I’m not here to besmirch Apple. I stood in line for 4 hours to get an iPhone 4 and I woke up at 4am to pre-order an iPad. But Apple TV? I’d rather wait in line for the DVD re-release of Season 2 of Head of The Class.
If you are technologically impaired, maybe this little gadget would be cool. But as a TV fan, here’s why Apple’s newest little box does not interest me in the slightest:
1) .99 TV Show rentals.
I own a DVR (a craptastic Scientific Atlantic one) but it works. Most big TV fans are already saving their shows to watch later. Very few times do I ever actually miss a show because it didn’t record. If that happens, Comcast has a great OnDemand section that is carrying more and more network shows. But, if there’s a show that I feel that I’m missing out on, I have Hulu to catch me up. Hulu doesn’t charge me for the last few batches of shows. If I’m down a whole season, then I have my subscription to Netflix (we’ll get to you later) which allows me to catch up on anything I want. Plus, if I’m going to pay a buck for a show, I want to be able to own the stream, not just rent it (Hello Amazon!). So if somebody can explain the appeal of the rental service, please let me know!
2) Apple TV Now Streams Netflix
You can not brag about anything that a Nintendo Wii does. I can’t envision the person who wants to stream Netflix to their TV, but can’t. The Wii is only 50 bucks more and at least you can play some pretty cool games with it (I think Wii is up to 4 cool games). You already have the PS3, the 360 and BluRay players streaming it and I believe that Kitchen Aid is making a toaster that streams Netflix too. Way to be current Apple! Next thing you know, Mr. Jobs is going to tell us that in the next firmware update, you can connect your Apple TV to your Prodigy account!
3) No DIVX Support
Not a surprise, but it would be nice if Apple TV was able to support a few more codecs.
4) No Subscription Service
Hulu has opened the door to subscription services that are paid. If Apple said for $10 a month I could stream all the TV shows I wanted, then I’d be getting ready to save up the Benjamin. I love Netflix for the all you can watch buffet and I love MOG on my iPhone for the all I can listen to buffet. Sooner or later Apple will need to convert to a subscription model. Until then, most TV fans like myself should avoid the Apple TV like fame avoids Rob Snyder.




