Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"

On May 31, 12:28 pm, Brad <bradengelm...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On May 30, 9:41 pm, Super Spinner <Pepe.Smy...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/06/11/100...

" **The trouble with Apple TV**
Steve Jobs' latest is a dud - and that speaks volumes, says Fortune's
Brent Schlender.
..."

Hi folks. Look, I'm as much of an Apple fan as anybody - well, mostly
because of their computers, but I admire their innovation in other
areas - but Apple TV is a dud.

I agree but most of the problems can easily be fixed in software --and
most of the problems actually have been fixed by the hacker community.

Problems I see?

--hard drive too small (Apple just announced a 160GB hard drive
version)
--no streaming radio
--no DIVX support
--Can't buy content/subscribe to podcast directly from device
--inoperable USB port



Let me put it into context just a little. Some of you will know where
I'm going with this.

I started with a Tivo in 2001. I traded up to a ReplayTV in 2002. I
now use two ReplayTVs and the rest of my family uses Tivos.

Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. The DVR
is the centerpiece of today's modern television experience. You can
store all your shows on it, watch TV around your schedule through the
DVR, you can show your photos on it, you can share your photos and in
some cases, your TV shows.


So how do you expect Apple to produce a HD capable CableCard ready DVR
for less than $300? The SDTV Tivos are not exactly cutting edge
technology and Tivo is actually losing subscribers.


Apple TV doesn't have a DVD player in it. It didn't go the DVR route,
so why not stick in a $10 DVD player (OEM cost)? Okay, so it's not a
DVR and it can't play DVDs or even HD-DVDs.

Again you expect Apple to sell and AppleTV with HD-DVD support for
$300? If you want AppleTV functionality + a DVD player you can get a
Mac Mini.




Apple TV needs to communicate with an intermediary in order to show
content. For heaven's sake, why not just plug in a Mac Mini to the
TV? You'd save yourself a lot of hassle and get a lot more
functionality.

I agree completely -- that's why I have a Mac Mini. But I can't use
the Mac Mini when other people are watching TV without using a second
computer and VNC. The AppleTV was meant to be a cheap media extender.


This thing wouldn't sell for $75. It sure as heck isn't going to sell
for $300.

If I didn't already have a Mac Mini attached to my HDTV I would buy it
and encode videos and DVD's to MPEG or H.264. But it is a lot nicer
to be able to use DVD images with full menus and all of the extra
content.


And then there are just stupid things like putting in a 40 gig drive.
Hey Apple, what did that drive cost you, $8? For a $300 device that's
geared toward showing digital content, and considering the cost of
storage these days, the least you could do is drop a 100 gig drive in
it. Even a 250 gig drive in it. I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives
in bulk for $40 each.

A 250GB 2.5 inch drive laptop drive for $40? The MSRP of a 250GB hard
drive is $199. But Apple is offering a 160GB version for $399.


It was dead on arrival, we can call the time of death now since it's
been out for several months, and adding YouTube to it isn't going to
bring it back.

Write this one off and focus resources on other projects.

Nothing to see here...please move along.

And it would be really hard for Apple to update the software for the
missing functionality? People have already figured out ways to add
DIVX, streaming radio, Safari, etc.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"
    ... >>> Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. ... >> technology and Tivo is actually losing subscribers. ... I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"
    ... Steve Jobs' latest is a dud - and that speaks volumes, ... Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. ... I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"
    ... Steve Jobs' latest is a dud - and that speaks volumes, ... Look, I'm as much of an Apple fan as anybody - well, mostly ... Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. ... I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"
    ... Steve Jobs' latest is a dud - and that speaks volumes, ... Look, I'm as much of an Apple fan as anybody - well, mostly ... Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. ... I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)
  • Re: Fortune: Apple TV is a "dud"
    ... Steve Jobs' latest is a dud - and that speaks volumes, ... Look, I'm as much of an Apple fan as anybody - well, mostly ... Apple TV cannot do hardly anything that a basic DVR can do. ... I bet Apple can buy 250 gig drives ...
    (comp.sys.mac.advocacy)