Apple TV Seeing Moderate Success, But No Hardware Update Imminent?

[MacRumors]

Yesterday, we noted that Logitech had slashed the price of its Google TV-powered Revue set-top box to below cost following a quarter in which customer returns actually exceeded new sales. We reported that development within the context of Apple's measured steps into the television market that have seen the Apple TV primarily function as a media hub for iTunes Store content and a handful of streaming services.

Apple does indeed appear to be having some moderate success with the Apple TV, as industry checks by Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveal that Apple shipped approximately 480,000 Apple TV units during the second quarter, as reported to AppleInsider. The performance represents more than 70% year-over-year growth as Apple transitioned from the larger hard-drive based first-generation Apple TV to the iOS-powered second-generation streaming device.

Kuo's industry sources claim, however, that Apple is not planning a hardware update for the Apple TV during the current quarter, putting a damper on the excitement of those hoping that changes in iOS 5 would open the door to a true 1080p Apple TV. Instead, Apple is said to be relying on iOS enhancements to boost the AirPlay capabilities of the Apple TV to better support Apple's latest iOS devices.

Article Link: Apple TV Seeing Moderate Success, But No Hardware Update Imminent?

 

[GeekLawyer]

I love my AppleTV.

But until there's an app store for it, it's a hunk of wasted potential sitting next to my TV.

 

[talkingfuture]

I think for now most of the improvements can be made in software and services so keeping the current hardware without updates is a good idea.

 

[gmanist1000]

I love my Apple TV. For what it's supposed to do, it does it really well. I watch most of my Netflix shows on the Apple TV, rather than my Xbox.

 

[Hurmoth]

The hardware seems to be just fine for me right now, but I would LOVE to see Apple open up the device to apps.

 

[FriarNurgle]

AirPlay for iOS devices is fine, but what about AirPlay from my MBP?

 

[MacVault]

How about a software update? App Store! Pandora! Amazon streaming! etc! There's so much more this could do. Look at the Roku. Seems like Apple is intentionally crippling this device.

 

[samcraig]

For me - Apple TV does exactly what I need it to do. My TV, PS3, etc all can stream netflix, hulu, youtube, etc....

Apple TV has allowed me to rip all of my CDs (~2000)/DVDs (~800) (not blu rays) and store them on a hard drive with instant access to them all

And I've completely decluttered my NYC apartment by not having media.

 

[machpost]

Apple is actually promoting the Apple TV a little bit, with the recent AirPlay commercials, so maybe that's responsible for the uptick in sales.

I'm hoping for, at the minimum, a few more apps in an upcoming software update.

 

[Caliber26]

People can say all they want about this little gadget, but it is, BY FAR, my most favoritest Apple product - EVER! I'll give up my iPhone before I give up my ATV. Since I don't own an X-box or Play Station, or any of that stuff, this gives me all the Netflix streaming I could ever wish for. I haven't owned a music CD in YEARS, so this, too, is the simplest way to push my music to my entertainment center's speakers.

 

[cvaldes]

Hardware isn't the limiting factor with the Apple TV, it's the content.

Apple needs to work on more content deals.

 

[FNi]

I don't think it needs a hardware refresh.

While us (the enthusiasts) would love 1080p, the majority of consumers don't care. Just look at that recent report stating that most users stream Netflix via a Wii - they don't even realise what a composite cable does to SD picture quality, let alone what type of HD stream they're getting.

As many have previously stated, what Apple TV really needs is an App Store - and I guarantee Apple would love to give you one but is struggling to figure out a viable business model for it. They will want to make a profit on the app purchases and subscriptions (as they do with everything) but there is no way content providers like Netflix or Amazon Instant Video will hand over 30% - especially when other streaming solutions like the Roku charge nothing for platform access.

 

[Eduardo1971]

I'm awaiting for 1080p on the Apple TV...

 

[Small White Car]

I like how 480,000 units in a quarter is described as a "moderate success."

I remember when that was how many Macs Apple was selling per quarter...and they didn't really have any other products at the time! Things sure have changed.

 

[likemyorbs]

AirPlay for iOS devices is fine, but what about AirPlay from my MBP?

You can....I do it every single day. If you couldn't stream to the apple tv from your mac this device would be a failure.

 

[ksgant]

Can't the jailbroken AppleTV's do 1080p now? So it's not the hardware I don't think. They probably just need an OS update.

 

[Amadeo]

How about a software update? App Store! Pandora! Amazon streaming! etc! There's so much more this could do. Look at the Roku. Seems like Apple is intentionally crippling this device.

An App Store COULD happen. Though with iPad mirroring coming down the pipeline, I don't see the need (personally) for yet another App Store. I don't think I want to buy Angry Birds AGAIN. Mac, iPad, iPhone...when does it end?

I don't think the hardware needs much updating, like what everyone else is saying. 720p vs 1080p is really not a large enough difference to warrant a whole new device. I'd love to see Pandora streaming, and I think that's a real possibility. But I would not hold my breath for Amazon streaming, as awesome as it would be. The two companies are increasingly in direct competition with one another, from books, to music, to films, to television, and soon enough, to tablets. I just highly doubt they will build a competing service into their device. It provides a cheaper alternative to renting shows on iTunes via Apple TV.

 

[dashiel]

The AppleTV device is just to bridge the gap between CE companies building it in natively. Pioneer and Denon/Marantz already do and I’ve started to see reviews of new higher end receivers that criticize for not supporting AirPlay

Remember at last years All Things D conference when asked about television. Paraphrasing he said: People don’t want to add another box, ask Roku, ask Tivo, ask us, ask Google in a few months.

The future of television is in your pocket, it’s really interesting watching how people interact now. We had friends over a few weeks ago, each with iPhones and we basically sat around and did the whole “Have you seen this?” and then tossing it up on the telly.

 

[Small White Car]

I don't see the need (personally) for yet another App Store.

...

I'd love to see Pandora streaming, and I think that's a real possibility.

Seems like you're fighting against yourself. I'd think that changing your mind on your first point makes the 2nd point far more likely to happen.

 

[OneMike]

I love my ATV2.

One thing that would make me love it more is if it were able to access networked hard drives. Having to always have a computer on with iTunes open is the one thing I dislike.

 

[shompa]

AppleTV shows us how computers will look starting next year.

Quod core ARM CortexA15 CPUs 2.5ghz with PowerVR6 graphics. We will see computers under 100 dollars and that draws just 2-6 watt.

BTW. I believe that the reason why Apple does not upgrade the SoC on AppleTV/IpodTouch is because of that Samsung does not have manufacturing capacity to produce enough of A5 chips.
80 million Iphones + 50 million iPads is quite a few of A5 SoCs. With iPodTouch and AppleTV we would tens of million more A5.

 

[Popeye206]

The hardware seems to be just fine for me right now, but I would LOVE to see Apple open up the device to apps.

+1 Gaming.

I really hope there is an update this fall... I've been holding out for one thinking they would up the processor and the output res.

 

[shompa]

Can't the jailbroken AppleTV's do 1080p now? So it's not the hardware I don't think. They probably just need an OS update.

Yes it can do 1080p, but not reliably. The frame rates goes down sometimes.
Therefore Apple can't release that feature.

 

[Small White Car]

I love my ATV2.

One thing that would make me love it more is if it were able to access networked hard drives. Having to always have a computer on with iTunes open is the one thing I dislike.

Or, at the very least, let iTunes run something in the background so that it can continue streaming even if the iTune application itself is closed.

 

[Amadeo]

Seems like you're fighting against yourself. I'd think that changing your mind on your first point makes the 2nd point far more likely to happen.

I don't think you need an app store to provide Pandora streaming. Just how there's no app store, but you have Netflix streaming. Just build it directly into the software. Similar to how they're building Twitter into iOS 5, or how Pandora is built into my Blu-Ray player's software (as is Blockbuster and Netflix). Don't need an app store to do that.