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Apple to Unveil Television Set Operating System at WWDC?
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Here's a clue...
I have been famous amongst my circle for my steadfast opinion that there is no way in hell that Apple would EVER build a TV. But the stars seem to be aligning and such a thing now seems possible. But as Tim said last night at D10, Apple will not do this with out some compelling value add over the TV we have today, So I'd like to share this link to a BOSE TV that they sell today and say if you start with something like what Bose is doing and add the Apple advantages (IOS, Siri, iTunes and the iTunes store, IPads and iPhones as remotes and others we do not yet know) this thing starts to seem real. so check out this link:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/televisions/videowave/index.jsp
The Apple advantage is simplicity -It Just Works!
I have been famous amongst my circle for my steadfast opinion that there is no way in hell that Apple would EVER build a TV. But the stars seem to be aligning and such a thing now seems possible. But as Tim said last night at D10, Apple will not do this with out some compelling value add over the TV we have today, So I'd like to share this link to a BOSE TV that they sell today and say if you start with something like what Bose is doing and add the Apple advantages (IOS, Siri, iTunes and the iTunes store, IPads and iPhones as remotes and others we do not yet know) this thing starts to seem real. so check out this link:
http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/televisions/videowave/index.jsp
The Apple advantage is simplicity -It Just Works!
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IF the boxes are made to take those commands. That could be what this API is about.
That said, it could be for the set top box not a 'real' TV. Consider the market, consider the licensing they would have to do to put in TV tuners etc. Few folks would buy this TV if all it can do is the same stuff that the set top box can.
So they make a revised Cinema Display lineup that is their test bed for the Retina Display, has at least 2 size choices and includes HDMI etc for using with a blu-ray, the ATV box, computer, game consoles etc.
They create this API and perhaps others that allow you to use bluetooth or wifi based controllers in your apps so that you can make a game that uses a 'Nintendo' style joystick and button pad for those that want physical controls. Maybe even a Wii like steering wheel for your Real Racing HD.
And yes perhaps they allow developers to create games designed to go right on the Apple TV box. So you can buy Real Racing and rather than Airplay it is there on the box. Perhaps they might even bump the next box model up to 16 GB or even 32GB if the component costs are down enough to keep it at that $99 model (or maybe they keep that one as it and make an Apple TV plus that is the higher and can take the games for like $149).
Who knows maybe Tim Cook has convinced Nintendo to release their classic titles for iOS and he will invite the head guy up to introduce that release. If it is well created I'd go as high as $9.99 each for the original Super Mario trilogy. Especially if I had the option of using my iPhone, iPad or a 'real' controller. Hopefully they would be Game Center linked and sync scores and levels across the system. So then if I'm traveling and I use my iPad version to get 4 more stages ahead I can pick up there when i'm back home.
And so on.
Also more content deals need to be in the system. Get the back seasons on the store, get the prices knocked down $1 across the board for tv. Features on the movies. Extras working on the ATV and iPad. Credit when you buy a movie inside those Warner Bros apps, the last of the movies in iTunes in the Cloud. All shows on the store after first OTA and at 720p at least (1080p also preferred) and so on. Which really just needs the box, not a real TV.
I almost forgot the OS could take iOS gaming to the next level (for serious gamers)! I'm hoping there's something for gamers on this OS. I'm excited! Imagine developing games for this, the fun begins!!
Siri Controlled Games? not so fun...
I thought the idea was this wouldn't have a remote, let alone something for gaming with.
what good is a TV with no content to watch on it... Last I checked, all the content that you can watch or stream via iOS... ie, HBOgo, ESPN, etc,etc.. you have to be a paying subscriber to begin with....
When rumors start breaking that Apple is negotiating with these providers I may start to get a little more interested.. as it stands now this new TV will just be a suped up version of the current ATV models..
When rumors start breaking that Apple is negotiating with these providers I may start to get a little more interested.. as it stands now this new TV will just be a suped up version of the current ATV models..
Yep all you need is your 7 inch iPod Touch and an app for that.
Hell I'm shocked that Apple hasn't revamped their own Remote app so you can hook it to an Apple TV and it basically mirrors the UI. Hella better that that little silver remote if you could just tap and go.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
I know a lot of people- maybe all- feel this way. I don't like commercial interruptions either. However, as things are- and have been- it's those commercials that pay for the creation of most of what we watch on television. Kill the commercials and either we consumers must make up the difference in the cost-per-show or in onerous subscription pricing (higher than you would expect- as in not $10 or $20 or $30 or $40/month) or most of the production of new shows goes away.
Commercial-free programming is YouTube quality programming (where the writer/producer/actor/director/etc don't typically have a monetary objective (and are often all the same person)) or it's HBO where just a few channels costs $12+/month (and I could argue that HBO has an awful lot of commercials- albeit touting other stuff to watch on HBO- too. So, at one end you get a massive quality (of programming) downgrade because all that commercial revenue is eliminated in this "TV has changed" world OR we consumers have to make up the difference. I can tell you with certainty: the latter is not a cheap option.
In a nutshell, commercials are someone else paying for the production of the programming you get to watch for as little as free or as much as your current cable/satt subscription. It's just like the "free wifi" model at McDonalds, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, etc. The wifi is not really free; it's someone else paying for it to give it to us for free (hoping we'll buy enough burgers, coffee or books, etc to justify the cost). Eliminate those TV commercials in some "new model" and WE become the "someone else"... or most of the great programming we love (and note that list can widely vary person-to-person) goes away.
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i Wish people would stop referring to it as an iTV, the name is not going to happen, iTV is the second major broadcaster in the UK after the BBC (free to air, not including sky or cable) and is not going to allow apple to use iTV as a brand name, they might get away by branding it 
TV , but the i Prefix is most certainly not going near this product at all.
TV , but the i Prefix is most certainly not going near this product at all.
Fully agree regarding replacement time, let alone shipping costs and inventory problems for these huge TV sets in Apple stores.
I still don't get why Apple isn't just releasing a new AppleTV box, ie. upgrade the current "hobby" box, add an app store and upgrade the OS in general.
A TV set should just be that in my opinion - a "dumb" TV displaying content, only replaced every five years or so.
The "logic" can be in the AppleTV box, the game console, the cable box or the iDevice connected wirelessly.
It can't be that hard for consumers to connect the Apple TV box with a single HDMI cable to an HDTV.
Why produce a TV set? What's wrong with picture quality, Toshiba and Sony will be out with 4k resolution sets and Samsung and LG have great OLED TV sets soon. What can Apple improve here? And how can they protect their huge gross margins producing TV sets (AAPL shareholders should be worried) ?
I'll let Apple surprise us all, but I still think producing a TV set is a dumb idea for Apple - stick to the hobby box and upgrade that.
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Wouldn't need to be. The Apple TV is based off iOS so those apps would work on the device if they got the deals to be able to put it on there. If the nets created player apps for their stuff like MLB has then we could subscribe directly sans cable. I love several shows on Showtime and HBO but I'm not playing TWC $60 a month for the privilege of paying another $40 for those two networks because I don't really watch anything that's non broadcast channels other than those shows. I would happy pay that $20 each a month to the nets for their package. Same with NBC cause I do watch several things on USA, Syfy, etc when they hit netflix. If I could pay them $10 a month for that package that would be okay.
Or simply get the shows on iTunes at first OTA and drop the dang prices. I mean The Borgias etc are good but really are they worth $5 an episode. No not really. $2.99 should be, in my opinion, the top level and used only for really special stuff that should be 1080p, with multi audio, subtitles etc. And toss in the commentaries and features you would have saved for the disk sets if I go season pass.
and my opinion is that the rumor that says that apple TV OS MIGHT be shown at the wwdc doesnt make much sense. that's it
so now we just have to buy a new TV, new cable box, new bluray player? Much better...
remotes from the same manufacturer often work across devices - so a Sony remote will work a Sony TV/receiver/bluray. Plus HDMI CEC is designed to do something similar too.
I'm sure Apple wants everyone to build in some proprietary system like airplay or airprint, and we'll all need brand new equipment that all needs to be networked up to communicate with the TV.
Or just buy a universal remote.
I'm curious what they come up with, but I want a paradigm shift in how people interact with the TV. I don't want a sales pitch to why I should watch all my TV from itunes. Apple needs to really open things up to make this work
I would NEVER buy an integrated TV - set top box. When one breaks you get to replace both. This WOULD get me to finally buy an Apple TV as I want Apps on an Apple TV
Well if they integrate it to the entire ecosystem, and give options for apps wouldn't it make sense to add some games. I don't think the "no remote" concept apply to iOS games.
It's probably a long shot anyway.
Just out of interest, how many Apple products have actually been unveiled during a WWDC conference?
No we won't. WWDC is a software developers conference so iOS 6 and Mountain Lion are a given. PERHAPS this new Apple TV OS which could just be additional features from iOS that they are turning on for the TV system and not a fresh OS or a 'real tv'
those iPhone details that would be leaked by the developer preview will be mentioned but nothing about the hardware and nothing beyond "fall" or such on a release date. Same as last year.
Same notion with computers. Or we might see an overnight silent drop of the computers depending on the level of change. Frankly I don't really see a major redesign in the works for anything other than perhaps the Mac Pro if it isn't being slowly dropped out. so a silent release for a specs upgrade is how they would go
I do enjoy spaghetti on the wall report. I think it is more likely we see some sort of Siri API than a TV OS preview (maybe both but I'm still a bit skeptical of the TV direction seeing as how Apple is being very slow in this area).
And as far as hardware, I doubt they'll ever show hardware at WWDC again unless there is something the devs have to do to be compatible with it (different iPhone screen size doesn't need to show the hardware, you just need to give the devs a reason to make their apps follow the guidelines that are already in place...so many apps are not height flexible and instead scroll off the screen...so annoying).
And as far as hardware, I doubt they'll ever show hardware at WWDC again unless there is something the devs have to do to be compatible with it (different iPhone screen size doesn't need to show the hardware, you just need to give the devs a reason to make their apps follow the guidelines that are already in place...so many apps are not height flexible and instead scroll off the screen...so annoying).
I had to laugh last night when Tim said something about most people getting their content from ATV (I don't remember the exact quote). The only reason I use it is for Airplay. If I want to rent a movie it's just as easy to do it with DirecTV as ATV.