So why isn’t Apple TV going with 4K video capacity?

Two major reasons, that I can see:

  1. Apple means it when they say that there’s currently an insufficient need for higher-capacity video streaming.  And that that capacity is unlikely to be needed before the next time that they update the Apple TV’s hardware anyway.
  2. Apple can’t actually do it.

I suspect that ‘2.’ may be the answer: contra both Buzzfeed and Engadget it’s been my experience that, if you build spare capacity into hardware, it ends up getting used up faster than you’d expect. Unfortunately – and this is something that probably should be said more often – Apple has not really been the same since Steve Jobs died. Some of the magic flakes off with every annoying software update. It would not surprise me that their current corporate structure isn’t up to the challenge of preparing for the next wave of video streaming.  To be completely honest about it, I’ve never been really impressed with Apple’s video features anyway.

But perhaps I’m wrong. As Neil notes here, people raised eyebrows at Apple skipping Blu-Ray, too.

Via

Moe Lane

 

6 thoughts on “So why isn’t Apple TV going with 4K video capacity?”

  1. I actually doubt #2, primarily for the fact that the new iPad and iMacs are doing some nifty software down sampling. The iMac, in particular, is actually running at a 5k resolution.
    .
    4k content just isn’t streamable given current connection speeds. I *would* like to see it support showing your photos at full resolution. That would be nice.

  2. Eh, Apple seems headed for trouble. Riding high at the moment for sure, but I see plenty of signs. A stale consumer product line that’s rapidly being superseded by the competition, stupid gimmick “next big thing” iWatch, a CEO more famous for things not related to Apple’s business plan, their PC line is an afterthought these days, developer relations are poor. Somethings got to give.
    –
    All that said, 4k video on Apple TV is… kind of pointless right now? Most people have 1080p tv’s and aren’t looking to upgrade, not for the current prices of 4k displays. Add in most people only have net speeds barely able to handle 1080p streams at or below 60 fps, 4k streaming is a little far away.

    1. “a CEO more famous for things not related to Apple’s business plan”
      .
      I was about to upgrade my iPhone 4 to an iPhone 6, but now, due to the antics of Mr. Cook, I will get a Samsung Galaxy.

        1. For what it’s worth, my wife is very happy with her choice to ditch her iPhone and go Galaxy.

  3. #3: Apple can’t actually do it *while* maintaining their inflated profit margin.
    .
    I can’t see there being much demand for it until the data transmission infrastructure improves a lot.
    That said, Apple’s core demographic of urban hipster poseurs is the most likely to demand and embrace such capabilities. I would think this would be a lot more popular with them than the whole watch gimmick. (But then, it’s a mindset I have zero points of reference in common with. Maybe they really ARE clamoring for an overpriced fitbit.)

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