Sonos Plans to Launch Apple TV-Like Streaming Box

[butter@midwest.social]

Why is this 'Apple TV' like, and not Roku-like. Since it's by-far the most popular.

[hydrashok@sh.itjust.works]

Not even close. It’s better than launch, but not by much. Still some infuriating workflows.

[misk@sopuli.xyz]

Apple TV is high-end / premium (AKA expensive), same as Sonos. Apple TV doesn’t suck though, unlike Sonos.

[matt@lemdro.id]

I remember reading this article a couple months ago. Here is a quote:

This operating system is supposedly built around ads; we know how that sounds, but advertising is also prevalent in other TV software platforms including webOS and Fire TV OS. The Trade Desk emphasises a user experience that delivers "better cross-platform content discovery, personalization, subscription management, and potentially fewer (more relevant) ads," so we hope that the importance of ads doesn't detract from the user experience.

If this is actually true, there is no reason to consider Sonos. Especially at the super premium price of $200-$400. That makes the Apple TV look cheap.

[chiisana@lemmy.chiisana.net]

Apple TV’s hardware is just so much more capable than other platforms that they’ve just been coasting along the last several generations of ”Apple TV 4K”. Our over 7 years old Gen 1 is still super capable and the only reason we picked up Gen 3 is so we can get the Thread radio in a centralized location. As an Apple user, I’m extremely glad there’s going to be a new competitor in the space, which will hopefully push Apple further along the innovation path.

[ms_lane@lemmy.world]

Roku North America only, the rest of the world doesn't have a clue about Roku.

Sonos peddles their wares globally.

[homesweethomemrl@lemmy.world]

I don't know anything about Sonos but what I read in the feed, and this sounds like a big move they shouldn't make at this time.

Like "let's splash a big bunch of money on a huge hardware platform effort so people will forget about . . . you know"

[blue_morpho@lemmy.world]

After Sobos bricked their old hardware to force upgrades, I wouldn't trust Sonos if they sold analog jack headphones.

[thepowerofgeek@lemmy.world]

Not true. I know several people in the UK who have Roku streaming devices.

I used them for a long time. But switched elsewhere due to their enshitification through ads and their TPS bullshit.

[butter@midwest.social]

Roku comes preinstalled on a lot of the Chinese brands. I assumed the rest of the world bought those as well.

[butter@midwest.social]

Hardware is more capable... To do what?

I know some people play games and stuff, but as a streaming device, why? The newest Chromecast handles x264 and can support an Ethernet port just fine for like half the price.

Also supports miracast for the odd screen casting need

[southendsunset@lemm.ee]

How much does that matter?

If it’s an app or an OS I’m still subscribing and getting to watch what they upload, no?

[butter@midwest.social]

No. Apple TV is 2 different products with this name. Apple TV+ is a subscription based TV streaming service. Like Netflix and Disney+.

The other one, Apple TV, the one Sonos is copying, is a piece of hardware that plugs to your TV and downloads apps to connect to the other streaming services. This hardware piece is comparable to an Amazon Firestick, a Google Chromecast, Nvidia Sheild, Roku, and a slew of cheap Android TV boxes.