4 ms·
I have a Fire TV and I just bought an Apple TV to be my smart-tv interface. It's amazing what a difference it makes. The Apple TV's interface isn't laggy. I gue
by mdasen 3y ago
I have a Fire TV and I just bought an Apple TV to be my smart-tv interface. It's amazing what a difference it makes. The Apple TV's interface isn't laggy. I guess that's what happens when you get a 10x faster processor. The interface isn't chock full of ads. Some might quibble that Apple does have some previews, but it just isn't the same at all.
With the Fire TV, getting to my apps was such a pain. With the Apple TV, they're right there. There aren't horrible dark UI patterns distracting me from my stuff. Literally, Fire TV would have suggested apps on my main screen that I already have installed. I'd click on it, it'd bring me to the app store, and from there I could launch it.
My Fire TV would launch with a full-screen ad and I'd have to press down to even see the UI. So I power on my TV and see a JCPenny Black Friday ad. Ugh. I scroll down and there's "continue watching," but only from Amazon Prime. Then there's a full row Starz ad. Then "up next for you," but most of the shows there I haven't heard of. Then recently used apps. Then some "guide and on now" garbage for apps I don't have. Then "Netflix recommends" which isn't based on what I've been watching from what I can ascertain. Then "subscription deals" where they try and push all sorts of subscriptions. Then "holiday deals on devices" to push Amazon stuff. Then more and more content that I don't subscribe to - presumably so that I'll start paying for more subscriptions. More recommended apps, recommended things to rent or buy, etc. And everything is constantly auto-playing!
Yea, Apple TV has a preview, but the sound is off and it just goes away if I touch anything. Plus, I can just go into settings and replace it with "Up Next" which shows things I've been watching for apps that support it. It's a nigh-and-day different experience. It feels so calm by comparison. The Fire TV is just distractions everywhere while the Apple TV doesn't feel like that.
- amelius 3y agoApple TV is only a tuner, not the screen, so this Fire TV can still show you ads, even if you have set the source input to an external device. This will almost certainly become a reality when a sufficient #users buy an Apple TV, through a remotely activated update (of the Fire TV).
- CharlesW 3y ago> This will almost certainly become a reality when a sufficient #users buy an Apple TV, through a remotely activated update. Apple's business model is incompatible with that user experience. First, Apple already makes a profit on the devices themselves. Second, there's a healthy attach rate for additional Apple devices and services for people who have a positive experience with Apple TV.
- amelius 3y agoIt's not Apple I'm worried about. It's the TV.
- mdasen 3y agoIt's possible, but right now it doesn't show me ads. I turn on the power and it goes to the last input. I doubt that it will happen because I don't think enough people will buy Apple TVs and because I think adulterating an external input might be a bridge too far. It would be hard to integrate that into the experience without feeling really jarring. I guess the problem I have with your comment is that it's the type of thing you could say about anything. Apple could decide to change the Apple TV interface to be 90% ads. Amazon could decide to disable HDMI ports on the TVs. Amazon could decide to stop making the Prime Video app for platforms that aren't Fire TVs. All streaming apps could decide that streaming is BS and go back to physical media. Net neutrality could go away and ISPs could mandate insecure connections where they could inject ads into stuff. The comment feels like the equivalent of "you can't prove god doesn't exist!" Your comment isn't wrong, but it's also kinda useless. A person can buy an Apple TV today and enjoy its experience. Yes, that might change in the future. Our world is always changing and nothing you purchase will be good forever. However, from a practical standpoint, the Apple TV is offering a wonderful experience today and likely will for years to come. If I listen to your comment, why do anything because someone could come along and make it crap?
- amelius 3y agoDid you read the article? A user bought a Fire TV that was sort of OK, but then they remotely changed it so now it is showing more ads. Why is my scenario unlikely? It is just Fire TV taking it one step further. A predictable cat and mouse game.
- Corrado 3y agoI have a FireTV Cube feeding my old plasma TV and I'm seeing the same full screen ads, so this is not limited to FireTV units.