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December 14, 2007

apple_tv

AppleTV: Second worst gadget of 2007?

Posted Dec. 14, ’07, 8:49 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Apple TV

Apple TVSo say Popular Mechanics. In their round-up of the top 10 worst gadgets of 2007, they not only gave the propers to the Microsoft Zune (ranking in at number eight), but the Apple TV made it all the way to the number two slot (number one, to sate your burning curiosity, was the well-deserved Palm Foleo). And what do they have to say for themselves?

There is nothing wrong with Apple TV. Unfortunately, there’s nothing overwhelmingly right about it, either. This is the rare black mark in an otherwise spotless multi-year streak from Cupertino—a product that was not only completely overshadowed by the company’s own iPhone, but by the larger industry of video-download devices and services.
I think that gets to the crux of the matter: one of the reasons so many see the Apple TV as a disappointment is that we expect—and hope—that everything Apple delivers will be world-changing. And while the Mac, the iPod, and the iPhone have all, in their day, had that kind of major impact, the Apple TV has fallen somewhat flat. However, as I remarked just the other day when I wrote about Apple TV sales, I think you have to look to the future with this device—it’s an investment, for the moment when digital media finally does hit full-scale saturation. The past year has seen a lot of movement in this realm, but 2008 will, if anything, likely only continue that trend.

For now, though, as Popular Mechanics says, the real thorn in the Apple TV’s side is competition:

DVRs and Video On Demand have fought their way into American living rooms. The only way Apple could have trumped them was to offer a huge selection of movies and monthly, all-you-can-eat plans. They did neither, becoming an online version of your nearest FYE, with decent (but not surprising) prices, and a spotty selection of new releases and mysterious B movies.
Ouch. If you’re a glutton for punishment, read the whole blurb, which actually has the temerity the bring up Wild Hogs (shiver). But this points out something important: the weakness is not necessarily the Apple TV itself, but the content plans available for it.

I too would like to see a rental plan that would let me efficiently (and cheaply) allow me to partake of the video content that is so near and dear to my heart. But until it can trump Netflix—and its 70,000+ titles—the day that I buy an Apple TV is still a little ways off.


15 Comments

krye said:

I think that's why Apple refers to it as a "hobby" so when it fails they can say, "well, it wasn't a real product anyeway, it was, you know, a hobby."

December 14, 2007 10:23 AM
Grant said:

"I think you have to look to the future with this device—it’s an investment, for the moment when digital media finally does hit full-scale saturation."

Why would anyone want to "invest" in this device when there is not even a glimmer of hope that digital media will gain any significant ground soon, much less hit the saturation point? Far better to wait another year or two and invest in a device that is cheaper and more powerful, and that has a compelling reason to buy.

Apple dropped the ball with AppleTV. Had they made movies available to rent (not to buy, since buying movies through iTunes is not cost effective), or even made HD versions of movies available, they would have had a lot more success with this device. As it stands now, it's basically just a box attached to the TV with no compelling content that can't be had easier, cheaper, faster, or in better quality from other sources.

When Apple offers a digital NetFlix type of service, I'll be the first in line to buy an AppleTV. Until then, there's no good reason to own one as far as I can see.

December 14, 2007 10:42 AM
Moe Author Profile Page said:

I agree that the content is the key issue here. Obviously Jobs is not doing for video what he did for music. It has been more of a challenge for him (and the consumer for that matter) that will prevent Apple TV to be what it can be. Also, competitors are running side to side with Apple on video content. They don't want to be left behind like they did with music, so they see the urgency in providing an alternative solution to the consumer.

Personally speaking, no service has yet caught my attention. I don't want to buy my TV shows or even most movies. Give me rent privileges and we are golden.

Poor little Apple TV, he's like the adopted child. We know he exists but he doesn't even get the attention that the other children are getting from the mother brain.

December 14, 2007 11:59 AM
QC said:

The AppleTV is really a nice, sweet device. After it's hacked.

Then you can watch all your .avi's and other videos on your nice 42" plasma... Oh, I mean MY 42" plasma. I love it!


December 14, 2007 7:37 PM
lipbalm said:

I totally disagree. The Apple TV is probably my favorite purchase of 2007. I was a little worried about whether 40GB would hold any decent amount of content, so I didn't buy one right away. But when they launched the 160GB model, I snatched one up immediately. It's a convenient and attractive way to deal with my music, podcasts, and photos. but what I really use it for is a jukebox for ripped DVDs. An Apple TV coupled with a Netflix subscription (and HandBrake) is really a wonderful thing.

My only complaint is the remote; it's way too easy to lose. And, I haven't found much in the way of reasonably-priced universal remotes that also work with my TV, DVD player, and TiVo.

Also, the hacking community that has formed around the Apple TV is doing some really exciting things.

December 14, 2007 7:49 PM
Lex said:

I totally disagree as well. For what the AppleTV is, it is fine product. Just because sales and popularity are not what they should be still doesn't take away from the idea that it is a good product. I certainly wouldn't put it up there with the best products that Apple has made. But, neither would I put on the list of the top ten worst products of 2007... up their with a Zune. To me, top ten worst products are not just about sales, but about use and functionality. To me, an AppleTV is useful and functional. Just because people aren't buying it in droves, doesn't really mean it's not functional and useful.

I think that the problem with the area of the market is that TV is just so ubiquitous that it is probably the last thing people think about, before an iPhone, a new computer, etc. People have TV's, and DVD players, often accompanied with on-demand Cable or Satellite accounts. Even Tivo has issues cracking into this area. Sure, Tivo's popular, but no where near what it could've been.

December 15, 2007 6:26 PM
DJstix said:

I am a huge Mac fan - own 5 macs and an iphone - also a home theater enthusiast. But i would never buy AppleTV.

To me it is irrelevant. To watch iTunes downloaded shows you need to copy to AppleTV - so why not just get a Mac mini and avoid the extra step?

As for content - iTunes does not have the range or quality to justify purchasing a device that is hardwired to that store.

My biggest issue is content and quality. I hate to admit Microsoft has done better but the Xbox360 allows me to download rental movies at 720p for $3 and change. My TivoHD has Amazon Unbox altho the quality is crap the range is extensive.

It seems the sole purpose of AppleTV is to watch iTunes videos away from your Mac. Well i rarely buy iTunes videos because there are so few and 480i looks like s**t on my 55" Plasma.

If you dont mind the quality issue - Amazon unbox has way more content and if you do the Xbox360 has HD downloads so where does AppleTV fit?

December 15, 2007 10:32 PM
Anonymous said:

From what I am reading, most of the reviewers do not actually own an Apple TV. I purchased the Apple TV about 6 months ago and could not be more satisfied with the device. I have received multiple compliments regarding the device. I do agree that the main fault of Apple TV is the availability of content itself, but I see this as a temporary fault, something that Apple can fix relatively quickly. I do agree that the device needs work and I truly do believe its functionality will increase significantly in the next couple years. Nonetheless, I have no regrets in purchasing Apple TV and I look forward to any future upgrades. Bottom line - I would highly recommend Apple TV!

December 16, 2007 2:10 AM
Anonymous said:

Hey, I *like* the Apple TV! It gets me access to all my media on all my computers, and does so without fuss or bother.

Cearly there are a lot of, for lack of a better term, techno-snobs out there who don't like it for one arcane reason or another, but it's perfect for me (and a lot of other people, too).

December 16, 2007 11:27 AM
Anonymous said:

I have a 160GB AppleTV. It is really good for watching video I have in iTunes. Little expensive for the 160GB of storage but the picture quality and convenience made it a worth while investment. It's not for everyone, but it filled a gap for me. I would recommend it.

December 16, 2007 7:47 PM
Don G. said:

I hope Apple realize what great potential they have if they combine the Apple TV + Mac mini + TV-tuners + HDR software.

I realize that this will stray from their current iTMS strategy, but the hugely increased potential should more than make up for it.

December 17, 2007 5:14 AM
Brian said:

It seems that most of the comments here miss the point by focusing on what the Apple TV is not, rather than what it is. Within its design constraints, Apple TV works flawlessly and brilliantly. It is designed to drive iTunes content sales by adding the TV/Living room to the equation. In this capacity, it is vastly easier to purchase and enjoy iTunes content on the Apple TV than it is to trundle down to the video store to rent something, or navigate Netflix or Blockbuster web sites. Flaws in the purchase/rental setup on iTunes are an entirely differently question, but that is a commercial issue, not an problem with the device itself. Yes, I would be delighted to rent video content via iTunes, but that hasn't arrived yet. When it does, there is no reason to suspect that the Apple TV will not handle it brilliantly as well. As conceived and executed, I think the Apple TV is one of the best consumer products I've ever seen, period.

December 17, 2007 6:19 AM
Jimmy said:

When I first read about it I must say I was quite sure I was going to go out and buy one. But after a while the euphoria faded and under the bright light of the noon sun it was pretty clear that the gadget had no real purpose in life.

If they stuck a Superdrive on it and killed off the Mac Mini, it might get somewhere.

Then again, if they beefed up the iPod Touch and gave it a docking station with built-in Superdrive, you'd get a much better gadget than this pityless thingy.

December 17, 2007 6:50 AM
ML said:

You have to fault Apple for over-hyping (it won't "revolutionize TV"), however, for what it is, it's fine. It's a networked iPod for your TV, with an HDMI connection. If you are someone who likes to display content of their iTunes and iPhoto libraries on their widescreen TV's it works fine. I might put it on the list of most over-hyped gadgets, but certainly not the worst.

December 17, 2007 9:29 AM
Dan said:

I love my Apple TV. When I have guests come for dinner, it really works well. I set the music from the Apple TV, and in just moments, pictures from my recent wedding gracefully fill my 40 inch LCD. Later after desert, we sit around and watch hilarious you-tube videos for hours on end.
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I just wish my Apple TV could connect to the same itunes wifi store that iPhone and iPod touch does. And for the icing on the cake, HD rentals... please. I find it really hard to swallow that the only content we can view in true HD beauty are pictures and the Apple TV's menu.

December 17, 2007 12:38 PM

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