“The Big Apple, the dream of every lad that ever threw a leg over thoroughbred and the goal of all horsemen. There’s only one Big Apple. That’s New York.”
Many people are confused as to what Apple TV is. In the following article we will try to summarize what this small palm-sized box does and why 25 million of these small devices have been sold across the world.
Apple TV is basically a $69 plastic device which connects to your television set through an HDMI cable and to your home wireless network to stream Internet video content to your Television set. Apple TV comes equipped with a three-button remote which provides a simple interface.
Why would you need Apple TV?
There is a plethora of reasons behind considering Apple TV.
Many Television sets out there don’t have the capability to stream Internet Video or allow Web-based applications to run on the TV. Apple TV bridges the gap as a set-top box.
Similarly, many TV owners having Televisions that support applications and internet connection also opt for Apple TV. That is, because, Apple TV’s interface is quite simplistic and the seamless connectivity to the iTunes Store makes it easier to purchase media content and allows seamless linking between your Apple devices.
Prerequisites for Apple TV
Many people wonder whether an iPhone is required to reap the full benefits of the Apple TV. Negative, the only thing required for Apple TV is an iTunes account which will be required for log in and purchases.
What can you watch on Apple TV?
Apple TV supports tons of content through its 50 or so channels which stream in content from various sources like Netflix, HBO Go, and CNBC and so on. This, however doesn’t mean that you get all the content that is available on cable channels. Content mainly depends on what the channel provider has decided to make available on the internet.
However, it is rumored that Apple is in touch with TV programmers to combine a package of channels which are normally accessible through a standard cable subscription. These channels would then be available through Apple TV exclusively or non-exclusively. A case in point is HBO’s upcoming streaming service, HBO Now, which will only be available to Apple devices when it starts next month.
Some Apple Users also prefer the Apple TV because it has built in AirPlay capabilities which means you can stream whatever you are doing on your iPhone or MacBook on the screen of your TV if all of your devices are connected on the same wireless network.
However, before you spend your money on Apple TV, there are a few things that you should consider. First and foremost is that if you are the owner of a gaming console like the Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox then you already have such capabilities available in your console which offer channels like, ESPN and Netflix. Secondly you should consider the capabilities of your TV Set, if your TV set supports applications and internet streaming, then it is pointless to waste your cash on Apple TV.
When it comes to streaming devices, there are plenty of other options available, however, if Apple strikes a deal with TV programmers and starts offering you channels which would normally be available through cable subscription then this little box of plastic would be worth spending your bling on.
“Well, Apple invented the PC as we know it, and then it invented the graphical user interface as we know it eight years later (with the introduction of the Mac). But then, the company had a decade in which it took a nap.” (Steve Jobs)
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