Apple should make an Apple Receiver. (1 Viewer)

After thinking about how unintuitive our receivers are, and how the product line has not really changed much in the last 10 years in terms of usability and modern-ness, I decided I would love it if Apple would release a receiver either themselves or partner with a leading manufacturer to design the user interface at the very least. I'm at the point where I need more HDMI ins as I've been experiencing problems with the HDMI ports on my Denon 3000 series. And looking at available options, there's nothing really out there that stands out to me as an actual revolutionary, as opposed to evolutionary upgrade.

Why should we settle for the same old same old in our receivers? and why do they have to be so bulky for folks to use? With Apple diving further into Apple TV, do you think there might be an Apple Receiver at all? There does seem to be a greater trend towards home automation, but there are just no rubrick with all the different standards out there.

AVR are simpler than they ever have been.Have you not used an Apple app for Yamaha, Pioneer/Elite, Denon/Marantz, Onkyo/Integra or Sony yet?

The biggest issue you'd run into is that a receiver can't be a one size fits all project. Apple is big into one size fits all. Receivers have to be different based on the application. For example, my father can use an integrated receiver, I'm using separates, etc. The bulky nature of a receiver 'big box' as you put it is something that not even Apple could readily change, because the size is due to the need of power in the amplification process, especially important depending on the size and type of speakers you are running.

In other words: no. As far as you needing stacks of HDMI in, I'll tell you that would be the last thing Apple would consider. Their ideal, if it's an 'all in one' would be far more Sonos oriented with maybe one HDMI in, and everything else being part of the unit, using their speakers.
Thus why there will be no Apple receiver

I agree that Apple's attention to UX would be great for the AVR. But I don't see it as a product line Apple would have interest in. On my 2009 Onkyo with OSD, I struggle to find features.My dad bought a new Pioneer AVR at Christmas, an entry/mid level for about $450. No OSD. No mobile app. Mostly inscrutable. He lost sound for a month, getting video only. Couldn't figure it out, and was ready to return it to BB for repair. Fortunately I got out for vacation, and after half an hour of pushing every button on the unit and remote, discovered the speaker out was disabled. Not mute. But the entire audio out chain was killed. Probably granddaughter-button mashing caused it. It was far too easy to do that, and far too difficult to identify the problem and fix. This is the type of bad design we hope Apple could overcome.

Part of Pio's problem...The remotes are hideous.What 09 AVR you got Dave?

Onkyo TS-SR707
The menu is decent, but maze-like. Features aren't always where I expect them. And I only use it once or twice a year.

What I really want is unified 'stack'. Every device in the chain has some method of adjusting the video. Between the e.g. Tivo, AVR, and TV, it can be impossible to figure out why window box bars are gray (instead of black) or if programming is display pixel-mapped or stretched somehow.

Agreed with all points. I'd just like my entire life to be apple at times. I'm noticing that particularly now as I'm using an android phone.

And I still suggest receivers are overly complicated and horribly unintuitive.