Hands-On With the New Apple TV: An Overview of Siri and Search

[jimbobb24]

One nice improvement would be to allow authentication for passwords and purchase to use my TouchID. That seems obvious.

I like what I can do. But I think Apple increasingly relies on a model of buy it now suckers and we may make it nicer in obvious ways within our ecosystem later. I am the sucker but it seems so simple to do so much more.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I agree with much of what you say except Apple lets tons of other services that take their profit on their devices. Music, tv and movies that you could be buying in iTunes are available other ways on their devices without jail breaking.

The alternative then is Amazon consciously choosing to turn away upwards of millions of subscriptions from new TV owners. Why would they do that? It's not like they are not just about everywhere else (certainly far from exclusive with their own Fire hardware).

My own guess: Apple wouldn't cut them a comparable special deal like they apparently did with Netflix such that the price Amazon charges could give Apple it's cut ("right off the top") and leave enough for Amazon to make it worthwhile to Amazon. That's pure speculation- only Apple & Amazon really knows- but I'm practically certain that it's not some kind of vengeance/spite/bad behavior on Amazon's part (as readily implied by some in this and other threads). Corporate vengeance/spite/bad behavior does happen but is often trumped by corporate desire for more revenue & profits (see Apple vs. Samsung for example).

 

[macUser2007]

Can the new ATV remote control be used to turn on and off a receiver which is hidden away?

Can you change receiver inputs?

(I am pretty sure the answer is No to both, but maybe someone has figured a way

 

[Zoboomafoo]

Just picked up my Apple TV 64. Does anyone know how to check how much free space there is remaining. Also am wondering is there is a way to normalize volume levels like a sound check? The varying volume levels between movies, individual songs and apps is maddening. Thx in advance.

In case no one's responded, there is something that tones down loud volumes in there, if that's what you mean. i think there's a space measuring option in the setting somewhere too.

 

[RebornProphet]

All these posts are strange. Amazon has a well supported iPad and iPhone app. Who knows what kind of deal Apple required to get on the old Apple TV.

Amazon will have an app on the new Apple TV. It is strange that people think they won't. Amazon will have at least two apps on the Apple TV (Video and Music). I would not be surprised if they didn't throw in a third too.

Amazon have stopped selling Apple TV on their site, if you search for it you won't find it and if you Google, "Amazon Apple TV" any links that are shown are dead ends.

If you follow tech news you'll have seen that Amazon stopped selling Apple TV and Chromecast, their two main rival streaming platforms. You can read more on this from early October, here on the Verge.

Apple have publicly said that they welcome "one and all" to develop apps for the new Apple TV but with Amazon pushing their own Fire TV Stick and Fire TV box they are simply not supporting other platforms as they feel their streaming service can fuel sales of their own hardware. Fair enough, that's their decision.

However anyone blaming Apple for the lack of an Amazon streaming app is wrong, it's nothing to do with Apple. This is entirely Amazon's doing.

 

[AtheistP3ace]

The alternative then is Amazon consciously choosing to turn away upwards of millions of subscriptions from new TV owners. Why would they do that? It's not like they are not just about everywhere else (certainly far from exclusive with their own Fire hardware).

My own guess: Apple wouldn't cut them a comparable special deal like they apparently did with Netflix such that the price Amazon charges could give Apple it's cut ("right off the top") and leave enough for Amazon to make it worthwhile to Amazon. That's pure speculation- only Apple & Amazon really knows- but I'm practically certain that it's not some kind of vengeance/spite/bad behavior on Amazon's part (as readily implied by some in this and other threads). Corporate vengeance/spite/bad behavior does happen but is often trumped by corporate desire for more revenue & profits (see Apple vs. Samsung for example).

Sure I agree. Like you said I have no idea. Just tossing out thoughts. Who knows maybe Amazon prime app will show up. I mean there is one for iPhones and iPads right?

 

[MacAddict1978]

So I can't control the new Apple TV with my Apple Watch??? As someone who spins while watching tv,that's been a HUGE part of why I love my watch. Guess ill be returning my Apple TV

but.... but.... that will be selling points for next years model and the years after..... making you pay more for what should have been there day one.... its kind of apple's business model.

"New Apple TV 4..... control with iWatch 2nd gen (cause of course the 1st gen won't work with anything by then).... and now Siri can change the volume, tell a fart joke, and.... SPEAK."

 

[driphone]

I wonder if NFL games can be viewed on the new Apple TV without paid subscription?

 

[MacAddict1978]

The alternative then is Amazon consciously choosing to turn away upwards of millions of subscriptions from new TV owners. Why would they do that? It's not like they are not just about everywhere else (certainly far from exclusive with their own Fire hardware).

My own guess: Apple wouldn't cut them a comparable special deal like they apparently did with Netflix such that the price Amazon charges could give Apple it's cut ("right off the top") and leave enough for Amazon to make it worthwhile to Amazon. That's pure speculation- only Apple & Amazon really knows- but I'm practically certain that it's not some kind of vengeance/spite/bad behavior on Amazon's part (as readily implied by some in this and other threads). Corporate vengeance/spite/bad behavior does happen but is often trumped by corporate desire for more revenue & profits (see Apple vs. Samsung for example).

This is the reason....
Amazon Prime Video is not just streaming..... you can also purchase and rent movies (just like iTunes and the margin on that is only about 10%, so even a deal like Apple gave Netflix wouldn't help them at all.)

They did have an IOS/Android app that stripped out purchases/rentals but that wasn't the experience they wanted people to have.

If you are on a competing platform, you are going to rent/buy movies on that platform and not only stream the free content from Amazon.

It's funny to see all this excitement over these boxes.... because they are pushing the end of their life in usefulness. Even bargain basement TV's are starting to include Smart Features. I use my ATV on an old 42" I promoted to my bedroom TV when I bought a 60" for my living room. The new TV has all the streaming content built into it.... and so does the BluRay player, and the Xbox.... Airplay, Google Cast, etc. make a singular platform a little more feature rich, but everyone loses at some point with these proprietary formats. Even TV makers.... I have a Visio tv, but my Samsung tablet only mirrors to a Samsung TV.... my LG phone will mirror and stream through my LG bluray player but not my Visio.... or my ATV upstairs which won't work with my Android phone. It's all very consumer unfriendly.

This is also why you are seeing these boxes push gaming and voice search (also coming to TV's) to give a reason for people to still buy them. Google is going the smart route offering Android TV as the Smart TV hub. (And Sony is the reason why Prime Video isn't on Android TV boxes.... Sony has an exclusive on the Amazon Prime App for Android TV in their television sets.... how they managed this no one knows.... but because of this contract exclusive, Android TV isn't allowed to have an Amazon App. Amazon is banning the Android TV boxes because of this because Google struck the deal with Sony to get a larger launch partner.... which burned Amazon. There was even a way to side load the Amazon app to an Android TV player, but Sony stepped in and made Google block it's use due to their contract.)

I have Prime, and it's irritating not to watch it in my bedroom. But, my Xbox and my TV both have the Prime app in my living room. The availability of the app on the new ATV would def be a selling point though, but it's not going to stop me form subscribing to Prime. The free books pay for my subscription much less the other services.

 

[citysnaps]

Sure I agree. Like you said I have no idea. Just tossing out thoughts. Who knows maybe Amazon prime app will show up. I mean there is one for iPhones and iPads right?

There indeed are. But the iPhone and iPad are not TV set top boxes, competing with Amazon's.

 

[kentsydney]

I love my new Apple TV and Siri is impressive.

I like how Apple Music is fully integrated now and now it so easy to
Play music through my Hifi where's old Apple TV playing music took too long to navigate

But this is a big but why doesn't Siri search music as well? I've asked Siri play music but had reply I can't search music????? Come on Apple what???That would make it perfect as I think I'll be using mine mostly to play music through my main Hifi and do away with air play speaker boxes

Apple please make Siri search music too

 

[kentsydney]

No, your own iTunes library, music or movies, are not indexed by Siri. It's ridiculous

Or music in general is not included wither-unless I'm missing something but I've tried say play whoever and films featuring the artist will come up I then said play music whoever and had response I can't play music? Surely this isn't right ?? I must be doing something wrong

 

[kentsydney]

I second this. They have made controlling other devices so simple. I can even control my AirPlay speaker volume via the Apple TV remote while watching a show and AirPlaying the audio to that speaker.

How do you do this ?

 

[tkhan456]

Does anyone know if Siri will voice search my own iTunes library. I'm not talking bout stuff I've bought from Apple's Store but stuff I've loaded into my library on my own, like old converted videos, DVDs, etc

 

[RockSpider]

These forums are fascinating. In general they attract many people who love to be negative a find reasons to bash products and companies. They don't attract many users who are happy with their products and would rather spend time enjoying them than reading forums.

You made a decision that the atv 4 is a dud based upon posts made here. Yet you have no idea of how many are enjoying the atv 4, as I am, and who think it's a great product, albeit not perfect, as I do.

Its good to see you're happy but it looks like you're in the minority, I'm happy with the ATV3 seeing as how I only paid $100, judging by the comments I definitely wouldn't be happy with the much more expensive ATV4. When Apple gets their act together with a worthwhile machine I might upgrade from the ATV3.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I love the idea of the new Apple TV but just like my 3rd gen ATV I think the content is too expensive. It is tough to justify the idea of paying $20 to buy a digital copy of a movie or $6 for a rental when you can buy a physical copy for much less than from Amazon or rent a movie from RedBox for <$2.

Same in the UK.

iTunes is particularly bad value for films. Even the cheapest are £4.99, and most are £8-£12. On Amazon, many films can be bought second hand for just over £1. TV is usually the same, unless Apple does the odd offer. Music is another matter. For individual songs, iTunes is fine. But albums are often cheaper on Amazon, though it's closer in price generally than films or TV programmes. Books are generally much cheaper on Amazon, as you can buy second hand.

I feel that iTunes is overall much too expensive to be competitive in most areas.

 

[HenryDJP]

Its good to see you're happy but it looks like you're in the minority, I'm happy with the ATV3 seeing as how I only paid $100, judging by the comments I definitely wouldn't be happy with the much more expensive ATV4. When Apple gets their act together with a worthwhile machine I might upgrade from the ATV3.

Good thing MR is the book of tech law, according to you. If people here aren't happy with an Apple product then it must be crap. Tell the world to come to MR as everybody's opinion here are the only ones that matter, as if nobody else outside of MR uses Apple's products.

 

[benmully]

Very annoyingly no it doesn't search your local iTunes! I have a giant library and crappy broadband, so every time I ask Siri for the latest Big Bang Theory (which I downloaded over night) it jumps out to iTunes Cloud and tries to stream it! Infuriating! It should search your local library first!

 

[benmully]

So do we have final word on whether "iTunes" includes searching our own (local) movies & TV shows? For instance, if a movie (not purchased from iTunes) is sitting on our local Mac's hard drive, is properly meta-tagged and is indexed by iTunes so TV can "see" it, will universal search and/or Siri find it when someone searches for that movie? Or is "iTunes" only stuff we can buy or rent or have purchased?

Very annoyingly no it doesn't search your local iTunes! I have a giant library and crappy broadband, so every time I ask Siri for the latest Big Bang Theory (which I downloaded over night) it jumps out to iTunes Cloud and tries to stream it! Infuriating! It should search your local library first!

 

[Chris in DC]

Does it though? I know it is the same content so it appears that way, but the actual links take you to HBO Now app right?

No - at least for me (with the HBO Go app, not HBO Next, installed), the search results go to HBO Go. Works perfectly, when you click the HBO Go results button, the app opens to the HBO Go page for the item you searched.

 

[lk400]

"Show me the movie called 28 days later" or "go to the movie called 28 days later works fine. Open right up to it.

Searched for a movie (Benny & Joon was the only one I could think of) with and ampersand and it opened right up no problem.

Interesting to note, I tried both and it still doesn't work for me!

 

[kentsydney]

I'm now using my old Apple TV with optical connection as well as new one- I can select other AirPlay sources in settings and select Apple TV 1 as speaker - then the remote control volume.

Why no multi speakers still come on Apple bring Siri search to music and multi speakers - despite the name I suspect many people want a good way to play music

 

[emori]

Well, no surprises here.

Apple TV was always a way to stream you iTunes content to your TV, not a proper network media player. I would repeat the thing about the sheep fence - "curated experience" for some - but I think everyone gets it.

This hasn't changed. They want to push iTunes (Store) content, not your own.

 

[kungpaaao]

It's such a huge disappointment. First time I tried it and found it couldn't index my own iTunes library, I was kind of gutted. It's my main usage ... The only advantage to having the new appletv is to bypass netflix's appalling user interface

So it looks like Apple has become two companies. One fantastic with hardware and a software company that doesn't think.

 

[kungpaaao]

I think it was a mistake to put so much importance on Siri.

I'm confident that almost everyone will not use Siri for interacting with the Apple TV, because it's innately unnatural to speak to a box. You would have thought that Apple would have built an app for the Apple Watch that allows you to flick through TV stations. That's another big flaw with Cook's thinking about TV: apps are not the right medium for TV; channels are. It's much quicker pressing a button once to get to another station than it is to close an app, open another app and navigate to the station you want.

I don't think this is the future of TV that Steve Jobs worked out; it seems too slow and clunky. Surely, the ideal TV interface would be customised to show all your favourite content accessible with one tap, and that content would include all non-iTunes content, live TV and cable together with iTunes. There would be no logging in whatsoever, as the TV would sync log-in details via iCloud from your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac.

There seems to be a lot more clicking these days with the software.

When you pull up springboard on your iPhone, why can't you choose wireless network from there? You have to keep going to settings.