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It was never updated for networking with even iOS versions which meant we didn't use it - Would have loved to.

- we play Minecraft with our daughter, she hosts from her iPad, and we join from our devices, I had hoped my wife would be able to use the appleTV with game controller, but it as far as I can tell was never at the same version as iOS to be able to do network play between devices.
 
Apple TV’s update to 4K last fall was meh. It’s still not as good as the ROKU ULTRA and you can’t upgrade the memory in it. The reason I say that is I have never seen or heard of a content provider get into a dispute with them. Everyone will work with the “neutral” hardware maker.

With Google, Amazon and Apple offering streaming boxes/sticks I still find myself having no need to go away from ROKU. I just don’t want to start getting locked into ecosystems.

I’d slightly disagree with the notion of getting stuck in an ecosystem. One of the positives of ANY of those streaming box platforms is that you CAN move freely from one to the other & retain your streaming accounts / apps.

The only way you could be potentially “locked” in a system is if you purchase movies (and even then....you’re locked into that specific apps movie store.....If you buy a movie from the google play store on Roku.....your purchase will still be tied to google play. Regardless if you bought it on a Roku or android TV or a pixel phone.......Now, that being said with apps like Movies anywhere that are cross platform....even that issue isn’t a deal breaker....)

All of them have, for the most part, the same selection of mainstream streaming apps. If I switched from Apple TV to Roku today, I would still be able to get Netflix, DTVN, Hulu, etc.

It’s more about preference than actually be locked into a system, because technically you aren’t “locked in” ....I like Apple TV because I have Apple Music & iTunes, so I can get more out of it vs a Roku. But Ive used Roku too.....and sign in & out of the same apps & have access to the same content.
 
I'm a bit surprised at how many people complain about the Siri remote. It takes some while to get used to, but it's terrific once you do.

That said, it's certainly not a game controller.

I think Apple should bundle a game controller with the next Apple TV.
 
I have never played minecraft, it looks like apple hasn't helped with the discovery of the app, and microsoft hasn't kept it anywhere up to date. No surprise it was finally killed off.

If apple wants to compete in the game market (a big if at this point) with the other consoles, they need to do a few things.

1. Get some of the major cross platform games on the apple tv. Get your call of duty/metal gear/doom/rage/Wolfenstein type major games on the platform. The problem is that they will have to price them the same $60 as other platforms (if released anywhere close to the same timeframe.)

The only game I can remember occurring was the guitar hero for iOS (with plastic controller) and I think sales were poor for the iOS/atv version, and is now discontinued.

2. Update the MFI controller spec to be more compatible with cross platform games. MFI spec lacks clickable sticks, and rumble features. Not having the same number of buttons makes game conversions a pain in the rear if converting from xbox 360/1/ps3/ps4. Rumble type features would be a nice addition as well, while they are updating the spec.

3. Make a good MFI controller themselves (priced comparable to other consoles controllers), vs relying on third party hardware makers to take up the challenge.

4. Revamp game center into apple's Xbox live service, including easy to use voice chat during gaming, require all games to have iCloud saves to prevent data loss of save games.

5. Stop the "Bioshock" app situation from reoccurring (I was burned on that one) where a game is released for $20, but broke with an iOS update then never fixed by the developer (It was only a few months after release when the game broke.) I have no idea how to do prevent this however.
 
There are already many good gaming options, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, PC etc..
Apple appears to have conceded to those platforms, possiblely similar to how they got out or servers, routers, etc..

Not conceded , they were never a threat with the ATV, right from the kick off, dictating games needed to support one of the worst remotes .... for watching movies , let alone gaming , killed the platform .

And yet still , the good looking , but borrible user experience remote remains - there is the problem. And I use my ATV daily, great device , poor poor remote
 
Not conceded , they were never a threat with the ATV, right from the kick off, dictating games needed to support one of the worst remotes .... for watching movies , let alone gaming , killed the platform .

And yet still , the good looking , but borrible user experience remote remains - there is the problem. And I use my ATV daily, great device , poor poor remote


So tell me, how do you feel about the remote?
 
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