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There’s several benefits for an Apple TV to me: 1. Has the vast majority of streaming services first. Many streamers deprioritize web and other platforms. 2.

by dagmx 2y ago

There’s several benefits for an Apple TV to me: 1. Has the vast majority of streaming services first. Many streamers deprioritize web and other platforms. 2. Really solid accessibility options that aren’t available on other platforms. I use these quite frequently. 3. I am in a few film guilds and the screeners apps until recently required an iOS or tvOS device, or a clunky website. The tvOS experience for voting screeners is significantly better. 4. Lag. Pretty much every other streaming box has lag when navigating a UI. The Apple TV isn’t perfect but it’s night and day for me. 5. HomeKit + Thread makes for it being a decent (but not great) smart home management system And I know you’re dismissing convenience, but it’s a huge factor too. TV time is about no-fuss and unwinding. With the Apple TV, I can use my phone for text entry and password management. I can use it to synchronize playback with friends and family. Those are all possible on other devices, but convenience is a massive factor.

dfxm12 2y ago
Many streamers deprioritize web and other platforms... Really solid accessibility options that aren’t available on other platforms. Which streamers/accessibility features are you referring to? I'd be very surprised to learn that streaming services like Netflix deprioritize the web experience & I can't find any reference to this online. TV time is about no-fuss and unwinding. I'm really trying to understand this sentiment. What do you find so fussy about the experience of desktop apps or web sites compared to apple tv/other set top box apps? I don't have much experience with different set top boxes. I just know I'd be pretty wound up if my set top box killed off my favorite app... I can use it to synchronize playback with friends and family. Are your friends and family required to have apple devices & the media for this or does it let you set up a server and you can stream it to anyone, regardless of device (kinda like cytube)?
- dagmx 2y ago
  HBO Max for example had a very platform limited rollout at launch. It was only on certain devices. And of course all browser players depend on adequate DRM (which not all browsers/platforms provide) and often restrict functionality like Atmos etc. In terms of no-fuss, it’s not just about navigating to the site. It’s about having a consistent interaction paradigm (how are you triggering those tiny web based buttons from your couch?) , how are you handling CEC inputs, separable volumes, text input and voice input etc… there’s a lot of things that people take for granted that make for a more laid back experience. Regarding synchronized playback, it depends on the streamer. But with SharePlay, yes they need to be on Apple devices but any app can support it. Obviously the ubiquity will differ in different households, but my wife and I are both Apple users. We can watch stuff together when we’re on business trips with a button press. When she pauses or I scrub the timeline, it stays in sync. There’s something truly fantastic about that level of telepresence.

by dagmx 2y ago

dfxm12 2y ago

Many streamers deprioritize web and other platforms... Really solid accessibility options that aren’t available on other platforms. Which streamers/accessibility features are you referring to? I'd be very surprised to learn that streaming services like Netflix deprioritize the web experience & I can't find any reference to this online. TV time is about no-fuss and unwinding. I'm really trying to understand this sentiment. What do you find so fussy about the experience of desktop apps or web sites compared to apple tv/other set top box apps? I don't have much experience with different set top boxes. I just know I'd be pretty wound up if my set top box killed off my favorite app... I can use it to synchronize playback with friends and family. Are your friends and family required to have apple devices & the media for this or does it let you set up a server and you can stream it to anyone, regardless of device (kinda like cytube)?

dagmx 2y ago
HBO Max for example had a very platform limited rollout at launch. It was only on certain devices. And of course all browser players depend on adequate DRM (which not all browsers/platforms provide) and often restrict functionality like Atmos etc. In terms of no-fuss, it’s not just about navigating to the site. It’s about having a consistent interaction paradigm (how are you triggering those tiny web based buttons from your couch?) , how are you handling CEC inputs, separable volumes, text input and voice input etc… there’s a lot of things that people take for granted that make for a more laid back experience. Regarding synchronized playback, it depends on the streamer. But with SharePlay, yes they need to be on Apple devices but any app can support it. Obviously the ubiquity will differ in different households, but my wife and I are both Apple users. We can watch stuff together when we’re on business trips with a button press. When she pauses or I scrub the timeline, it stays in sync. There’s something truly fantastic about that level of telepresence.