Five Ways Steve Jobs Can Turn On Apple TV Sales

[dk62]

Get rental prices down, bitrate way up, and rebuild Intrenet infrastructure.

[Chupa Chupa]

I don't think your avg consumer is even slightly interested in 1-4. And #5 isn't happening, and doesn't need to happen for Apple TV to be a success. Apple already has a good distribution infrastructure they just need to build up inventory.

The reality with AppleTV is that Apple STILL treats it like a step child. Perhaps its a beta product and Apple has grander plans under wraps, but today go into an Apple store. The AppleTV display is hidden in the corner. Most people don't even know what the heck it is or think it's a store prop.

Bottomline, until AppleTV gets "buzz" its not going to sell. If Apple pimped AppleTV like it did the MacBook Pro which you see in almost every TV show at some point, even if it's just off in the background, it might have a chance.

[Mac1337]

I am still trying to figure out what is Apple TV.

[The Grim Ninja]

Why are any of you complaining that you don't know what the AppleTV is? You have the internet, use it.

[Rick-o]

I look at my Apple TV as an iPod for my video collection. I'm currently transferring all my DVDs to several large drives and am streaming my movies directly to the tube. It's nice having every movie I own ready to go at the push of a button. Rentals are also a big plus.

So many other uses, and way too many to list, but I feel this thing is going to take off and do what the iPod did for music. 2nd version of the software is what sold me. Maybe by next software/hardware revision we'll see some of the promotion this product deserves.

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote jdc][quote Mike V]Let it play DivX.
people really use that? Yeppers, works damn fine!
Looks better than that SlowAss H.264.

BGnR

[vision63]

[quote The Grim Ninja]Why are any of you complaining that you don't know what the AppleTV is? You have the internet, use it.
Respectfully, I don't care what Apple TV is. Not enough to look it up. Harbour seemed concerned that the thing wasn't doing as well as it could. My observation was that I don't really know what it is. Generally that means that either the contraption doesn't have any real obvious value that's clearly definable or they're struggling with how to market the thing. They're obviously (based on what I'm seeing here) not jumping off of the shelves so it would seem that it's incumbent upon Apple to better "market" the thing. They want my money.

[Black Landlord]

[quote vision63][quote The Grim Ninja]Why are any of you complaining that you don't know what the AppleTV is? You have the internet, use it.
Respectfully, I don't care what Apple TV is. Not enough to look it up. Harbour seemed concerned that the thing wasn't doing as well as it could. My observation was that I don't really know what it is. Generally that means that either the contraption doesn't have any real obvious value that's clearly definable or they're struggling with how to market the thing. They're obviously (based on what I'm seeing here) not jumping off of the shelves so it would seem that it's incumbent upon Apple to better "market" the thing. They want my money.
I could have written the above. or me this seems about as useful as installing a mac mini in a car. Or a car, for that matter.

[Will Collier]

[quote BigGuynRusty][quote jdc][quote Mike V]Let it play DivX.
people really use that? Yeppers, works damn fine!
Looks better than that SlowAss H.264.

BGnR
Absolutely true. H.264 converters still can't handle panning shots very well at all, and they take forever to encode anything.

Regarding the ATV, I think it's a classic case of "old Apple disease." It's underpowered, overpriced, too proprietary, under-marketed and over-sold (in other words, it's not marketed well, and where it is marketed, it's made out to be more than it actually is). Reminds me of the entire Mac line from about 1995.

Which is too bad. Apple could (and needs to) have a presence in the living room. The current product ain't going to get them there.

[guitarist]

[quote vision63]Or for the un-initiated like myself, I really don't know what Apple TV is and why I would need one. I know "of" the thing and know you can record junk on it, but so can a bunch of other things. Multiply me by millions. I'm probably just waiting to be sold.
I agree, AppleTV isn't a "must-have" item, in the sense that other cool Apple products might be. But recording on it isn't really its selling point. (it doesn't come with a recorder, it's a player) Probably its most convenient feature, and best improvement over its earlier incarnation, is that you can order movies, TV shows, and music directly from your TV. No computer required. Great interface. If you've ever wanted to order and download entertainment content for viewing on your Home Theater's Plasma or LCD, including Hi Def, Apple TV is arguably among the easiest and best consumer choices

I realize cable TV customers can also order content via cable, directly from the TV screen. But not for purchase. Apple TV's link to the iTunes Music Store library of movies, TV shows, and music, is pretty cool.

If you don't have a plasma or LCD, or aren't into Home Theater type stuff, then you can skip it. If you Do have a flat screen, and are into Home Theater, it's worth looking into. Without going to the video store, and without even handling DVD discs, you can browse menus of newly-released movies and TV episodes, and get content directly, from your couch. And the HD quality of the content is often better than what cable companies offer.