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What Apple TV Improvements Do You Want?
Apple reportedly surveyed its Apple TV purchasers on how they use the product, and other electronics in their home, to gauge what improvements to make.
apple tv
Apple sought feedback recently on its Apple TV product
February 12, 2009 | by Arlen Schweiger

Are you an Apple TV user? Have you thought about owning Apple TV but something’s holding you back?

We’re not sure what exactly Apple has in store for its “hobby” set-top box, but reportedly is coming off a banner year and the Cupertino, Calif.-company conducted a little survey of Apple TV owners to see what improvements can be added.

The survey has been pulled off the web now, but AppleInsider got its hands on it and notes, among other things, Apple was inquiring about:

  • What size display you watch
  • What type of display (LCD, plasma, etc)
  • How robust the audio system (TV speakers, stereo, 5.1, 7.1 surround)
  • How often the device is used for photos, home movies, renting movies
  • Go with Apple TV remote or is it programmed into a universal?
  • Is it synced to iTunes, and how much do you have stored there
  • How much Apple TV content comes from the likes of YouTube, BitTorrent, your own DVDs and more
  • What other devices are in your household (Blu-ray, gaming consoles, etc)

So how do you use your Apple TV? Do you have the 40-GB or 160-GB model? Do you have the Roku box for Netflix rentals instead of buying from iTunes? Update: Apple is also reportedly readying a streaming on-demand video service to the store called iTunes Replay that will let users watch purchases without worrying about storing them. (via Engadget HD)

Apple TV sales were up threefold in 2008, so it seems a good time for the company to figure out how to capitalize on this market as more people look to simplify media shifting. For those who’ve knocked Apple’s set-top box for lack of certain functionalities, what offerings would you like to see? Let us know in comments below.

 

 



Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine
Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!



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Comments (6) Most recent displayed first.
Posted by Miguel  on  02/13/09  at  06:06 PM

One more thing:

4) to be able to connect to a NAS

Posted by Miguel  on  02/13/09  at  05:57 PM

My wishes:

1) Capability to handle High Resolution Files at 24/192

2) Coaxial Digital Audio Output & Optical Digital Audio Output capable of outputing up to 24/192

3) Capable to handle FLAC files

Posted by David  on  02/13/09  at  11:21 AM

AppleTV is wonderful but I wish it had the following (in order of importance):

1. IR Codes for direct access to playlists etc.

2. Coaxial Digital Audio Output along with the current Optical Digital Audio Output.

3. Composite Video Output along with the current Component and HDMI Videos Outputs.

Posted by B61MD  on  02/12/09  at  05:14 PM

Sorry one more thing to me it is life changing.

Posted by B61MD  on  02/12/09  at  05:13 PM

I use my apple tv every day.  I started a workout program about 2 yrs ago and I buy music videos to work out to.  With out those videos streamed to my atv I would not have lost 40 lbs so far.


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