In late October, Apple has launched the sale of a new generation of TV Apple TV set-top boxes. The novelty is not cheap - $ 149- $ 199. In fact, this is the highest price on the set-top box market. That is why we have compiled a list of gadgets that may become competitors of Apple's new products.
Amazon Fire TV
Followed by Apple American Corporation Amazon introduced an updated version of the Fire TV. The prefix is already very popular in the US and among the top 3 best selling set-top boxes.
The main difference by which the notice once all browsers - Support for 4K video format. At Apple TV 4 do not. In addition, the set-top box supports not only devices to connect via USB, but it also has a slot for microSD-cards. There is a support of its own voice assistant named Alexa, which was previously announced in the Echo column. Parents like to be and individual profiles for children.
It is not going to lose sight Amazon and mobile gaming market. It was introduced a special version of the Gaming Edition, which comes with the controller, two games and memory cards to 32GB. Separately gamepad will cost $ 50. It is worth noting that the original Amazon joystick for gaming better than boards of other companies - they will be more comfortable to play. Another plus Fire TV - the large number of games, as the game direction was presented a year ago.
Deliveries of the new Fire TV also will begin in October. The cost of the regular version - $ 99, and pull Gaming Edition for $ 139.
Chromecast
Gadget from Google, which is more like a USB flash drive, was introduced about two years ago and has received great popularity among the users. The main reason, of course, the price: Chromecast only costs 2290 rubles in Russia and $ 35 in the US.
For my money Chromecast works fine: it can be connected to both Android-devices and iOS. A large number of services has adapted to the work with the gadget. It is great for presentations broadcast on the big screen of any TV that has a USB.
But there are also disadvantages consoles. Firstly, to complete the work requires a good Wi-Fi, otherwise the signal can terminate. Second, without a smartphone or tablet is a Chromecast only sticking out of the TV stick and nothing can give the user.
If you decide to buy, wait a few weeks, there is a rumor that Google will introduce a new generation at the end of this month.
Nexus Player
Another option is powered by Google - set-top box Nexus Player. The gadget runs on the newly announced Android TV operating system and can make Apple TV competition.
We also have a Nexus Player voice search, which helps to search for movies and TV shows, and other content. Everything works in a single ecosystem Google, so the TV with a prefix will be an extension of your of Android-smartphone or tablet if you use these. This, by the way, a big plus: you can start watching a movie on your phone while at home in one motion switch it to the console. Conveniently.
So is the case with other consoles, Google puts users a special game controller. However, it does not own development, and the gadget from the company Asus. Inside the Nexus Player - Intel Atom processor with a frequency of 1.8 GHz, which will deal with all the serious games.
It is worth Nexus Player, as well as your Chromecast, not very expensive: the original price was $ 99, but even on the official Google site offers a discount of $ 20. On Amazon you can buy another ten cheaper. Moreover, in addition to the Google TV set-top boxes based on the Android TV offer and other companies (Sony, Nvidia, Philips), Nexus Player is not the only option.
Roku
Roku company is now leading to the set-top box market for several reasons. First, the relatively affordable price: the third generation will cost $ 90, and the second - only $ 70. Secondly, before the user opens the access to all known services from a single device: there are as video from Amazon, as well as music from Spotify. It is believed that the greatest Roku channel base and the available content sources.
The control panel also acts and controller for simple games. Directly attached to it, not only wrist strap, but the headphones. Unusual decision. However, this does not save a device that looks a lot worse than all other competitors.
Apple TV 3
During the September event we reported that Apple still will sell the Apple TV last generation. For the same price of $ 69, which is two times lower than the price of new items. Today is a great budget option that allows you to view movies / TV series / shows, listen to music and play some games through AirPlay. There are no set-top box voice assistant and support serious games, although not for all that is important.
Apple TV 4
Today it is the most advanced set-top box from Apple. In the presence of Siri voice assistant, an updated gaming console, the new operating system and tvOS storage capacity 32/64 GB. Apple has managed to make a spectacular presentation and impress the audience with a talk and demonstration of Siri toys pair. There was also a good interface that clearly bypasses its competitors in the beauty, but not a set of possibilities. Nevertheless, this may be insufficient for sales. Today, it all depends on whether Apple will be able to lure developers and interested in their platform tvOS. If that happens, Apple will be able to regain a place in the top 3 suppliers of game consoles. In the meantime, it ranks fourth.
As you can see, there is no ideal set-top box. Each of the above models corresponds to the rule of price / quality, and they are aimed at different audiences. One will be enough cheap Chromecast, but gamers and Apple TV 4 will not be enough. Make a choice in accordance with their needs.