Seeing as you're reading this on the Internet, you likely already know about Apple's new tvOS-powered Apple TV.
It's too early to do a full-on review of this product, since only a handful of developers have spent a good amount of time with the hardware. But that won't stop us from comparing the Apple TV with other streaming boxes on the market.
After going hands-on, here's what we know so far.
The hardware
New Apple TV
The next-generation Apple TV is a little black box with an HDMI and a power cord connection. The digital audio output seems to have pulled a disappearing act. The product comes with a special remote equipped with a swipe sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope (perfect for swiping, swinging, and flinging). Ignoring gaming consoles, it's the most involved remote on this list.
Apple TV Third Generation
The third-generation Apple TV features a smaller, sleek black box with an HDMI and digital audio input. A basic remote control is included. Apple also offers an app for controlling the box via an iOS device.
Fire TV
The Fire TV ships in two forms. The flagship product is a full-fledged box featuring HDMI, digital audio, and a RJ45 port. It also comes bundled with a remote and game controller. Or maybe I should be talking in past tense, because this bundle is no longer available, even though there doesn't seem to have been an announcement to that effect.
The other option is the cheaper Fire TV stick, which is simply an HDMI dongle and a remote control.
Roku
The Roku comes in four different packages: Roku 1, Roku 2, Roku 3, and the Roku Streaming Stick. The Roku 1 provides composite output for older television sets and HDMI. Roku 2 is the mid-range product, built for HD television sets, but missing the bells n whistles, such as voice command, that can be found on Roku 3. The Roku Streaming Stick is the company's solution for minimalists rocking wall-mount displays. All Roku devices come with their own basic remote control.
PlayStation 4/Xbox One/Wii U
Just about every modern gaming console offers some entertainment features, but sometimes they feel like an afterthought. Setting up these advanced machines is also a bit more time- and space-intensive than the solutions listed above. An HDMI display is definitely a requirement. A game controller is going to be your default mode of interaction, with classic remote controls an additional accessory.
Services
New Apple TV
Apple handed tvOS over to a number of the big content providers before making its big announcement, so all the major television and movie services such as Netflix, HBO GO, and Showtime Anytime will be available at launch.
Apple is making a big push to make this version of Apple TV app-friendly, especially in the games department. The pack-in remote is essentially a motion controller, similar to the original Wii remote. It'll be interesting to see if Apple also designs and packs in a wrist strap, so no one flings the remote control into their television set.
Apple TV Third Generation
All of the major streaming services, like Netflix and Hulu, are available through the third-generation Apple TV. There’s also a large gathering of specialty content and cable streams such as HBO GO, Showtime Anytime, and WWE Network. Users can stream content from their iTunes account, too.
Fire TV
Aside from Amazon's own services, users can access popular streaming providers, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Vimeo. There's also access to all the cable-based services as well, including HBO, ESPN, and Showtime Anytime.
Roku
All four Roku devices claim to offer 1,500 to 2,000 channels, but that number includes the usual streaming-content suspects like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Crackle, and YouTube. Major cable content, such as HBO GO and Showtime Anytime, is also available if you have a subscription. Only the Roku 3 seems to offer gaming features.
Chromecast
All of the major streaming-content providers are available on the Chromecast, along with the streaming services of most cable companies.
