Let me preface this artlice by warning everyone upfront not to upgrade to Apple TV 3.0.
I can’t even claim to have used Apple TV 3.0 so why should I be such an alarmist? Not surprisingly, installing any Apple TV update will wipe out non-Apple features you may have installed like Boxee. The Apple TV without Boxee is just pointless. I suspect many Apple TV junkies rely on Boxee for fundamental media player functionality like the ability to stream from ubiquitous network attached storage (NAS) devices (a must for even modest media libraries) or support fo additional video codecs like DivX.
After reading all the underwhelming reviews of Apple TV 3.0 the most visible of changes is in the user interface. According to reports on the Boxee community forum this new UI appears to be causing problems with the Launcher menu items required for Boxee. Until a new ATV patch stick is available, when you upgrade to Apple TV 3.0 you cannot reinstall Boxee.
Its been over 2.5 years and the Apple TV still doesn’t support streaming from a NAS or additional codecs like DivX. Apple, when are you going to open the platform up for third-party developers to fill the gaps? Updates like Apple TV 3.0 only serves to irritate and frustrate Apple TV junkies as their beloved Apple TV suffers a long slow death into obsurity.
We can only hold solice in the fact that Apple TV junkies are a resourceful group of people determined not to give up. They’ll find a way to update Launcher so Boxee can live, yet again, on our Apple TVs. It’s too bad this coincides with the highly anticipated November release of a new version of Boxee. Regardleas, expect Boxee to continue to impress while ressurecting the Apple TV once again.
You can get the official description here at Apple.com, you can get screen shots and reviews here, and here, but at ATVJ you’re going to get one users reaction….mine.
Lets begin with my overall reaction after using the 3.0 update for a few hours, and it’s one of being underwhelmed. Let’s start with the most obvious change, the interface. I feel as though Apple took a step backwards at the very least concerning aesthetics. For a company which prides itself on UI and UX excellence they must of thrown the interns on the Apple TV interface redo project. From a usability standpoint the new UI is probably easier to use, for instance moving the “My” menu selections to the top was a welcomed change, but I think Apple can take a few lessons about creative media player UI design from the creators of Boxee, Flex, and even Microsoft and the Zune Store.
Fine, so the interface isn’t all that, surely the new features make up for that right? Ehh, iTunes LP/Extras and Internet Radio, with Internet Radio not necessarily even being a new feature to the Apple TV. I suppose that if you were one of the lucky ones to have been chosen as iTunes LP/Extra upgrade worthy, or the 3.0 update inspired you to purchase an album or movie with the extra content, then the update was worth it. I on the other hand am still waiting for my notice to upgrade my version of Iron Man to view the extra content on my HD TV, so I will withhold judgement on that upgraded feature. Then there is Internet Radio. As I said before, this was available in the previous version of the Apple TV software by creating a playlist in iTunes, adding radio stations, and then syncing. It’s just a little easier to access now.
That pretty much sums up this 3.0 update for me. As I’ve read throughout the day, 3.0 just doesn’t feel worthy of the point update. Of course we are talking about the Apple TV, where any update is practically worthy of a party. I think Apple has larger plans for the Apple TV in some form or another, but I think their focus is elsewhere right now, which is why they keep the Apple TV limping along. So what do you think? Could Apple have rolled this out with a 2.5 update and left room for something bigger at 3.0? Lets hear what you have to say Apple TV Junkies of the world.
It’s been about 4 months, June 24th to be exact, since Apple last updated the Apple TV. The iPod & iPhone got their love about a month ago, and the rest of the Mac line up pretty much got theirs this past Tuesday. So why no Apple TV update you ask? I have no idea. Is Apple ready to drop the ax on its hobby media center? I don’t think so, let me tell you why. (more…)
By putting Apple TV HD content on the back burner this past week it gave me a little more time to spend with the new iTunes 9. After all the goal of ATVJ is to discover new HD content in the iTunes Store, either TV or Movie, and list it in an easy to read manner for you all. This brings me to the point of this post. Have the changes to the iTunes Store in version 9 actually made it harder to discover new content? And has the iTunes Store become to big for iTunes? (more…)
Hi All, being as it’s Wednesday this note comes a little late, but there will be no Apple TV HD updates this week. We are taking a week off as we are cleaning up behind the scenes here. Specifically we were one of the sites hit this past weekend with the Wordpress hack. Apple TV HD updates will be back starting Monday the 14th. In the mean time we’ll continue to cover other things in the world Apple TV and the iTunes Movie Store. We’re for any inconvenience.
Tomorrow (September 9, 2009) is the big day… yet another Apple event.
You’ve read all the rumours, gossip and speculation:
Oct. 2008. Apple declares the Apple TV “still a hobby in 2009″ during quarterly conference call.
Feb. 2009. Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi sparked rumours of Apple TV becoming the digital media hub for cable TV.
Sept. 2009. Apple CFO says cable set-top box functionality doesn’t fit with Apple’s business model
Piper Jaffray’s senior research analyst predicts Apple TV news on September 9.
The Loop’s Jim Dalyrymple predicts no Apple TV news on September 9.
What’s an Apple TV Junkie to expect?
Yes, I believe it will be a music-centric event. It is called ”It’s only rock and roll, but we like it”, however, the Apple TV still falls within the iPod and iTunes product lines so an update should be expected. Good or bad.
Prediction (Good): Apple TV will get a price drop and larger capacities.
Prediction (Bad): Apple TV wont receive any CPU or BluRay updgrades.
I like the idea of a TV tuner and DVR functionality for the Apple TV, however, I can’t imagine Apple distracting users away from the iTunes Store for content. The iTunes store accounts for $1 billion in revenue each quarter!
Prediction (Good): More studios and networks signing deals to release content on iTunes. Introduction of a Rhapsody-like subscription model for unlimited music.
Prediction (Good): iTunes to support the ability to re-download previously purchased movies and TV shows.
Prediction (Good): For my “one-last thing” I’ll go out on a limb and suggest announcement of an App Store for Apple TV.
Prediction (Bad): Movies and TV shows from iTunes Store will still contain digital rights management (DRM).
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to import my DVD collection so I can watch on Apple TV (maybe they’ll try to compromise with a lame DVD sharing feature from PC/Mac).
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to stream content to Apple TV from my network attached storage (NAS) devices.
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to play non H.264 content (like DivX/Xvid) on Apple TV.
As much as I love the Apple TV, the last two predictions are why I will continue to use Boxee. I fear the Apple TV is reaching the end of it’s life. Another Apple event that comes and goes without acknowledging Apple TV Junkies. Considering the crumbling of brick and mortar video rental outlets, I hope Apple can find a way to keep the Apple TV relevant and worthwhile for future Apple TV Junkies.
Apple Movie Junkie, formerly Apple TV Junkie, is the official blog of Cinemira. We provide a helpful service for users of the iTunes Movie Store and the Apple TV. AMJ was born out of a surprising shortcoming on the Apple TV after noticing that there was no easy way to find a list of all new HD & SD rental titles released on a daily basis. AMJ fills that niche with a daily list of new movies.
