How Apple scuppered the perfect TV set-up
So:
- The new Apple TV, slightly larger than a Club bar and only £99.
- The recent iOS 4.2 upgrade, with AirPlay, enabling you to send video from your iThing to your Apple TV, just by prodding an on-screen button.
- The spiffy Air Video, enabling streaming and live conversion from Mac or PC to your iThing.
In the world of non-idiots:
- User buys all of the above, and happily plays anything stored on their computer on their TV, wirelessly.
- User also buys and rents stuff from the iTunes Store with absurd ease.
- Buyer is now hugely happy.
- Apple makes buckets of cash.
- Everyone who likes TV loves Apple.
In the world of Apple:
- AirPlay video is blocked to developers, out of pure spite and stupidity.
- Apple TV considered a waste of time by loads of people.
- Buyers left with other equally problematic products.
- Apple makes buckets of cash, but fewer buckets have Apple TV written on them in marker pen.
- Everyone who likes TV hates Apple.
Maybe iOS 4.3 will change everything, but I think it’s more likely Steve Jobs will broadcast a live video of him smashing an iPhone to pieces and announce Apple is to become an Android-based company.