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Google Working on Game Console to Compete with Future Apple Gaming Threat
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I don't think Apple will ever release a console to compete against PS4/Xbox. I think they will try to replicate the iPhone/iPad model of doing things. Simply, by opening up their next Apple TV box to developers and create some kind of new controller (or simply require an iPhone or iPad for advanced control beyond the included simple controller) - then lean back and see what happens.
That way, they will attract a huge number of smaller developers as well as some of the big, established game companies. It wont be PS4/Xbox. It will be indie heaven.
Just like the iPhone isn't Vita/3DS. It has defined its own category.
Once again, gaming on the Apple TV is something I'd absolutely love to see; Apple already has the app store infrastructure, all that would be required is a hardware update for the Apple TV (which it's really due already) though support for the current generation wouldn't hurt if apps can be loaded via a computer (to overcome the low capacity). A bigger capacity drive so the device can function on its own is the main hardware requirement, though of course a better GPU and a CPU bump wouldn't go amiss.
Things are pretty simple on the software side as well, as the main thing Apple needs to do is provide an API for a controller, and they could easily release a controller app that allows you to use any iOS device as an ad-hoc controller in a leu of a proper physical one (which could be left to third parties to produce). Game Centre covers things like multiplayer and achievements, so there really isn't much else that's needed.
It really is a fantastically small amount of work since the hardware is something that would presumably be upgraded anyway, and the software is mostly just an API away from being gaming ready, though there are other things I'd love to see (e.g - support for running a big version of an app on your Apple TV while running the same app as an interface on your iOS mobile device, with the ability to pick up save games and take them with you). Opening up the Apple TV would also have the side-benefit of eliminating the need for Apple to keep apps for Netflix, YouTube etc. up to date and the services can do that themselves (though I believe some may do-so already, which suggests some kind of dev kit already exists?).
The Apple TV would slot easily into the same kind of budget indie gaming space as the Ouya, except that Apple could potentially provide it with superior hardware to give it an edge. Porting apps also wouldn't be that hard as anything supporting the high-res iPad is already rendering at better than 1080p, so it's really just an issue of adapting controls to support controller style commands.
Controller awareness is something I'm dying to see anyway, as I'd love to have an adapter that can turn an iPhone/iPod Touch into a Vita style handheld, and if you could just sit down in front of an Apple TV to switch to playing on a big screen then it'd be great.
I dunno, analysts keep saying this, and Apple keeps staying silent, but it's an opportunity to add huge value to the Apple TV with a tiny amount of effort; I mean, you could hash out a controller API in about a day at which point you're most of the way there. Add Apple TV to the iTunes store, release a new model with the latest hardware and write up a simple controller app for portable iOS devices and you're done.
Things are pretty simple on the software side as well, as the main thing Apple needs to do is provide an API for a controller, and they could easily release a controller app that allows you to use any iOS device as an ad-hoc controller in a leu of a proper physical one (which could be left to third parties to produce). Game Centre covers things like multiplayer and achievements, so there really isn't much else that's needed.
It really is a fantastically small amount of work since the hardware is something that would presumably be upgraded anyway, and the software is mostly just an API away from being gaming ready, though there are other things I'd love to see (e.g - support for running a big version of an app on your Apple TV while running the same app as an interface on your iOS mobile device, with the ability to pick up save games and take them with you). Opening up the Apple TV would also have the side-benefit of eliminating the need for Apple to keep apps for Netflix, YouTube etc. up to date and the services can do that themselves (though I believe some may do-so already, which suggests some kind of dev kit already exists?).
The Apple TV would slot easily into the same kind of budget indie gaming space as the Ouya, except that Apple could potentially provide it with superior hardware to give it an edge. Porting apps also wouldn't be that hard as anything supporting the high-res iPad is already rendering at better than 1080p, so it's really just an issue of adapting controls to support controller style commands.
Controller awareness is something I'm dying to see anyway, as I'd love to have an adapter that can turn an iPhone/iPod Touch into a Vita style handheld, and if you could just sit down in front of an Apple TV to switch to playing on a big screen then it'd be great.
I dunno, analysts keep saying this, and Apple keeps staying silent, but it's an opportunity to add huge value to the Apple TV with a tiny amount of effort; I mean, you could hash out a controller API in about a day at which point you're most of the way there. Add Apple TV to the iTunes store, release a new model with the latest hardware and write up a simple controller app for portable iOS devices and you're done.
why?
did you think apple and google could join forces on either or both patforms?
and this combat apple. except fulfilling their fetish desires of making everything thinner they are isnt exactly at the forefront of creating new markets or devices. they have their copiers on full power.
its as jobs claimed. apple thinks they own certain markets and nobody else is allowed there and if they enter they are breaking some code
With both the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4 featuring third party SDK's for full app development, and the upcoming Google Nexus TV box also featuring full third party app support Apple should really get their act together and release a new Apple TV with 16, 32, 64GB internal storage and full third party app support.
I have no clue why they haven't done so already, they have the best ecosystem currently on the market with the appstore, they have all the love from about every major third party developer so they could easily toss out some SDK's towards their developers and thus making the Apple TV the _hands down_ best and most popular TV-addon there is.
Of course this would require some improved hardware, going from Apple A5 to A6 or A6X or something, as well as they would need to toss some NAND flash into the mix so people would be able to store their apps forcing the price to increase somewhat, but why haven't they done so in the past three years?
Might it have something to due with the rumoured Apple TV (like a actual television set) and they want all this goodness to be featured on their television set first and the arrive with a updated Apple TV one or two years later?
Now they are going to be so late to the game that much off the "revolutionary" fuzz will be all gone by the release. It will sell like hotcakes, and of course they will be able to offer the best ecosystem and see more love from developers than any other platform and most likely have the most streamlined userinterface of all offerings. But I can't help to feel that if Apple had released this one - two years ago things would have skyrocketed once more, but now it will just be a much anticipated and solid release, but nothing more.
I have no clue why they haven't done so already, they have the best ecosystem currently on the market with the appstore, they have all the love from about every major third party developer so they could easily toss out some SDK's towards their developers and thus making the Apple TV the _hands down_ best and most popular TV-addon there is.
Of course this would require some improved hardware, going from Apple A5 to A6 or A6X or something, as well as they would need to toss some NAND flash into the mix so people would be able to store their apps forcing the price to increase somewhat, but why haven't they done so in the past three years?
Might it have something to due with the rumoured Apple TV (like a actual television set) and they want all this goodness to be featured on their television set first and the arrive with a updated Apple TV one or two years later?
Now they are going to be so late to the game that much off the "revolutionary" fuzz will be all gone by the release. It will sell like hotcakes, and of course they will be able to offer the best ecosystem and see more love from developers than any other platform and most likely have the most streamlined userinterface of all offerings. But I can't help to feel that if Apple had released this one - two years ago things would have skyrocketed once more, but now it will just be a much anticipated and solid release, but nothing more.
Well all nice and such, but I rather see Apple filling their Apple Store with more movie titles instead on focussing on gaming. I'm a huge movie lover and i've got about 2500 dvd's and blu-rays in my collection, when friends ask why on earth i'm buying movies on dvd and on blu-ray the blu-way the answer is simple: 90% is not available on iTunes.
Now Netflix also arrives in Holland, same story but even worse, I can honestly state that 95% of the movies I want to see (no porn jokes please) are not even available on Netflix. I just saw the collection within iTunes from Apple in the category list, and boy that's disappointing.
The good news tough is that because of the poor collection both Apple and Netflix has to offer companies like Masters of Cinema (http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/bluray/) and Criterion Collection (http://www.criterion.com) can restore and bring out jewels on blu-ray still. For those who like popular movies by the masses iTunes and Netflix might be interesting.
Now Netflix also arrives in Holland, same story but even worse, I can honestly state that 95% of the movies I want to see (no porn jokes please) are not even available on Netflix. I just saw the collection within iTunes from Apple in the category list, and boy that's disappointing.
The good news tough is that because of the poor collection both Apple and Netflix has to offer companies like Masters of Cinema (http://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/bluray/) and Criterion Collection (http://www.criterion.com) can restore and bring out jewels on blu-ray still. For those who like popular movies by the masses iTunes and Netflix might be interesting.
I'd love to live in your world.
Google's whole business, or better, it's whole income, comes from advertising. Nice touch of you to combine Apple and Google in your response. Apple uses iAd which makes money for developers, but Apple's customers are people buying Macs, iPhones, iPads and so on. Google's customers are advertisers.
Well, if you try you can came here to reality from your FUD land.
Yes, and?
Wrong, Apple iAds customers are the same that Google ad services, advertisers
I think it's inevitable that they will, by default. iOS games have been growing more and more complex, it's incredible the quality of games that Gameloft give away for free. At first iOS console style games were rubbish, but things have been getting wild by the week. All Apple needs is a controller standard, and they will already have their console. Within a few years we'll have console quality games on Apple platforms (and when they merge iOS and OSX for OS11, you'll be able to play them on any Apple device).
Precisely .... as I said earlier .... WTF have Apple been doing for the last year? Whats seems to be obvious for people on these BB somehow seems to be missed by Apple management. The AppleTV has been an obvious cash cow for ages and yet its still just the same old dumb streaming box as it was 2 years ago. They wont even upon it up so that the likes of Plex can run on it ... never mind games.
Erh I thought you can actually put plex on the apple tv
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h61NAgFAWQg&feature=player_embedded
Is the PS4 coming out before christmas? I thought their taget was after Dec. 2013. If it is earlier cool!
it's funny how competitors are so afraid of Apple that they are putting so much effort in trying to create or copy a product in which they are not experts
TV, videos games, smart watch....
on the other hand, google has invested so much on advertising about its google glasses, while Apple doesn't give about a $*** about this kind of product
TV, videos games, smart watch....
on the other hand, google has invested so much on advertising about its google glasses, while Apple doesn't give about a $*** about this kind of product
The Apple TV could easily be updated to work like the onlive micro console does now.
Onlive was a platform with great teach and a lot of potential that had absolutely terrible management. A console that runs games the iPad can now with the ability to stream a service like onlive would be pretty cool.
Onlive was a platform with great teach and a lot of potential that had absolutely terrible management. A console that runs games the iPad can now with the ability to stream a service like onlive would be pretty cool.
That is the last thing Apple would want to do; they are looking to replace, not support, cable companies. Apple wants your cable TV dollars and needs to pry you loose to get them. they face two significant challenges:
1) The cable companies do not want to become just an ISP providing a dumb pipe. That is nowhere near as lucrative as cable and subject to disruption if someone else lays fiber or with some future wireless way to deliver lots of bandwidth cheaply. That's why they are instituting bandwidth caps, it makes providing video content much more difficult; i.e. expensive to the consumer.
2) The studios and networks get a lot of money from cable fees and don't want to endanger that revenue. While they have dipped their feet into providing access beyond cable, such as HBO Go, they've still tied that to a cable subscription and some cable companies have chosen not to offer the option.
Apple's ace in the hole is the ability to bring a huge, potentially world wide, audience to the table that is used to buying al la carte. They could offer monthly subscriptions as well as buy/rent as you go, potentially adding in people who want only 1 show and are unwilling to pay for a premium service subscription. Apple would also offer broadcasters an overseas market to reach people who want to see shows and sports for expats.
Local stations would need to offering app abased delivery as well; and some have already started. Their challenge is how to track viewers and keep them when they can watch TV shows via iTunes as well; maybe they can offer an on demand subscription that essentially replaces the DVR.
if Apple has figured out a way to pay ISPs for bandwidth, or to deliver their own, we may see one of the most significant shifts in the home entertainment business since the dawn of cable.
I agree with your entire premise on cable providers protecting their business model, but on point 1) actually cable companies have much better margin on being an ISP/dumb pipe than their cable packages. Search The Verge's interview with Vizio's CTO Matt McRae. But yes none-the-less they do want to offer subscribers the entire package and not simply bandwidth.
Right, I don't think Apple would release a game console per se. All they really need to do is cut down the Air Play latency (based on my experience with ATV2, not sure if ATV3 is better).
Apple already has a very solid, established gaming platform on iOS, and many of those games already make use of Air Play for "second screen" functionality.
I don't think they're waiting... My impression is with this low in all new products, that Apple is working to put a lot of pieces in place to make a very compelling product line that will include gaming.
Apple has thousands of engineers... they must be doing something beside iOS7 and updates to laptops.
I guess we'll see in the fall.Nope ... you either need to jailbreak it or there is a 'fudge' whereby you can get a python server app running on your computer to forward requests to the iOS player .... its not great.
We need a real Plex app like Roku, LG, Samsung et all.
The difference is that Apple has the iTunes eco-system already built in that has already been the selling feature for the Apple TV. You have a huge library of movies and TV shows that are available to stream or purchase in the store right now. You can also listen to your music and with the introduction of iOS 7 this fall you'll be able to stream iTunes Radio. Airplay lets you seamlessly connect with an iPad or iPhone for options that can be used today as well as some that Apple has in the works. Controllers can be designed either by Apple or third parties that use Airplay technology for dedicated game use. The game marketplace is already setup in the iTunes Appstore.
So the Apple TV's next generation with better hardware could take advantage of all the Apple entertainment eco-system that is in place and not only be used for gaming but a complete home entertainment system. There are rumors that Apple is in negotiations to provide live streaming of programming as well. This could further the drive to cut the cable which seems to be a growing trend as cable and satellite fees continue to grow. All the rumors about Apple coming out with a TV set I think are false. I think the real bet is on a new Apple TV device that will knock our socks off and put the gaming and traditional cable and satellite services on wake up call.
I almost forgot: Airplay also allows you to connect with Macs and PCs as well as iPads and Iphones
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The only time that is really true are TVs where that's by default only useable for the cable coax. Which is a dying move. Now it's more common for inputs 1-3/4 to be HDMI so yeah if I choose I can out my Apple TV on #1.
Are you saying that Apple is an expert in video games and smart watches? Haven't seen any products from Apple in these areas either.
Everyone- Apple, Google, MS and all the rest are trying to predict the next big thing. Not all bets will come off so they either pick and choose (and pray they have got it right) or use the shotgun approach and dip a finger in everything to be ready when the market is.
Everyone- Apple, Google, MS and all the rest are trying to predict the next big thing. Not all bets will come off so they either pick and choose (and pray they have got it right) or use the shotgun approach and dip a finger in everything to be ready when the market is.
it's funny how competitors are so afraid of Apple that they are putting so much effort in trying to create or copy a product in which they are not experts
TV, videos games, smart watch....
on the other hand, google has invested so much on advertising about its google glasses, while Apple doesn't give about a $*** about this kind of product