[IxDA Discuss] Apple TV

[Casey Krub]

Hi -

I was having this same Apple TV conversation with some co-workers.. with the
added facet of how the major game consoles (Xbox 360, Wii & Playstation) are
blurring the lines of computer & TV, as well.

I think it's interesting that there is not much buzz about this idea.

Access Xbox Live via an Xbox 360 console and it looks more and more like
iTunes all the time (in my opinion).  TV shows and movies to download, music
videos have been available for awhile.

I also think it's interesting that Apple has been steering clear of video
games.  Casual games have been recently introduced in iTunes for video
iPods, but as a whole Apple platforms are not known as gamer friendly.

Why is this? Does someone know the history?

What does this lack of games mean to folks interested in the whole
TV/Computer appliance?  Is this going to give the game consoles an edge in
this TV/Computer space? or not matter in the least?

Here is an article from Mercury News where Gates talks about Xbox 360 being
IPTV ready.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2007/01/bill_gates_inte.html

Quoting Gates from the article:

And he noted that Apple doesn't necessarily have the best relationships with
companies such as phone service providers as Microsoft does. So its iTV
service may not be as expansive as anything Microsoft does with its
partners.

Casey


On 1/12/07, Robert Hoekman, Jr. <rhoekmanjr at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> With all the hype over the iPhone, why is it that the Apple TV has gone so
> .... unnoticed?
>
> My wife envisions a future where her computer and television are one. You
> simply download shows and movies - whatever you want - and watch them when
> you want, using the same screen, the same box, the same account. Always
> tied
> to you, so if you move or buy a new console, it doesn't matter, it's all
> still yours. Bored with Law and Order? Check your email with the wireless
> keyboard. (Not, this is not WebTV. And yes, my wife is pretty cool.)
>
> The Apple TV brings us a small step closer to this. Buy stuff on iTunes,
> it
> synchs automatically over wireless with the Apple TV, and you're golden.
>
> This is an excellent piece of interaction design, especially since it
> requires almost no actual interaction beyond what we all normally do
> already. Why isn't anyone on this list talking about that?
>
> Just seems odd. It's great that we're having so many heated discussions
> about Apple and UCD and the iPhone design and tactile buttons, because
> debates like those are what make this list so valuable, but why are not
> also
> looking at the Apple TV?
>
> -r-
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