Filed under: Macworld, Apple TV
Apple TV Take 2
The Apple TV has hardly been the most successful Apple product. In fact, you could say it has been kind of a flop. Even Steve Jobs admitted in his keynote address that the Apple TV has failed to meet expectations and truly link online content with the television. So what is Apple's plan to try to change that? Welcome to Apple TV Redux!While the Apple TV's form factor remains the same, the software interface has changed significantly. The most notable feature is the ability to buy music, movies and iTunes rentals directly from the device, no computer required. Frankly, this is something I think should have been included from the very beginning. The Apple TV will be able to playback HD and standard definition movies and support Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
Additionally, Apple TV will now support interactive slideshows via Flickr and .Mac accounts.
There's one more change - one I also think is a big improvement to the overall product - the price has dropped. The 40 GB entry model is now just $229 USD (down from $299) and the 160 GB model is $329. Now that users actually have the ability to buy content directly from the device, and that HD content will be readily available, it has suddenly become much more attractive.
Current Apple TV owners can get the additional benefits via a software update
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Andy said 4:28AM on 1-29-2008
I'm in the UK and have long found the Apple TV indispensable for streaming audio and video content to the living room - it's the video streaming, though, that makes it different from the considerably cheaper Airport Express. That said, if you choose to stream it works well and means whether you've got the 40Gb or 160Gb version, you're not limited by the size of the drive as to how much content you can get across to your TV. And streaming means if you want to buy or rent now, with the new features, you'll actually have plenty of room on the unit to do that.
It's not that much of a pain to convert any existing content to Apple's own proprietary video format, especially as there are plenty of great, cheap third-party apps to automate the process with minimal technical know-how required.
My only gripe is that all the stuff being offered to US consumers with Take 2 won't be available in the UK, at least not for a long time. So the fact that the new interface is geared around rentals and downloads seems a bit stupid outside the US, where only music buying is going to be the significant pull for the time being.
But honestly, I think Apple TV is far too often maligned by people who haven't bothered trying one out, and by those who then take others' negative views and make them their own like sheep. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the Apple TV. I think it's great, and have far less problems with the device than I do with the PS3 or XBox 360, both far more critically acclaimed and selling far more.
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edwardkimuk said 3:06PM on 1-15-2008
yeah but the price hasnt gone down in the uk still £199
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mvan said 5:02PM on 1-15-2008
UK might get moving pictures from the tunes store in a couple of years! Its taken a long time to get a few US TV imports, until then ATV is just an expensive ipod extender...
required said 3:02PM on 1-15-2008
I'm vaguely interested but wonder if 160 GB is enough space. Is it timecapsule compatable? They both share the same footprint.
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DistortedLoop said 3:10PM on 1-15-2008
Seriously, as the not-so-satisfied owner of an AppleTV (purchased the first day of sale), I wouldn't recommend this device to any one, even with the new features they're said to be offering.
It's almost twice the cost, but buying a Mac Mini and hooking it up to the Tv will give you all the features of this AppleTV, plus all the features it doesn't give you for playing video (like QT, VLC applications and the ability to play far more file formats than AppleTV does).
The enabling of 5.1 sound finally is a nice touch, at least.
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loshombres said 3:11PM on 1-15-2008
While I love my iPhone, I can't really see myself putting down $249 for the Apple TV while the Xbox 360, for $299, does even more. Download movies? Yes! Stream movies from my PC? Yes! Play Ghost Recon II? Yes! Play regular DVDs? Yes! Browse photos from my camera or PC? Yes! Listen to music from my PC? Yes! Maybe the Apple TV is quieter (big 360 complaint) and sexier (opinion), but I believe Apple is a day late to this party.
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ballpein said 8:40PM on 1-15-2008
I agree with most of this. But Microsoft XBox has only a smattering of video content, no option to BUY tv shows, and a very limited (and expensive to upgrade) hard drive. And the annoyingly clumsy XBox Live interface.
The ATV will become really enticing in a week or two when it's hacked to allow VLC playback... I think it will look great right on top of my Xbox.
Captain Obvious said 11:10AM on 1-16-2008
@ballpein
The XBLM has the option to buy TV shows. And you've obviously never used the interface if you find it clumsy.
Michael Rose said 3:09PM on 1-15-2008
sold. I'm getting one, preferably refurb but this is a no-brainer now.
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Galley said 4:57PM on 1-15-2008
Refurb prices have dropped to $179, and $279 for the 160 gigger.
Kelemor said 3:12PM on 1-15-2008
didnt the say the update would be in 2 weeks not today.
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MattH said 4:07PM on 1-15-2008
still no update here .... I keep trying. I bet it's in 2 weeks
OpticalSerenity said 3:13PM on 1-15-2008
I thought they said the software update was going to be available in two weeks? You say today? I Hope today.
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idealsam said 5:07PM on 1-15-2008
It's still £199 in the UK! Almost $399...
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matt Carey said 5:27PM on 1-15-2008
I cannot believe the UK price is still the same. Actually this is apple. Of course I can...
ibnabouna said 3:16PM on 1-15-2008
Hello,
I have an XBox 360 and an Apple TV, and honestly, the comparison isn't even close. Microsoft did have an early advantage with its integration and compatibility with Windows Media Center, but now that the iTunes ecosystem is more complete, I feel Apple TV is much better solution for movies in my home. Between our two Macs, our two iPhones, and an Apple TV that now supports HD and surround sound, I would much rather purchase and rent movies through iTunes. The announcement was especially pleasant for us knowing that these features would be given to early adopters of Apple TV. I was fortunate enough to pick up a 160 GB version from Costco last month for less than Apple's new price.
Moving to another point, this article states the Apple TV software update is available now, but I am not sure that is accurate. My Apple TV does not report anything new, even when I do a manual update. Also, I thought Steve Jobs said the update would come in two weeks' time...
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iMachias said 3:39PM on 1-15-2008
All the Apple products in my house are updating instead of the AppleTV. I think that update doesn't come for another two weeks.
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Graham said 3:27PM on 1-15-2008
A small note, but if you look at the new quicktime video explaining the rentals, you'll see what appears to be another "Beatles" tease.
When the video shows a quick glance at the music menu, the very last album cover, which never comes to the front, is "Magical Mystery Tour." I know, it is silly, but it struck me when I saw it.
Anyway, as a happy Apple TV owner who has been using the Netflix/Handbrake system, I am happy with the rental option finally arriving. I think I'll retain Netflix for the foreseeable future but it will be nice to be able to DL HD content without planning ahead.
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Brian Baute said 3:39PM on 1-15-2008
Count me among those with no real interest in AppleTV until it can be used as a DVR as well. Why have to buy or rent all the content for it instead of also recording the content I'm already paying for via cable/satellite?
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Grog said 4:04PM on 1-15-2008
Exactly. Until it also records television signals, it's relatively useless. For anyone who goes through a lot of movies/TV DVDs, Netflix is still the better deal: wider selection, lower price per rental (for more than a couple rentals/month). Why would I buy or rent movies from iTunes when this is available to me?
On the other hand, if this also recorded TV shows for me (specifically OTA digital content), I would be very interested. But since this is more of a DVD player-replacement right now, not so much.