Got home today and my eye was caught by an article in a newspaper that had been left on my table with a title including the words "apple" and "gaming". Intriguing. Made a cuppa tea and got to my desk, googled it.
The article in the newspaper I saw (online version here) also mentioned it's "expected to come with a sophisticated controller designed to compete with Sony’s PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One.", too. Curious.
Thoughts? Was this already known about? Am I late to the party? Did I over read a topic already about this? Seems like pretty big news tbf... another console.
Actually not really. it's a surprisingly good device. however the only difference between them comparing the older models of the Apple TV versus the most modern ones, is 4K support that's about it.
I own the current generation of Apple TV, it's actually not that bad. You can stream music and video from other Apple devices or computers via AirPlay and some iPhone/iPad games have implemented special features for AirPlay streaming such as different controls or displaying the map in racing games rather than just a mirroring of the device.
It not inconceivable that they would allow third party controllers or indeed have a dedicated Apple TV App Store that would have games, but I don't think that that will be their main focus. Considering the lower price point and therefore inferior hardware to the Xbone and PS4, the next Apple TV will probably mainly be a media consumption device, just like it's predecessor. A good one at that. They might have struck some deal with some of the American content providers and make it an enticing alternative to regular cable from the big ISPs.
Another selling point might be a good implementation of HomeKit which is Apple's protocol for Home Automation, allowing the different devices to get information from one another and probably control devices from several manufacturers from the same app. The Apple TV could serve as a central hub, just like the one you get with Philips Hue (might even make that one redundant). Unlike their mobile devices and laptops, the Apple TV is something that would always be in the home, connected to your local network.
This is of course all pure conjecture. But some of the features I've just written about are things that I would like to see made, preferably Open Source.
Apple, Playstation, and Xbox... You're triggering me.
But seriously, this seems like a very good idea on Apples part. And I'm sure parents are rejoicing that they can have the kids be busy playing angry birds on the big screen.
There is definitly a large market of "App Gamers" and pretty sure Apple knows that this will take off.
Ye, I couldn't imagine stuff like BF4 and such being on this, probably smaller stuff (possibly more child friendly, too). Could give the wiiU a kick in the nuts maybe considering the extra functionality with other apple products, and considering how low the demand is from some of the games on that platform, some wii-esque games might get made.
I think the Wii u has already kicked itself in the nuts, many times over. Most people bought a Wii for the novelty of motion control, but Wii u https://youtu.be/MF283pORG2E Also nice to see more and more esques. It very bonkersesque
Apple also thinks they will challenge the home automation market with it. The Apple TV is rumored to act as a smarthome controler a la Smartthings/Amazon Echo.
The big issue is Apple wants a home kit standard. There is already Z Wave, Zigbee and WiFi standards. Many companies in that market will just ignore Apple.
On gaming, iOS gaming is decent in spite of Apple not becuase of them. Apple is biting off more than they can chew. They are going to try to fight for two more markets with the next AppleTV. Microsoft tried competing in every market under Ballmer. It didn't work out for them. Apple will be no different.
Problem is Apple will just build an Ouya and no one will pay the three thousand dollars for it. The PC gamers will laugh their asses off, the Playstation users will give it weird looks and the Xbox users will be determined to defend their homefronts like 12 year olds on halo CE.
Yeah, they are going to get laughed out of the stadium with that one.