Gadgets Blog » Apple TV

Television as we once knew it may be approaching its final days. Thanks largely in part to Internet sources for TV series and movies, the slowly emerging market of streaming-based TV content has become a prominent force in the electronics world.

Once just a distributor of by-mail DVD rentals, Netflix has solidified its place in the 21st century, providing the best quick-streaming services out there. Competitors like Hulu for TV and movies and VEVO for music have followed suit with a similar business model, leading to a whole new market of internet-TV streaming devices.

Apple and Google have both jumped on board this bandwagon, with Apple TV and Google TV bringing a wide variety of content to users thanks to TV set integration as well as standalone units. With titans such as these in the ring, is there even room for smaller companies? Boxee, a gadgets maker that has been utterly unknown save for a beta version of today’s product, may very well say yes.

The latest chapter in the long-building rivalry between Google and Apple is coming not to you mobile device, your computer, or even your office at all. In the last few months, both companies have set their sights squarely on a new battleground: the living room. Apple has made the foray into television before, with the modest failure of Apple TV. However, with a redesign and deals with major television and movie studios, Apple is back in action with a new device. Not to be outdone, Sony unveiled Google’s retaliation with a host of devices powered by Google TV.

The televisions themselves are what has become standard in our 21st century TV market. High-definition models supporting up to 1080p boast bright screens, between 24 and 46 inches. There are inputs for everything from an XBox 360 to a Blu-Ray player. HDMI support enables the user to easily plug their computer in for additional workspace. Each of these models, which go on sale this Saturday at BestBuy and online from Sony, support WiFi and have 4 USB ports, which are beginning to live up to their “universal” billing.

The real draw here, of course, is the Google TV option. Google’s approach to online television differs drastically from Apple’s. Steve Jobs and company built a media empire by providing products from Apple directly, as seen by their App store and iTunes. Google, instead, works with existing media providers to provide a more open alternative. Netflix and Hulu come built into Google TV, along with other free programs such as YouTube and Pandora. Web surfing comes courtesy of Google Chrome, turning these televisions into more than just a means for watching movies.

In Apple’s staggering line-up of products, gadget after gadget has seemingly entered the public consciousness. Since the introduction of the iPod, Apple has built a 21st century empire based around a strong brand image. Their products are innovative and simple to use, appealing to users across all demographics. The iPhone, iPad, and their new line of laptop computers have made them a relevant company after languishing in Microsoft’s shadow throughout the 1990s. Earlier this week, in addition to updates to their flagship products, Apple unveiled a new vision for a product that has been less than stellar: Apple TV.

Its not that this is a particularly new concept, or one that Apple hasn’t made an attempt at before. Apple TV originally was a little-known product offered up by the company, a small box plugged directly into your television. The device could access a video store and the internet through a simple connection, enabling you to stream videos to your big screen. While the idea sounds great on paper, slow connection speeds and poor availability doomed the project in the early days. It enjoyed a small following, but nothing compared to other mainstays of their company.

The new Apple TV looks to fix a number of these flaws. In what seems an attempt to recreate the success of the iTunes Music Store with videos, the new device features a wide array of videos available for streaming. There is a bit of a catch, however. First of all, the user is only able to “rent” the videos, meaning that instead of downloading them to a permanent library, you’re forced to stream them off the internet instead. For users wanting a handy collection, the new Apple TV doesn’t seem to be the right choice. Surely there’s a better way to implement this television and video-watching from the Internet idea.