Several smart TV makers will support Apple’s AirPlay 2 wireless streaming tech this year, and Samsung has become the first TV maker to include iTunes. So it’s possible that Apple could decide to ditch its Apple TV set-top box.
However, I don’t think that will happen as the Apple TV offers an easy way to buy into the Apple ecosystem if you don’t have, or don’t plan to buy, one of the aforementioned products. Still, the Apple TV lags way behind the competition, and Apple needs to take action to spur sales. Here are some of my thoughts on how the tech giant could do this:
Improve Siri. Apple’s personal digital assistant isn’t living up to its full potential on the Apple TV; there are lots of creative way to change this. For example, how about the ability to schedule a calendar notification for your favorite show’s release or return dates?
HomePod integration. Offer the ability for the Apple TV and two (or more) HomePods to automatically set up in a surround sound configuration.
Make dedicated game controllers. With the Apple Arcade game service coming this fall, Apple should consider making its own brand of game controllers that work with the Apple TV (and Mac, iPad, and iPhone).
Offer increased storage options. 32GB and 64GB of storage simply aren’t enough with the blooming of 4K movies and TV shows, even though a lot of our streaming content is stored in iCloud. We need Apple TVs available in 128GB, 256GB, and 500GB options.
More processing power. When/if the 2020 Apple TV is released, it needs to include the latest and greatest A_ chip from Apple.
Give us an “Apple TV Pro.” It would be akin to the TiVo Roamio OTA 1TB. The TiVO device (pictured) is a great gadget to watch live, recorded, on-demand and over-the-top television. Perhaps Apple should be “inspired” by some of its features and include them in a high end version of its set-top box.
The $399.99 Roamio offers a host of cool DVR features combined with favorite streaming services. It’s sorta like an Apple TV, Rokum and cable box rolled into one.
With four tuners and 1TB of storage, the OTA 1TB can access and record up to 150 hours of high-definition programming and up to four shows at once, from popular local networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and Univision (where available) with an HD antenna. The TiVo Roamio OTA 1TB also gives users access to their content and subscriptions from video services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Instant Video and YouTube, among others. An Apple TV DVR with such features and storage would be perfect for storing movies purchased on iTunes.
We have multiple incarnations of Macs, iPads, and iPhones. Why not different versions of the Apple TV at different price points to serve different customers?
