14 DAY TRIAL // Of all Apple products released over the past few years, none stand out like the Apple TV. The little media box is noteworthy not only because of its potential, but also because of its lack of adoption with the masses. Interestingly enough, despite Apple considering the Apple TV more of a hobby than anything else, other companies are already preparing their Apple TV killers.
D-Link Corp, manufacturer of network gear, intends to start selling a media device that will link computers to the television set, using the fastest available Wi-Fi network speeds. This is not something new for the company, as D-Link already sells such devices, but it does represent a significant update. The current products offered run at much slower speeds than Apple's offering, which so far has managed to stay ahead of the rest of the industry. D-Link plans to match Apple's product and be ready to sell in time for the year's holiday season. The company is also planning to match Apple's pricing and have the device sell for $300.
Amazingly enough, this story is reminiscent of the iPod reaction, where Apple's competitors looked at the technical specifications and set out to match them, thinking that this will be more than enough to sway the customer. It will be interesting to see how the D-Link device compares to the Apple TV when it comes to the user experience. It is doubtful that it will be able to properly talk with iTunes, especially when it comes to TV shows, movies and non- iTunes Plus music. It will also be interesting to see how it measures up in terms of interface and remote control, as well as software updates.
For Apple, this is good news all around. Such devices from competitors will only help the concept of the device gain traction in the mainstream and turn the Apple TV from a hobby into a serious product. As for the product itself, D-Link's timing is perfect, as by then Apple will likely have the next generation of Apple TV in stores or ready for production.