Apple TV will lose the streaming device wars for a very stupid reason

I’m a big fan of the Apple TV 4K, and it’s easy for me to recommend to anybody looking to leave their sluggish smart TV behind and get a true streaming box. The little device doesn’t take up a lot of space, and it’ll make your TV and movie viewing experience much better.

As a matter of fact, it’s the only Apple product I own, and while I’m leaving a lot of extra functionality on the table by not being part of the greater Apple ecosystem, it works just fine as a standalone device. If there’s one issue with it, it would be the high price tag. The third-gen Apple TV 4K costs $149 for 128 GB of space, and the price only drops to $129 for 64 GB. That price still puts it as the most expensive streaming device around, and it’s a roadblock for many people.

Somewhere Apple could be competitive is the lower-end market. Instead of getting a box that can play games from Apple Arcade, maybe targeting people who just want streaming apps could be worth a look. On paper, it sounds like a good idea, but it’s reportedly something Apple isn’t open to. A report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims Apple shot down the idea of making an affordable TV stick. It’s a strange decision, and it could have a long-lasting impact on Apple gaining market share with the Apple TV.

Related

Apple TV has deep customization features almost no one uses

The Apple TV can be customized to your heart’s desire.

Apple shouldn’t ignore the affordability

Cheaper options still matter

Apple / Pocket-lint

It has to be mentioned that a Fire Stick 4K costs $50 at full price, and deals can often bring it down to half the price. If you need something that enhances your viewing experience and have no use for the extra bells and whistles an Apple TV 4K offers, the Fire Stick is an enticing choice. With a $100 price difference, it’s almost a no-brainer if you have no particular need for anything Apple has to offer.

Somewhere Apple could be competitive is the lower-end market. Instead of getting a box that can play games from Apple Arcade, maybe targeting people who just want streaming apps could be worth a look. On paper, it sounds like a good idea, but it’s reportedly something Apple isn’t open to. A report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims Apple shot down the idea of making an affordable TV stick. It’s a strange decision, and it could have a long-lasting impact on Apple gaining market share with the Apple TV.

Related

7 Fire TV Stick hacks that aren’t in the manual

Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks are a versatile tool to have on your coffee table. But they’re a lot more powerful than you think.

Fire Stick owners might not switch over

It could be too late

Speaking from experience, I’m a creature of habit. I don’t like to change things if there’s nothing wrong with my current situation. I stuck with