MUCH more intuitive. Luckily the old remote works with ATV4 so I picked up one of these for my mom and she is much happier with it. I don't find the whole iTunes/ATV experience bad but I do find that new remote...REALLY BAD.

 

[RadioGaGa1984]

I love my Atv4 use it exclusively for my tv.
Absolutely love the remote very easy to use.

 

[9594864]

If you feel so strongly about it, don't buy it. Problem solved.

Oh I don't have it, but I like Apple and intelligent design.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Love my Atv4. Love the remote after getting a case. I find the touch surface works perfectly. Wouldn't change a thing.

 

[AFEPPL]

You lost me at the games part.
iOS games are just basic games and could never replace a console or PC for most users.

The UI is bad for sure, but this goes right across range from the iPhone, through to the iPad too - that's iOS for you and don't get me started on Siri. But in apples defence, it's lacking the backing of the content provides hence why they are starting to produce their own. Until apple changes and the market moves forward to become more open ATV is never going to shine.

 

[Robnsn2015]

"Never going to shine?" I'm not sure how Apple is defining success for this product. Also, we don't know how much revenue they are getting from this device or how much profit. For all we know, it might be a very lucrative "hobby" for them.

That being said, isn't great that we have so many options for streaming devices now? Perhaps a Roku would be better suited for people; that's what I usually recommend by default.

 

[Surf Boy from Barcelona]

I absolutely LOVE the remote. I love the design, the trackpad, the lightning charging. Compared to the millions of confusing buttons on say a DVD player, this remote is a marvel!

 

[AFEPPL]

"Never going to shine?" I'm not sure how Apple is defining success for this product. Also, we don't know how much revenue they are getting from this device or how much profit. For all we know, it might be a very lucrative "hobby" for them.

That being said, isn't great that we have so many options for streaming devices now? Perhaps a Roku would be better suited for people; that's what I usually recommend by default.

I don't care about apples profit or revenues. A steaming platform should be measured on what it can do and the content available for it - this is the reason we bought it in the first place. We need content apps, not pre high school games. I want to ditch the sky and have a single box of stuff. I look at what sky have done with skyq and think yeah..

 

[mac.cali]

Oh I don't have it, but I like Apple and intelligent design.

If you don't have it, then how do you think it's an embarrassment?

 

[jdsingle]

As someone who is running ATV on a FireTV, I have to say that the ATV is a more refined interface than FireTV by a LONG SHOT. Amazon has yet to make me want to use the FireTV other than the 4k display it's running on.

Do I think ATV is amazing? No. Do I know of any other TV OS that is leaps and bounds better? No. As long as it plays Plex and these screensavers this house will remain happy.

 

[mac.cali]

As someone who is running ATV on a FireTV, I have to say that the ATV is a more refined interface than FireTV by a LONG SHOT. Amazon has yet to make me want to use the FireTV other than the 4k display it's running on.

Do I think ATV is amazing? No. Do I know of any other TV OS that is leaps and bounds better? No. As long as it plays Plex and these screensavers this house will remain happy.

I think ATV is better than the other offerings from smart tvs. I tried the Fire products and it felt unpolished. It was usable, but seemed clunky. Roku is solid, but very dated interface. Hopefully Apple continues to invest in ATV with better content.

 

[9594864]

If you don't have it, then how do you think it's an embarrassment?

I think they can do better and I've used it.

 

[off_piste]

I'm not an Apple fanboy but I love our Appletv 4s. The remote is great and a $10 silicone case solves most anyone's complaints.

My main issues are the lack of 4K, limited audio options, and strangely, having to consistently restart the unit because of no audio.

 

[sorcery]

No USB 3, no sale. Have hundreds of DVD rips. Bought the Nvidia Shield TV, as a traveler, because of it. Which I didn't want to do, love the apple ecosystem.

 

[Robnsn2015]

I don't care about apples profit or revenues. A steaming platform should be measured on what it can do and the content available for it - this is the reason we bought it in the first place. We need content apps, not pre high school games. I want to ditch the sky and have a single box of stuff. I look at what sky have done with skyq and think yeah..

Any business should be measured by its business model. If a streaming platform is not sustainable, then the company will eventually stop making the product.

Again, there are many options. If Apple TV doesn't work for you, then I'm sure Roku or Chromecast would be an excellent choice.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

The Apple TV 4 is by far the best hardware we've bought in years. Use it daily and love it. Spouse is very happy with it, which for me is a good indicator of a good product, since she's isn't very technically inclined.

No USB 3, no sale. Have hundreds of DVD rips. Bought the Nvidia Shield TV, as a traveler, because of it. Which I didn't want to do, love the apple ecosystem.

?

The Apple TV 4 has a USB port on the back.

 

[JBaby]

The Apple TV 4 is by far the best hardware we've bought in years. Use it daily and love it. Spouse is very happy with it, which for me is a good indicator of a good product, since she's isn't very technically inclined.


?

The Apple TV 4 has a USB port on the back.

But it's not usable. It's only for plugging the tv to a computer.

 

[sorcery]

USB‑C for service and support, according to tech specs

 

[Surf Boy from Barcelona]

I don't care about apples profit or revenues. A steaming platform should be measured on what it can do and the content available for it - this is the reason we bought it in the first place. We need content apps, not pre high school games. I want to ditch the sky and have a single box of stuff. I look at what sky have done with skyq and think yeah..

But that's just a Sky box isn't it! If you're happy to support the Murdoch empire then so be it. But SkyQ is terribly designed with poor quality Amstrad components. Sky is aimed at the lowest donominator, Apple has never been a been about that. Apple fit the highest quality of everything and it shows even in the beautifully designed box. Sure, stick to Sky if that's what you want, but the ATV is a perfect internet streamer. Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, RedBull, VeVo all of the NEXT GENERATION channels along with perfect iTunes - HD Film, Music etc, AirPlay, Photos. It's a classy device. Sky on the other hand is aimed at the last century viewing generation. Apple is pure class and really should not be compared with the down market scum of Sky and the Murdoch empire.
I truly applaud Apple with the ATV. If it's not for you, don't buy it and go for something more traditional like Sky.
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As someone who is running ATV on a FireTV, I have to say that the ATV is a more refined interface than FireTV by a LONG SHOT. Amazon has yet to make me want to use the FireTV other than the 4k display it's running on.

Do I think ATV is amazing? No. Do I know of any other TV OS that is leaps and bounds better? No. As long as it plays Plex and these screensavers this house will remain happy.

Talking about screensaver, just imagine how incredible the new 4K HDR 60FPS ones will look on the new J105 / ATV5!!!

 

[AFEPPL]

But that's just a Sky box isn't it! If you're happy to support the Murdoch empire then so be it. But SkyQ is terribly designed with poor quality Amstrad components. Sky is aimed at the lowest donominator, Apple has never been a been about that. Apple fit the highest quality of everything and it shows even in the beautifully designed box. Sure, stick to Sky if that's what you want, but the ATV is a perfect internet streamer. Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, RedBull, VeVo all of the NEXT GENERATION channels along with perfect iTunes - HD Film, Music etc, AirPlay, Photos. It's a classy device. Sky on the other hand is aimed at the last century viewing generation. Apple is pure class and really should not be compared with the down market scum of Sky and the Murdoch empire.
I truly applaud Apple with the ATV. If it's not for you, don't buy it and go for something more traditional like Sky.
[doublepost=1503920298][/doublepost]

Talking about screensaver, just imagine how incredible the new 4K HDR 60FPS ones will look on the new J105 / ATV5!!!

You are talking about the look of the square black box!!! I'm making a point the device needs content and features which skyq had in spades over the ATV. Move from one from to the next and pick up where I left off, 4K content, content you actually want to watch with an airplay like function that works without the apple lag!!

Apple is certainly classy, but it's certainly also at the bottom of the pile of the streaming boxes with a clunky UI, closed wall eco system. And that's from an owner of 6 devices including 3s and 4s...

 

[nburwell]

I'm sorry, but I would never seriously consider using my ATV4 for gaming. That is what my PS4 is for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but my wife and I love our ATV4's. They are our main source for consuming video (we don't have cable, so we use various video apps to stream).

But again, the ATV isn't for everyone. There are other streaming players out there that may work best for others. Being so invested in the Apple ecosystem, the ATV4 was a no-brainer for us.

 

[seanrt]

If you feel so strongly about it, don't buy it. Problem solved.

I love my Apple TV. I have 2 3rd gens & w 4s. I use it everyday almost all day. I couldn’t be without it. I am happy to hear about the upgrade coming. I don’t have any 4K TVs, so I’ll be fine with the ones I have currently and know the upgraded version will be there when I need it

 

[George Dawes]

I used to think it was pretty useless until I recently had a problem with sky . It was out of action for 2 months so I looked around for alternatives, out of desperation I bought an ATV and plugged it into my Beovision 11 tv , after 2 months I've now cancelled sky and saved myself lots of dough and lots of hassle. ( Sky are utter utter &*@p )

With the tv apps and iTunes and airplay it all started to make sense

I just wish Apple would bring out an actual tv - no doubt it would be amazing ( maybe they will and call it a monitor ?? )