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Google Preparing 'Android TV' Set-Top Box with Native Apps, Simple Interface, Voice Search
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I think all the rumors out there suggest Apple is working on something. But if it's just a new UI with an App Store it will be a but disappointing. Unless the UI is something so amazing and different than what's out there now. The big issue though is content and I don't see any of these companies making a huge leap forward there.
I am assuming you are joking? Why would they support Amazon and their forked version of Android that doesn't work with Google Services? Like Apple and Amazon, Google is going to have a box that highlights their own services. This isn't going to piss off any of their partners. It is a logical step that all big media consumption companies must at least be a part of.
Wouldn't need live TV streaming if EyeTV was on the Apple TV menu for my iMac Computer. I had this with Front Row under pre-Lion OSXs - it can't be that difficult to implement.
(EyeTV is a USB tuner to watch free-to-air digital TV on a Mac)
A less satisfactory solution is for EyeTV to support Airplay so I could stream it directly from the iMac to the Apple TV. There are major audio sync problems if I use Airplay mirroring so it needs to be built into the EyeTV app running on the iMac.
I have tried using Airplay from an iPad that is getting streamed TV from the iMac but that also has audio sync problems and poor picture quality.
If only Apple and Elgato would talk to one another...
(EyeTV is a USB tuner to watch free-to-air digital TV on a Mac)
A less satisfactory solution is for EyeTV to support Airplay so I could stream it directly from the iMac to the Apple TV. There are major audio sync problems if I use Airplay mirroring so it needs to be built into the EyeTV app running on the iMac.
I have tried using Airplay from an iPad that is getting streamed TV from the iMac but that also has audio sync problems and poor picture quality.
If only Apple and Elgato would talk to one another...
I'm sure it's different in the US, but Roku has significant content limitations outside of the US.
In the UK, we don't get Amazon Instant video for example.
A Google set top box which had more 3rd party content than Apple TV (like Roku), and offered worldwide access to Google Play movies would interest me greatly.
Funny, I don't have a problem with AppleTV's interface at all (contrary to others comments). I have channels hidden that I don't want/use and it's all good. And I actually like the way it looks aesthetically too. All the other boxes are fugly.
And why do you doubt that or are ironic about it? Apple can put the best screen and world beating hardware on that small 4" form factor. The competition can't. Also the Android UI is the same used on 2.5" screens and 10" screens.
Apple will make software and apps especially for it. It will go berserk on hardware. more room for a better camera.
Yes, revolutionary.
Apple should definitely release a box that connects to your TV, that streams music from iTunes Match, and video from any iTunes purchases, maybe a few 3rd party services like Netflix. Something small, that easily fits onto an AV rack, maybe a super slim remote control.
An added bonus would be if it could stream video (or music) from a computer on the local network, and I know it’s crazy, but using an iOS device as a remote would be _awesome_.
An added bonus would be if it could stream video (or music) from a computer on the local network, and I know it’s crazy, but using an iOS device as a remote would be _awesome_.
I just love that all these companies spend so much resource on copying the same things that are already out there. You'd have to be an idiot to think it wouldn't be simply horrible if they spent the same resource on something new entirely. Can you imagine having actual choice in products, and I don't mean choice in brands, I mean choice in type of product, it would be horrible, utterly horrible! Thank goodness for sameness.
LOL.
I'll be interested to see how this box does. I bought an original Google TV and it worked OK. It's biggest downfall was the lag, but that was an issue for most electronics from the yesteryears. Still have it too, but it is setting in a closet at the moment.
I agree the only company we should have is Apple!!! There is no need for any other brand and if Apple don't make the device I DON CARE I probly didnt need it anyway.
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The UI on my little iPhone looks the same as the UI on my big iPad.
Except Android TV will cost under a $100 while XBox One costs $499 while being 1/10 the size.
I'm glad all these set top boxes are coming out before the next AppleTV update. That way Apple can see what's missing from everyone and make the AppleTV even better. 
I'm glad all these set top boxes are coming out before the next AppleTV update. That way Apple can see what's missing from everyone and make the AppleTV even better.
You really think Apple works that way? Apple has stuff in the design pipeline for years. They don't do anything in reaction to what's going on out there.
Microsoft are going to have to make a $99 non-gaming XBox.
If they don't, they're mental.
I just hope that the Apple TV will let me purchase Comcast content À la carte. I'm sick of my cable bill.
They are mental and I don't believe Satya Nadella cares about MS hardware. He's all about cloud & apps.
Comcast is already quite profitable and I doubt they would want to share those profits with Apple. Apple would have to sell 10s of millions of ATV over 2 years for Comcast to relent.
My mother and my dog are gearing up to release a new Android TV set-top media box that utilizes a simple card interface with native apps and games, voice search, and a proactive recommendation system.
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