Apple TV (Redux)

Apple should give away the Apple TV, because the device is just an enabler for their digital distribution strategy; it's essentially worthless if that strategy doesn't work out; and the strategy relies upon a lot of Apple TVs being adopted to stand the best chance of working out.

Since giving away (or charging a trivial amount) for the Apple TV would be a concept that's probably impractical for Apple, they should consider offering rebates for people who spend over a certain amount of money on iTunes content purchases through the Apple TV. In other words, buy the Apple TV, but if over the course of a certain period of time you use it to buy enough stuff through Apple to make it feasible, Apple should retroactively reimburse you for the cost of the device, or do something like it.

The new iTunes with rentals and the new Apple TV are great enhancements and together represent a nice evolution in the world of digital content distribution and flexibility, but they're fighting in a crowded and complex field, and I think there needs to be a dramatic price incentive to encourage adoption of the Apple media platform.

Plus, I want an Apple TV, but I don't want to pay for one right now.