John Martellaro points out an interesting fact: Apple TV’s sales numbers will be rolled into the numbers for “Music and Related Products and Services”. He suggests that it might be to cover up lackluster sales and I’m afraid that theory might be sound. I just can’t warm up to the idea that it’ll enjoy iPod-like adoption despite the popularity of the iTunes store. Dan has shared a couple personal reasons, but I think they apply for many people.
The real problem is that the Apple TV basically has one market right now, the early adopter technophile market. Unfortunately for them, that’s also the group that blogs and participates in online forums. The buzz isn’t very good for them. Being unable to secure the prime demographic gives me significant reason to disbelieve its ability to penetrate the consumer market.
I hate to say it, but I’m beginning to think the big winners are going to be On Demand and the Xbox 360’s HD movie rental service. Both are currently offering the experience that users are really after (particularly when it comes to movies). I’m going to sheepishly admit that I’ve thought about getting and Xbox 360 for their rental service (though Netflix is grounding me). Until Apple works out a way to buy content on your Apple TV, deliver HD content, and offer rentals, I foresee Apple TV sales being clumped into a much larger number.
Obviously, the Apple TV is a 1.0 product that needs some improvements before it becomes a product that I'd consider buying. First of, just as with the iPhone, the ability to be able to buy songs/videos/what-ever from the iTunes Store directly thru the Apple TV/iPhone without having to first go to your computer, download it, and then sync your device.
Secondly, as a number of people, not to mention this post, mention, is the desire to have a rental service. For a lot of movies which I just feel like watching once or twice without having to buy the thing.
Lastly, I also wish that the iTunes Store would offer more content, such as movies and TV shows in Europe... until then, I'm not buying an Apple TV!
If you look at the market for the Apple TV, you have to consider that the device only works with HDTV widescreens. What is the actual HDTV population in the US? I know alot (and I do mean majority) of people have not adopted to HD yet. Now, considering that, how many of those few HDTV owners are actually iTunes users? Even if 90% of them were (which I doubt), what is the % of those who will actually know or consider an Apple TV? I would say, slim to none.
So, the idea of "hiding" sales numbers for the device, I would put my finger on the "agree" button. I was going to purchase the Apple TV (I had my finger on the "checkout" button) but I read carefully and realized that it wouldn't work with my current TV. I'm sorry, but I'm not yet ready to spend 2K on my next tv. Specially after having purchased a Macbook Pro, and saving for an iPhone.
You don't think there could be some accounting reasons behind the category roll up?
Most consumers, let alone Apple customers, don't follow Apple's financial analysis close enough to even know or care how many AppleTV units have sold.
This is a rev1 device in a totally undeveloped category. Apple will likely continue to develop this product and stick with it for the long haul. Home media networking is only getting more important, it's just very early in this process.
This was announced during last week's conference call. But let's look at a couple other facts: Apple hates breaking out product lines. They'll talk iPod sales and Mac sales, but they won't divulge how many MacBooks vs. MacBook Pros. And where else would you place the Apple TV? It doesn't quite belong in the iPod category, or the Mac category. "Music and related products" seems like the perfect home for it. And while it may be a niche product, it's also currently the top selling item on the Apple Store. Let's chalk this one up to traditional Apple secrecy: nothing more sinister than that.
It IS sinister and Dan, you're clearly being an Apple apologist for not recognizing!
I wouldn't call the move sinister, but it seems a bit odd considering how the AppleTV is lumped with the iPods on both the Apple Store and the iPod tab on the main Apple website.
I can't really see this thing becoming popular enough to warrant a 2.0 release but who knows. You can accomplish most of what the AppleTV does with your existing DVD player, an Airport Express for $99 and Tivo service at $14.95/month. And with the Tivo service, you could use TivoToGo in Toast 8 and burn real DVDs to distribute to friends. It may not be as elegant a solution, but it's a lot less restrictive.
I'm not surprised really. I think this product isn't going to do very well at first.
It seems incomplete to me. Not quite worth the $ just yet.
This is a non-issue. Not releasing model specific numbers is SOP for Apple. They don't give breakdowns on iPod models and they don't give breakdowns on computer models either.