Apple TV first impressions

By on Sep 30, 2010 at 1:58 PM
General September 30, 2010

By now, if you preordered an Apple TV, you should be enjoying one for yourself, but in case you didn’t, a limited number of units were available yesterday at Apple stores in the US. If you weren’t able to snag one however, we have a quick overview of the new unit to hold you over. As far as sizing, well… it’s as tiny as the photos on Apple’s site make it look. Definitely smaller than two iPhone 4s placed next to each other, though a little taller. Around the back of the device, things have been simplified. You’ll find a power port, HDMI port, optical audio port, ethernet port, and microUSB port. Yes, that is all. Though the Apple TV comes with a new CNC’d aluminum remote, you are going to want to use an iOS device if you have one. Not only is the Remote app for iPhone, iPod touch and now iPad fully redone, it also gives you access to your shared home content on iTunes. That means you can control every song or video in your iTunes library as if you were at your main computer.

In addition to now streaming instead of painfully syncing your iTunes content, there are obvious other advantages of the new Apple TV. The first one? Netflix! Something long available on practically all other home entertainment consoles, DVRs, and systems, Netflix on the Apple TV works great. It’s simple to set up, and you have access to everything you would want from the comfort of your sofa. We’re cooking up a more detailed overview, but there are a couple in action shots after the break for your enjoyment. Also, definitely chime in if you’re a lucky owner of a new ATV — hit us if you love the new design and feature set, and comment if you don’t — we want to know what you guys think.

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  • Sonya

    I will be picking one up asap! This is what I’ve been waiting for!

    • serpentor

      Really? This version of ATV is the one you’ve been waiting for? What couldn’t you do before that you could do now? I would have to assume you have nothing else connected to your TV for anything in ATV to be new.

      • Stickyd

        Ugh, the most important thing you couldn’t do on the old one is Airplay. That is the true killer feature of the new ATV. Airplay is what’s going to set the ATV apart from Rocku, Boxee, GoogleTV, etc….

        I will say this, I don’t like how they moved “My TV Shows” and “My Movies” from the main screen. Now you have to select “Computers” and select them from there. That’s the only complaint I have. Once Airplay and Apps are implemented, this thing is going to kick ass!

  • Zippy

    I think someone already commented on this but… the interface for Apple TV is really ugly.

  • Teco221

    I think people have wrong idea about Apple TV. Some want ATV to replace Cable, some want it to play all media files. This is Apple not MS or Google.

    Personally, I love my new Apple TV, it fits what I need. I don’t have any devices to connect Netflix to my TV ( hate console and don’t have Bluray Player)

    I have convert pretty much all my DVD to iDevice format before ATV came out. Now I can access all my movies and listen to my music while showing my photo on the TV screen. What not to love?

    Renting is the function that I don’t care that much on ATV. Airplay will be the killer function for ATV. Even MS is going to have a similar function on WP7.

    ATV is not going to replace Cable now. It is a device if you have iPod, iPhone or iPad, then using ATv is so easy and smooth.

    Google TV maybe emphasize on how people can just surf the web on TV, but they give you either a huge remote or you have use keyboard and mouse. For ATV, iPad is the perfect match for it. The gesture control and how keyboard just pop up when you need to search on something.

    It’s NOT how many functions and features that you can cramp into a device is who WELL and EASY to operate a device. That’s the beauty of Apple product. If MS can not produce anything to amaze me soon, I will switch to Mac soon. Google? No thanks, I like my privacy. Facebook? I think it’s the worse thing ever happened in tech world.

    • DInc

      hahahaha

      You think Apple cares about your privacy? Please. Now they get to see your ATV viewing habits.

      There is no privacy with anyone. Poor excuse to get on your knees for Apple.

      • ?

        really…do you think its just apple that invades privacy? if your phone has GPS, no matter who is the carrier or manufacturer…privacy invaded. If you have any type of internet in your house…privacy invaded. Credit…invaded..
        Please with this Apple overlord crap.

    • Mel

      To clarify before I make my point… I view cable as a means to get media content to your home. I think Apple TV is heading towards the direction in eliminating the old way of transporting content to your home.

      Cable delivers channels, which delivers programming/content at the whims of the channel companies. From the internet to PVRs, consumes have been taking more and more control of what they watch. ATV is just another way consumes will get more control of what they watched.

      It won’t replace content producers, television studios, etc. ATV is a media controller and brings the internet and connivence to your TV.

      Once you can get all the sporting events you want via streaming easily, I’m pretty sure my parents will cancel their cable. I don’t even have cable right now… if I’m already paying for the channel and information transport (internet), why am I subjected to the ads?

    • serpentor

      So, instead of being able to use a huge remote or kb and mouse you’re happy to spend $800 on a 10inch remote for ATV?

      Gotta love how Apple users think. This is why Apple is banking so much paper.

      • Jarrett

        Wow, I have never seen an $800 dedicated remote before. I have seen devices that add a remote function though, plus Ten of thousands of other uses.

        Good one though. (sarcasm)

  • Jarrett

    I still say that iAds is the key to everything that Apple is touching right now.

    iAds for Apps, check.
    iAds for Websites (iWeb, or whatever Apple pushes next) possible.
    iAds for ATV Free Apps, possible.

    What happens once Apple actually dives into the TV market? They are just going to release a regular HDTV right? I think the iAds deal is Apple’s ticket to getting content from content providers. Cable companies across the country are probably aware of this and doing all they can to defeat it before it begins.
    Just imagine, Apple gets 60% of the advertising dollars and the content creators get 40%. Or, you choose to obtain your contain without iAds and you pay a fee for that luxury.

    I know everyone hates Apple but the company usually thinks 4-5 years ahead in terms of products. No one does that as consistently as Apple.

    • haha

      Is Jobs going to tell me what shows to watch too? Stay tuned.

      • YourFace

        Yeap… only G rated shows allowed.

        And no nudity whatsoever. Any nudity found on ATV will be stricken down by the Apple Gods as not allowed. You watch only what steve jobs wants you to see…such as: Unicorns… Antennas… and Kohl’s ads.

      • Jarrett

        Not sure how all that will work. My thought is though that Networks would love to downsize their sales departments or eliminate them all while getting a 40% check from Apple.
        All I know is that Apple gets involved in an industry and it becomes profitable. The Hobby that was (and is) Apple TV has been a profitable business for Apple.
        There isn’t a segment Apple does business in where they don’t make money.

        I remember someone saying that Apple’s cut of songs was around $0.04. Not much right, unless you sell 12 billion songs that is.

        And last time I checked you couldn’t watch anything to sketchy on “TV” anyway. Pay channels and Pay TV are another beast.

      • serpentor

        sketchy – how was Google’s voice app so sketchy that it was put on a year long review to get it approved? How was Sean Kovac’s voice app so sketchy that it was pulled from the app store before now being approved?

        It seems Apple’s definition of sketchy is that it’s only sketchy till we start getting beat by Android.

    • serpentor

      They think 4-5 years ahead… is that why it took so long to get copy and paste into iOS? They release iPhone and then think, “hmmm, copy and paste would be nice.” Then BOOM, 3 years later it becomes a feature.

      • Jarrett

        They implemented it when it was right for them. Unlike most companies, Apple generally doesn’t tell you when an item is coming. They prefer that the item is beneficial and not just there. As you can see by any other “copy and paste” on any other mobile device.

        Apple did right because they didn’t do it twice.

        Keep hating though, it works for you.

      • serpentor

        Didn’t Apple basically steal their copy+paste implementation from another app (that was available for a while already?)

        And exactly how was copy and paste not right on the initial iPhone launch, but right 3 years later?

      • Jarrett

        Actually, Apple had “copy and paste” back in the old Mac OS. Battery life and user experience happy to be a big deal for Apple. So to them, why release something that the users won’t like using?
        Strange, they seem to be concerned about their users and not concerned about the people that don’t want to use their products.

        Just silly I know, They are going to have earning this quarter of $20 billion dollars and profits of $4-$5 billion. Obviously a company that doesn’t have a clue what is going on.

      • Jarrett

        For your records, I know you like to know things, so here’s hoping you can at least be more correct in knowing/

        For your records, I know you like to know things, so here’s hoping you can at least be more correct in knowing/

        You’re Welcome

      • ?

        they know how to market, and they know how to make money…but i agree with @Jarrett…keep hating.

      • Jarrett

        For your records, I know you like to know things, so here’s hoping you can at least be more correct in knowing/

        http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/17/iphone-finally-gets-copy-and-paste/

      • Stickyd

        exactly. Copy and Paste on Android is horrible! Apple took their time and it works perfectly. Haters, hate on!

  • tbyron

    Here is one thing that really annoys me about the new interface: They have moved all of the content that is on my network library to the new “computer” section. This is instead of having the movies in the “my movies” section of “movies” (same for TV shows). Then, when you go into the ‘computer’ section, you get the same old layout from 3.x. It adds an additional navigation step & layer where it wasn’t really needed. Content is content, regardless of from where they are delivered. And, per usual, no customization…whatever SJ thinks is right is what you get.

    • Jarrett

      I don’t have the “new” ATV but I know that it has the iTunes “home sharing” feature. Not sure how that translates into seeing your iTunes content before viewing it.

      • serpentor

        WTF, tbyron just explained it in his post.

        Jarrett, you can’t see anything Jobs doesn’t want you to see. amirite?

    • serpentor

      This goes to show Apple isn’t about great user experience or what’s good for it’s customers.

      ATV is a $100 box that gives you the privilege to spend more money on everything you watch (of which Apple gets a cut.)

      • Jarrett

        @ serpenter,

        Strange, the fact that you will be able to stream media from devices to your TV seems pretty cool. Anything h.264 or ACC should work. If Safari has the option of AirPlay then most things on the web could stream. How about every App having access to an AirPlay API? Sure some wouldn’t have a use on the TV but there are certainly bunches that will.
        Apps store for ATV? Coming. Every media App will have an ATV equivalent.

        It is only $99 for a reason, so people will think about buying it. Don’t want it? Don’t buy it. Surely no one is being forced to buy this or any other product.
        All of it doesn’t matter anyway, The next release will most likely be the Actual Apple HDTV and I am sure you will hate that also.

  • Licklighter

    This was a good idea 2 years ago

  • somewhere in NY

    This is about options.. I have an xbox and stream netflix movies on it, I also stream movies from my Mac to watch movies thru my Xbox… but Netflix never has everything and sometimes I get caught stealing torrents…so Appletv gives another alternative to streaming movies…

  • YourFace

    You will not get major first run content on Apple TV either… unless you pay more $$$ for it. This is quoted from an article on Apple TV.

    “For Time Warner Cable’s programming, Apple TV’s 99-cent rental fee is too low.

    And Time Warner isn’t the only company that thinks so.

    Jeff Bewkes, Time Warner’s CEO, said the price doesn’t make sense when he spoke at the Royal Television Conference in London this week, according to cnet.com. And he went even further to say such a low price point for first-run shows could jeopardize the release of shows to TV viewers for free, because it could undermine the sale of those shows to networks.

    So Time Warner, and by extension its television networks including HBO and CW, are out as far as Apple TV is concerned. You won’t be renting episodes of True Blood or Supernatural on Apple TV (and that’s a serious contribution to my not buying one). And NBC is out, too – cnet reported last week that CEO Jeff Zucker said at the Goldman Sachs investor conference last week that a 99-cent rental fee would “devalue our content.” Oh, and Warner Bros. Entertainment CEO Barry Meyer also has expressed his dissatisfaction at the rental price.”

    http://www.appolicious.com/tech/articles/3328-why-some-tv-networks-are-unhappy-with-apple-tv

    • Jarrett

      @ YourFace,

      So you are not buying an Apple TV because you want to contribute more money to the television networks? You are not buying an Apple TV because it can’t save you money on show that are not available because the networks want you to pay more money?

    • Stickyd

      Ok genius, please tell me where you can see first-run movies for free? Sure you can venture over to Hulu and watch TV shows the day after they air, but you still have to watch the commercials. At least ATV allows you to rent or buy movies the day of their release. And you can still buy TV Shows or rent without commercials via ATV. Why is everyone complaining? This is good for consumers. We have options of consuming content. You sound like you’re on the studios’ side. The article is stupid. TW, NBC, CBS, etc…can’t tell me that selling their shows for $1.99 or allowing Hulu to stream them with 3-5 commercials per episode is a money maker over .99 rentals!?! They are just afraid to lose advertising control and too far stuck in the past with their old distribution model. If Comcast and Time Warner didn’t own CableTV providers, NBC, CBS, and everyone else would be flocking to this new business model. It’s all about the $$$$$$, nothing more, nothing less! Greedy bastards!

  • duh

    There you have it folks… if you want good programming… you will have to pay MORE MORE MORE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

  • Mr.Bill

    Nice, another donation box for Apple.

    About the only ones out there without a Xbox or PS3 or equivalent streaming ability are grandma an grandpa..

    So apple is after the seniors money now. nice of them.

    • haha jr.

      Why can’t grandma and grandpa watch tv? They like Weeds too

    • Jarrett

      @ Mr. Bill,

      Obviously you won’t be purchasing. Your choice will be different than millions of others though.

  • serpentor

    Let’s see… rent shows for $.99 on ATV or BUY shows for $.99 from Amazon. And no, Apple users, this isn’t an fn trick question.

    • Jarrett

      How many times are you really going to watch that show?

      • serpentor

        Good point Jarrett. I guess that’s why no one buys full season DVDs of shows.

      • Jarrett

        Again, how much time can you waste watching the same thing?

      • serpentor

        How much time??? As much as I want, you no good commie.

        You know, if Apple did sell shows for $.99, would you be saying, “This sucks. I just want to rent shows for $.99. I don’t want to own them for $.99. I wish there was some way I could pay them every time I watch the same episode.”

        Fact is you wouldn’t. You’re only arguing about, “Oh, how much time are you going to spend watching the same thing?” because Apple only lets you rent for $.99.

  • Chris

    before mine was stolen, the only purpose this has for me is streaming the 200+ movies and tv shows i downloaded to my hdtv. thats it, plain and simple. oh and watch trailers to new movies

  • Amar

    Default floatin screen saver didn’t work for me others work.

  • TucsonGunz

    I bet he like most of us is not buying Apple TV because stuck up pieces of shit like you defend Apple with every ounce of your time. Please keep being an official Apple fanboy douche, its great entertainment.

    • Jarrett

      Your Welcome.

      Also, where in Tucson? Oro Valley, Southside, Marana. Give me streets damn it. I miss my hometown.

  • Matt Smith

    Got and installed mine in 5 minutes time yesterday. Love the form factor and functionality. Video quality is surprisingly good.

  • nyc

    @lurch, your system sux

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • Len

    If you are already heavily ingrained in the Apple/itunes environment, this could be seen as a decent device.

    If you currently are not into the apple media space, I see no reason to purchase this.

  • kenny

    @ serpentor…You are such an A$$. If you dont like Apple that much why dont you return your iphone, ipod, ipad or and Apple TV. Oh, what was that? you dont own any of them. So why are you commenting on this site?

  • Susy

    I brought ATV as an easy way to watch movies and videos. So far it’s pretty good with two exceptions. The first is the horrible iPad interface (hopefully it will be improved with the new iPad iOS update in Nov.). The second problem is the relative lack of Close Captioned movies available (Netflix please take notice).

  • Lunchbox

    Served.

  • Wise-up

    No wonder you returned it. You were supposed stick it up there not just rub it. Next time read the instructions.

  • haha jr.

    i agree, people are disliking because your speak the truth brother…f*ck the haters!!!

  • ?

    thats the way your daddy taught you

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