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Although I agree an AppleTV API is a given, I wouldn't assume this existing private "BackRoom" API represents anything interesting. The current slate of apps h

by saddino 14y ago

Although I agree an AppleTV API is a given, I wouldn't assume this existing private "BackRoom" API represents anything interesting. The current slate of apps have to be developed in something and thus the existence of a private API for doing so shouldn't be surprising. After all, if Apple wants to dominate in this space (and I believe they do) then I have to believe the actual public API will be much, much more powerful then a bunch of lightweight UIKit inspired layout classes.

obviouslygreen 14y ago
Now I'm not an Apple person, but looking at the article, it does not seem like there's actually such an API or a promise of an API... so is there actually a reason to believe an AppleTV API actually is forthcoming? Because I don't doubt they want to (and to some extent have the potential to) dominate this space, but I don't think it's necessarily valid to assume that means opening a public API.
DHowett 14y ago
These aren't just "UIKit-inspired layout classes" - it's a full complement of remote-navigable controls: text input fields, buttons, detail disclosure views, scrubbers, sliders, keyboards, so on and so forth. It's also remained largely stable since AppleTV 1 - BackRow is as valid an API as any. They've already got partners providing javascript-driven "applications" for the AppleTV (ala iPhoneOS 1 - "web apps are king!"); I've no inclination to believe that they're going to make public an API that provides for code execution, especially in this environment. See, not only are BackRow appliances not applications, they're not run in separate execution contexts either. The primary/only application on an AppleTV is AppleTV.app, and all appliances are loadable bundles (on AppleTV OS < 5.0) or simply compiled in (>= 5.0) and run in the same shared context. That alone makes binary bundles extremely dangerous. It also means that a full re-architecting of the system would be required before third party applications were supported.
- derefr 14y ago
  I think I just find it odd to think that Apple isn't considering making the AppleTV into "the iOS app+game console for your TV": Apple's version of the Wii, with compatibility of every iOS app ever produced, and presumably using iPod Touches for controllers or something.

by saddino 14y ago

obviouslygreen 14y ago

Now I'm not an Apple person, but looking at the article, it does not seem like there's actually such an API or a promise of an API... so is there actually a reason to believe an AppleTV API actually is forthcoming? Because I don't doubt they want to (and to some extent have the potential to) dominate this space, but I don't think it's necessarily valid to assume that means opening a public API.

DHowett 14y ago

These aren't just "UIKit-inspired layout classes" - it's a full complement of remote-navigable controls: text input fields, buttons, detail disclosure views, scrubbers, sliders, keyboards, so on and so forth. It's also remained largely stable since AppleTV 1 - BackRow is as valid an API as any. They've already got partners providing javascript-driven "applications" for the AppleTV (ala iPhoneOS 1 - "web apps are king!"); I've no inclination to believe that they're going to make public an API that provides for code execution, especially in this environment. See, not only are BackRow appliances not applications, they're not run in separate execution contexts either. The primary/only application on an AppleTV is AppleTV.app, and all appliances are loadable bundles (on AppleTV OS < 5.0) or simply compiled in (>= 5.0) and run in the same shared context. That alone makes binary bundles extremely dangerous. It also means that a full re-architecting of the system would be required before third party applications were supported.

derefr 14y ago
I think I just find it odd to think that Apple isn't considering making the AppleTV into "the iOS app+game console for your TV": Apple's version of the Wii, with compatibility of every iOS app ever produced, and presumably using iPod Touches for controllers or something.