Why I'm not excited about the new Apple TV

I LOVE my Apple TV for the record, and use it daily-- I stream from my time capsule to my laptop to my Apple TV with only the rare hiccup. HOWEVER, I can't wait for my Apple TV to stop trying to sync at the most inopportune times. In fact, I would turn that capacity off right now if I could, and just stream everything. I NEVER buy anything on my Apple TV because it's too much of a pain in the a-- to navigate the store, anyway. It literally takes two seconds to buy media from your laptop/computer/ipad, so are we really missing anything??? I say absolutely not, and have already pre-ordered mine, with my old one retiring to my bedroom =).

I think your second dislike is really driving the whole article.

Hey if I'm not mistaken YOU CAN PURCHASE movie still. Just buy them on your desktop in iTunes. Then stream them to your new ATV. I am going to hang on to my previous generation ATV for as long as it holds out.

Is there going to be a rush to get the last PG ATVs in the clearance bin on Apple store site?

I don't know if anyone mentioned it, but you still have the ability to purchase content via iTunes on your computer and stream it to the new Apple TV. It's just that the option is buried in the "Computers" subheading and de-emphasized in the interface.

Why is everyone making a big deal about not being able to make purchases? You can buy a movie from itunes or your ios device, and just stream it to your apple tv. Problem solved.

I think you're missing the point entirely. They're changing the way the device functions because the previous iteration didn't catch on. People don't want another device that they have to worry about managing the content on, they want it to be the liaison between their desktop/notebook PC and their television. The function of an impromptu rental is fantastic, because you don't have to wait for it to download or you can watch something that you don't necessarily want to own.

While I understand the necessities of backing up your data, and how it is so important, I liken people who concern themselves over redownloading digital media or owning DVDs to a new generation of those people you see on "Hoarders." We don't need to stockpile every song, movie, photo that we have EVER taken. Eventually, iTunes will shift to a point where once you've purchased something, you can download it or stream it any number of times. The bandwidth and willpower just isn't quite there yet, which it why it doesn't exist.

The rental/streaming platform is the obvious future, and I'm glad that Apple TV is pushing for this. If some bigger studios can get on board with this model, it will drastically change my TV experience. I purchase cable for a few shows, and live sports. If Apple TV can run MLB.Tv, and the NFL and NCAA can figure out a way to stream their games, I would no longer have to be tied to any cable company.

PS - To the videophiles who cite the lack of 1080p as a legit reason for not purchasing the device: consider who the target audience and the nominal workflow is, also consider the extra bandwidth required to transfer 1080p vs 720p. The demand and infrastructure for this just isn't there yet. It's like not buying a car that can't drive 200mph, when the speed limit on all the roads around you is only 75. These things will come in time.

I have a somewhat related question that I have been curious about. If I can go onto YouTube, Netflix etc, on these media players through my TV, why then can I not go online and "surf the web" on my TV? Always wondered about that.
I seem to remember that AOL had something many years ago and that the keyboard response was SO SLOW that it was a pain.

Just curious.

It's not about providing the highest quality TV and movie experience. It's about revenue to Apple. That's why Steve won't allow Blu-ray drives in Apple computers. If you buy Blu-ray media he gets nothing. He wants a slice of all the money spent buying/renting TV shows and movies, and he only gets that if he provides the channel to sell you them. So that means streaming, and a generally variable, often poor, user experience. And I don't care if someone replies describing how wonderful their internet connection is, that doesn't fix everyone else's. Many excellent ISPs have monthly limits as part of the package and streaming kicks that in the teeth.

Don't get me wrong. I like most of what Apple does, and I've spent a lot on Apple goodies in the last few years. But this product is a waste of time in my view. Even at $99.

So.. it's an interface between your Mac and your TV... an expensive cable, no more. Especially if you don't have Netflix - i.e most of the world outside the US. That'll be why it's £99 here in the UK, and even if you extract the VAT, it's still heavily premium priced here. And China is about the same distance to us as it is to the US, so it's not about shipping costs.

Still, at least we get iPhones that work as we have operators that know how to run a 3G network.

Honestly, I have to agree with other posters on this one -- the absence of a DVD player isn't a deal breaker.

On the other hand, the fact that there really isn't any TV in AppleTV continues to be a problem I think. I've still got Tivo and like to record shows over the air, if AppleTV could do this in conjunction with managing my other digital content it would be useful.