The new Apple TV device was announced today at an Apple press conference in San Francisco. The set top box is now smaller, cheaper, and made simpler by removing that annoying option to purchase content.
Wait, what was that?
No, no you read correct. When using the new and improved Apple TV you will only be able to rent movies and television shows ($4.99 for first release HD movies, and $.99 for HD television shows). So, in theory I would be better off getting a Nintendo Wii, XBox 360, or Playstation 3 that plays games and can rent content from Netflix, right? Oh, what's that, the Apple TV syncs up to your Netflix account? So, that's a $10 a month charge for Netfix, plus the price of all the content you just rent... oh, okay. Looks like Apple Inc. will more than make up for the price cut by charging for those rentals.
But what about all those movies and music I have stored on my computer?
Oh, well those can be streamed to your Apple TV. So really, it's the same as the old Apple TV except with no internal storage for your movies and music. So it's really not simpler than the original Apple TV that's been out for three years, it's just smaller. But wait, you can surf a limited number of websites, like Youtube, flickr, and internet radio sites. Just think about it, no more do you have to watch Youtube on your small computer screen, you can now watch those silly cats on your big screen in all their pixilated glory.
Hey, at least I'll be able to turn that old TV into my ultimate media center... right?
Not so fast, if your television does not have an HDMI input, you're screwed. But hey, everybody who can afford Apple products can afford an upscale flat-panel TV. Sure there are adapters that you can buy, but that would adulterate the beauty that is Apple.
But, it totally integrates with all my other i-devices...
Yeah, you can stream content from your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad but, (and here is the big but) you could also buy a component (or composite) adapter cable for $50. For those keeping score at home, that is half the price of the new Apple TV.
So here is the take away message: if you already have an i-device, buy a cable for half the price of the Apple TV and stop worrying about streaming and renting and lining Steve Jobs' already painfully bloated wallet. And if you don't already have an i-device, go ahead and buy the Apple TV but remember, for $50 more a Nintendo Wii rents movies and plays video games that make you flail around like a giraffe on acid.
No comments:
Post a Comment