With today’s tattle about Apple TV getting a motion sensitive makeover, we’ve started thinking long and hard about just how much Cupertino’s slice of set top wizardry needs a major overhaul. With the Boxee Box on its way and Freeview HD round the corner, can the Wi-Fi friendly slab ever dominate the space under your TV? Here’s our tuppence worth on how Apple can rescue the Apple TV.
Throw open the App store on Apple TV
This one’s a no brainer really. Load up Apple TV with App Store access and get devs working on specific versions for your boobtube. Instantly you’ve got an Apple home console, letting you control classics like Super Monkey Ball and Monkey Island via your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
Official BBC iPlayer support
Sure you can tinker with your Apple TV to get iPlayer working. But we want to see official support, which would surely give mean greater uptake and less hassle for those fearful of hacking their new slice of Apple gadgetry.
Patent reveals motion-sensitive Apple TV
Freeview HD tuner inside
Call us mad, but Apple TV actually working as a TV tuner makes perfect sense. You could record shows directly to its hard disk and it’d look ace too. But what it really needs is Freeview HD. The service is already rolling out. Shove it in a new model before the World Cup and we’ll definitely stump up for one.
Match the Boxee Box’s epic file support
Sure Apple TV can play a decent number of file formats. But the Boxee Box, with its ability to play everything from Flash to Xvid, is leading the way. Surely the release of D-Link’s effort will give Apple plenty to think about.
Motion sensitive controls
Today’s patent ties in nicely with games coming to the Apple TV. A Wii style controller would be ace for zipping about menus and would let you play games on the box without needing to lash out on a pricey new iPad or iPhone.
Got any more ideas on how Apple could rescue Apple TV? Then make sure you tell us now!
