4k TVs are so advanced, whats the point of Apple TV 4k?

[jackietreeh0rn]

I would say privacy is the most important advantage an Apple TV offers. User tracking is widespread among all smart TVs. Then comes the UI and overall experience is much more smoother on an Apple TV. I'd also wager that the software support, updates and security patches will also be better, what with yearly updates and all. You'd also be knowing what each update fixes or brings to the table.

 

[DNichter]

Same thing as every other Apple product - performance, privacy, design, security, ecosystem, apps, and support.

 

[Project Alice]

I’ve got an older LG 4k TV. It’s software is no longer updated. Hulu won’t even launch on it anymore. Netflix seems to get updated all the time. The video quality on 4k netflix is noticeably better on the Apple TV than using the TV’s built in app.

I’ve never been a fan of smart TVs as their software usually sucks in the first place and then soon becomes abandonware. My last TV purchase prior to this one was bought specifically because it isn’t a smart TV.

 

[ZEEN0j]

I’ve got an older LG 4k TV. It’s software is no longer updated. Hulu won’t even launch on it anymore. Netflix seems to get updated all the time. The video quality on 4k netflix is noticeably better on the Apple TV than using the TV’s built in app.

I’ve never been a fan of smart TVs as their software usually sucks in the first place and then soon becomes abandonware. My last TV purchase prior to this one was bought specifically because it isn’t a smart TV.

I’d love a dumb tv

 

[gtmac]

I like the interface and stay away from the Samsung software. We have one for each tv some dumb some smart . Just easier to keep the interface the same.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

Comparing smart TVs with their platforms to the Apple TV is just pure crazy and highly ignorant. The Apple TV is designed from the ground up and made by a company who probably makes the world's finest software.
When you evaluate just that, it's rather silly to then think of a smart TVs platform which is just 'bunged' together.

It's a day and night comparison and in all fairness, it really shouldn't be on the table. It's very much like buying a £10 phone and claiming that there is no need or market long term for an iPhone.

R&D, components, environmental care and reliability costs money. Buy cheap and get and horrible user experience, poor security, poor performance and poor longevity.

 

[Mellofello808]

Comparing smart TVs with their platforms to the Apple TV is just pure crazy and highly ignorant. The Apple TV is designed from the ground up and made by a company who probably makes the world's finest software.
When you evaluate just that, it's rather silly to then think of a smart TVs platform which is just 'bunged' together.

It's a day and night comparison and in all fairness, it really shouldn't be on the table. It's very much like buying a £10 phone and claiming that there is no need or market long term for an iPhone.

R&D, components, environmental care and reliability costs money. Buy cheap and get and horrible user experience, poor security, poor performance and poor longevity.

While I agree with you for certain TVs, there are others that are more future proof.

Those running Android TV, or Chromecast aren't going to be obsolted any time soon.

That being said I just went through the annoyance of obsolete smart TVs. I was traveling last month for work, and the first week the TV worked for Netflix, and then suddenly it was added to the list of unsupported TVs.

I ended up having to purchase a Chromecast ultra to continue to binge on all the shows I have been saving for a boring hotel stay.

 

[priitv8]

Those running Android TV, or Chromecast aren't going to be obsolted any time soon.

I’m wondering - what makes you say that?
AFAIK, out of the 3 big manufacturers, only Sony is using Android TV and they are known to drop software support after 2 years.
Chromecast is a streaming device, so in the same league with appleTV and not the smart TVs.

 

[cdcastillo]

...What is the value that you see, other than adding itunes as a subscription source...

Other than this, I do not trust Samsung, LG nor Sony with my passwords for amazon, netflix nor google.

And the most important thing is I DO NOT TRUST a TV manufacturer with my passwords.

 

[Mellofello808]

I’m wondering - what makes you say that?
AFAIK, out of the 3 big manufacturers, only Sony is using Android TV and they are known to drop software support after 2 years.
Chromecast is a streaming device, so in the same league with appleTV and not the smart TVs.

You don’t seem to understand how either of those work. Android tv on Sony TVs is updated very regularly. My nvidia shield is always has the latest updates.

While there are still some rough edges android TV works great, and will have software support for the foreseeable future.

Chromecast is not a streaming service at all. It is a technology similar to airplay that allows you to find content on your phone, and then send a link to it to your TV to play there. I still have an original chrome cast stick from almost a decade ago that works fine.

My vizio TV is built around chromecast, so I never need to use the remote for anything. It is all run through my phone.

 

[brentsg]

You don’t seem to understand how either of those work. Android tv on Sony TVs is updated very regularly. My nvidia shield is always has the latest updates.

While there are still some rough edges android TV works great, and will have software support for the foreseeable future.

Chromecast is not a streaming service at all. It is a technology similar to airplay that allows you to find content on your phone, and then send a link to it to your TV to play there. I still have an original chrome cast stick from almost a decade ago that works fine.

My vizio TV is built around chromecast, so I never need to use the remote for anything. It is all run through my phone.

I have an Android tablet made by Sony. Even though Android gets updated quite frequently, Sony abandoned the device very quickly. I was a fairly early adopter and though I don't have the exact numbers in front of me, I think it was supported for 2 years or less.

Of course this might not apply to their TV's.. no idea. But it was the first and last time I trusted Sony with an Android purchase.

 

[priitv8]

You don’t seem to understand how either of those work. Android tv on Sony TVs is updated very regularly. My nvidia shield is always has the latest updates.

Sorry to say, being on my second Sony Android-based BRAVIA, I did not see them updates coming very regularly.

How long was the wait for Oreo? Until May 2019.
And let us see, if the earliest 2015 and 2016 models (the ATV2 MoBo) will ever get Android 9.
The 2015 ATV1 based sets did not even get Oreo.

Even so, they still need to run it on old kernel: https://www.reddit.com/r/bravia/comments/a22mhi
So I continue to use it as a dumb screen and disconnected from the Internet.
Sadly same fate with all other products (I can speak for bluray player, AVR and alpha 7 mirrorless camera).
With current margins, it makes no sense to drag along old consumer products.

As a matter of fact, Apple is doing best in this regard - 5 years of software support after end of production.
Then again, they do not suffer from low profit margins.