I wrote an article detailing the possibilities of Apple TV becoming a Gaming Console. I was wondering if the AFB had any thoughts on Apple’s little hobby becoming the next apple product line fusing a media hub and gaming console into one with an easy distribution option through iTunes. Let me know if you guys think Apple might take this path. The full article is http://theothermacblog.com/?p=213 this is not a plug for the site just wondering if anyone had the same thoughts and if it makes sense financially for Apple.

I think we talked about this not long after the Apple TV was released around the time the Nintendo Wii was gaining traction.

I think the reason AppleTV is still a hobby is because there is limited internet bandwidth in most homes.

One does not need broadband in order to play PSP or Wii.

Secondly Apple believed that the success of the iTunes store and music sales would naturally transition into a successful movie and TV shows sales bonanza.  Please refer to my first statement regarding internet speed.  If one has two wait 3 hours for a movie to download then they could easily go to the video store or rent 3 movies via netflix and get them in the mail.  Plus the limited rental options do not help.

Apple was surprised to see how successful the iPod Touch was for gaming.  They are transitioning that success to the iPad.  I suspect that if that turns into a bigger gaming platform, it is only natural to see that move right into the big screen and true gaming console.

So I believe Apple will make the AppleTV into a gaming console, but we may have to wait a few more years.

John Gruber makes the point in his Macworld presentation that the reason Apple TV is not a huge success is that the studios are dragging their feet both in terms of content available and pricing. People are not willing to spend $2 to watch one episode of a show.

Apple TV will remain a hobby until the studios come round to the way of thinking that they should charge only the cost of providing the content to the user and making up the revenues by embedding advertising material into the programs either via watermarking or product placement. That way they circumvent the problem of illegal downloads as people are still watching the advertising material whether they get it off iTunes or bittorrent.

What I am waiting for is an update to AppleTV that makes it a better media server.  I do not believe AppleTV hardware has been updated in years, I believe it needs to have a little more processing power.

Andy D

Apple TV needs a serious update. A faster processor, faster graphics card to support 1080P to play on a 50 inch tv, access to the USB port to attach external hard drive for large photo and video library. If apple doesn’t get off there butt soon, folks will go to something else including me!

bearcatrp - 25 February 2010 11:46 AM

Apple TV needs a serious update. A faster processor, faster graphics card to support 1080P to play on a 50 inch tv, access to the USB port to attach external hard drive for large photo and video library.

Apple TV already supports 1080p output—to any size TV.

On the other hand, source video is limited to 720p24 at an average bit rate of 5,000 kbps (12,000 peak). In other words, if your TV can handle it, all video will be upconverted to 1080p by Apple TV.

I think the poll needs another option: “Yes, if there was a decent library of games for it.”

I probably would buy an Apple TV if it also had gaming console functionality, but only if there was a decent library of games for it. If it could rival the gaming library available for the Nintendo Wii, PS3, and XBox 360…then yeah, I’d gladly pick one up.

with all the problems with my xbox 360 I would love to see a Apple product in this category.  But seriously, Apple gaming system would need some awesome games.

I think that Valves steam beta has OSX elements in it. Could this be the bold move? A TV/ DVR/ Game appleTV? Just an idea.

If Apple added DVR functionality I’d buy FOUR! As it is right now, not enough compelling features to make me buy.