When Apple announced the latest iteration of it’s Apple TV last Wednesday, many, including myself, wondered if the original unit would be treated to a software update to bring it in line with the newer model. Well the simple answer is no, no it won’t. In typical Apple fashion (think iPods) the older system will be left where it is, hot and bothered.
This does have it’s bonuses though, the new Apple TV is a rental only model, while the original will still allow you to purchase media. I’m wondering if further down the line Apple will re-enable purchasing? They could get around the lack of hard drive by downloading it directly to the main streaming client.
Incidentally, the new Apple TV does not seem to be impressing, especially not in the UK. The addition of Netflix streaming is a big bonus for US peeps, probably the biggest selling point to be honest. What do us UK users have to look forward to? Nothing really. I would have liked to have seen a deal struck to get iPlayer on there? But then I suppose that would stop us renting BBC content. Really is a strange situation where we can watch it free on the computer, yet have to pay to rent it on the TV. One things for sure though, this new A4 unit should run far, far cooler than it’s Intel powered predecessor.
It’s a weird situation! Apple seem to be handicapping the product before it’s even released here in the UK.
Apple, with a little bit of effort, could have struck a deal with LOVEfilm or Blockbuster video even. They could have even (and I’m pushing boundaries here) got the ITV Player, 4OD, Demand FIVE, or Virgin’s on demand services.
They could have thought outside the box and even offered a subscription for these On Demand services. Yes, it would have been difficult but if anyone could do it, Apple could.
Exactly! I’d love to see on-demand for the main terrestrial channels, but Apple probably think it will damage sales. As it stands I think the only thing I’d use the new Apple TV for is the AirPlay stuff? Kinda sucks though because I wouldn’t need to stream a film from my iPad because it’d obviously be on my iMac already!
I was hoping for some sort of Apps