Hands-On With the New Apple TV: A Closer Look at the Hardware and tvOS

[drewyboy]

Seriously, what the crap have they been up to for the last 3-4 years? I find it absolutely pathetic that they showcased the the 3D view for a movie poster. I feel sorry for that gal that got stuck with showing off that "feature" and please don't even pass it off as that "attention to detail" bs.

I know it will sell well because there are some here that think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I mean really what kind of update is this? There is nothing they couldn't have done 3-4 years ago. Definitely too little too late.

 

[Kobayagi]

Why o why isn't the search bar and password input in qwerty???

 

[DNichter]

Lot's of improvements to be made, for sure, but I am coming away impressed. I love the UI, it's very fast, siri search has been great, and jumping from video to games and other apps via voice have been great. Everything is fast and the remote is fun to use. I didn't think I would be sold when I got it, but I love it. Getting 1 for the bedroom as well.

 

[Hog Milanese]

I wish I could have first impressions, but my Apple TV is stuck at a UPS facility two states away—even though I paid for next day shipping on my first-day pre-order. Better yet, Apple's online customer support couldn't care less.

 

[DNichter]

I wish I could have first impressions, but my Apple TV is stuck at a UPS facility two states away—even though I paid for next day shipping on my first-day pre-order. Better yet, Apple's online customer support couldn't care less.

Same situation. Ended up doing an in store pickup today and will keep the other. Definitely disappointed with their service on this launch, especially the support staff.

 

[Glitterkidd777]

Siri aside, a dedicated Mac mini still seems like the better option. Is there a web browser for ATV4? Chrome app?

Love the use of motion and parallax.

Well, yes, but that would be more than double the cost and a full PC. Most people aren't interested in using a browser or office applications on their TV. They use their TV for watching movies and TV shows, sometimes YouTube or Music Videos, and playing games. I never understand when people say "Why get an Apple TV? A Mac Mini is so much better!"... well, it's a completely different price range and use case.

 

[Braderunner]

Half baked at best. Siri doesn't work with Apple Music, Remote app doesn't work with it, no shuffle or repeat for playlists....I'm really disappointed. On top of that, the purchasing experience was horrible. Preorder still hasn't shipped, ordered online for store pick up. Took 30 minutes to get out of the store because I had to wait for someone to bring one from the back when they were sitting right next to me on the shelf.

 

[Tech198]

it may be double the size of the older generation, but it beats the compact size of a capable set top box any-day...

USB-C for "servicing" but i would guess like the older gen, Apple would come out with compatible, in this case, USB-C to different adapters to connect to USB-C Mac's or USB port for restoring if u cannot restore via any other method shortly.

I guess my first question is will Apple TV 4 work with Harmony third party remotes, the same it does for Apple TV 3 ?

I may get one, if it does, because the same rule applies... its still another remote.. vs an "all in one" like the Harmony... although i'll loose access to siri, but that's not a biggie...

I'm more interested in the new device only for Apple music. and since Apple has no plans on this on older hardware, it kinda forces me to upgrade,, or settle with clumsy airplay.

I guess the fact now u can delete apps, eliminates the need for that long list current generations have just to "hide" stull u don't want to see.... Still a better solution..... I don't have time to look at a huge list of titles in a menu i must go through each one and hide one at a time for the stuff i cannot access.

downloading only what u want on the home screen is way easier. and universal search is tickling my taste-buds knowing that'll be updates to that...

(ok....i REALLY need chocolate now )

 

[Jsameds]

The lack of support for Bluetooth keyboards (or Apple's Remote app) is simply mind boggling! Did no one at Apple flick their way through a setup of their Netflix/Hulu/HBO accounts? Boxing mine back up for a return. I'll "try again" when Apple "tries again".

Unplugging, repacking, wrapping, organising a return, printing labels off, returning the item and waiting for a refund is easier than entering a few passwords once? Seriously?!

 

[John Mcgregor]

I swear to God if i have to hear this 'we will see you in the next one' one more time i will find where you live and then kittens will die.

 

[ursine1]

The new Apple TV officially became available for purchase today, with Apple selling the fourth-generation set-top box in retail stores around the world. We went hands-on with the Apple TV to give MacRumors readers who want to know more about the device a chance to get an overview of the hardware and the software.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Apple's latest Apple TV marks a significant departure from the previous-generation Apple TV, with a thicker external design, a touch-based motion-enabled remote control that doubles as a gaming controller, and a more powerful A8 processor.

On the software side, it's running a new operating system called tvOS, which includes universal search features for finding television shows and movies across a wide variety of platforms, Siri integration for voice-based search, and a full App Store that's open to third-party developers. We're going to take a closer look at the App Store and the Siri/Search features in videos coming later this evening.

Earlier today, we shared a tidbits post on the new Apple TV, and our forum members have also been posting their first impressions and thoughts on the device, a thread that's well worth reading for those still trying to decide whether to make a purchase.

Apple is selling the new Apple TV in retail stores and from the online Apple Store. It's priced at $149 for 32GB of storage and $199 for 64GB of storage.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New Apple TV: A Closer Look at the Hardware and tvOS

The box for the new Apple TV contains a Lightning-to-USB cable that cannot be used with the Apple TV, which requires a USB-C cable. The provided cable is for charging the Siri remote, but no charger was included. The website and instructions that come in the box fail to mention that a charger is necessary and what are its requirements.

I talked with the Apple Store manager and was rewarded with a charger.

 

[hick9]

Got mine today.. works well .....fast, Love the new remote. One very noticeable annoyance for me, The interface is way too bright for TV! I hope they add function for dark mode or different colors. They still need a cover mode for TV and Movies for iTunes library. Navigating movies and TV by just a list is terrible.

 

[trifid]

One aspect I can't still believe is the remote needing charging so often, I'm sure it'll get annoying whenever you want to use it and find out it's discharged in the middle of movie night, struggling to find lightning cable while your party awaits.

 

[John Mcgregor]

One aspect I can't still believe is the remote needing charging so often, I'm sure it'll get annoying whenever you want to use it and find out it's discharged in the middle of movie night, struggling to find lightning cable while your party awaits.

Well right now you have to keep stock of CR2032 batteries which not many do and in case of new remote you can just charge it, in case of old one you have to go shopping.

 

[reevescajr]

By the way, my other Apple TV 4 is still preparing for shipment.

I placed an order on the 26th, opted for free shipping (did not pay for express shipping), and received it yesterday, 10/30, the same day I would have gotten it if I had paid for shipping. I would have been really bummed if I had paid for shipping. The shipping tag said it came from the Apple Store in Mt. Juliet, TN, about a two hour drive from my home.

 

[Tech198]

I would bet epic games would be on tvOS if not already done.

 

[AtheistP3ace]

I was having the same issue, and a restart seems to have done the trick!

Indeed. It is working for me now too!!

 

[Jrsnfd]

Well, yes, but that would be more than double the cost and a full PC. Most people aren't interested in using a browser or office applications on their TV. They use their TV for watching movies and TV shows, sometimes YouTube or Music Videos, and playing games. I never understand when people say "Why get an Apple TV? A Mac Mini is so much better!"... well, it's a completely different price range and use case.

I run a Mac mini on my main TV plus Apple TV's at every TV. I have encoded all of my movies and TV shows into iTunes. so the Apple TV's access that through Home Sharing. The reason that I ended up getting a dedicated Mac Mini 2 years ago was because I cut cable. Now if I want to watch a TV show that I haven't purchased through iTunes I can go to that channels web page and watch the show there. I spend about 2 months worth of what would have been my cable bill to purchase the shows I want to watch. If you want to include the price of the Mac Mini then the cost savings alone in the first year covered that.

 

[smoledman]

Can someone confirm that the new Apple Remote requires using a USB port to charge?

 

[smoledman]

One aspect I can't still believe is the remote needing charging so often, I'm sure it'll get annoying whenever you want to use it and find out it's discharged in the middle of movie night, struggling to find lightning cable while your party awaits.

Holy crap man. The old Apple Remote had a battery that needing swapping only like once a year. What the hell is Apple thinking....

 

[righteye]

How are you supposed to connect to a DAC or amp why is Apple obsessed with reducing ports on all their devices.

 

[smoledman]

How are you supposed to connect to a DAC or amp why is Apple obsessed with reducing ports on all their devices.

It has an HDMI out, I assume you plug it into a A/V receiver if you have a 5.1 or 7.2 setup. That's what I do with my XBox One. That's as "edge" as Apple is willing to support. The 99% use case is people plug straight into a television.

 

[righteye]

It has an HDMI out, I assume you plug it into a A/V receiver if you have a 5.1 or 7.2 setup. That's what I do with my XBox One. That's as "edge" as Apple is willing to support. The 99% use case is people plug straight into a television.

On further reading it appears you can't connect to DAC and it recommends buying an Apple TV 3 for Audio and video, now thats progress.
As you Say smoledman you are OK to a A/V receiver and thats it. i will Pass on this one i had hoped to run Quobuz ( not sure yet if there is a Quobuz app for  TV) and then to a DAC.

http://www.mcelhearn.com/why-you-dont-want-the-new-apple-tv-if-you-just-want-to-stream-audio/

 

[ecschwarz]

it may be double the size of the older generation, but it beats the compact size of a capable set top box any-day...

USB-C for "servicing" but i would guess like the older gen, Apple would come out with compatible, in this case, USB-C to different adapters to connect to USB-C Mac's or USB port for restoring if u cannot restore via any other method shortly.

The older ones had micro-USB for this (and I actually used it a few times). I really wish they had kept that or Lightning, since both are more ubiquitous.

I guess my first question is will Apple TV 4 work with Harmony third party remotes, the same it does for Apple TV 3 ?

I may get one, if it does, because the same rule applies... its still another remote.. vs an "all in one" like the Harmony... although i'll loose access to siri, but that's not a biggie...

It works fine with my Harmony 650 that was set up for the old Apple TV with two exceptions - you'll need to add the Home button in your programming (seems it was already there) if you want to have that ability. There also seems to be no way to make the device sleep (the old commands the Harmony sent to my Apple TV 3 didn't work). This is the same functionality as if you used one of Apple's older IR remotes. Pressing and holding Menu or Play/Pause on the old Apple remote didn't have any effect on the new Apple TV in terms of a forced-sleep. The only way to do that, it seems, is to hold Home and the select "Sleep Now." Since the Apple TV uses so little power, I'm not going to worry about it.

 

[ecschwarz]

Can someone confirm that the new Apple Remote requires using a USB port to charge?

It comes with a Lightning-to-USB cable (just like the new Magic Keyboard/Trackpad 2/Mouse 2), so you could charge it in any location that you might have charged an iPhone or iPad. The other end of the included cable is regular USB, so you would need to find a place to plug it in to charge. I think Apple assumes that if you're getting an Apple TV, you have a free USB port somewhere that provides power (back of a TV, AV receiver, iPhone charger, Android device charger).