Given the recent news at CES about Apple teaming up with smart TV manufacturers to include Airplay 2 on new TV sets, many are wondering what this means for the future of the Apple TV...
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[POLL] Will Airplay on Smart TVs Kill the Apple TV?
- Thread starter JeffPerrin
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BTW, I voted "maybe"... it depends on what sort of innovations Apple can bring to the Apple TV hardware.
My thoughts, as stated elsewhere, are that a serious effort to compete with console gaming is needed for Apple TV to make inroads towards living rooms worldwide. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube are not enough, as these are already being included with smart TVs. Bring console-level hardware (GPU, bundled controller, etc.) and A-list game devs to the table and Apple could revolutionize console gaming.
My thoughts, as stated elsewhere, are that a serious effort to compete with console gaming is needed for Apple TV to make inroads towards living rooms worldwide. Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube are not enough, as these are already being included with smart TVs. Bring console-level hardware (GPU, bundled controller, etc.) and A-list game devs to the table and Apple could revolutionize console gaming.
I agree with the gaming aspect. dropped the ball there. I had to restore my tv once and I just never reinstalled the games. This was before tvOS home screens were stored on iCloud. I voted no and my reasons are in the thread I posted above.
Totally! ATV 4 and tvOS were launched at a point when mobile gaming's success had consumers (and devs) questioning the validity of console systems. Apple's weak ATV 4 launch and lackluster attempt at big-screen gaming gave Sony and MS time to recover and build their game platforms.
However, we are nearing another window of opportunity as current gen consoles begin to age out and manufacturers plan to gear up for next-gen consoles. I wonder if Apple will continue to leave that money on the table? (Along with the opportunity to plant deep roots in the living room.)
Apple TV is about tvOS. tvOS needs blockbuster apps. And on the big screen, that means games!
Hard to say why. Could be low usage (very likely). But they also require an Xbox live account for multiplayer gameplay. That suggests they are focusing on supporting and promoting their own Xbox hardware platform. But mostly it's probably because nobody is gaming on the Apple TV (comparative to console and PC).
You only have to read old threads on this site to see how useless the majority of Smart TVs are from slow buggy Android to Samsung's were apps are no longer supported or lack of security updates.
Add all of that along with under powered processors and it doesn't take a genius to realise that streaming a beautiful iTunes 4K HDR file is not going to be a flawless experience like the Apple TV 4K is with its powerful A10X chip.
Comparing an Apple TV 4K to a TV with apps is day and night! Don't forget the majority of TVs are cheaply made with cheap components with low margins - they are throw away after 4 to 5 years now sadly.
You only have to see the amount of people using the ATV to stream Netflix and others as opposed to their Smart TV platform. It's a very very naive and rather ignorant person to believe that anything with a Samsung name on it would match an Apple experience.
It's just like saying 'Oh WOW, iTunes is on my ugly plastic Windows tower thing. Apple is abandoning the Mac. That's the Mac finished.
Seriously, to even consider using a Smart TV for its app is a highly ignorant thing to do but then, TV viewing for many is hardly an aspiring, healthy or educational way to spend ones life is it?
The Apple TV is here to stay, just like iOS, Mac OS and more.
Add all of that along with under powered processors and it doesn't take a genius to realise that streaming a beautiful iTunes 4K HDR file is not going to be a flawless experience like the Apple TV 4K is with its powerful A10X chip.
Comparing an Apple TV 4K to a TV with apps is day and night! Don't forget the majority of TVs are cheaply made with cheap components with low margins - they are throw away after 4 to 5 years now sadly.
You only have to see the amount of people using the ATV to stream Netflix and others as opposed to their Smart TV platform. It's a very very naive and rather ignorant person to believe that anything with a Samsung name on it would match an Apple experience.
It's just like saying 'Oh WOW, iTunes is on my ugly plastic Windows tower thing. Apple is abandoning the Mac. That's the Mac finished.
Seriously, to even consider using a Smart TV for its app is a highly ignorant thing to do but then, TV viewing for many is hardly an aspiring, healthy or educational way to spend ones life is it?
The Apple TV is here to stay, just like iOS, Mac OS and more.
Apple TV can easily be replaced / upgraded. It has decent software support and does not have to do all the image processing, it only needs to provide the raw HDMI signal.
This is important, because the image processing needs to depend on the panel abilities.
So, I'd rather have a simple, low power, upgradable box.
I do not have to care about TV specific software upgrades and limited features.
This is important, because the image processing needs to depend on the panel abilities.
So, I'd rather have a simple, low power, upgradable box.
I do not have to care about TV specific software upgrades and limited features.
Most normal people don't update their TV's that often, probably once every 10 years now. It would be much more cost effective to buy an Apple TV to hook to their 70 inch Vizio from 2012 than to get a $2,500 tube.
Agreed. My LG OLED does not receive any regular OS updates or cutting edge media apps. Unlike others, I purchased my TV based on the ability of the TV to render a good picture. I didn't choose based upon what OS they have.
Another console in a crowded space with a tiny install base, is what Apple see. That and purchasing habits, people expect games for much cheapness or free on iOS. Apple would have a gargantuan task ahead of them to change that now.
Apple royally f’d Up, they could have released a proper controller for iPhones and iPads along with the Apple TV and would have had the largest potential install base of gamers than all others combined. But, noooo, they turned their nose up at gaming, which is proving more profitable than other mediums.
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I'm going with no — the beauty of the Apple TV is that it's a peripheral device. I don't want a smart TV, because in 5 years it's going to be garbage with an LCD attached. I don't plan to replace my TV in 5 years, but I certainly would consider replacing my Apple TV 4 if a new model came out that really blew me away.
Re: Consoles — I do have an Xbox One. But I never turn it on. It's easier and faster to use my Apple TV for streaming (or Roku in my bedroom, which is just as good IMO). Although I did have to fire the Xbox up to watch Bandersnatch the other day... worked fine after 900 updates.
Re: Consoles — I do have an Xbox One. But I never turn it on. It's easier and faster to use my Apple TV for streaming (or Roku in my bedroom, which is just as good IMO). Although I did have to fire the Xbox up to watch Bandersnatch the other day... worked fine after 900 updates.
Well, they'd be wrong. Console gaming is tens of billions of dollars market (and growing), with only two main players in the game right now (Sony and Microsoft). More importantly, leaving that money on the table is ignoring prime opportunity for cementing Apple services in the living room. And oh yes! In the very near future, console makers will expand services to include streaming games!
You forgot Nintendo too, they have been outselling the Xbox monthly for over a year.
Sony already stream games, depending on the game it’s either ok or a laggy mess, I reckon Microsoft will launch a streaming service followed up by their own handheld similar to the Switch.
Nintendo seem happy to carry on as normal with their platform.
It’s just crazy to think that a dedicated controller and focus on games 3 or 4 years ago and Apple would potentially have become the biggest gaming platform. I see a total lack of imagination and vision by the usual old men again running these companies.
With the growing number of "Smart TV" with Roku built in, AppleTV is losing ground.
I personally don't like the idea of SmartTV. Sure it is nice to have less equipment, but streaming boxes age faster than TV monitors. Further, ARC audio quality is generally lower than solutions where the box connects directly to an AVR or Atmos enabled bar with HDMI passthrough for the video.
I think it would be interesting if TV makers came out with a "Dock" solution for streaming players. Basically, a power + HDMI port (and maybe Ethernet) that the box could be dropped in to make the TV smart. No cables, no fuss. Best of all, you can choose your streaming player and upgrade without tossing the screen. The TV makers could charge for the dock which would be customized to accommodate the most current models of streaming players.
Traditionally, hardware margins are less than software, particularly at scale. Since Apple is pushing for a services approach to growth, they may be a bit less interested in the ATV hardware so offering a TV + ATV bundle through TV makers might give them more leverage to getting the hardware and services into more homes.
With HDMI 2.1 standard, Atmos support may be possible over ARC connections making TV to Atmos Audio gear (AVR or SoundBar) potentially equal to direct AVR connections possible. So a docked, or built in media streamer solution in an Atmos enabled TV monitor could make high end AV solutions simpler to setup and use.
I personally don't like the idea of SmartTV. Sure it is nice to have less equipment, but streaming boxes age faster than TV monitors. Further, ARC audio quality is generally lower than solutions where the box connects directly to an AVR or Atmos enabled bar with HDMI passthrough for the video.
I think it would be interesting if TV makers came out with a "Dock" solution for streaming players. Basically, a power + HDMI port (and maybe Ethernet) that the box could be dropped in to make the TV smart. No cables, no fuss. Best of all, you can choose your streaming player and upgrade without tossing the screen. The TV makers could charge for the dock which would be customized to accommodate the most current models of streaming players.
Traditionally, hardware margins are less than software, particularly at scale. Since Apple is pushing for a services approach to growth, they may be a bit less interested in the ATV hardware so offering a TV + ATV bundle through TV makers might give them more leverage to getting the hardware and services into more homes.
With HDMI 2.1 standard, Atmos support may be possible over ARC connections making TV to Atmos Audio gear (AVR or SoundBar) potentially equal to direct AVR connections possible. So a docked, or built in media streamer solution in an Atmos enabled TV monitor could make high end AV solutions simpler to setup and use.
I have got a PS4 Pro for the games. I mostly bought the ATV 4K for Infuse, Prime Video (either lagging in any other 4K platform I used or limited to 1080p - or both, as in my new Fire TV stick..) and even for Netflix, since one day even Netflix started to lag on my Bravia with Android TV. Plus to remove the limitation of HDMI ARC, enjoying HiRes Audio with Infuse. So I voted "No".
I use my apple tv on a daily basis for everything but air play. My TV has cast which is much more reliable.
As I mentioned in other threads, the Apple TV isn't going anywhere.
I just purchased our first Smart TV on Black Friday. Before that, I used a Samsung plasma TV which has since been put in our guest bedroom since it still works perfectly fine (it's 6-7 years old). For me, I'm not a huge Smart TV person because we have three Apple TV boxes in the house that any new TV that is purchased will be hooked up to.
I'm sure it helps that we're cord cutters. I would imagine we wouldn't use the Apple TV boxes as much if we had traditional cable.
I just purchased our first Smart TV on Black Friday. Before that, I used a Samsung plasma TV which has since been put in our guest bedroom since it still works perfectly fine (it's 6-7 years old). For me, I'm not a huge Smart TV person because we have three Apple TV boxes in the house that any new TV that is purchased will be hooked up to.
I'm sure it helps that we're cord cutters. I would imagine we wouldn't use the Apple TV boxes as much if we had traditional cable.
I love the Apple TV. Here's my worry: Apple got out of the wi-fi (Airport) biz because cable companies now include wi-fi with their modems. It stands to reason that Apple could similarly discontinue the Apple TV once all TVs on the market include "free" Airplay support.
Lackluster isnt the right word. They actively handicapped it, and hamstrung gaming.
If that really is their reason, it's a terrible reason.
My gateway does have wifi built in, but if you connect more than a handful of devices to it (say, 8-10), it requires reboots multiple times a day. I had the same problem with the "updated" replacement they gave me.
I connected an old (10+ years) Airport Extreme to the gateway to use as my wifi router and never looked back. Runs like a champ.
