November 27, 2007

Reminder: Nobody Likes The Apple TV

I always get a kick out of the fact that every once in a while, a new article starts floating around the blogosphere outlining the reasoning behind the ongoing failure of the Apple TV. Personally I've always believed that it's just ahead of its time. Not so much the technology itself, but Apple's continuing need to keep it proprietary. I mean, why would someone buy an Apple TV just to watch free YouTube garbage and the odd video you have to pay for from iTunes. There's just not enough good content available when your pickings are that slim at this point in time. Maybe a few years down the road, things will be different. Not now though.

The latest "why the Apple TV sucks" article is courtesy of Jason Mick at Daily Tech. The reason he penned the article is because not surprisingly sales of the Apple TV have been less than stellar so far this holiday season. Once again though, he outlines why.

1. It's just "a hobby" for Steve Jobs.

2. Small market segment and consumer ignorance as most users don't have enough computer content.

3. Those that do don't even know the Apple TV exists or if they do, don't know how it works.

4. Apple's insistence on keeping the device proprietary eliminates the majority of the good video content on the web.

5. Apple has refused to create a rental or subscription service to use with the TV, apparently because the consumer does not want them. (Smartass comment inserted by TVSnob editor: this is precisely why Netflix is such a success and the Apple TV sucks)

6. The Apple TV is closed and one-dimensional.

Thank you to Daily Tech for once again reminding us of the failings of the Apple TV.