Apple TV behind the times compared to new 3D LED TVs

Apple TV, just like just about any other Apple product, has generated buzz for its technologically advanced media routing capabilities, but just like just about every other Apple product, Apple has put up walls around the product to limit its full capabilities. With advancements in TVs and TV capabilities, the question needs to be asked: does Apple TV make sense, and if so, for who?

Packed within a small, black box, Apple TV streams lucrative media content from the web or other devices onto the TV screen, all through a simple Apple-designed interface.

The high level advantages of Apple TV are the streaming capabilities (video, music, and photos) through iOS devices or online media vaults like Netflix, YouTube, mobileme, and Flickr.

Perhaps most talked about but not yet released to the Apple TV device is AirPlay. AirPlay streams content already housed on an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch through the Apple TV and onto a TV screen. Airplay, like other Apple products, uses existing Apple products and features to enhance the latest Apple product. As part of this strategy, Apple will also utilize the mobile devices as a remote control through a simple app.

Already much publicized, Apple TV is said to work off iOS which many believe will allow AirPlay streaming through other channels and potentially an iTunes App Store. Additionally, hacks such as Shatter, which already works on Apple TV, could mean some unauthorized Apps that open up even more capabilities

Essentially, Apple TV offers a competitive media streaming device out of the box, but hacks and apps could give it an advantage over other devices like Roku, Xbox 360 and the more expensive D-link Boxee.

Those devices all have one very important commonality: they are all external to the TV.

The latest trends of TV manufacturers lately, especially with the big players, is to offer the same type of media routing functionality within the hardware and software of the TV.

So how does Apple TV compare?

Samsung offers built in apps like Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora and YouTube as well as social media and news apps.

Sony Bravia offers a similar line up of apps, but it also enables live streaming through the network from a PC to the TV. That means videos, music, and photos, all streaming to the Sony 3D LED TVs.

It is also worth noting that Sony has partnered with Google to utilize Google TV. Google TV-enabled Sony LED TVs are already in the works and were featured yesterday at an event in New York.

Sure, Apple has a whole platform behind Apple TV, but considering Sony has the apps and features already built into the TV, it is hard to say that Apple has the edge. Not to mention, Sony has already made advancements in 3D gaming and 3D is clearly the wave of the future so who knows, maybe 3D apps are next on Sony models.

It appears Apple TV may be best suited for those who like their LCD TVs and own at least one other Apple device that Apple TV can talk to. For those looking for the next big advancement outside the confines of Apple, however, look no further than what’s actually built into the next generation 3D LED TVs.