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ATV4: Is it really THAT bad?

Surf Monkey said:
There have been years between ATV hardware updates. In the case of the 4 it looks to me as if they intend this to be "the" Apple TV for at least the next two years. To that extent it's all about software, and when it comes to system, manufacturer and third party software the possibilities are endless.
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This exactly. I have a feeling that "we ain't seen nothin' yet" when it comes to features and refinements that will come with updates. I highly doubt that the ATV hardware will be refreshed yearly. More than likely, we will see a 2 year product cycle as you mention. Its all about the software.
 
Mac... nificent said:
All apps have a initial 200 MB size limit. Once the app has been downloaded it can request 2 Gb of further data in the background (known as prefetched tags). The app can then request up to 20GB of data via the iCloud on-demand resources as determined by the app developer(s) and the type of device that is being used.
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I get that, I just meant it in as (forgive me I forget what game I was playing) but on each level I had to wait around 5 seconds for it to go fetch more data. I bought the 64gb, it would be nice to have the option to either save it all to the local storage or fetch data as needed
 
turbineseaplane said:
Actual anecdotes from those present at Apple demonstrations at launch that talked with Apple directly. Word is no on the remote App. BT keyboard we don't know but it's hard to believe the omission was anything but purposeful.
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Apple actually said they won't be releasing an app update? I can't see any reason why they would do that. I feel a lot is being assumed here.
 
redman042 said:
Apple actually said they won't be releasing an app update? I can't see any reason why they would do that. I feel a lot is being assumed here.
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Direct quote from Apple reps about remote App at the launch, yes.

Nothing being assumed - simply going off information right from Apple employees.
 
For the past couple of years, I've been regularly getting texted by my wife, who gets home from work before me, "Please fix Plex", meaning she couldn't watch a show because some popup or other had obscured the Plex window on our headless Mac Mini connected to our TV, requiring me to log in via screen sharing from work and click it away.

With the Plex app and the ATV4, those days are finally over, and for that alone, the ATV4 has been worth twice its price.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Direct quote from Apple reps about remote App at the launch, yes.

Nothing being assumed - simply going off information right from Apple employees.
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What did they say exactly? That the remote app will not work at launch? That of course is true. Doesn't mean they aren't going to release one eventually.
 
redman042 said:
What did they say exactly? That the remote app will not work at launch? That of course is true. Doesn't mean they aren't going to release one eventually.
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That it is not coming. It's not a matter of time.

Several tech podcasts covered this anecdote, including Grubers
 
The way I've always used my Apple TVs fall within the scope of features of the new one. So it's been a nice step up for me. There have been some annoying bugs though, but never in the middle of watching anything.
 
JoeShades said:
I talked to Apple Reps that had no idea there was a podcast app on previous Apple Tvs. I would take what they say as not meaning much
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See post above. Different deal with Apple corporate at the tech demo area post keynotes. Those guys absolutely are in the loop, unlike Apple Store, etc
 
Well, that's it then. I'm breaking this out again. At least IT has a keyboard, well sort of. Only us older members here will remember these I'm sure. All I need is a coax to HDMI connector. ;)

i-hCTvZgL.jpg
 
seadragon said:
Well, that's it then. I'm breaking this out again. At least IT has a keyboard, well sort of. Only us older members here will remember these I'm sure. All I need is a coax to HDMI connector. ;)

i-hCTvZgL.jpg
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Nice! The one we had was all channels (2 to 37) instead of the alphabets in the two last rows. :D
 
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parseckadet said:
I've been thinking about getting the ATV4. Currently I have the ATV3, but I want to get the PLEX app without having to hack things together, and some games as well. But after reading around I'm having some second thoughts. I know enough to heavily discount what people in this forum say (at least in the topic titles), where hyperbole knows no bounds. Seriously, is every little annoyance actually a DISASTER?

I've listened to lots of podcasts talking about the new AppleTV and every single one turned into more than an hour of griping about everything that's wrong with it. The reviewers on The Talk Show, Upgrade, iMore, and Happy Hour all had almost nothing good to say about it. On Upgrade they kept searching for something, anything, they could say that was good, and all they came up with was that the UI was pretty. I got the distinct impression that one of the commentators on that show would rather light his ATV on fire than continue using it.

What I find most distressing about all of this is that all these podcasts are biased in FAVOR of Apple. If these guys hate the product that much, it seems pretty reasonable to think that it's bad. But then you get articles from the main-stream tech press declaring it the best media streaming device available. It all leaves me confused, but leaning toward not wanting to touch the ATV with a ten foot pole.
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because thats what podcasters do - gripe - they aren't trained critics. Thats the problem I have with blogs as well - none of these people are professionally trained journalists. I have the Apple TV and LOVE it. The keyboard complaint - please - you enter your passwords once and your done. Can and will Apple improve it - yes - is it a GINORMOUS issue - no. Can and will HULU, Netflix... improve their apps - yes - are they great now - yes.
 
turbineseaplane said:
It's real simple - Do you want to purchase "potential"?

With Apple, it's very dangerous to assume "it will get patched or fixed or added on to". Bugs will get fixed, but "features" tend to come with new products.

They are far more likely to address larger issues with a new model, especially as tvOS and Apps will now benefit a ton from much more frequent hardware upgrade cycles, just like iOS devices.

So really, you have to buy it, try it and decide. Many love it and have kept it and many on here (and all over it seems) have returned it, especially at the cost for the device.

It has to really be a good fit for your usage patterns, preferred store/platform, etc for $150+. Mine did basically nothing for me beyond my ATV3 so I returned it.
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Hardware releases come out with new products, Software releases apply many generations back. My 2007 iMac is completely up to date with Apples latest release. So let's cut back on the superlatives and misinformation.
 
Returned my ATV 4, the fact remote app is gone and the inability to change via apple watch or other devices many family members have is enough for me to return in 14 day return time frame.
 
after initial setup, missing keyboard is not an issue for me. for remote app, I can't remember when was the last time I actually use it on my old ATV 3.

I love ATV 4 so far and am excited for its future.
 
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