Apple vs. Google TVs

This SFGate article begins, "Apple and Google just kicked off the first round of their battle for the living room. Based on what we've seen so far, Apple is in the lead. It's still early, and this could change, but it looks like Apple is making an all-around smarter bet than Google." I haven't tried out the Google device yet. The Apple unit is decent, but it's so focused on TV rental that it makes it difficult to work with an existing library of media; between the transcoding, and tedious menu navigation... well, it's a good thing it's only $99. It's a dang cheap way to get your stuff on your bigger screens, provided you're willing to jump through the necessary hoops.

Comments

The Biggest Addiction In The U.S.A:

[Anonymous Coward]

Kill your television.

Yours In Novosibirsk,
K. Trout

Apple too controlling and omnipresent

[digitaldc]

Don't be surprised if you can't access certain shows/sites/media simply because Apple doesn't approve of your particular tastes or method of acquiring that content. Google seems to be a lot more forgiving in terms of what you can view, in my opinion.

Re:tivo premier blows them both away

[MichaelKristopeit 29]

the difference between necessity and sufficiency is something most idiots struggle with.

Re:slanted author

[oh_my_080980980]

Nice job zippy!

If you've read the article, the author was talking about ease of use for the end user and cost. Something you ignored.

Google TV $300, only available on the most expensive SONY TV. So who on earth is going to shell out $$$ to have Google TV baked in?? Not the masses.

"Google TV sits between your cable box and your TV, tells your DVR what to record, searches the web, and seems to add a lot of complexity to your entertainment experience."

Apple TV just plugs into a secondary input and leaves you alone.

Which one do you think people would like?

Re:Why not run Boxee on the old Apple TV?

[jedidiah]

No. It's a problem with Apple and the fanboys describing something that is terribly limited as "magical".

The New AppleTV is even less interesting than the old one despite of all of the hype and nonsense.

This very article is a part of that hype and nonsense.

A Mac Mini might cost 7 times more. At least it gets the job done and can do something as simple as play the home videos.

Google TV perhaps might at least be able to play the home videos.

Re:Bittorrent + simple TV media player

[BitZtream]

Depends, do you realize that what you are doing likely requires breaking the law. If you're one of those 'I don't watch copyrighted content' then just go fuck yourself because no one cares.

However, if you actually watch content that is even slightly well known than you're either dealing with DRM or stealing it.

Good for you and your $50 WD device that makes it easier for you to steal.

I want a $50 device I can hookup to my TV and watch any TV show I want to watch for free, without commercials, on demand ... I also want to flap my arms and fly. One is impossible, the other is impossible if no one ever pays the guys making the content anything, which is what you're looking for.

Content producers are generally douche bags, but you sir are no better. You're breaking the law and being a dirtbag in the exact same ways that the MPAA and RIAA do.