Apple TV vs Every Other DVR
When Apple first announced their Apple TV product, I was interested but not excited. Years later, that interest has completely warn off – largely because of the lack of updates and killer features. Admittedly, I do already have a TiVo (and a few Comcast DVRs to boot).
Still, why has Apple seemingly abandoned the Apple TV? There’s a new report suggesting that Apple is working on a connected television. I’m not so sure that’s even interesting to me. Who knows? Maybe they’ll knock that one out of the park.
Do you have an Apple TV, or do you feel like you’re missing out because you don’t have one? I asked my Twitter followers, and some of them responded:
jmccullough108: I agree. I am perfectly fine without one.
about 46 minutes ago
Condawg: I feel the same way. Hooking up my iMac to my TV gives me basically the same thing… It just seems worthless, IMO.
about 46 minutes ago
Schlomo: AppleTV is not nearly as interesting as my xbox!
about 46 minutes ago
robertrosenfeld: I agree. I like Apple, but I don't need them handing my entire media experience.
about 46 minutes ago
ericpratum: Agreed. Honestly, I don't sit in front of the TV enough to make it worth it. If I did, I don't know that I'd choose AppleTV
about 46 minutes ago
MikeMathia: I don't own one, and I don't wish that I had one. It's a good idea, just not for me.
about 46 minutes ago
dVoka: AppleTV rocks! You can connect a Terrabyte drive to it where your backed up DVDs reside, run Boxee (hulu), and much more.
about 45 minutes ago
unclespeedo: i don't believe you're in the target audience for apple tv….. you shouldn't feel like you're missing anything, you're not
about 45 minutes ago
gregskidmore: Yes I do too. I keep wanting to get an AppleTV. I don't know why I haven't bought one yet. Maybe it's lacking something?
about 45 minutes ago
roehmholdt: iTMS + 30in Cinema Display > AppleTV… now to go get that Cinema display…
about 44 minutes ago
Outsanity: It's just more Apple crap that's more likely not worth the money unless you're that into Apple swag
about 44 minutes ago
maddogdom: you said that about the iPhone and you loved that!
about 44 minutes ago
andrewmundy: you're totally not the only one. I promise
about 44 minutes ago
AppleNerd: I don't see anything in the AppleTV. Seems boring…
about 44 minutes ago
JessePB: Considering you can accomplish the same thing by buying directly in iTunes and streaming with any number of other devices, no.
about 44 minutes ago
yenra: AppleTV is excellent at displaying photos on a big HDTV – smooth & great quality; also Flickr, Podcasts, YouTube.
about 44 minutes ago
shedtroll: I don't feel I'm missing out. Boxee is a better alternative.
about 44 minutes ago
cpedraza: I'm an Apple fan but in the world of DVRs AppleTV doesn't make sense for me.
about 43 minutes ago
findingnewo: Yeah, I don't get the appeal. I think WinMCE extenders are much more worth it.
about 43 minutes ago
jbone66: My ATV was humdrum until XBMC/Boxee was available for it. It's our main method to accessing video content now…
about 43 minutes ago
VxJasonxV: It's very interesting. It's just that the most of us have computers to do everything the AppleTV does, and more.
about 43 minutes ago
biss13: if you don't own an AppleTV how do you know what is it you are missing? ;)
about 43 minutes ago
robpickering: And that statement shows everyone you don't have one. Hulu on my TV – 'nuff said
about 42 minutes ago
EricCAnderson: Agree: it's basically just another iPod for your TV (even with boxiee on it)…
about 42 minutes ago
Knunez: yeah I dont need one.. no point in having one anyways
about 42 minutes ago
wolrah: i agree they're not that interesting out of the box, but patchstick them and they're great. XBMC and Boxee ftw
about 42 minutes ago
Christyxcore: i agree. I thought it was cool when I saw it at my friends house but now that I think about it, it's also overpriced 4 watitis
about 42 minutes ago
tjohansen: AppleTV alone isn't great, but AppleTV + @boxee is great!
about 42 minutes ago
johnbarta: just buy it chris! Even if you dont use it it could be a fancy drink holder
about 42 minutes ago
jefflundberg: A DELL Studio PC w/ Blu-ray and Windows Media Center Edition is much more interesting.
about 41 minutes ago
benhigham: I guess that depends on your current setup. I think it appeals to a different audience.
about 41 minutes ago
easy_way: there a waste of money i got one and its kinda useless
about 41 minutes ago
yesitsmedoug: I once walked into Apple and asked them Why I would want one. They didn't sell me on the idea so I also don't have or want one
about 40 minutes ago
chrisutley: #AppleTV with @boxee is great. I rent a lot of movies from #Apple, and watch TV shows over Hulu.
about 40 minutes ago
themacinjosh: no you're not, I don't feel like I'm missing much. All of the media is available whether you own an apple tv or not.
about 40 minutes ago
TarasI: I don't think so. One of my friends has one and it's really not that useful, especially if you have Media Center Extensions.
about 39 minutes ago
idarknight: you might be – between the hacks and the core functions, it is a device whose tipping point may have come
about 37 minutes ago
anansie: Its cheaper than a mac mini and has boxee going for it , Also it's the only game in town for renting movies in hd on iTunes
about 35 minutes ago
amarvin: i didn't feel that i was missing out on Apple TV until Boxee popped up. now i want to roll my own Atom-based version w/ boxee.
about 35 minutes ago
kevinbriody: I bought an early model AppleTV. I'd call it “neat” but definitely not compelling. Cool to show family vids, some DL'd TV.
about 35 minutes ago
jay1one: we might be the only two, but you are definitely not the only one.
about 34 minutes ago
ahaslach: Functionality of AppleTV can be replicated/exceeded w/ a laptop and video cable. Not a compelling product.
about 34 minutes ago
wmchamberlain: Why would I buy a AppleTV when I can do more with a mac mini? Even the Cult of Mac would have a hard time explaining.
about 32 minutes ago
schmenzer: Chris, I was a lot more interested before I started using Boxee.
about 31 minutes ago
seanwolter: The true media hoarder has a mac mini and a drobo hooked up to his big screen
about 30 minutes ago
mikekochansky: I agree. As much as I love Apple, I have little to no desire/need for AppleTV
about 29 minutes ago
ricorick: Boxee has made mine more interesting and better.
about 28 minutes ago
Zanoryt: Running Boxee on Apple TV is a compelling replacement for a cable connection. It's not 100% ideal, but Boxee is really awesome
about 27 minutes ago
adamkmiec: I love mine – it's a fixture of our house
about 25 minutes ago
MicrosoftWin7: RT: ByronSmartMicrosoftWin7 Yeah my hacked Xbox1 W Media Center(720p) is far more intresting then Apple TV, + the 360
about 24 minutes ago
JessLoebig: Well maybe it is because you have a TiVo ;)
about 23 minutes ago
cogwisewill: Well, if you get the atv flash and are able to put hulu on the appletv along with a other things… http://bit.ly/LDL8
about 23 minutes ago
color_me_pink: You're not the only one. Until there is DVRcapability, I won't even consider it.
about 21 minutes ago
gurubrandon: Yes.. but Boxee makes that genre of devices very interesting. ( http://boxee.tv )
about 21 minutes ago
PassTheBoll: seeing as you can accomplish the same thing using less money, I won't get one. Just take a computer and connect it to the tv.
about 21 minutes ago
webdrifter: This frugal tech guy is all ATO man! No AppleTV, no DirecTV and no cable TV. Just a cheap Techno who has seen and likes HULU
about 20 minutes ago
gailelaine: I don't own an Apple TV because I just don't see the need. I own a Mac and I've looked at the Apple TV.
about 19 minutes ago
LoganPayne: I don't feel that like I'm missing out. But I do want one….to stop buying DVDs and discs…
about 16 minutes ago
Sebbbb: how isn't it intresting? it comes in a shiny apple box :P
about 15 minutes ago
sideswipe70: I feel the same way. It just seems like a glorified media server.
about 9 minutes ago
swichi293: I own everything apple, but I refuse to own the apple tv. It really is quite pointless
about 8 minutes ago
aaron_bennett: It's just not exciting enough for the price OR the inevitable inoperability with my other devices.. You are not alone.
about 7 minutes ago
What are your thoughts on Apple TV and the general state of DVRs?
