And then you jump into the Apple TV+ app and it all changes and it starts to look closer to the Chromecast UI but I agree that some prefer the
TV UI the way it currently is and others prefer the Google UI.
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TV UI the way it currently is and others prefer the Google UI.
I bought Apple TVs for my main viewing room and all guest rooms for the superior interface/UX, as well as better privacy. Nothing out there compares. Every other SmartTV/Roku/streaming platform is clunky and spyware-infested.
Homekit hub and integration, Airplay, 4K screensavers, Spatial Audio, Bluetooth game controller support, Airplay audio to HomePods and Macs, AirPods support, hundreds of tvOS apps, regular software updates, no ads...
I mainly use my 4K Apple TV for Infuse streaming server content through the house. I have close to 600 movies and numerous tv shows loaded thus far. It works well.
I agree with you on the lack of meaningful programming per Apple side thus far.
There is quite a bit out there now. A lot of the content on Apple TV+ is in 4K, the Showtime and Paramount+ channels in the TV app have newer movies and some TV shows in 4K, HBO Max streams their big ticket new releases in 4K (e.g. "The Batman" next Monday), Netflix and Amazon Prime have 4K content too. And of course you can rent or buy 4K movies on iTunes.
I don't know. The Apple TV is a bit more expensive, but it lasts for years and IMO also provides a better experience than the other boxes. Fluid UI, great remote (the new silver one), no ads, great apps like Infuse etc. It's the only one that allows you to watch the extras on iTunes movies (commentaries, alternate cuts, making ofs etc.), and is one of two Apple devices that can act as Homekit hub.
The HomeKit hub capabilities don’t get enough attention or respect. The box offers more than just streaming.
Those are nice features, but together not worth an extra $165 (vs. FireTV sticks 4k) or 4~5x premium to many people.
Of those listed, only Airplay and maybe no ads are worthy to some.
I use apple product almost exclusively. But I would rather pay $200 for an updated airport express router with HomeKit integration than Apple TV.
I'd like to see the vision that Steve Jobs had before he passed. But I think Apple misses the spot here. Apple TV is not worth it IMO.
I have to confess that I’m an Apple TV fan and have been using one since 2010. Having said this, I’ve had the original chromecast, the 2nd generation chrome cast and the Google chromecast with google TV. I’ve also got a fire TV stick and I’ve tried a roku stick in the past. So I’ve pretty much tried them all. Still think the Apple TV is the best over all. It’s more stable and has a better interface. I bought the google chromecast with google TV for an upstairs TV but still ended up getting a 4th gen Apple TV.
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Just the RAM to not have to reload apps if I'm switching around was worth it to me once we dropped cable and this became the primary box. But when we had cable, I would totally agree with you and I held off on an AppleTV until last year.
That said, hell yeah on an updated Airport Express. Using Eero 6 Pro currently, which is pretty solid, but would definitely love for Apple to get back into routers.
As has been discussed, there are pros and cons with these devices and at 75% less than the 4K Apple TV box, it allows me to achieve the same results. When I purchased my Pixel 6, I had thought about the Pixel 6 Pro instead but the improvements were marginal with an extra cost of $300. My Pixel 6 does pretty much what the 6 Pro does. That's my thinking going with Apple's 4K box. So for me the value just isn't there and I actually like Google's interface more than Apple's sterile look. I find the Google Chromecast UI more engaging and helpful vs tvOS.
I am curious; when you said Apple TV is the best, can you tell us more?
I use Roku, FireTV, and played with Apple TV a little.
From streaming perspective, I found them to be all the same. I want to know whether there is something that I missed.
To this day, I still can't figure out why there are two storage options for this device.
I would understand two different devices that are spread out more in capabilities (and with different storage to match)
Something like "Apple TV Arcade" and "Apple TV Stream" and a much larger gap in price/capability.
But the exact same offering but just offering some more storage --- just feels like a weird way to obtusely sneak away with a bit of extra upgrade revenue for a very nebulous and hard to understand benefit on the consumer side.
I would understand two different devices that are spread out more in capabilities (and with different storage to match)
Something like "Apple TV Arcade" and "Apple TV Stream" and a much larger gap in price/capability.
But the exact same offering but just offering some more storage --- just feels like a weird way to obtusely sneak away with a bit of extra upgrade revenue for a very nebulous and hard to understand benefit on the consumer side.
I would totally pay a premium for an Apple wireless router. Airport line was stable, easy to use, and solid.
Agree, makes no sense for majority of people who stream only.
They should make a Apple TV stick for ppl who don't care about gaming. Sell it relatively cheap with a remote that will beep in the Find My app. Make Siri works as well.
Then sell a version with storage for gaming for those who care.
Sterile look - you nailed it. I couldn't figure out what's wrong with the Apple Color Scheme. The best I could come up with is "muted"/"not vibrant"
I tried to convince myself to get the Apple TV for Christmas, I couldn't come up any reason to do so for the 75% premium. I think I will feel better for an expensive meal in a restaurant than it.
I think it’s more because I use a lot of other Apple products, the Apple TV works better with my other devices. For example I can airplay, all of my purchases are available on my Apple TV, I can use my HomePods as speakers for my Apple TV. I can control playback on my Apple TV using my Apple Watch or iPhone. I can do workouts and use my Apple Watch to track my workouts.
Obviously if I were an android user then the Apple TV wouldn’t be that useful to me and a chromecast or fire tv would be better.
On the fire TV, I’ve never liked the interface and the particular device I have is not stable.
From a hardware perspective I prefer the Apple TV remote because it isn’t made of plastic. It’s made from premium materials.
There are some methods to limit if not block ads on Android/Google TV. I have grown desensitized to most of those banner placements that I forget at times it’s even there as I hop from app to app or use another app to change the skin. Anything is possible the AppleTV is just a convenient excuse.
Wouldn’t a hub-less ecosystem for one’s home be better considering many people had an issue with the original Hue system of lighting products requiring a hub. With Thread or whatever new standard some out I next a hub is less important and redundant.
AppleTV is over glorified by the Apple faithfuls on this forum. I have had many AppleTV devices and compared to a Shield and some Android/GoogleTV built into new TV’s this thing is like a growth tethered to a TV or monitor. If one is into gaming nothing beats NVidia, XBOX or PlayStation even Nintendo covers a targeted segment of the market. Sometimes I wonder if someone is into TVOS style games one would be better off with a Nintendo Switch. AirPlay 2 is built into many TV’s along with Cast. GoogleTV has the app market covered, at this point this is an over engineered hobby that is still trying to figure outs it’s purpose/identity like a teenager. Unfortunate really.
Sony TV lineup does the built-in thing well, if one is going to purchase a cheap TV and figure it’s going to run well their are fooling themselves. It’s like buying a cheap car and believing it’s a 4x4 or race car.