Finally: new Apple TV is a video game console!

For a long time I hoped it, now it has finally come! With the announced Apple TV 4 you finally have access to iOS apps and so on Games on the big TV screen. Plus, there's a whole lot of other innovations which I want to introduce you briefly ...

A game console from Apple?
Apple TV 2015 Keynote

Although there will be from the publication of its own AppStore for Apple TV with the new operating system TVOS, Universal apps were announced. Like right now? An example? Apple has even given one directly to Keynote in September 2015 ... if you do the game transistor [Review]  purchases in iOS AppStore, this includes (then) as a Universal app also TVOS support. Since it also has iCloud savegames, so you can go gamble on the iPad and arrived home to continue the game on TV ... comfortable Session

But most important linchpin remains the control of the games! Here, the new remote control comes into play, which in the upper part has a large touch panel. As can be seen in the keynote, you can also act by motion via motion and acceleration sensor with the full remote control but. Here probably come hard times for the Wii, if you look at the purchase price and the price of iOS games!

Apple TV Controller TVOS


Other Mfi controller you can use ...
For this, the Apple TV supports future also introduced with iOS Mfi iOS7 controller protocol and works consequently with all compatible controllers. Incidentally manufacturer SteelSeries with the Nimbus already announced a separate full-size controller for the Apple TV!

Interesting way, is the fact that all the games on the Apple TV is essential to support the Control with Remote, so that everyone can enter immediately. Restricts seems the number of players who can play simultaneously. A maximum of two remote remotes can probably only connect via Bluetooth - nothing with the 4 man party.

On the side of Apple, there are already first supported games like Galaxy on Fire: Manticore, Transistor, Ocean Horn, Shadow Matic, Guitar Hero or Rayman Adventures.

Crossy Roads Multiplayer


Crossy Roads gets an exclusive multiplayer mode
Also chic is the multiplayer option as gaming but the most fun together on the big TV. So friends can connect with an iPhone or iPod touch simply that then works as an additional controller. In addition to iOS Universal Apps, it will probably be a whole lot of special game developments directly for the Apple TV, playing with the possibilities the new controller ...

To ensure that everything works well, the housing has become 1cm higher and now home to the new 64bit A8 processor (as in the current iPhone 6) and the metal interface provides a sufficiently fluffy graphic connection to send items to display most of the games on an HD TV ,

For film and music lovers

Otherwise, there are familiar things: About a revised surface you regain access to Apple's iTunes library, and the new Apple Music service is integrated - whoever does not, however, paid monthly, can only listen to one radio station. Important here is Siri, you can now also respond to the Apple TV directly via the remote control. The functionality has been specifically drilled out and you can (at least in English) quite concrete questions for actors, sectors, tracks or recommendations and quite comfortably navigate.

The clearest sign that Apple will in the living room, is the more favorable for Apple ratios price of 179 € for the 32GB version, which proposes 64GB version 229 € to book. Ordered the Apple TV 4 is the end of October 2015th

Update: The new Apple TV is 4 preorder now and will be delivered from the 10.30.2015. You can see it here directly ordered through the app or through the Apple Store. I have already ordered and then you can write a detailed report on the weekend can be found here in the AppGemeinde. I'm curious…

Everything pretty sunshine? - Pro & Contra opinion!
Tobi said: For me, this is new Apple TV is the most exciting device from Apple this year, because it is sure to find at the low price entry into many households. In addition to useful features for film and music lovers, but it is a dream for (iOS) gamer and has in my opinion, by the Gaming enough potential (and the casual gaming in particular) to define all over again. Is as good as ordered my hand already - a detailed test to be found soon in the AppGemeinde!



Axel said: Na na na, Tobi - always calm with the hype train. Let's Try twisting the facts on the table. Casual gamers are really well served with their smartphones. Why should they want to play and 5-minute Match3 games on the big TV? Generally, the trend is still away from large screens to small screens.

Apple has, in my view the problem is that they do not know who they want to reach with Apple TV actually. The gamer you will not respond thus: They are best served with the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, the Wii U and the PC as a gaming platform. In addition, the remote simply looks like a cheap Wii Remote Copy. Here Apple has missed the Apple TV to connect to iPhones and iPads. What can be so exciting conjure from this connection, TV and tablet, Nintendo shows fully up to date with the Super Mario Maker! So a similar compound in a playful and creative vision would Apple go up to be competitive.

General missing here simply times the killer applications to the device to make the gamers tasty. Or think anybody seriously think that a TV version of Crossy Roads can address any who are a console from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo in the living room? Which are supplied to their consoles a month with so many games, why should they then want to use this Apple device? And as I said, you will not respond Casuals hence. Hardly anyone is of 150 € or 200 €, only to its mobile games to play on the TV. In the end, here is only the tip extremely audience of iOS gamers. And this play rarely aausschließlich on the iOS platform. Another annoyance: an MFI controller you have to buy for expensive money to do so. As quickly € 280 from the prize of 200 € and then you can also buy the same normal game console with real and long entertaining games.

What is sold here by Apple as a major step, in the end is a small gimmick, but nothing will be sustainable and remain long on inventory. Shall we bet that in 1-2 years no one is talking about Apple TV as a game console? Because it simply lack the vision and creativity also to fill this gimmick seriously with life as it supremacy Nintendo repeatedly. The Apple has not managed in the mobile market (the Nintendo 3DS and its games are selling, in spite of all the prophecies of doom at the beginning, excellent!) And it will not manage in the face of the overwhelming competition from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo on the stationary market. But Apple is missing the video game expertise. And of course to licenses.