Foxconn Reportedly Testing Designs for 46-55 Inch Apple Television Sets

[ctdonath]

Originally Posted by rei101

Why would I replace my TV?

Why indeed? With an OTA DTV converter, that old 15" CRT shows content just fine for free.

[SonomaFlyer]

The only way I see this thing taking off is that is offers a huge difference between AppleTV (@ $99) and Apple Televisions in terms of content.

To succeed, Apple will need to offer some massive upgrades of content access which would be sufficient to shake up content delivery for cable/sat tv in general. That's a high bar. Can Apple do it? Yes, we saw it with the IPhone. We also saw that with Steve Jobs at the helm and lazer sharp focus at Apple - something they've lacked lately.

[gibbz]

Originally Posted by Jetson

Think I'm being paranoid?

Yes.

[JayJayAbels]

I wonder what kind of rear facing camera it'll have. 10 megapixel or better.

Taking pictures of the wall will look so crisp!

[levitynyc]

Why would I want an inferior LED tv over my 63" plasma?

[Jetson]

I'd like a 2nd TV for my bedroom or guest room, so I'd be in the market for a great one.

You aren't always looking to replace your existing TV. Some people have more than one TV.

[2bikes]

When can we expect some part leaks? Like a big back plate

[nfl46]

I know this price is going to be ridiculous when it's announced! I'm certain I won't be getting one.

[everything-i]

Stopped reading at Apple showing off the device at CES. What a load of BS, this source is not even credible. Why would Apple show off a device at CES, a trade show, something they never do for a device that they aren't even ready to ship.

[odaiwai]

Originally Posted by zone23

What a great marketing idea... so Apple releases the 55" with the A5 processor regular screen, then 3 months later releases it with a A6 processor with Retina Display making everyone TV obsolete..

I would love to see a Apple TV with Retina display..

TVs are already Retina if you watch them from more than about 6 feet away.

[powers74]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

... and other recent claims that Apple's television projects are being slowed by difficult content negotiations, there would be little chance of Apple showing off anything at CES.

Because Apple would just up and stop working on hardware designs because content negotiations have stalled.

[Jetson]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

TVs are already Retina if you watch them from more than about 6 feet away.

When you stand farther away yes, the image seems clearer, but the overall image size is smaller.

Ideally you want the TV to be high resolution even when you are close to the image. That's the purpose of the Retina display.

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by Jetson

I'm betting that an Apple TV will have a front facing camera on it.

A telepresence feature would need a sensor (camera) to detect when someone is in the room in order to perform some programmed action such as turn the TV on from standby mode, increase or decrease volume, etc.

And as has been Apple's recent practice, this camera would NOT have any sort of warning light to let you know that it was on.

iMacs have a green warning light telling you when the camera is on and active. But none of the iPods, iPads, iPhones have any such warning light.

Why is that???

And there is no hardware control to turn off the camera either. Creepy.

Check out this link:

Smart TVs can spy on their owners

http://rt.com/usa/news/smart-tv-security-access-092/

Just wait until they integrate a visual hand that comes out and taps you on the shoulder or wants to shake your hand.

[theluggage]

Originally Posted by rei101

Why would I replace my TV?

Because whereas the 16:9 standard-def fishtank you bought in 2000 was perfectly good for 10 years or more, that sort of attitude won't keep the consumer electronics industry in the manner to which they are accustomed. Hence, you'll find that the 2011 Smart HD TV is already out of date - at least as far as the smart bit goes - and won't be receiving any updates.

People moan about Apple not supporting iOS 6 on the pre-3GS iPhone and withholding a few bells-and-whistles for the latest models, but if they provide the same level of support for an Apple TV then they'll be comfortably ahead of the game.

However, I kinda agree with you: what I'd like would be a "dumb" TV with just a nice display and some HDMI ports that left the "smart" stuff to the boxes you plugged in.

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by Jetson

When you stand farther away yes, the image seems clearer, but the overall image size is smaller.

Ideally you want the TV to be high resolution even when you are close to the image. That's the purpose of the Retina display.

And it must be from SHARP, because who wants to buy the screens from BLURRY.

[zone23]

Originally Posted by odaiwai

TVs are already Retina if you watch them from more than about 6 feet away.

So what your saying is my Macbook Pro from 2 feet is the same as a Retina? Awesome just saved me 2 grand..

[nekonari]

Originally Posted by Jetson

When you stand farther away yes, the image seems clearer, but the overall image size is smaller.

Ideally you want the TV to be high resolution even when you are close to the image. That's the purpose of the Retina display.

Except that's not normal usage scenario. Phones, tablets, and laptops, you *need* Retina since you look at them from an arm's length or closer.

TVs, you sit on your couch several feet away. It's good to have higher PPI, but not Retina-grade PPI.

----------

Originally Posted by zone23

So what your saying is my Macbook Pro from 2 feet is the same as a Retina? Awesome just saved me 2 grand..

Sure, if you use your MacBook Pro from 2 feet away

[extricated]

Many people have vastly different expectations for a TV, so it's hard for me to see Apple successfully navigate this market without modifying/sacrificing their standard approaches (that is, a limited choice, high-end product line).

Content is key - and that can be provided through a set-top box.
I could see a television set launched alongside a newly refreshed Apple TV, but I don't think it would be good for them to abandon the Apple TV box (not that anyone has suggested that).

[Jetson]

Originally Posted by Thunderhawks

Just wait until they integrate a visual hand that comes out and taps you on the shoulder or wants to shake your hand.

Obviously someone at Apple knew that people would want to know when their iMac camera is ON.

Why some people here think that's not important simply baffles me.

We have wireless devices capable of sending voice and image data from our home to anywhere around the world. This is fine when that is our intention.

But with companies daily conducting unethical practices which invade our privacy, it seems to me that we have to be vigilant about things we never had to be concerned about before.


"It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance." - John Philpot Curran, 1790

[nekonari]

Originally Posted by theluggage

However, I kinda agree with you: what I'd like would be a "dumb" TV with just a nice display and some HDMI ports that left the "smart" stuff to the boxes you plugged in.

But that'd be exactly what Apple tries to change. From what Steve Jobs talked about some years ago at AllThings D, he says all those wires, set top boxes, several remotes are ugly, and they are ugly indeed. If a single, sleek TV can take care of all of them, preferably without any special remote controller, wouldn't it be the best solution for your entertainment center? (Although gaming solution is questionable in this case..)

[albusseverus]

Likelihood of success for a premium television under 60"? Zero.
Nobody's going to pay the Apple-tax for a screen that small.

Apple would have to be doing them iPad-cheap at 55" or less. Maybe Apple has become a consumer company, after all.

As for the camera comment, we'll see if Apple is serious about customer privacy. If there's a camera, then forget it. Ditto for a microphone, too.

Just being Not-A-"Smart" television, would be a huge selling point, though.

[photographypro]

Originally Posted by Jetson

I'm betting that an Apple TV will have a front facing camera on it.

A telepresence feature would need a sensor (camera) to detect when someone is in the room in order to perform some programmed action such as turn the TV on from standby mode, increase or decrease volume, etc.

And as has been Apple's recent practice, this camera would NOT have any sort of warning light to let you know that it was on.

iMacs have a green warning light telling you when the camera is on and active. But none of the iPods, iPads, iPhones have any such warning light.

Why is that???

And there is no hardware control to turn off the camera either. Creepy.

Check out this link:

Smart TVs can spy on their owners

http://rt.com/usa/news/smart-tv-security-access-092/

My MacBook Pro (late 2011) has a light. No light on iPods and iPhones to conserve energy, but items you normally plug in would most likely have one.

[pcmxa]

Originally Posted by Jetson

When you stand farther away yes, the image seems clearer, but the overall image size is smaller.

Ideally you want the TV to be high resolution even when you are close to the image. That's the purpose of the Retina display.

Retina displays are useful for devices we hold close, but with my tv I never watch it from closer than about 9 feet. So it being retina would serve no actual value to me I would just be paying extra for something my senses can't differentiate. My laptop's screen is perspectively larger than the 70" projection I watch movies on when the laptop is on my lap.

[rmwebs]

Originally Posted by mklaman

apple tv would be a game changer! would buy one in an instant, especially since i'm holding out on purchasing a new tv and sticking with ym old 37" for now!

really thought one would be out for next year's holidays, but apparently not.

I didnt realise you were privy to it's feature list

[billnye97]

Remember when Apple focused on only a few core platforms and became wildly successful? I really think think they might be going a little from the mark with the TV.