Apple TV Sees Major Sales Growth in 2015 But Still Ranks as Fourth Most Popular Streaming Media Player

[AsherN]

Not sure why requiring a phone should be a deal breaker for the Chromecast. You need a remote for the Apple TV, ROKU and Amazon device. Consider the phone a remote. Everyone has a phone and you only need it to start streaming like any remote. It plays no part in the streaming process you can switch if off once you start the stream.

When I bought my last streaming device, I looked at Chromecast. Lock of IR input made stop considering it. I use Harmony remotes for all my TVs. I don't want to sit around with a remote for every device, and my phone.

I bought a Roku. Why? Well I already owned 2, so familiar interface played a role. But price also did. The Roku was cheaper. aTV did not bring anything to the table to justify the price difference. That's a reality that Apple will have to come to terms with.

I use Plex, Netflix and the NHL app. My next TV will be a 4K TV. Since they are all "Smart", I'll look for one with Netflix, Plex and browser support. That will eliminate the need for the Roku.

Not only are streaming devices a commodity, for a large segment of the market, they are being obsoleted by Smart TVs. You need to be so far ahead of everybody else or charge a similar price.

 

[applesith]

Because Apple rolled out iPhones that shoot 4K and touted that as a major feature. They rolled out 5K iMacs which are "perfect for displaying the full 4K frame during editing". They rolled out FCPX and iMovie so that pros or semi-pros can import 4K they shoot themselves, edit it at 4K and export it into a Quicktime .m4v container at 4K. They rolled out an iPad Pro and touted it's ability to edit three 4K streams simultaneously. iTunes will import that file just like any lessor format movie you want to store. In short, there is an all 4K chain from shooting to TV that looks like this:

iPhone 4K -> FCPX/iMovie edits -> iMac 5K or iPad Pro provides the hardware for that editing -> Quicktime 4K .m4v file -> iTunes (stores it) -> TV4 -> 4KTV ready to display 4K

Only 1 weak link in that almost entirely Apple chain... but it is the key "just works" one for displaying that 4K shot on those shiny new phones on that 4K TV ready to show it natively at 4K.

Ok so 4K for your home movies...

4K will be a promoted feature on the next Apple TV once 4K content is available in iTunes.

 

[RickInHouston]

You obviously know sod all. Plex, VLC are both available.
Never mind that you can set up your own iTunes media server and stream what you like from it.

Better than 90% of our "TV" viewing is done via the Apple TV these days.

i know 'sod' extremely well, thank you very much. I use Kodi. Prefer it over Plex. Support for apple tv has been dropped from Kodi, it appears.








y

 

[AVEGA]

The next mac mini should have apple tv software installed so you can spend a little more and get a apple tv and computer all in one.

I would like touch id in the remote so I don't need to ever enter passwords for purchases again. Just set the touch id on the bottom (which would make it more easy to distinguish which ends is which ) include a headphone jack, and back lighted buttons and that would be a nice upgrade to the remote.

I have no big problems with my ATV except for no support for Ultra Violet , I don't know why they don't support apple tv yet. I also hate that so many channels need cable subscription, I don't want cable not now or ever again. I think Apple missed a golden opportunity to not have live NFL broadcasts on Apple TV.

I don't intend in buying another TV for a few years so no 4k is no problem since I will wait on 4k.

Can't they just do a firmware update to include 4K, or is it more complex ?

 

[sharpie000]

Attic antenna + HD HomeRun + Channels App = Live TV on Apple TV. We cut the cord with cable months ago and haven't looked back since. I use Hulu for most TV programming, Netflix for streaming, Plex to manage my Blurays and TV shows, Channels to watch live TV and HBO Now for Veep / Silicon Valley. I also bought a 2nd one to connect to my treadmill so we can have the same experience when we're in the basement working out. 4K would definitely be nice; but it's not a deal breaker for me even though I do have a 4K TV.

Apple should definitely incorporate the picture in picture feature available on iPad. If I'm watching something and jump back to the dashboard, it would be great to have a smaller window with the show still playing while I navigate around to find something else to watch.

 

[EdT]

Pretty unhappy with ATV4. I buy/download movies because my internet speeds are so bad. So most of the Siri features don't work, because Apple expects you to be streaming the tv sow/movie to use those features. It takes 7 or 8 hours to download a movie to my hard drive. I have NEVER been able to stream an HD show successfully. I give up after 1/2 hour when I have only "watched" 10 minutes because of buffering. The old ATV ( and software ) worked well with downloaded and locally stored movies. Now even my old ATV wants to stream movies rather than play downloaded ones, because of updates. Not saying I absolutely cannot play shows stored on my hard drive, just that ir isn't as easy and reliable as before.

And before you say that Roku or Amazon would have the same streaming problems- I know. That's why I never bought them.

 

[DaveN]

Vudu already CONFIRMED that Apple won't allow it

they are a streaming service, not a hardware company, why on earth would they not want it on Apple TV when it's on every other device that allows it?

it's just Apple pushing iTunes movies

As compared to Amazon just pushing Prime?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Ok so 4K for your home movies...

4K will be a promoted feature on the next Apple TV once 4K content is available in iTunes.

And photos
And everyone else's home movies uploaded at 4K to youtube, etc
And 4K Netflix
Etc.

Plenty of applications for 4K besides just MY home movies. Apple has sold more than just one 4K-capable iPhone you know. And there are plenty of non-Apple, non-iPhone people out there able to shoot 4K too. And Netflix has a few shows in 4K. Youtube. High resolution photos that much crisper. What's to stop Podcasts like Hubblecast and similar from embracing 4K if Apple gave them an outlet through which to deliver that 4K to 4K televisions? Etc.

Besides, not $1 can be made on iTunes store 4K videos for TV until there are 4K-capable TVs in homes to buy or rent and actually play it. I don't know why so many of us get confused about that. It makes zero sense for the software to already be in the store for sale before there is even 1 unit of hardware to consume it.

How many iOS 10/iPhone 7-dependent apps are in the much more important iOS store right now? Should Apple delay launching the next iPhone until the store is loaded with iOS 10/iPhone 7-dependent apps? Of course not. The hardware must lead the way. If these 4s had 4K built in, every unit sold becomes that more motivating for Studios to test the market for some 4K content in the Store. And as soon as one could make profit on 4K video, the others would rush right in. As is, even if every Studio wanted to roll out everything they have in 4K for TV tonight, not $1 could be made from all of that "everything" being in the store. Why? The hardware must always lead... not the software.

Apple has 100% control of their hardware. They could roll out an 8K TV if they wanted to do so. They don't have control of iTunes store partners. By selling millions of units capable of anything new and different, Apple can create the motivation for Studios to want to offer support for anything new and different. Instead, they've left that to their box competitors who are already offering 4K boxes and selling them to those who opt for a 4K-capable box in 2015-16 rather than waiting for Apple to catch up with that feature by 2017 or 18 or 19... or whenever someone internally figures out that THEY want to show their own 4K home movies or photos on their own 4K TV without having to go through a competitor's box... or work through the direct connection route and thus store those big files on their limited-space mobile device so that the video is actually available via direct connection.

 

[DaveN]

Attic antenna + HD HomeRun + Channels App = Live TV on Apple TV. We cut the cord with cable months ago and haven't looked back since. I use Hulu for most TV programming, Netflix for streaming, Plex to manage my Blurays and TV shows, Channels to watch live TV and HBO Now for Veep / Silicon Valley. I also bought a 2nd one to connect to my treadmill so we can have the same experience when we're in the basement working out. 4K would definitely be nice; but it's not a deal breaker for me even though I do have a 4K TV.

Apple should definitely incorporate the picture in picture feature available on iPad. If I'm watching something and jump back to the dashboard, it would be great to have a smaller window with the show still playing while I navigate around to find something else to watch.

Same here with minor changes. Tower antenna (I live on the backside of a hill) + Netflix = Satisfaction without the cable TV bill though Charter did raise internet only to $60/month.

 

[apolloa]

The remote on the ATV 4 is much better. Clearly the product isn't compelling enough for you to buy, but it was for me. (The minor complaints I have will be solved over time with software updates/new services.)

I can honestly say, swiping on the new controller is great - but not as great as being in Netflix (in your example) and saying "Play Orange is the New Black" and Siri actually working. Siri seems way more accurate on the TV than it does on the phone, and after it understands you, it does what you want much faster, too.
[doublepost=1463561617][/doublepost]

This is actually a major problem. I'm surprised Channel 4, ITV, Channel 5 and UKTV haven't ported their iOS apps to tvOS. I tweeted Channel 4 support and I think they said they have no plans to do so, but obviously that might have changed in the last few months.

It would be lovely if you could pay for Sky TV, too, and get it right on your Apple TV. Sky still get their money, and are happy, and it means Apple TV users don't have to get another box, another remote + a dish on their roof.

You can in way with Sky, I thought you could get the Sky NOW TV app on the Apple TV? You get some good channels with it then. If not then I believe it is possible to airplay from the app, no idea how good it is though, but give it a go as you can trial the service free for a month anyway.
Otherwise you can use Sky GO but you can't Air Play that, it seems to be limited to tablets and phones, and Sony and Microsoft consoles.

Anyway, give Sky's NOW TV a go.
[doublepost=1463579840][/doublepost]

Another ignorant post. There is no 30% cost for putting the Amazon Prime app on the store. Prime videos are part of the Amazon Prime service, which is purchased on Amazon's site. So Apple would collect nothing from an Amazon Prime app on the Apple TV unless Amazon allowed direct subscriptions on the ATV itself.

In EVERY app sold through an Apple store it is a contractual condition that ANY purchase made through the app Apple takes a 30% cut from that sale. And you are not allowed as we have seen to by pass this. You can go to Amazons webpage to buy something, but if you bought it in their app then they automatically lose 30%.

Sky and Amazon are prime examples of big company's that refuse to do this, on Android you CAN buy things from in the app, on Apple versions of their apps you CANNOT.

So the post was not 'ignorant' at all, and by the way it's against site rules to call someone that:

https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201265337-Forum-Rules

These offenses can result in temporary forum suspensions or permanent bans. If you get a warning, heed it!

1. Insults. Direct personal insult of another forum member (e.g., "You are an idiot.") and other name-calling. Why? Because this isn't grade school. People should be able to discuss or even dispute other's posts without insulting people. You may dispute somebody's opinion but not attack/flame the person who stated it. There are a lot of other non-direct-personal insults that won't necessary get you banned instantly, but depending on the context/nature may lead to post editing, post deletion, warnings, or time-outs. They include telling people to shut up, describing a member as an ignorant person (rather than ignorant about a particular topic), and being extremely or repeatedly rude or sarcastic. It's not your place to tell other users they are not welcome; if they follow the rules, they are welcome. Bottom line -- don't try to tick off others and don't make discussions unnecessarily personal. If somebody else insults you, report their post; their post does not give you a license to break the rules by returning their insults. Although we do not read Private Messages sent between forum members, the rules for appropriate and inappropriate content apply to them as well.

 

[ppenn]

I think this is speaking to Apples high prices. I have used both Roku and Amazon Fire devices and they are painfully slow compared to Apple TV. You get what you pay for, especially i you have a large Apple ecosystem already.

 

[kyleh22]

How many 4K TVs are actually being sold every quarter? 4K content is still pretty limited as well.

It may be true that most TV and content is still 1080p but when your average person buys a streaming device, they expect it to be future proof. Few people will purchase a 1080p device when they believe 4k is on the immediate horizon.

 

[big-ted]

Another ignorant post. There is no 30% cost for putting the Amazon Prime app on the store. Prime videos are part of the Amazon Prime service, which is purchased on Amazon's site. So Apple would collect nothing from an Amazon Prime app on the Apple TV unless Amazon allowed direct subscriptions on the ATV itself.

But would Apple expect 30% from any movies you rented through the app on the ATV?

 

[MH01]

Another ignorant post. There is no 30% cost for putting the Amazon Prime app on the store. Prime videos are part of the Amazon Prime service, which is purchased on Amazon's site. So Apple would collect nothing from an Amazon Prime app on the Apple TV unless Amazon allowed direct subscriptions on the ATV itself.

my understanding was that Apple did not allow subscription services in apps unless it got at cut. If I'm wrong, I'm happy to be corrected.

But for you to tell me my post is ignorant, given what you post here, look in the mirror mate !!

Don't post personal insults if you disagree.

So Why does not Spotify just offer a free app?!
http://iphone.appleinsider.com/arti...s-app-store-save-3-per-month-on-subscriptions

Do explain....

 

[Juicy Box]

Not sure why requiring a phone should be a deal breaker for the Chromecast. You need a remote for the Apple TV, ROKU and Amazon device. Consider the phone a remote. Everyone has a phone and you only need it to start streaming like any remote. It plays no part in the streaming process you can switch if off once you start the stream.

I can't speak for anyone else, but there are many reasons I like having an actual remote. Buttons for one. I like being able to press physical buttons.

A side note, I hate texting on the iPhone, when I am at home, I do all my texting from my computer because it is a lot easier to type.

I like being able to turn on my TV, control volume, control the ATV, and turn them both off from on device.

I don't keep my phone on me at all times. When I am at home my phone stays in a spot that my family charge our devices. It is not by were I would watch TV.

These are just a few things, I can name more if you would like. But I am currently using my phone to type this, and would rather keep it shorter.

 

[Aluminum213]

As compared to Amazon just pushing Prime?

Amazon isn't blocking apple from pushing iTunes movies

 

[MH01]

You can in way with Sky, I thought you could get the Sky NOW TV app on the Apple TV? You get some good channels with it then. If not then I believe it is possible to airplay from the app, no idea how good it is though, but give it a go as you can trial the service free for a month anyway.
Otherwise you can use Sky GO but you can't Air Play that, it seems to be limited to tablets and phones, and Sony and Microsoft consoles.

Anyway, give Sky's NOW TV a go.
[doublepost=1463579840][/doublepost]

In EVERY app sold through an Apple store it is a contractual condition that ANY purchase made through the app Apple takes a 30% cut from that sale. And you are not allowed as we have seen to by pass this. You can go to Amazons webpage to buy something, but if you bought it in their app then they automatically lose 30%.

Sky and Amazon are prime examples of big company's that refuse to do this, on Android you CAN buy things from in the app, on Apple versions of their apps you CANNOT.

So the post was not 'ignorant' at all, and by the way it's against site rules to call someone that:

https://macrumors.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201265337-Forum-Rules

These offenses can result in temporary forum suspensions or permanent bans. If you get a warning, heed it!

1. Insults. Direct personal insult of another forum member (e.g., "You are an idiot.") and other name-calling. Why? Because this isn't grade school. People should be able to discuss or even dispute other's posts without insulting people. You may dispute somebody's opinion but not attack/flame the person who stated it. There are a lot of other non-direct-personal insults that won't necessary get you banned instantly, but depending on the context/nature may lead to post editing, post deletion, warnings, or time-outs. They include telling people to shut up, describing a member as an ignorant person (rather than ignorant about a particular topic), and being extremely or repeatedly rude or sarcastic. It's not your place to tell other users they are not welcome; if they follow the rules, they are welcome. Bottom line -- don't try to tick off others and don't make discussions unnecessarily personal. If somebody else insults you, report their post; their post does not give you a license to break the rules by returning their insults. Although we do not read Private Messages sent between forum members, the rules for appropriate and inappropriate content apply to them as well.

Cheers. I was going to point out to him that if you are going to insult someone, get your facts in order or you look very very silly. I just used the Spotify example to save time.

Yours was more thorough though

 

[JackANSI]

The remote on the ATV 4 is much better. Clearly the product isn't compelling enough for you to buy, but it was for me. (The minor complaints I have will be solved over time with software updates/new services.)

I can honestly say, swiping on the new controller is great - but not as great as being in Netflix (in your example) and saying "Play Orange is the New Black" and Siri actually working. Siri seems way more accurate on the TV than it does on the phone, and after it understands you, it does what you want much faster, too.

Does the ATV4 remote have acceleration like swiping on the i-devices yet? Last I tried it, it seemed to just max out at an annoying slow speed and didn't really keep up with the remote app's acceleration.

 

[applesith]

And photos
And everyone else's home movies uploaded at 4K to youtube, etc
And 4K Netflix
Etc.

Plenty of applications for 4K besides just MY home movies. Apple has sold more than just one 4K-capable iPhone you know. And there are plenty of non-Apple, non-iPhone people out there able to shoot 4K too. And Netflix has a few shows in 4K. Youtube. High resolution photos that much crisper. What's to stop Podcasts like Hubblecast and similar from embracing 4K if Apple gave them an outlet through which to deliver that 4K to 4K televisions? Etc.

Besides, not $1 can be made on iTunes store 4K videos for TV until there are 4K-capable TVs in homes to buy or rent and actually play it. I don't know why so many of us get confused about that. It makes zero sense for the software to already be in the store for sale before there is even 1 unit of hardware to consume it.

How many iOS 10/iPhone 7-dependent apps are in the much more important iOS store right now? Should Apple delay launching the next iPhone until the store is loaded with iOS 10/iPhone 7-dependent apps? Of course not. The hardware must lead the way. If these 4s had 4K built in, every unit sold becomes that more motivating for Studios to test the market for some 4K content in the Store. And as soon as one could make profit on 4K video, the others would rush right in. As is, even if every Studio wanted to roll out everything they have in 4K for TV tonight, not $1 could be made from all of that "everything" being in the store. Why? The hardware must always lead... not the software.

Apple has 100% control of their hardware. They could roll out an 8K TV if they wanted to do so. They don't have control of iTunes store partners. By selling millions of units capable of anything new and different, Apple can create the motivation for Studios to want to offer support for anything new and different. Instead, they've left that to their box competitors who are already offering 4K boxes and selling them to those who opt for a 4K-capable box in 2015-16 rather than waiting for Apple to catch up with that feature by 2017 or 18 or 19... or whenever someone internally figures out that THEY want to show their own 4K home movies or photos on their own 4K TV without having to go through a competitor's box... or work through the direct connection route and thus store those big files on their limited-space mobile device so that the video is actually available via direct connection.

You're acting as if Apple has zero plans to offer a 4k Apple TV. They are going to on a future model. Part of holding it back is likely to get people like you who care so much to buy it again with 4K support. Plus I'm sure they will have some type of 4K content announcement that goes alongside the 4K hardware support. It's coming. But they are waiting for more content and to get people to buy Apple TV again. How long did we wait for a back camera for the iPad? Then a front facing camera? Front facing camera for iPhone? Retina for the iPad? etc. Apple always withholds features to get people to upgrade.

 

[JackANSI]

Lightening port? That's apple's connection so they launched when they did- not a good example. For original USB and touch screens, you're being dramatic. Based on the updates to Roku, Amazon Fire, tv boxes like Apple TV refresh every year or so, so there's always room to add new features to next years models. There's so little 4K content out, it doesn't make sense for Apple to support it until iTunes has 4K movies and shows. Why would Apple launch a 4K device when they have no 4K content in their library?

Why would Apple launch a laptop with no adapter shipping at the time to plug in your iPad or iPhone?

Your argument against 4K is something that happens all the time in the tech world in many different areas. It's also proven to be a very poor argument time and time again. To ignore or dismiss that is a sign of naivety and lack of foresight.

Sorry you're wrong.

 

[applesith]

It may be true that most TV and content is still 1080p but when your average person buys a streaming device, they expect it to be future proof. Few people will purchase a 1080p device when they believe 4k is on the immediate horizon.

The average person probably doesn't know what 4K is. The average person probably cannot afford a 4K TV until just recently. 4K is not average yet.
[doublepost=1463583501][/doublepost]

Why would Apple launch a laptop with no adapter shipping at the time to plug in your iPad or iPhone?

Your argument against 4K is something that happens all the time in the tech world in many different areas. It's also proven to be a very poor argument time and time again. To ignore or dismiss that is a sign of naivety and lack of foresight.

Sorry you're wrong.

Lightening- Apple is pushing wireless for the rMacBook. You can sync your phone over wifi and they push the idea of iCloud. They NEVER positioned rMacBook to be something you plug into regularly.

It's not a poor argument. See my post above from a few minutes ago. Apple always witholds hardware features to put in another model to get people to buy again. Apple has NEVER had interest in making a future proof device or one that would last many years into the future. Apple relies on people to buy new. Apple TV is a cheap device at $150 and people can buy another one in 12-18 months. It's not a laptop or a full tv.

 

[duffman9000]

You can also put kodi on the atv. It's actually easier but you do need OS X, Xcode and a cable.

A non-developer account's sideloaded apps must now be reinstalled every 7 days. Nah... no thanks.
I'm glad I chose a Fire stick.

 

[npmacuser5]

It may be true that most TV and content is still 1080p but when your average person buys a streaming device, they expect it to be future proof. Few people will purchase a 1080p device when they believe 4k is on the immediate horizon.

One would need to define future proof and relate that to the price. If you expected future proof in the Apple TV 3 then why does ATV3 not have an App Store? Point, future proofing anything is a very relative endeavor. Interesting observation, we think nothing of replacing our phones every two years, costing $600 plus, for a gotta have new technology, then turn around and complain loudly about a $200 device that may get replaced every five years. Just saying!

 

[ksnell]

There is a Plex app for the AppleTV 4. It works pretty good overall.
[doublepost=1463527689][/doublepost]

What I meant was I am really looking forward to universal search with Plex (once Apple opens it up). I agree that overall the app works well.

 

[Karma*Police]

Are you kidding me. The ATV search input is the worst UI implementation I have seen in a very long time. It's the basis of the whole experience.

One long row.....

If you think that is extremely polished , you have very low standards in UI and useability.

everytime I search for something I hate the experience .

The UI makes perfect sense. You simply swipe left/right across the trackpad which supports accelerated scrolling... It allows you to go from A to P with one swipe. Hold the button down on any letter and you get variations including a backspace button for easy editing. You can also use dictation to enter search queries.

Anyone who'd rather click down, click down, click down, click right, click right, etc. shouldn't comment on what constitutes a good UI. That UI was just exhausting and it's clear that you've never used ATV4 for any extended period of time, let alone own one.