EricBall's Tech Projects

The Apple TV supports the MFi controllers. I recently picked up a Horipad for my iPad, it works quite well. Layout's just like the PS3 controller, though the analog sticks aren't exactly the same as they can't be pushed down for the L3 and R3 buttons.

 

It has a USB input for charging, it wasn't used for the pairing process which was just a normal Bluetooth pairing.

 

Only thing I don't like about the Horipad is the glossy finish ends up looking dirty all the time. I wish it had a matte finish like the PS3 controllers.

 

 

I doubt I'll be able to use the new Apple TV with my current set. While it predates HDMI I do have an HDMI adaptor but the device needs to output 1080i and the Apple TVs to date only support a progressive signal.

http://venturebeat.com/2015/09/12/forget-the-remote-these-controllers-should-work-with-the-apple-tv/

Okay, I've now actually watched the announcement, which shows using an iDevice as a controller in Blocky Crossing. And I know there have been other announcements regarding controller compatibility.

 

But my statement still stands - without a de-facto standard controller (beyond the limited remote), developers cannot make assumptions on what inputs and layout the user might have.

 

Maybe the iDevice controller apps will fill the requirements and become the norm.

I consider this to be a fail - New Apple TV Only Supports Two Bluetooth [MFi] Controllers at Once

I consider this to be a fail - New Apple TV still won't support Amazon Prime

 

(Okay, the actual article was about Amazon not selling it Apple TVs anymore - but that's the reason. And I'm sure it's some stupid Apple thing.)

I already have their Amazon Video app on my iPhone and iPad, why can't Amazon just port it for the new Apple TV app store

There are five possible reasons for any content service not to be on a particular device:

 

1. The device manufacturer is preventing it; likely to protect their own similar content service.

2. The content service provider has decided not to, either because

a. To protect their own similar device (e.g. no Kindle books on Kobo or Nook)

b. Because they feel the potential revenue isn't worth the related costs (anything on Blackberry...) May also include revenue sharing requirements (dunno if they exist).

3. There are technological roadblocks.

4. There are content licensing roadblocks.

 

But I agree in general it's stupid. You either make and sell a device (sometimes below cost) in order to sell content (e.g. Kindle) or you try to make money selling both the content and the device - by maximizing the content available on the device. Similarly, if you have content, you want to sell that content via as many channels / devices as possible.

 

OTOH I have little interest in 99.9% of the content & content services. I already have a massive amount of content available via my cable subscription (for live sports and popular programming) which includes a VoD service. I also can borrow DVDs from the library for free.

 

It's like Sirius/XM - while I enjoyed listening to it during the trial period, I don't see any reason to subscribe to it when I can listen to numerous local radio stations or podcasts & music stored on my phone.

According to Buzzfeed, it's Amazon's doing:

 

 

Incidentally, that Amazon Prime Video is the exception to the conga line of content offerings above is entirely Amazon’s doing. A ~magnanimous~ Apple tells BuzzFeed News that “all are welcome” on its new Apple TV platform. But Amazon — which recently purged Apple TV from its store — doesn’t have a Prime Video app in the Apple TV App Store. And as of a few days ago, it hadn’t submitted one. (An Amazon spokesperson told BuzzFeed News the company “doesn’t have anything to share” on the topic.)

 

Bunch of jerks. If I'd been getting Amazon Prime just because of the video, I'd probably have canceled it by now. But I get Prime for the shipping. The video is an "extra". Not much of one, though.

 

Fortunately, I have a PS3 that Amazon works with. For the time being.

Fortunately, I have a PS3 that Amazon works with. For the time being.

 

I used to watch Amazon Prime via my PS3, but lately I've been using Safari on my Mac mini DVR.

 

The PS3's interface is nicer than using the web browser, but I got tired of the PS3 requiring an update anytime I wanted to watch something.