5 ms·

Netflix is finally killing off support for 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs

17 points by miles 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
jmclnx 2y ago
I never even see an Apple TV nor do I know how much one costs. But, all this will do is generate more E-waste, plus this means people who bought these devices would feel cheated, especially older people. There was a time you bought a device like a TV and it was expected to last forever. My first TV I had for decades until I had to go to wide screen. I think these large companies should be forced to accept these obsolete devices and dispose of them properly. I know many people will just toss these in their trash no matter what the local ordinances say.
- neilalexander 2y ago
  The affected generations of Apple TV were from 2010 and 2012 respectively, predating the current tvOS-based models by several years which are all still supported. Those generations weren't especially popular at the time anyway but it would be very unlikely that there is a significant number of these in use after 12 to 14 years given that Netflix were probably one of the last streaming platforms supporting them.
- jpl56 2y ago
  I understand they can't keep these old devices forever, since they aren't powerful enough to deal with the new codecs (and the constant pings to ad servers). Buying any stuff that depends on a app brings new e-waste every other year. I set my TV as a second monitor for my PC, with a bluetooth remote control to navigate Youtube and a few AutoHotkey scripts. It will never be obsolete, but it has a rather low WAF...
arprocter 2y ago
Makes me wonder what the oldest browser they support is? Apples to oranges, but I've noticed the Plex PlayStation 4 app just refuses to play some files that work fine in the browser
dfxm12 2y ago
Just wondering, in light of the downsides including this, are there benefits to these devices, like apple TV, fire tv, etc. over a mini pc, like a beelink s12 pro? I understand that most consumers aren't aware of the alternatives or think they might be more convenient, but I'm looking to get personal perspectives from "hackers".
- yjftsjthsd-h 2y ago
  Are they not actually more convenient, or at least easier, especially from the couch? If I buy one of these appliances, I can buy it, plug it into power and the TV, sit on the couch with a remote, and watch TV. If I start with a PC, I can just watch stuff in a browser, but it needs a mouse+keyboard by default.
  - dfxm12 2y ago
    Apps arbitrarily getting "killed off" is not my idea of convenient. Using a mini keyboard (on my couch) is not my idea of inconvenient. Does it really matter if you're watching in a browser vs an app?
    - yjftsjthsd-h 2y ago
      > Apps arbitrarily getting "killed off" is not my idea of convenient. For a TV, I don't see the problem with background apps dying. > Using a mini keyboard (on my couch) is not my idea of inconvenient. Okay, then that's a significant difference in our perspectives. If you don't mind needing a mouse/keyboard then I agree that the PC is a winner. > Does it really matter if you're watching in a browser vs an app? No, browser can be fine, but I think it's harder to control in practice.
      - dfxm12 2y ago
        For a TV, I don't see the problem with background apps dying. What does this mean? I wouldn't describe a streaming service, like Netflix, as a "background app" in the context of a HTPC/set top box. It's almost always a problem when devices, especially mono-purpose devices, slowly become bricks. No, browser can be fine, but I think it's harder to control in practice. Can you elaborate on this, too? If I don't like my browser anymore, I can switch browsers. Every browser I'm aware of has plug ins and and settings that give me control and the ability to extend functionality and to some extent, turn off some things I don't want. With apps, you're at the mercy of their developer. If the app sucks (or, again, gets killed off), you can do nothing but deal with it. I don't see what control one has there...
johnea 2y ago
Netfux announces deprecation of the mouse...
musicale 2y ago
Netflix was one of the last services standing on Apple TV 3rd gen.

17 points by miles 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

I never even see an Apple TV nor do I know how much one costs. But, all this will do is generate more E-waste, plus this means people who bought these devices would feel cheated, especially older people. There was a time you bought a device like a TV and it was expected to last forever. My first TV I had for decades until I had to go to wide screen. I think these large companies should be forced to accept these obsolete devices and dispose of them properly. I know many people will just toss these in their trash no matter what the local ordinances say.

neilalexander 2y ago
The affected generations of Apple TV were from 2010 and 2012 respectively, predating the current tvOS-based models by several years which are all still supported. Those generations weren't especially popular at the time anyway but it would be very unlikely that there is a significant number of these in use after 12 to 14 years given that Netflix were probably one of the last streaming platforms supporting them.
jpl56 2y ago
I understand they can't keep these old devices forever, since they aren't powerful enough to deal with the new codecs (and the constant pings to ad servers). Buying any stuff that depends on a app brings new e-waste every other year. I set my TV as a second monitor for my PC, with a bluetooth remote control to navigate Youtube and a few AutoHotkey scripts. It will never be obsolete, but it has a rather low WAF...

arprocter 2y ago

Makes me wonder what the oldest browser they support is? Apples to oranges, but I've noticed the Plex PlayStation 4 app just refuses to play some files that work fine in the browser

dfxm12 2y ago

Just wondering, in light of the downsides including this, are there benefits to these devices, like apple TV, fire tv, etc. over a mini pc, like a beelink s12 pro? I understand that most consumers aren't aware of the alternatives or think they might be more convenient, but I'm looking to get personal perspectives from "hackers".

yjftsjthsd-h 2y ago
Are they not actually more convenient, or at least easier, especially from the couch? If I buy one of these appliances, I can buy it, plug it into power and the TV, sit on the couch with a remote, and watch TV. If I start with a PC, I can just watch stuff in a browser, but it needs a mouse+keyboard by default.
- dfxm12 2y ago
  Apps arbitrarily getting "killed off" is not my idea of convenient. Using a mini keyboard (on my couch) is not my idea of inconvenient. Does it really matter if you're watching in a browser vs an app?
  - yjftsjthsd-h 2y ago
    > Apps arbitrarily getting "killed off" is not my idea of convenient. For a TV, I don't see the problem with background apps dying. > Using a mini keyboard (on my couch) is not my idea of inconvenient. Okay, then that's a significant difference in our perspectives. If you don't mind needing a mouse/keyboard then I agree that the PC is a winner. > Does it really matter if you're watching in a browser vs an app? No, browser can be fine, but I think it's harder to control in practice.
    - dfxm12 2y ago
      For a TV, I don't see the problem with background apps dying. What does this mean? I wouldn't describe a streaming service, like Netflix, as a "background app" in the context of a HTPC/set top box. It's almost always a problem when devices, especially mono-purpose devices, slowly become bricks. No, browser can be fine, but I think it's harder to control in practice. Can you elaborate on this, too? If I don't like my browser anymore, I can switch browsers. Every browser I'm aware of has plug ins and and settings that give me control and the ability to extend functionality and to some extent, turn off some things I don't want. With apps, you're at the mercy of their developer. If the app sucks (or, again, gets killed off), you can do nothing but deal with it. I don't see what control one has there...

johnea 2y ago

Netfux announces deprecation of the mouse...

musicale 2y ago

Netflix was one of the last services standing on Apple TV 3rd gen.