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I find it astounding that Apple ceded control of Wi-Fi routers to companies much less trustworthy than Apple, but they insist on making overpriced TV boxes and

I find it astounding that Apple ceded control of Wi-Fi routers to companies much less trustworthy than Apple, but they insist on making overpriced TV boxes and smart speakers that nobody is buying.

ectospheno 6y ago
Their routers ran NetBSD. You can still do that if you want. As for Apple TVs, I own five.
- minikites 6y ago
  You thoroughly missed my point. Apple could be innovating in so many ways if they had control of the router (home VPN, control nexus for smart home devices), an area which they have an advantage (trust in updates, security, privacy). I think ceding that ground to less trustworthy companies in TP-Link, Eero, and Ubiquiti is dumb. >As for Apple TVs, I own five. Then you have a greater incentive to defend a substandard product so you don't feel foolish.
  - FredPret 6y ago
    Apple TV is substandard? Maybe you don’t like it or prefer something else, but “substandard”? I do hope they branch into routers though, not sure there’s a lot of money to be made there, but would be nice to see as a consumer. Maybe if they sell an ultra-premium, very secure router.
  - pseudalopex 6y ago
    Apple TV is a control nexus for smart home devices if your smart home devices use HomeKit.
  - ectospheno 6y ago
    A TP-Link EAP225v3 is a solid access point. It cost $60. Apple left the space because there is no money in it.
Covzire 6y ago
I'm probably in a tiny minority but I really want my Windows HTPC with a fairly high end GPU to fill the role these devices do. Somehow we're in a situation where Microsoft refuses to support Dolby Vision while streaming movies through the web browser have poor multi-channel audio support as well as what appears to be a lower bit rate in comparison to android/app based TVs or devices. Even though my PC can run circles around my 2018 TV's android cpu/gpu, they always look better in the Amazon/iTunes app on the android TV or a Roku than they do my web browser. I don't get the state of Windows / Browser support for videos, it's like they're purposefully making the PC experience inferior to sell a few more of these things.
- resfirestar 6y ago
  Hollywood doesn't want people using PCs as a primary media device because they'd have to compete with pirate streaming services, so they want to push people to invest in more locked-down devices and ecosystems. One way to do that is limiting resolution, bitrate, and features for desktop users so that casual Netflix users are nudged to switch to an industry-approved streaming box that can't access unauthorized services.
beervirus 6y ago
I have Eero gear now. I’d swap it for an Apple mesh in a heartbeat if they’d only build it.
ksec 6y ago
I still dont understand why the Apple TV 4K couldn't act as a simple router. It had all the hardware required for it. It sits in the living room or wherever there is a TV which could act as a Mesh Network.

I find it astounding that Apple ceded control of Wi-Fi routers to companies much less trustworthy than Apple, but they insist on making overpriced TV boxes and smart speakers that nobody is buying.

ectospheno 6y ago

Their routers ran NetBSD. You can still do that if you want. As for Apple TVs, I own five.

minikites 6y ago
You thoroughly missed my point. Apple could be innovating in so many ways if they had control of the router (home VPN, control nexus for smart home devices), an area which they have an advantage (trust in updates, security, privacy). I think ceding that ground to less trustworthy companies in TP-Link, Eero, and Ubiquiti is dumb. >As for Apple TVs, I own five. Then you have a greater incentive to defend a substandard product so you don't feel foolish.
- FredPret 6y ago
  Apple TV is substandard? Maybe you don’t like it or prefer something else, but “substandard”? I do hope they branch into routers though, not sure there’s a lot of money to be made there, but would be nice to see as a consumer. Maybe if they sell an ultra-premium, very secure router.
- pseudalopex 6y ago
  Apple TV is a control nexus for smart home devices if your smart home devices use HomeKit.
- ectospheno 6y ago
  A TP-Link EAP225v3 is a solid access point. It cost $60. Apple left the space because there is no money in it.

Covzire 6y ago

I'm probably in a tiny minority but I really want my Windows HTPC with a fairly high end GPU to fill the role these devices do. Somehow we're in a situation where Microsoft refuses to support Dolby Vision while streaming movies through the web browser have poor multi-channel audio support as well as what appears to be a lower bit rate in comparison to android/app based TVs or devices. Even though my PC can run circles around my 2018 TV's android cpu/gpu, they always look better in the Amazon/iTunes app on the android TV or a Roku than they do my web browser. I don't get the state of Windows / Browser support for videos, it's like they're purposefully making the PC experience inferior to sell a few more of these things.

resfirestar 6y ago
Hollywood doesn't want people using PCs as a primary media device because they'd have to compete with pirate streaming services, so they want to push people to invest in more locked-down devices and ecosystems. One way to do that is limiting resolution, bitrate, and features for desktop users so that casual Netflix users are nudged to switch to an industry-approved streaming box that can't access unauthorized services.

beervirus 6y ago

I have Eero gear now. I’d swap it for an Apple mesh in a heartbeat if they’d only build it.

ksec 6y ago

I still dont understand why the Apple TV 4K couldn't act as a simple router. It had all the hardware required for it. It sits in the living room or wherever there is a TV which could act as a Mesh Network.