Apple TV vs. Roku
Comparison chart
Apple TV |
Roku |
|
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Digital media player incorporating iTunes content and Airplay. | Digital media player with most online content options. |
| Website | http://www.apple.com/ | http://www.roku.com/ |
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. | Roku |
| Price (latest model) | USD $99, BRL R$399, CAD $109, GBP £99 AUD $109, EUR €109 INR ₹7,900 | USD $99 |
| Entertainment Channels | 25+ | 750+ |
| Operating system | iOS 7.0.1 | Android, iOS |
| Major Internet Streaming Services | YouTube, iTunes, Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO. | Amazon, VUDU, Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO GO. |
| Release date (latest model) | 3rd generation Rev A: January 28, 2013 | Roku 3: March 2013, |
| HDMI-capable TV Required | Yes. | Only for Roku 3. All other Roku boxes can run on almost any TV |
| Resolution | 1080p HD | 1080p HD |
| Mirroring | Yes, integrated via Airplay. | Possible via third-party app. |
| Smartphone Remote Control App | Yes, with iOS device only. | Yes, iOS and Android. |
| Dimensions | 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.0 inches | 3.9 x 3.9 x 0.9 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 oz (0.6 lb) | 5 oz. |
| Connectivity | HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth. | HDMI, WiFi, USB disc, Micro SD slot, ethernet. |
| Game Apps | Only via Airplay. | Yes. |
Contents: Apple TV vs Roku
|
Online Content
Apple TV offers a limited number of entertainment channels (around 30, but promising more) as compared to Roku, but most of the major online streaming services do work on Apple TV, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, and HBO Go. The only major omissions are Amazon’s streaming video service, Google's Play content, and Time Warner Cable TV, but Apple TV does work with iTunes content and YouTube. In late 2013, Apple grew its streaming library by adding channels for Bloomberg, ABC, KORTV, Crackle, PBS, Vevo, HBO GO, and Watch ESPN.[1]Roku offers far more channels and apps, with the company claiming its device offers over 1,700 apps/channels, which is even more than most premium cable TV packages offer. Moreover, the device features a bevy of streaming services, notably Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, YouTube, M-Go, and Vudu. The major omission on the Roku is that it does not include content from iTunes. Third-party apps that support iTunes content occasionally become available on the Roku, but they are against Roku's terms of use and are quickly removed from the system; a few official iOS apps exist and offer limited functionality. For users who aren't invested in iTunes content, Roku is the clear winner when it comes to online content.
Local Content
Apple TV was designed with playing local content from iTunes in mind (i.e., content already stored on the phone or computer). The hassle-free setup allows all content, including music, purchased from iTunes to be immediately available on Apple TV. All local content can also be mirrored with AirPlay, which further supports services such as Pandora and Spotify.Although Roku can be set up to view already-purchased local content, it requires some effort. However, Roku does offer the option of playing media stored on USB drives and Micro SD cards. Mirroring abilities for local content are a hit-and-miss.
Connectivity
Apple TV connects to a television with an HDMI cable. Other ports include an optical audio output port, and an ethernet port for direct connection to a router. Apple TV interacts with devices via WiFi (and features dual-band Wireless-N capabilities) and Bluetooth.
Mirroring
One of Apple TV’s distinguishing features is AirPlay mirroring, which allows a user to display any content from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer on a television via Apple TV. For instance, a user could display an iPhone game or photo library on their television. This also enables any content pulled up online with a Mac computer or mobile device to be viewed on the television, thus greatly expanding the content possibilities of Apple TV. However, some reviewers have found that HD content viewed over AirPlay can suffer a bit in quality.With Roku, mirroring is not built in but is possible to some degree with Miracast, a screencast (mirroring) standard for WiFi devices. However, its functionality varies among different phones and tablets, and does not work with Apple devices. Twonky, a third-party app for Roku, allows mirroring of content among some devices. In other words, some elements of Apple’s AirPlay can be mimicked on the Roku with effort and research, but Roku does not have the complete mirroring abilities as Apple TV or Chromecast.
Integration
Apple TV features an unmatched level of integration, but only within the Apple ecosystem. In addition to device interactions via AirPlay, Apple TV functions with iCloud, i.e., content that is easily shared via other Apple devices. This means any photos or videos in a user’s iCloud account can be viewed on the television without needing any device interaction. Movies or television shows purchased on the Apple TV could be viewed at any time on another device. These benefits are, of course, largely lost if a user has Android or Windows devices.With the exception of Roku's lack of iTunes content support, Roku devices aim to be content-agnostic. They support many third-party apps and devices which feature varying degrees of integration. Photo and video collections can be viewed from a device or storage disc, and content from a phone or tablet can possibly be streamed using a third-party app. Integrating devices and viewing local content with Roku requires more research and setup than Apple TV. Though the Roku lacks the Apple TV's level of integration and easy access, it does not restrict a user to iOS devices.
Gaming
Apple TV does not feature any gaming apps, but users can play any game from any Apple device on their television via AirPlay.A number of gaming apps are available for Roku, including Angry Birds, poker, and some traditional arcade games. The motion-sensitive controller in Roku 3 can be used to play some games.
Popularity
According to research firm Parks Associates, 10% of American households with a broadband connection own a streaming device. For years, Roku has been the most popular streaming media device and its lead continued in 2014. However, with the advent of significantly cheaper — albeit less capable — alternatives like Google's Chromecast and Amazon's Fire TV, Roku's market share has diminished.Which One is for You?
For people firmly entrenched in Apple's ecosystem — for example, those with all their photos and videos in iCloud, and those with a lot of audio/video content purchased via iTunes — Apple TV offers the most seamless integration. Apple's mobile devices and computers integrate very well with Apple TV to share content, and AirPlay support can further make up for the device's limited amount of built-in channels and games. For those who already own Apple devices who are not looking for a huge array of content, Apple TV is a great option.The Roku 3 is generally considered the best digital media player on the market, at least for consumers who aren’t fully committed to the Apple ecosystem. Roku’s primary advantage is its vast array of channels and third-party content options. The remote with a built-in headphone jack (Roku 3) is also a popular feature. Roku is the superior decide when it comes to streaming online content, and it makes much more sense for anyone who doesn’t own other Apple devices. Roku also offers iOS apps that allow users to stream local content from their iPhones and iPads to the TV.
Where to Buy
The Apple TV and Roku 3 are both priced at around $99. Earlier versions of the Roku and the Roku streaming stick are available for $50-$70.While these devices can be purchased from the manufacturers' websites, Amazon almost always offers lower prices. Here are the relevant links:
| Check Price | ||
| View the model availability and current price from Amazon | Click on this link New Roku 3 Streaming Media Player (4230R) With Voice Search | Click on this link Apple TV Streaming Media Player Bundle including DeOrz High-Speed 3-Foot HDMI Cable |
Recent News
They both do similar things, albeit in different ways. But which is the best: Chromecast or Apple TV? Mike investigates
Apple TV and Google’s
Chromecast are two of the most popular methods for turning your dumb
HDTV in a slightly smarter one replete with VOD services like Netflix as
well as Cast (in the case of Chromecast) or AirPlay (Apple TV)
abilities for taking media from one medium (phone, tablet, PC) to your
HDTV.
Apple TV has been around for a long time; the device is now in its third generation. Chromecast is a newer device and, because of how little it costs, has grown dramatically since it was first launched a couple of years ago. As it stands Chromecast is the most popular digital streamer in the US, beating rival solutions from Apple, Amazon and Roku.
In a bid to further expand the presence of Apple TV around the globe, Apple recently confirmed it will be slashing the price of its streaming device to just £59. Now, that is still quite a bit more expansive than Chromecast, but it is a HUGE reduction on Apple TV’s price tag from last year, which, at one point, was £99.
Apple’s 2015 WWDC expo is also tipped to be the place where we find out a lot more about Apple’s plans for the TV space in 2015/16. The invite for the event even shows what looks like an Apple TV puck, sitting front and centre, meaning we will most likely see an updated Apple TV unit launched at this year’s event alongside Apple’s oft-rumoured Netflix-rival.
Tim Cook has discussed the importance of the TV space and, more specifically, the living room to Apple’s plans for the future. And a new Apple TV puck, with improved specs and Siri built directly into the remote, could be just what the doctor ordered. Rumoured specs for the new Apple TV unit include an A8 chipset, LOTS more storage and plenty of new connectivity.
But that's not all Apple has up its sleeve for TV in 2015. Apple is reportedly in the final stages of its first proper move into TV territory. According to reports Apple will launch a VOD service, consisting of 25 channels. The new service will be available on all of the company’s products (Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and OS X) and is expected to launch during the summer.
“Apple is in talks with US broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox to launch the service,” reports The Telegraph. “The idea is to offer a “skinny” bundle with popular channels like CBS, ESPN and FX, while leaving out many of the less well-known networks that are included in standard cable TV packages.”
However, there is now some concern over the “deals” Apple has made with these TV companies –– and, as always, it concerns your data.
“New details have started to emerge about what kinds of deals the tech company will make with its content partners,” reports 9to5Mac. “The NY Post says that these deals will involve Apple turning over certain data about its users to programmers to help solidify its agreements. Apple is reportedly giving TV partners a lot of leeway, allowing each network to decide how to handle areas like advertising on the service. However, in order to attract these content producers, Apple is offering up data regarding its viewers, such as who they are, which shows they watch, viewing schedules, and more.”
The VOD service is expected to cost around $30-$40 per month –– this means it will cost more than Netflix and Amazon’s already established services.
Here we’ll be looking at Apple TV and Chromecast in order to find out which is the best solution for you. However, it is worth noting that Apple TV will only work correctly with Apple products, something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone –– you wanna use Apple stuff you have to do it Apple’s way.
Both devices work by plugging into your television’s HDMI port. Chromecast accomplishes this via its HDMI interface designed directly into the dongle and the Apple TV accomplishes this via a standard HDMI cable that runs between it and the television.
By default it may seem like the Chromecast wins in the design department since it can be essentially hidden behind the television using a rear HDMI port, but the sad thing is the Chromecast isn’t able to draw power from the HDMI port so you need to use an included USB power cable to connect it to the TV’s USB port for power or plug it into a USB power adapter.
Here are the full specs for the Chromecast:
Apple calls this streaming “AirPlay” while Google calls it “Casting.” Both ways involve sending all or part of what is on your screen to your television. With AirPlay, Apple allows you to mirror the entire display of an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, plus any Mac with a flash-based hard drive, right to the Apple TV. This in itself is pretty cool, but AirPlay also does more, allowing you to stream just the video from any of these devices to your Apple TV (and not the entire screen). But you’ll notice that in order to use AirPlay you must own an Apple device; Windows PCs, Android phones, and the like need not apply.
With Casting, Google allows you to stream select content (such as a video or a photo, for example) from select Chromecast-compatible apps on your iOS and Android devices, as well as entire tabs in the Chrome browser on any Mac or PC right to your TV. You’ll note Chromecast is much more open in regards to devices supported, but casting doesn’t offer the ability to mirror your computer or device’s entire screen (Google does have a mirroring feature in beta, but it is very, very buggy).
Right now the Apple TV offers over 55 channels and is slowly adding more all the time. The big names are there: YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Showtime Anytime, PBS, CNBC, ESPN, and more. But the Apple TV still lacks some of the popular channels like BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Instant Video. Granted, these missing “channels” can be circumvented by downloading those apps on your iOS device (like BBC iPlayer) and then streaming the video from those apps right to your Apple TV via AirPlay.
But Apple TV’s 55 channels are much better than Chromecast’s twenty. And again, when I talk about Chromecast’s channels I’m speaking of Chromecast-compatible apps for iOS and Android. The Chromecast currently offers the likes of Google Play Movies, BBC iPlayer, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, Vevo, and YouTube. It has also more recently added support for blinkbox Music and Moves, BT Sport, Now TV, NPR, DailyBurn, and others. The let down here is, like the Apple TV, it leaves folks out in the cold if they subscribe to Amazon Instant Video.
But as for content, neither device will leave you wanting. The Apple TV gives you access to Apple’s iTunes Store and its hundreds of thousands of TV shows and movies. Not to be outdone, the Chromecast gives you access to the same via the Google Play Store. And considering both devices gives you access to Netflix and YouTube, it’s hard to define a clear winner in the content category.
However, there’s something to be said for a physical remote. You don’t need to worry about being cut off from your streaming box if your smartphone runs out of power. The Apple TV includes a gorgeously designed, very small aluminium remote that is as easy to use as you would expect a remote from Apple to be. For me, I like the tactile feedback a physical remote gives.
Apple, of course, also offers a dedicated Remote app that works with the Apple TV. It’s free for iPhone and iPad.
The Apple TV’s UI has just received a complete refresh along with the release of iOS 8. Gone are the glossy iOS 6-like buttons and in is an all-new flat design. The UI is easy enough to navigate. It’s a grid system of apps/channels that you select to access the content inside them. Apple has also added some small new features like the ability to rearrange the channel buttons on the screen or hide a channel altogether. This is becoming more useful as the Apple TV gets more and more channels. The latest Apple TV Software 7.0 software also adds support for Family Sharing, which allows movies and TV shows purchased by any family member’s iTunes account to be shared with other member’s iTunes accounts.
But the Chromecast, in contrast, doesn’t have a UI at all. As stated above, everything is done through apps on smartphones and tablets or via tabs in Chrome browsers. Props to Google for trying to go as basic with Chromecast as possible, but it’s also nice to know that the Apple TV will work (and allow you to access content) even if there’s not a single other device in your house.
Case in point: Apple TV now supports HomeKit, which is Apple’s IOT framework that allows smart devices to be controlled just by speaking to Siri. For example, if you have Phillips Hue lights you can tell Siri on your iPhone or iPad to, “Turn on the lights in my living room,” and they’ll switch on. Of course this functionality requires you, for now, to have your iOS device with you.
But if the Apple TV now supports HomeKit –– and Apple hasn’t publicly acknowledged it doe –– it could be possible that Apple sees its Apple TV as a hub that you’ll interact with your smart home through, just by using your voice. And if I were a betting man, I’d put the chances of this of happening at 90%. The Apple TV is a relatively cheap device at £79 and adding HomeKit support to it would enable Apple to provide a low-cost unifying hub that would further strengthen the iOS ecosystem and also solidify Apple’s position in the home entertainment and home automation markets.
Then again, at £30 the Chromecast is hard to say no to. It’s not a
versatile as the Apple TV, but for all it does at such a low price, it’s
almost crazy not to pick one of them up, especially if you don’t have a
way to get Netflix or YouTube on your television right now. For anyone
that hasn’t, however, you might want to wait until the release of Google’s Android TV initiative
–– it’s basically Chromecast, just with a more Roku-Apple-TV-feel, in
that it’ll ship either inside HDTVs or in set-top boxes.
Apple TV has been around for a long time; the device is now in its third generation. Chromecast is a newer device and, because of how little it costs, has grown dramatically since it was first launched a couple of years ago. As it stands Chromecast is the most popular digital streamer in the US, beating rival solutions from Apple, Amazon and Roku.
In a bid to further expand the presence of Apple TV around the globe, Apple recently confirmed it will be slashing the price of its streaming device to just £59. Now, that is still quite a bit more expansive than Chromecast, but it is a HUGE reduction on Apple TV’s price tag from last year, which, at one point, was £99.
Apple’s 2015 WWDC expo is also tipped to be the place where we find out a lot more about Apple’s plans for the TV space in 2015/16. The invite for the event even shows what looks like an Apple TV puck, sitting front and centre, meaning we will most likely see an updated Apple TV unit launched at this year’s event alongside Apple’s oft-rumoured Netflix-rival.
Tim Cook has discussed the importance of the TV space and, more specifically, the living room to Apple’s plans for the future. And a new Apple TV puck, with improved specs and Siri built directly into the remote, could be just what the doctor ordered. Rumoured specs for the new Apple TV unit include an A8 chipset, LOTS more storage and plenty of new connectivity.
But that's not all Apple has up its sleeve for TV in 2015. Apple is reportedly in the final stages of its first proper move into TV territory. According to reports Apple will launch a VOD service, consisting of 25 channels. The new service will be available on all of the company’s products (Apple TV, iPhone, iPad and OS X) and is expected to launch during the summer.
“Apple is in talks with US broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox to launch the service,” reports The Telegraph. “The idea is to offer a “skinny” bundle with popular channels like CBS, ESPN and FX, while leaving out many of the less well-known networks that are included in standard cable TV packages.”
However, there is now some concern over the “deals” Apple has made with these TV companies –– and, as always, it concerns your data.
“New details have started to emerge about what kinds of deals the tech company will make with its content partners,” reports 9to5Mac. “The NY Post says that these deals will involve Apple turning over certain data about its users to programmers to help solidify its agreements. Apple is reportedly giving TV partners a lot of leeway, allowing each network to decide how to handle areas like advertising on the service. However, in order to attract these content producers, Apple is offering up data regarding its viewers, such as who they are, which shows they watch, viewing schedules, and more.”
The VOD service is expected to cost around $30-$40 per month –– this means it will cost more than Netflix and Amazon’s already established services.
Here we’ll be looking at Apple TV and Chromecast in order to find out which is the best solution for you. However, it is worth noting that Apple TV will only work correctly with Apple products, something that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone –– you wanna use Apple stuff you have to do it Apple’s way.
Design, Specs, and Compatibility
The most noticeable difference between the Chromecast and the Apple TV is in the way they look. The Chromecast looks like you standard USB memory stick while the Apple TV looks like a small, mysterious black box not much larger than a hockey puck. Both devices work by plugging into your television’s HDMI port. Chromecast accomplishes this via its HDMI interface designed directly into the dongle and the Apple TV accomplishes this via a standard HDMI cable that runs between it and the television.
By default it may seem like the Chromecast wins in the design department since it can be essentially hidden behind the television using a rear HDMI port, but the sad thing is the Chromecast isn’t able to draw power from the HDMI port so you need to use an included USB power cable to connect it to the TV’s USB port for power or plug it into a USB power adapter.
Here are the full specs for the Chromecast:
- Output: HDMI, CEC compatible
- Processor: Marvell 88DE3005 (Armada 1500-mini) system on a chip
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: 2GB flash
- Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p
- Dimensions: 72(L) x 35(W) x 12(H) mm
- Weight: 34 g
- Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Power: USB (Power adapter included)
- Supported Devices: Devices running Android 2.3 and higher, iOS 6 and higher, Windows 7 and higher, Mac OS 10.7 and higher, Chrome OS (Chromebook Pixel, additional Chromebooks coming soon).
- Output: HDMI (not CEC compatible)
- Processor: Apple A5
- RAM: 512MB
- Storage: 8GB flash
- Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p
- Dimensions: 23(L) x 99(W) x 99(H) mm
- Weight: 270 g
- Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth
- Power: Built-in universal 6 W power supply
- Supported Devices: Devices running iOS 6 and higher, Windows XP and higher, Mac OS X 10.3.9 and higher.
AirPlay vs. “Casting”
Before we delve into the channels both media streamers offer, it’s important to distinguish between the ways users can get information to their Apple TV or Chromecast. One way is via streaming content from your various devices to both the Apple TV and Chromecast.Apple calls this streaming “AirPlay” while Google calls it “Casting.” Both ways involve sending all or part of what is on your screen to your television. With AirPlay, Apple allows you to mirror the entire display of an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, plus any Mac with a flash-based hard drive, right to the Apple TV. This in itself is pretty cool, but AirPlay also does more, allowing you to stream just the video from any of these devices to your Apple TV (and not the entire screen). But you’ll notice that in order to use AirPlay you must own an Apple device; Windows PCs, Android phones, and the like need not apply.
With Casting, Google allows you to stream select content (such as a video or a photo, for example) from select Chromecast-compatible apps on your iOS and Android devices, as well as entire tabs in the Chrome browser on any Mac or PC right to your TV. You’ll note Chromecast is much more open in regards to devices supported, but casting doesn’t offer the ability to mirror your computer or device’s entire screen (Google does have a mirroring feature in beta, but it is very, very buggy).
Channels
Though both allow you to stream content from your devices to your TV, both devices are actually built for cloud streaming. By this I mean both devices offer a series of “channels” that allow you to select content which is then retrieved from the Internet and streamed to your device. Actually, “channels” are a bit misleading. It’s really better to call them “apps.” On the Apple TV the apps/channels appear onscreen. On the Chromecast the apps/channels appear as a submenu on the device you are using, such as your laptop, or via an actual app on your smartphone.Right now the Apple TV offers over 55 channels and is slowly adding more all the time. The big names are there: YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, Showtime Anytime, PBS, CNBC, ESPN, and more. But the Apple TV still lacks some of the popular channels like BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Instant Video. Granted, these missing “channels” can be circumvented by downloading those apps on your iOS device (like BBC iPlayer) and then streaming the video from those apps right to your Apple TV via AirPlay.
But Apple TV’s 55 channels are much better than Chromecast’s twenty. And again, when I talk about Chromecast’s channels I’m speaking of Chromecast-compatible apps for iOS and Android. The Chromecast currently offers the likes of Google Play Movies, BBC iPlayer, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Pandora, Vevo, and YouTube. It has also more recently added support for blinkbox Music and Moves, BT Sport, Now TV, NPR, DailyBurn, and others. The let down here is, like the Apple TV, it leaves folks out in the cold if they subscribe to Amazon Instant Video.
But as for content, neither device will leave you wanting. The Apple TV gives you access to Apple’s iTunes Store and its hundreds of thousands of TV shows and movies. Not to be outdone, the Chromecast gives you access to the same via the Google Play Store. And considering both devices gives you access to Netflix and YouTube, it’s hard to define a clear winner in the content category.
Remotes
The Chromecast comes with no dedicated remote at all. Your computer with the Chrome browser or your Chromecast-enabled apps on your iOS or Android devices are the only remote Google thinks you need. I get why Google has done this: 1) it keeps the cost of the Chromecast down –– and at £30, one can’t complain. And 2) we almost always have one device with us, be it a phone or tablet, when we are chilling on the couch.However, there’s something to be said for a physical remote. You don’t need to worry about being cut off from your streaming box if your smartphone runs out of power. The Apple TV includes a gorgeously designed, very small aluminium remote that is as easy to use as you would expect a remote from Apple to be. For me, I like the tactile feedback a physical remote gives.
Apple, of course, also offers a dedicated Remote app that works with the Apple TV. It’s free for iPhone and iPad.
OS and UI
The Apple TV runs its own OS on the box itself, which is based on iOS 8 and called, rather unoriginally, “Apple TV Software 7.0”. The Chromecast runs, depending who you talk to, a light version of the Chrome OS or a light version of Android (Google has said it’s Chrome OS, while hackers have said it’s closer to Android). The Apple TV’s UI has just received a complete refresh along with the release of iOS 8. Gone are the glossy iOS 6-like buttons and in is an all-new flat design. The UI is easy enough to navigate. It’s a grid system of apps/channels that you select to access the content inside them. Apple has also added some small new features like the ability to rearrange the channel buttons on the screen or hide a channel altogether. This is becoming more useful as the Apple TV gets more and more channels. The latest Apple TV Software 7.0 software also adds support for Family Sharing, which allows movies and TV shows purchased by any family member’s iTunes account to be shared with other member’s iTunes accounts.
But the Chromecast, in contrast, doesn’t have a UI at all. As stated above, everything is done through apps on smartphones and tablets or via tabs in Chrome browsers. Props to Google for trying to go as basic with Chromecast as possible, but it’s also nice to know that the Apple TV will work (and allow you to access content) even if there’s not a single other device in your house.
The Future
But what’s more interesting than where these two devices are now is where they’ll go in the future. Google has Android TV, which will be with us later this quarter, and Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has mentioned on numerous occasions that his company’s next BIG project will be reinventing TV.Case in point: Apple TV now supports HomeKit, which is Apple’s IOT framework that allows smart devices to be controlled just by speaking to Siri. For example, if you have Phillips Hue lights you can tell Siri on your iPhone or iPad to, “Turn on the lights in my living room,” and they’ll switch on. Of course this functionality requires you, for now, to have your iOS device with you.
But if the Apple TV now supports HomeKit –– and Apple hasn’t publicly acknowledged it doe –– it could be possible that Apple sees its Apple TV as a hub that you’ll interact with your smart home through, just by using your voice. And if I were a betting man, I’d put the chances of this of happening at 90%. The Apple TV is a relatively cheap device at £79 and adding HomeKit support to it would enable Apple to provide a low-cost unifying hub that would further strengthen the iOS ecosystem and also solidify Apple’s position in the home entertainment and home automation markets.
Winner
All in all, the Apple TV will be a better option for those who want a traditional, full-featured media streamer. The dedicated box of the device and the fact that it works independently of other devices makes it as dependable as your trusty DVD player. The Apple TV is also the best option for those already in Apple’s ecosystem with iPads or iPhones. And if Apple does turn the Apple TV into a smart home hub, Apple’s set top box will become even more useful with just a free software update. You can pick one up for around £59.
| ||||||||
Disclaimer: Information provided is believed correct
and true to the best of our ability, however, GPS Compared is not
responsible for typographical errors or incorrect data. To report any
errors, please use the comment below or visit the official Garmin
product page for details specifications.
| ||||||||
Reference
Wikipedia:Miracast- Apple TV - official website
- Comparison of Roku and Apple TV on Roku's official website (obviously biased)
- Roku still tops as sales of streaming-media players rise - CNET.com
- Games on Roku - Wikipedia
- Review of Roku 3 - CNET
- Now a Roku 3 has replaced my AppleTv - BoingBoing
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar