Thursday, December 13,2007 @ 3:15pm
Popular Mechanics: Apple TV 2nd worst gadget
Popular Mechanics Magazine has ranked the Apple TV as the second-worst gadget of 2007. Apple introduced the set top box on September 12th of 2006 at a special event in San Francisco, and began shipping the device on March 21st of this year. The Top 10 Worst Gadgets of 2007 states: "There is nothing wrong with Apple TV. Unfortunately, there's nothing overwhelmingly right about it, either. This is the rare black mark in an otherwise spotless multi-year streak from Cupertino—a product that was not only completely overshadowed by the company's own iPhone, but by the larger industry of video-download devices and services."
Citing fast-moving competition, the publication points to Apple's "squandered opportunity" where Apple could have offered a huge selection of movies as well as monthly unlimited viewing plans to tempt customers away from DVRs and Video On Demand.
"They did neither, becoming an online version of your nearest FYE, with decent (but not surprising) prices, and a spotty selection of new releases and mysterious B movies," Popular Mechanics said, referring to Apple.
"Owning music in any physical way may be a swiftly fading memory, but not so with movies. If you're going to pay $15 for Wild Hogs, you should at least own the DVD, so you can share the 'laughs' with 'friends'."