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[PeakPointMatrix]

So, I design TV apps for a living. Currently on my desk at work, I have a PS4, an XBO, Nvidia Shield, Google Nexus, ATV4, OG ATV, FireTV, Fire and Roku sticks, and a couple others I'm sure I've forgotten about.

OP is right. The Apple TV 4 remote is terrible. Or, to be more accurate, the horizontal on-screen keyboard is terrible. In our testing, the keyboard grid, as seen on PS4, XBO, FireTV, and others, makes entering type significantly faster and more efficient for users.

The ATV4 remote is great for large swipes, but terrible for precise movements. The touchpad is way too sensitive-if I even look at the touchpad funny on my home setup, it turns on, and switches away from whatever I was watching. It got so bad that I have a Harmony remote at home, and use the combination of the old Apple remote and bluetooth keyboard at work, because I have to enter passwords a bunch. And the OP is right-telling him to download additional apps or add hardware to make the device work well out of the box isn't really the best solution.

But the Apple TV hardware and software itself is aces. And the quality of the media streaming apps on the device have dramatically improved-a lot of things we're starting to implement on our apps have already started to hit the market (which really fucking sucks, for me, anyway). I actually also really like the Shield device, and Android TV, but the apps right now are sub-par compared to the best of ATV apps.

In my experience, purely considering media streaming capabilities: ATV 4 > Nvidia Shield > XBO > Fire TV > Roku > PS4 > OG ATV > Roku/Fire Sticks

Why is it both you and the OP seemingly ignore the Siri functionality? It was built around voice input as the main feature. It doesn't matter if the physical method of inputting information is terrible (it is), the siri integration is meant to replace that. Unless you're personally mute, or have a baby sleeping in the room, or don't have an iPhone, I don't see why you would forgo using the superior, easier, faster, main feature of the ATV4.

 

[Battlezone]

Why is it both you and the OP seemingly ignore the Siri functionality? It was built around voice input as the main feature. It doesn't matter if the physical method of inputting information is terrible (it is), the siri integration is meant to replace that. Unless you're personally mute, or have a baby sleeping in the room, or don't have an iPhone, I don't see why you would forgo using the superior, easier, faster, main feature of the ATV4.

I mean, I didn't? I was talking specifically about the remote hardware. Siri is fine, if incomplete, but testing shows that while most people use voice search and control a handful of times once users get their Apple TV, and they'll use it when showing it off to friends, the vast-vast-majority of users use the remote as their primary control device. And as a primary control device, it's not quite there yet. So yes, it absolutely matters if the physical method of inputting information is terrible.

That said, it's close. The Apple TV is still my preferred box by a large margin.

 

[Struct09]

Only thing I don't like about Roku is I don't love the Roku SDK's standard templates for apps, which a lot of apps just sort of use.

I know what you mean. That default template is functional, but dated. Thankfully apps like Amazon and Netflix are using their own modern UI, I think the only app I use that still has the old Roku UI is HBO Now.

 

[Macam]

Apple is doing the one-step ahead of where consumers thing, where they see keyboard use with your Apple TV has being necessary some times but rarely, and not as their preferred method of input when you're in front of a TV (in the same way they still resist styli as a primary, all-purpose input device for tablets, and a number of their other decisions).

To that end, the keyboard is sufficient but not ideal; it is very slippery, which is nicer for skipping thru content ad hoc than granular text entry/selection. The PS4's d-pad is much more accurate but a DualShock controller is like Mandarin for normal/casual users.

There are trade offs in every set top box, or even integrated "boxes", and the AppleTV is no different. The trade offs are just much easier if you use an iOS device (the iPhone is the "halo" device here, not the other way around, as the OP seems to want), and if you have an alternate device (e.g., to watch/use Amazon).

 

[uncelestial]

All you need is Chromecast
All you need is Chromecast
All you need is Chromecast, Chromecast
Chromecast is all you need

Fuck remotes.

 

[infiniteloop]

maybe if you don't share the TV/viewing time with other people in the household. I don't want to leave my phone at home because my wife is watching something on the TV.

 

[uncelestial]

maybe if you don't share the TV/viewing time with other people in the household. I don't want to leave my phone at home because my wife is watching something on the TV.

Does your wife not also have a phone? Any smartphone (Apple or Android) can control a Chromecast.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Does your wife not also have a phone? Any smartphone (Apple or Android) can control a Chromecast.

I find the whole Chromecast interface clunky compared to traditional UI that works with a dedicated remote. I still have Chromecasts in the house for specific usecase but they are always in addition to a dedicated box, not a replace. That includes the small kitchen TV that we have where I made an elaborate setup that would let me have both a Fire TV box and a Chromecast hooked up to it instead of just using a Chromecast alone.

 

[infiniteloop]

Does your wife not also have a phone? Any smartphone (Apple or Android) can control a Chromecast.

It's still tied to a particular phone. Plus we have family that don't have phones.
I'd rather have a dedicated box in the living room.

 

[optimiss]

All you need is Chromecast
All you need is Chromecast
All you need is Chromecast, Chromecast
Chromecast is all you need

Fuck remotes.

Chromecast is a pain in my ass because it disconnects way too quickly when you pause something. I wwaaayyyy prefer my Nvidia Shield.

 

[Macam]

At this point, I'd frankly be a little concerned with a Chromecast or most any Google hardware product. They've been nuking a fair bit of stuff lately.

 

[SmackCrackleNPop]

I had a Nexus Player and the support for it was pretty bad.

I have the new Apple TV and other than the funky remote which I got used to, it's been pretty cool!

Use a FireTV mainly for emulators and Amazon Prime Video, it's cool too