10 Reasons Why Apple TV Is Now an Effective Entertainment Console

A new version of Apple TV includes everything from app support to a new remote. Such new features make it clear that it is no longer just a “hobby” for Apple.

Although it’s a major upgrade in terms of features and power, Apple TV isn’t all that different in terms of looks. The device has the same black box design as its predecessor, complete with rounded corners. It’s also still small enough to fit into tiny areas, which will make it a nice accompaniment to any home media setup.

The Apple TV remote is arguably its most important feature. In addition to having standard physical buttons, like Menu and plus and minus for volume, it includes a touch-enabled area that allows users to control the software with their fingers. Apple says that the remote will also come with a microphone, so users can tell Siri what they’d like to see.

The Siri virtual personal assistant will have an important role with Apple TV. Although users can input simple commands, like play or pause, Siri is now capable of more sophisticated requests. For instance, if users ask to “find some funny TV shows,” Siri will deliver relevant results. Using Siri’s voice commands, users can quickly and easily navigate the software and find content.

Another important addition to Apple TV is the ability for developers to make apps for the device. In short order, an app ecosystem will emerge for Apple TV, helping to bring a wider range of content, including games, video channels and more, to users’ televisions. Roku pioneered applications for a set-top box, and Apple TV may take it to the next level.

While Steve Jobs once described Apple TV as just a hobby, the device is now an important part of Apple’s entertainment package. The main reason for that is the rapid evolution of television and the unbundling of programming from long-established cable and satellite providers. Apple says that it believes the future is in giving customers as many viewing and entertainment options as possible. Apple TV, Apple says, reflects that market shift.

Gaming is making its way to Apple TV. Developers can make games that work with either Apple’s remote or a traditional game controller that customers can buy separately. That’s likely bad news for Microsoft and Sony, which currently offer the most popular game consoles in the world. If Apple TV takes off and the gaming experiences it offers rival those of PlayStation or Xbox, the gaming landscape could change forever.

One of the most important things to understand about Apple TV is that the best experience will be delivered to current Apple product users. After all, the device is designed to integrate with iTunes and make available music, photos and video programming stored on Apple’s platforms. Non-Apple users can still use Apple TV, but it won’t be the same experience for those folks.

Internally, Apple TV is a solid product. The device comes with Apple’s A8 processor and has both Ethernet and WiFi connectivity. Out of the box, it’ll support 1080p video. Since it’s a small box, however, don’t expect to find many ports. Apple TV has a spot for a power supply, as well as USB-C for service and support, HDMI and an Ethernet cable.

One of the hallmarks of past Apple TV devices was that they were all about streaming and therefore had little or no storage available to the user. The new Apple TV, however, will come in two flavors: one featuring 32GB of storage and another with 64GB. Those who plan to download a lot of apps and keep movies on the device should opt for the larger version.

Apple TV won’t break buyers’ entertainment budgets. The company’s set-top box will start at $149 and go up to $199 for the 64GB model. That puts it around the same price as some of its top competitors. The Siri remote comes bundled with Apple TV. For now, Apple isn’t saying exactly when Apple TV will launch. Its Website only says that it’s “coming soon.”