The Apple TVs interface, even the more recently updated colorful one, has always been a little bland, especially in comparison to iOS. So why is that ? The first reason that popped into your head was probably correct. Apps ! The Apple TV lacks the myriad of applications that is available for iOS Devices, much like the original iOS. But not anymore. At least, I hope not.
The latest rumors (some confirmed, others not), suggest that Apple plans to launch an Apple TV SDK (Software Development Kit), very similar to the one that has been there for iOS for several years now. If the rumor is true, which I suspect it is, developers will soon be able to commence development and programming of applications that will be functional on your Television set through Apple TV. To address the question of gamers, 'yes', applications most likely will include games.
For the more astute reader, the obvious question arises "How will such games work on a non-touch device?".
A perplexing question, given that most, (almost all), games on iOS rely on the concept of multitouch, which obviously isn't a viable option in a situation where Apple's remote has fewer buttons than we do fingers. So naturally, the obvious solution would be that developers create applications which function simply with the seven buttons on the Apple TV's remote. But how far can that be stretched out before Apple is forced to change the hardware to match the needs of the software ? However one possibility for potential that I do, in fact, see here is the use of an iPhone, iPod or iPad to control the Apple TV's applications similar to the way it is done in Real Racing 2 HD in which the iPad is merely a controller and the TV becomes the screen.
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