Am I the only person who thinks the hardware on the current Apple TV is fine and that the issue is more the software?
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Apple TV Said to Have Motion Sensitive Remote Control Targeted at Casual Gamers
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I was thinking more along the lines of "Left. LEFT. Left damn it. Not so much left! No I didn't say left! DAMN IT RIGHT you ****. Not FIGHT but RIGHT! Damn I said something wrong again. No I don't want to go to hen!"
I understand that, and I have a sprinkler that uses RS-232, and it has the old standard RJ45 connector. I was able to have it 80 feet from the computer (I know that the RS-232 standard is 50 feet, but using CAT 5e wire helped), and it worked flawlessly. (not with an Apple TV. Just commiserating with you on the devices that don't need Ethernet/WiFi for connectivity)
For the situation you're talking about, there comes an issue with the "good of the many" vs. "specialized installations". I'd go with this (This is for those that are along for the ride in this conversation that are interested. I'm assuming that you already know about such things, as your post shows that):
http://www.usconverters.com/serial-etherent-converter-us2000a (I didn't use the base one, as I don't like hardwired IP subnets)
The Apple TV can just take the place of the computer, since it already has WiFi and an Ethernet connection.
Adding an RS-232 to the Apple TV would probably have about 100 people using it (my estimation), but add to the ports. Heck, with the current version, if someone can figure what the USB port is used for, and use a USB->RS-232 port for that, but I do like the Ethernet -> USB version, as that is more professional, and it's only $70.
its all about the UI and apple TV's UI has been horrendous for a very long time, from the way it presents TV seasons to its use of MetaData, i doubt much could bring me away from Plex, its ui is so customizable and uses metadata to a great extent, and i have a lot of boxes already that do plex
Who knows how this remote will turn out... could be a good step, and I'm anxious to see what they've come up with.
I still hope Apple will introduce an ATV that will compete with Xbox One and PS4 (faster processor, gaming controller, etc). AND a lower tier ATV that will allow streaming from the "main" ATV to any other tv in the house (or just allow the basic features of ATV; AirPlay, etc... a competitor to Roku, etc.).
I still hope Apple will introduce an ATV that will compete with Xbox One and PS4 (faster processor, gaming controller, etc). AND a lower tier ATV that will allow streaming from the "main" ATV to any other tv in the house (or just allow the basic features of ATV; AirPlay, etc... a competitor to Roku, etc.).
The concept is fine. The hardware from a technology standpoint is behind and in order to support new software and upgrade is absolutely required.
Fine, yes. But absolutely no reason to still be selling hardware that old. It isn't like it is that much cheaper to make an A5 chip instead of an A8 chip. Also absolutely no reason to not have latest wifi hardware in a device intended for streaming video.
So really hardware is inexcusable. And especially so for Apple who's customers have the ability and desire to pay more for better hardware. If they want to keep selling the old hardware for $69 that is fine. But Apple should also make something in the $149 range for their customers. Apple should make the best streaming hardware they can make. They clearly aren't doing that with the current hardware.
Yes! I have been complaining about this for years. The Atv UI is horrible.
I have a bunch of my media ripped to local drive. I access it through Atv via the iTunes link.
The on screen display looks nothing like iTunes.
All it does is display a boring list view of your media.
I would prefer a cover flow view or something closer to what Netfkix displays.
Hopefully they allow you to customize this in the update.
I used to work for a company that made airplanes. This company was so stuck in the past that it nearly introduced a state of the art aircraft with computing technology based on a 486 because that's what every other aircraft flying was using and it was the only thing the company was sure would work with the ATC system. Fortunately, they took the step and worked on compatibility using modern architecture which is now forcing the rest of the industry to do the same finally leaving the 486 behind with every new aircraft rolling off the line beginning in 2017. So now that you know nearly every commercial aircraft in the world is flying on a 486 based machine don't you want to go jump on a plane?
Moral of the story... Like you're saying...build the best product.
Then you've got a smart tv that I have never seen. Every one I've ever laid eyes on has sucked, big time.
First of all, this is all very exciting! I've had an AppleTV since generation two, and it just screams "potential." Very nice to see Apple turning their focus on it to make it great.
One thing I don't quite understand, though. The article says it will have the A8 chip, but the rumors for the iPhone 6s is that it will have the A9. Why would they put the older processor into the AppleTV? To cut costs? Or is it because yields will be low at first, and they need them all for the phone?
I realize this is all speculation until the 9th, but it got my curiosity going.
One thing I don't quite understand, though. The article says it will have the A8 chip, but the rumors for the iPhone 6s is that it will have the A9. Why would they put the older processor into the AppleTV? To cut costs? Or is it because yields will be low at first, and they need them all for the phone?
I realize this is all speculation until the 9th, but it got my curiosity going.
Quality over quantity. Hiring a bunch of engineers who are not rock stars, have no passion or can't embrace the vision just to have butts in seats is a fool's game.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
RE A8 vs A9: historically, 
TV gets "hand me downs" from other iDevices (older chips or chips with a defective or deactivated core).
Using the A8 will also be cheaper than using an A9, which means fatter margins. Apple can also retire production of the A5 and leverage the ongoing production of A8s that will continue for a generation or two of iDevices to come after A9 iDevices are launched.
Since there's not a single app available among the millions of total apps in the store today that can truly exploit whatever is unique about the A9 (other than "faster"), an A8-basedTV would be able to run every single app in the store today without compromises (if such apps were evolved to incorporate whatever human interface device (remote/game controllers) rumored to come with it).
TV gets "hand me downs" from other iDevices (older chips or chips with a defective or deactivated core).Using the A8 will also be cheaper than using an A9, which means fatter margins. Apple can also retire production of the A5 and leverage the ongoing production of A8s that will continue for a generation or two of iDevices to come after A9 iDevices are launched.
Since there's not a single app available among the millions of total apps in the store today that can truly exploit whatever is unique about the A9 (other than "faster"), an A8-based
TV would be able to run every single app in the store today without compromises (if such apps were evolved to incorporate whatever human interface device (remote/game controllers) rumored to come with it).
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Never was a big fan of Roku's interface when I owned one. Admittedly, that was a few gens back. Maybe it's better now.
Yes you can, this small device is gonna have A8, whose GPU is almost the same in power to Sony Playstation 3.
Sure PS4 and XBOX360 are light years ahead, But it wouldn't take much longer for apple to catch up in the GPU Arms Race. Infact i believe that Apple is in a better position to take on the gaming market head on due to there efficient GPU Designs. If you are current with Imagination Technologies latest innovations then you know Apple is in a better position than ever to make a dent in the gaming market With Apple's 'A' series of processor and onboard GPU's.
Yield issues is a big deal. Brand new chip and they will sell the 6s as fast they can get them off the assembly line for the next four months. So all the A9s need to go the flagship iPhone. There is probably some costs savings but I think yield is the main issue.
It will be a modified A8x, designed to run off the continuous power supply available to a home device. It will be plenty powerful and Apple's manufacturers can divert chips to the TV as the sales of the iPhone 6 slow down in favor of the 6s.
I used to work for a company that made airplanes. This company was so stuck in the past that it nearly introduced a state of the art aircraft with computing technology based on a 486 because that's what every other aircraft flying was using and it was the only thing the company was sure would work with the ATC system. Fortunately, they took the step and worked on compatibility using modern architecture which is now forcing the rest of the industry to do the same finally leaving the 486 behind with every new aircraft rolling off the line beginning in 2017. So now that you know nearly every commercial aircraft in the world is flying on a 486 based machine don't you want to go jump on a plane?
Moral of the story... Like you're saying...build the best product.
Fascinating. The Airplane industry is such an interesting mix of high and low, new and old tech. But those planes have to be fully reliable. So I can see why they move slowly. Still building a plane this year with a 486 computer in it and expecting the plane to have a 20-year useful life is kind of amazing.
I think the fact that they were able to take complete control of the music industry for so long is the big reason why we won't see Apple have nearly the same success in television. Content providers are smarter and more aware because of the past.
Still goes to show that Apple continues to be out of touch with gamers. They really need to develop a game controller not a remote if they really want to be serious about gaming.