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er, how do i access my existing iTunes purchase history on either of those devices? I'm happily part of the apple ecosystem, so if it doesnt do iTunes content its DOA for me.
For someone all-in with Apple, the ATV is a great choice. For someone with no ecosystem allegiance, the ATV doesn't offer anything compelling that would make it an obvious choice over a Fire TV/Stick, Chromecast, or Roku.
 
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It's really amusing how Apple tries to sell their "We believe the future of TV are apps!" as an Apple "worthy" stroke of genius revolution like the iPod/iPhone/iPad was. Yes, the future of TV are apps ... We already know this for years from other devices like Roku, Amazon Fire TV etc. and our smart TVs themselves.
 
"Cue described the new Apple TV as an 'add-on'...rather than a true cable-cutting experience"

My ATV 2 has definitely helped facilitate my own cable-cutting experience. I haven't subscribed to cable since 2009 and have been able to get all the content I need via TiVo and ATV. And hopefully my ATV 4 will be arriving in a day or so...
 
After using a chromecast and seeing the second iteration, I feel that Apple really missed the boat here in a huge way. They couldn't see a media device going beyond another box in your living room with another remote. Now Amazon and others are jumping on the bandwagon and Apple is just falling further behind.
 
I just read an article that Nintendo has a press event tomorrow (Friday) and has a major announcement. Given the timing, my guess is they are going to announce full support for the new AppleTV.

The timing for an announcement like this would be perfect and a huge win for Nintendo and Apple. Crossing my fingers this is true... I would love the Nintendo titles on the AppleTV.
Nintendo is producing some apps for smartphones, but they're not traditional Nintendo games. More like "add-ons" actually. They will never bring full Mario or Zelda games to non-Nintendo hardware, because that would be financial suicide for the company. It would be like Apple porting OS X and iOS to non-Apple hardware.
 
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What I take away from this is that 'apps' will be the key unique selling feature.

Yes, apps exist on Chromecast, but I think Apple hopes to replicate what they did with the iPhone.
That is to build a huge library of apps for Apple TV and become the platform to be on.

Most other set top boxes do everything and more, but it's all about the ecosystem.
 
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Apple really needs to answer the question - why no 4K support?

BR or 1080p HD still isn't main stream enough yet.. I think they need to perfect BR before confusing the consumer and moving onto 4k.

Not everyone owns a BR player and stores will be selling DVD, BR & 4K content..
 
I see several missed opportunities with the new Apple TV.

1) Where is the DVR functionality? Most people will keep their cable for now.
2) Where is Amazon support? I blame Amazon for this, but it's a bummer. "Universal Search" will be not-so-universal.
3) Why are the remotes so expensive? More than the superior controllers for PS4 and XBox One?
4) Why is the box itself up to 4X as expensive as competing devices? It's beyond "Apple Tax" and is verging on non-viable in the current marketplace, imo.
 
This was basically damage control. The new Apple TV isn't really ready for prime time it seems. No Apple Music support for Siri until next year, same antiquated method of signing in to tv everywhere providers. I may get it if I see software improvements but for now, my 3rd gen will do just fine

Those antiquated methods of singing into tv providers are a fact of life outside the control of apple. Until tv providers stop acting like the Blackberry's of the entertainment world, we are stuck with that method.
 
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I haven't really looked into it, but isn't the FireStick limited to Amazon Prime content?
Not limited to, but Amazon Prime is only available on Amazon streaming devices, as is iTunes on Apple TV.

Hulu, Netflix, HBO, etc are available on multiple platforms.
 
They are going to fight it, but they will eventually come kicking and screaming realising it's the way forward.

If i could cancel my subscription with SKY, but still watch the channels i do on ATV i would, but at the moment, 35 quid a month gets me my internet, line rental and basic tv package.
It will be a while before any content packages come to the UK. However you can get the basic Sky packages for £6.99 a month via now TV which has an app for the Apple TV and presumably the new Apple TV as well.
 
I always just figured he had had a few too many in the green room prior to his keynote performances.

Most of Apple's biggest failures in the past decade have been under the direction of Eddie Cue.
1) iTunes Match
2) Apple Music
3) This disappointing new Apple TV
4) Apple Pay, which has been slooowwwww to roll out and gain traction
 
While there are quite a bit of negativity about ATV from people here, I think this product will shine a bit down the road when native apps start populating the screen and great new ideas from it come to the forefront. Just like when the iPhone first came out, it took awhile for developers to start really expanding the reach of the device with amazing apps.
Just give a bit of time. Eventually ATV can be a must have device.

Hopefully at some point Apple can finally strike a deal when it comes to content distribution, so that might come once people start to really embrace ATV.
 
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The answer is pretty simple. Almost no one has a 4K television and they're not exactly lining up in droves to upgrade from the 1080p sets they just bought a couple years ago.

exactly. It is the TV companies pushing 4K on the consumer and is nowhere near the leap 1080p was from SD. 4K being mainstream probably will not happen b.c 8K will be available by time people are really ready to upgrade.
 
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Not if Comcast/ATT/any other cable provider have their way. ATT has a 150GB cap and Comcast 300GB, their going to use their position as internet gatekeeper monopolies to choke out the high use of streaming. The US gov certainly won't take any action against them for it.
 
Why can't they just put IOS on the ATV and be done with it.
Dedicated Apps, but with the added advantage of being able to run anything in the IOS App store.

BTW, don't tell me about Airplay. Of course that's how I get to watch whatever I want on my ATV2.
I just wish it was native.
 
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