Review: A better Apple TV doesn't beat competition

[RawAlex]

One interesting thing is that each of these boxes, each of the products attempts to create sort of a "limited" view of the internet, sort of going back to the AOL walled garden approach. I was even looking at some of those internet enabled TVs, and it really seems that companies like Netflix are attempting to obtain a near monopoly on movie delivery.

I cannot picture people buying into a closed system like that.

Myself, I have a "media" PC (wussy little quadcore with a nice video card) that gives me great 1080P display, plays almost anything I throw at it, and gives me full net access. I could in theory add the netflix application, but I don't have to lock myself into it, or Itunes, or any other single provider.

I actually think that in the end, Netflix is likely to get knocked off by someone else who comes up with a better model, finds a way to do it all cheaper, and takes them out on price, convenience, download speed, or quality.

[Rcourt64]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

One interesting thing is that each of these boxes, each of the products attempts to create sort of a "limited" view of the internet, sort of going back to the AOL walled garden approach. I was even looking at some of those internet enabled TVs, and it really seems that companies like Netflix are attempting to obtain a near monopoly on movie delivery.

I cannot picture people buying into a closed system like that.

Myself, I have a "media" PC (wussy little quadcore with a nice video card) that gives me great 1080P display, plays almost anything I throw at it, and gives me full net access. I could in theory add the netflix application, but I don't have to lock myself into it, or Itunes, or any other single provider.

I actually think that in the end, Netflix is likely to get knocked off by someone else who comes up with a better model, finds a way to do it all cheaper, and takes them out on price, convenience, download speed, or quality.

Isn't that the name of the game?
Lock consumers into your financial network of sales. No different from what the Internets been doing from the start.
It's the independent pirate networks that offer you the feeling of freedom while still using their products that might achieve financial success? ..no?

[RawAlex]

Originally Posted by Rcourt64

Isn't that the name of the game?
Lock consumers into your financial network of sales. No different from what the Internets been doing from the start.
It's the independent pirate networks that offer you the feeling of freedom while still using their products that might achieve financial success? ..no?

Nope. It's the idea that the box maker and the content sellers are not run by the same company. AppleTV means, by default, Itunes, and the whole Iuniverse that comes with it. They get to choose what ends up on the box. You can't easily add other suppliers.

If your TV is "netflix enabled" it means it is "everything else disabled", which is a poor choice for the consumer, and the consumer KNOWS IT. They aren't as likely to fall for it anymore.

So there is little reason to pay signficiantly more for an apple box that does signficantly less that other products out there. As Danny said, the GoogleTV thing might be a change.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by RawAlex

Nope. It's the idea that the box maker and the content sellers are not run by the same company. AppleTV means, by default, Itunes, and the whole Iuniverse that comes with it. They get to choose what ends up on the box. You can't easily add other suppliers.

If your TV is "netflix enabled" it means it is "everything else disabled", which is a poor choice for the consumer, and the consumer KNOWS IT. They aren't as likely to fall for it anymore.

So there is little reason to pay signficiantly more for an apple box that does signficantly less that other products out there. As Danny said, the GoogleTV thing might be a change.

I own an Apple TV. Rather have my Laptop with the HDMI port. Then I watch what I want.