Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
As long Apple takes their 30%... buy whatever you want! :)

Watching the US-American TV market from Europe feels like watching a toddler learn to walk.

Glassed Silver:ios

Really? You embarrass other Europeans.

There's no way to compare European TV to American TV. They have so much better TV series.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Aloft085 and CarlJ
but they can't go back to previous iOS since they didn't buy the iOS
And they can't switch to a TSMC chip, they can't get a phone that won't bend, they can't get the cheapest iMac with an SSD, they can't get more than 16GB in the cheapest iPhone, they can't get a 1080p screen in a 4.7" iPhone...

Just thought I'd help you pile on entirely unrelated complaints to the subject of the article. Feel free to add more if you come up with them!
 
To bad when he says this he only means American users. People from any other country (thats right America isn't the only country in the world), have no legitimate or easy way to access content, and even when we do it is outrageously expensive. Please could they just support other countries for once.
Apple was founded, has it's headquarters, and is run out of the USA. So yes, Apple is going to use it's home market to launch all new products and ideas.

If this bothers you so much, you have three choices:

1. Apply for citizenship and move to the USA
2. Start your own Apple-like rival company and base it out of Australia. This will allow you to play favorite to your home market while the rest of us complain about how unfair life is.
3. Stop complaining.

I love the USA so I suggest you go for #1 but it seems like you complain and whine a lot. We already have enough of that in the USA so you should probably just go for #3.
 
To Quote:
"Specifically, Cue said the new Apple TV could support whole cable packages from content providers such as Comcast, but he refused to elaborate much further, beyond alluding that Apple wants customers to be "able to buy whatever they want, however they want."

Another one of thousands of examples of Apples Love Of Hypocrisy. They say one thing and do another, its laughable how they lie. One minute they want us to believe this. The next minute they are dictating what limited models they will make. Long time iPhone customers loved the small iPhones. Yet Apple killed them off in favor of taking away choices.

Oops... it must have hit a nerve when they kept reading about how many people still want them, even though these same people were very vocal and told Apple not to stop building the small phones. Now the latest rumor being they are bringing the tiny iPhones back. Almost appears like stubbornness then indecision, then they send one of their celebrated stars out to pump up the volume. Apple... what a company :D
 
I suspect it's much less the laws of other countries than it is the distribution contracts that have been previously negotiated. In the US alone, it's exceedingly difficult to offer single channels, or small packages, because of existing deals between the content producers and the cable networks. Multiply that by dozens of countries and it's near impossible. It's not that Apple FORGOT that others might want this service, it's that clearing all those roadblocks takes time. Apple can make marvelous equipment and software - enabling technology - but they can't put a gun to the head of the content providers, and the cable companies have a huge DISincentive to renegotiate with the content providers to NOT have exclusive contracts for the content in a given area, because then you'll stop paying them (for anything but internet access), and give the money to Apple (and the content providers) instead.

Putting internet access aside for the moment, the cable companies are in the same position that record stores were in at the beginning of this century. They were the last point in the pipeline before the content got to the consumer's hands. Electronic distribution of music was clearly the way to go. The artists still made the music, and get/got paid, the record labels still, well, curated and managed it (it's arguable how necessary they are any more), and get/got paid (in a sense they're still around because of existing contracts rather than because of necessity), but the record stores no longer had a major role to play, and most of them are gone (which is somewhat sad, I liked many of them).

The cable companies play two roles: 1) providing a physical pipe from content makers (and their representatives, akin to the record labels) to your house, and 2) being the one who handed/sold you all the shiny things you wanted to watch (though they didn't actually make any of them themselves). They don't want to see that second half of their business go the way of record stores. That would leave them as the occasionally mentioned "dumb pipes", and they'd have to compete entirely on speed, reliability, and friendliness. They've got all sorts of existing contracts with the companies supplying the media, some of which give them exclusivity in various regions, and they really don't want to give those up. Again, this is a case where Apple can negotiate very well, but they can't actually put a gun to the cable company's head. THIS is why you get those prompts to "authenticate with your cable company in order to watch anything in XYZ Network's app".

For the US, if they can get the Discovery group of channels, and maybe the History group, and Comedy Central into their $40/mo-ish package (the Discovery group was mentioned early on), I'd totally drop cable. 200+ channels and there's only perhaps five I care about. Heck, if the Science Channel and Comedy Central put up subscription-based apps, I'd even jump for that.
 
Last edited:
$40 a month, plus $20 basic TV service from your service provider to authenticate Apple TV stations = not saving any money.




Apple executive Eddy Cue sat down with CNN senior correspondent Brian Stelter last week for a two-part interview about the new Apple TV, describing the fourth-generation device as an "add-on for most people," since content providers such as ABC, CNN and WatchESPN still require authenticating with a cable or satellite TV subscription.

Eddy Cue's interview with CNNMoney about the new Apple TV last week

CNNMoney has now shared a few additional comments Cue made about Apple's rumored streaming TV service. Specifically, Cue said the new Apple TV could support whole cable packages from content providers such as Comcast, but he refused to elaborate much further, beyond alluding that Apple wants customers to be "able to buy whatever they want, however they want."Apple's rumored streaming TV service is expected to deliver a lightweight package of about 25 channels for around $40 per month, anchored by popular networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, and could launch in 2016 following multiple delays in negotiations between Apple and content providers.

The new Apple TV launched last Friday and features an App Store, Siri, tvOS and more.

Article Link: Eddy Cue on Apple TV: Customers Should Be Able to 'Buy Whatever They Want, However They Want'
 
I agree. People should be able to buy what they want when they want...now can they give us an Amazon app?
The only think keep Amazon getting on Apple TV is Jeff Bezo's ego.

I suspect it's much less the laws of other countries than it is the distribution contracts that have been previously negotiated. In the US alone, it's exceedingly difficult to offer sngle channels, or small packages, because of existing deals between the content producers and the cable networks. Multiply that by dozens of countries and it's near impossible.
That and the way commercials are sold to advertisers is not per channel but per profile. One of the reasons why you see so many derivative channels of one brand, for example the half dozen discovery channels, is it increases ad revenue. This is the primary reason why cable TV is sold in packages -- they match the ad sales demographics. Going a la cart breaks these demographics.

What we have is not a technical problem but an issue with business model. Apple was a bull through the china shop that the Music industry is still spinning on. Now it is time to smack around the big five networks and cable cabals.
 
Last edited:
And they can't switch to a TSMC chip, they can't get a phone that won't bend, they can't get the cheapest iMac with an SSD, they can't get more than 16GB in the cheapest iPhone, they can't get a 1080p screen in a 4.7" iPhone...

Just thought I'd help you pile on entirely unrelated complaints to the subject of the article. Feel free to add more if you come up with them!

Hypocrisy. Its very relevant to this article.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mantan
To Quote:
"Specifically, Cue said the new Apple TV could support whole cable packages from content providers such as Comcast, but he refused to elaborate much further, beyond alluding that Apple wants customers to be "able to buy whatever they want, however they want."

Another one of thousands of examples of Apples Love Of Hypocrisy. They say one thing and do another, its laughable how they lie. One minute they want us to believe this. The next minute they are dictating what limited models they will make. Long time iPhone customers loved the small iPhones. Yet Apple killed them off in favor of taking away choices.

Oops... it must have hit a nerve when they kept reading about how many people still want them, even though these same people were very vocal and told Apple not to stop building the small phones. Now the latest rumor being they are bringing the tiny iPhones back. Almost appears like stubbornness then indecision, then they send one of their celebrated stars out to pump up the volume. Apple... what a company :D
Cue was talking specifically in the context of TV meaning Apple wants TV users to be able to subscribe to whatever streaming service or content they want rather than forcing them into some Apple branded subscription service.
 
What do people not get about this? There is a gosh-darn SDK. If a content provider (such as Amazon) wants to make an app for the AppleTV, they are more than welcome. Nothing is stopping them.

I would imagine that alot of the problem here is that Apple takes a cut of all in-app purchases. That probably is not motivating Amazon very much.

Precisely.

By focusing on how we buy stuff, Cue has inadvertently raised the vexed question of Apple's 30% fee on all purchases. It's not sustainable if Apple wish to get people like Amazon on board, let alone cable. I think Apple will need to reduce the fee to 5-10% for recurring subscriptions.

The Apple TV has been eddying and flowing over the years, but there is so much competition now, that Apple are relegated to queuing in line for content access. I don't think they have a compelling case now, sadly, as it's too late. I suspect if Jobs were alive, he would have knocked some heads together to make it work. We can only wonder what might have been.
 
Over the air channels can already support themselves with advertising. If I have an antenna, I can pick up basic channels in crisp HD for free.
Those channels should just offer apps for their channels for free as they do over the air and then explore the new abilities that an app can offer their advertisers. Ads can be demographically relevant for one. Secondly, they can be interactive. As an ad is playing, click a link to download the product's app or to buy that product with Apple Pay. This offers a lot more value to advertisers who will pay these channels more than they do on dumb advertising rotating on broadcasts over the air.
Clinging to the way things have been done for decades is only going to result in new innovative players coming in and eating the traditional broadcasters' lunch.
 
And they can't switch to a TSMC chip, they can't get a phone that won't bend, they can't get the cheapest iMac with an SSD, they can't get more than 16GB in the cheapest iPhone, they can't get a 1080p screen in a 4.7" iPhone...

Just thought I'd help you pile on entirely unrelated complaints to the subject of the article. Feel free to add more if you come up with them!
You left out the anti-gravity feature that floats my iPhone to the ground like a feather in case it is dropped. Been waiting on that for a while.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Benjamin Frost
You left out the anti-gravity feature that floats my iPhone to the ground like a feather in case it is dropped. Been waiting on that for a while.

Or a shatterproof display would be simpler and actually exists
 
Why would I pay $40 a month for basic channels?? I paid $50 for my HD antenna and get all those channels with no monthly bill. They need to step up their game if they want to break into the TV industry.

Good Luck
In my case as I prefer to watch on-demand any show, and currently many of those I can get with Hulu.
Only I will be willing to pay if I can select the channels I want and not limited to just a few ones like current cable providers do, otherwise it will be the same old thing.
 
Now if you could just work on that remote, or at least Apple TV 4, where it works with (a) Apple Wireless Keyboards (b) Remote App [jeez, your OWN remote app!] and (c ) well, just say that I am holding onto my Apple TV 3 as long as possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: McGiord
Hypocrisy. Its very relevant to this article.

Tell me a single company that consistently abides by every word they say. I'm not defending the pervasive hypocrisy and double-speak that infects corporations and governments, but I've long since come to expect it. Pointing out individual instances of hypocrisy with Apple alone would be tiresome, and I just don't see the point. But if you want to get specific, I don't think it's hypocritical to advocate for freedom in one aspect and not another. Just ask anybody who is anti-gun and pro-abortion, or vice-versa.

You left out the anti-gravity feature that floats my iPhone to the ground like a feather in case it is dropped. Been waiting on that for a while.

Doesn't matter; still 16GB. :D
 
Cue was talking specifically in the context of TV meaning Apple wants TV users to be able to subscribe to whatever streaming service or content they want rather than forcing them into some Apple branded subscription service.
Oh yes, I do realize in what context he was speaking.

Frankly it's been frustrating to watch Apple not only limit people's choices, but lose a tremendous amount of money in the process.

Here's a couple of examples. Not to prove I'm right, but to highlight the opportunities that they must have realized were there, yet still let them go.

1) After the launch of the original iPad, the 7" tablet size made by Samsung and others became very popular. Many of us that would have loved to have a 7" (+/-) iPad had to listen to Steve Jobs pontificate why he would "Never" built such a little iPad. This from the lips of the man that was seriously obsessed with clinging to the tiny iPhone, even as must larger Android smartphones were being sold, in high demand. Three full YEARS later, finally Apple responds. A lost opportunity with a loss of vast profits when we consider Apple's margins compared to the competition.

2) Once Apple caves in and creates the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, they discontinue the tiny iPhones that a huge sector of their customer base begged them not to discontinue. Had they only continued building them with no changes, they would have continued to sell in big numbers. With a nearly never ending supply of money, they operate like nervous minions clutching onto their pennies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5105973
That's a good question! I don't know why you, in particular, in your current location, with access to ALL the channels you personally want via an HD antenna that you own and which can pick up good signal for all the channels you want, would pay $40 a month for those very same channels. It's a total mystery for you and people exactly like you.

Ok, I don't understand what you are trying to say. If you are are located in the woods, chances are you won't have the internet connection to stream anything. In your next post, please don't use a run on sentence.

Thanks
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aloft085
Buy whatever I want?

32GB iPhone please thank you.
But you're getting 64 "for the price of 32"........ :rolleyes:

Glassed Silver:mac

Really? You embarrass other Europeans.

There's no way to compare European TV to American TV. They have so much better TV series.
I'm pretty much referring to their pricing models.

Also, we get most of their AAA shows anyways, many of those on free tv, so I'm good, thanks.

Glassed Silver:mac
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.