Apple Planning March Special Event to Introduce Developer Tools for TV?

[MacRumors]

Citing "channel checks", Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today reported in a research note that Apple appears to be preparing for a television-related product event next month. While Misek does not believe that Apple's rumored television set will be making an appearance at the event, he does suggest that Apple might begin setting the stage for the future product by launching developer tools that would presumably also allow the current Apple TV set-top box to gain third-party apps.

Channel checks indicate Apple has a product event in March that is Apple-TV related (possibly an iTV SDK introduction). We think a Sep/Oct iTV launch is being targeted.

Misek anticipates that Apple will launch its television set in the 42"-55" size range with prices starting around $1500.

Rumors about Apple's television set plans have slowed down in recent months after a flurry of reports at the end of 2012, but just today fresh rumors of a potential Apple acquisition of German television maker Loewe have brought renewed focus.

Apple has also gained regulatory approval for a tweaked Apple TV box, although the company claims that the update incorporates only minor internal changes and will be invisible to users.

With the Apple TV software being based on iOS, Steve Jobs noted at the time of the launch of the revamped box in late 2010 that an App Store for Apple TV could launch when the time is right, indicating that the company has indeed been looking at opening up the platform to third-party developers.

Update: The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has refuted Misek's claim of an event scheduled for next month.

Article Link: Apple Planning March Special Event to Introduce Developer Tools for TV?

[AlphaDogg]

The Apple television needs to happen already.

[Porco]

55 inches is not big enough, Samsung do screens that go up to 85 inches.

[Dwalls90]

Next month is definitely only refreshed Apple TV with A5X ...

[spyguy10709]

Fart apps and Angry Birds on my TV. SWEET!!!

LOL jk, this could be interesting.

[nep61]

Exciting NEW Rumor... Hopefully one that happens !

[tkhan456]

This analyst is smoking something if he think the TV will launch at that price point. For gods sake their monitor that's just a monitor cost $1000. There is no way their TV will be that cheap.

[charlieegan3]

Originally Posted by Porco

55 inches is not big enough, Samsung do screens that go up to 85 inches.

Some, not me, would argue samsung products are too big. (note 2)

----------

This should have been long ago. I hope it helps the product really take off like it should have done earlier.

[pnoyblazed]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Next month is definitely only refreshed Apple TV with A5X ...

luckily I'm in the market to buy one

[Peace]

I can't see an event just to show new developer tools. That's what WWDC is for.

Something else will be shown. If there is an event.

[jontech]

Originally Posted by Porco

55 inches is not big enough, Samsung do screens that go up to 85 inches.

They need a better interface though. Apple will release a new TV which will revolutionize the market and 3 months later Samsung will debut their new TV set

[Compile 'em all]

Sweet! Really excited about this!

[Stuipdboy1000]

I could see Apple going back to old ways and introducing a developer preview of iOS in the spring. It would make sense if the rumoured iPhone 5S is coming in the summer and they want a polished version of iOS to go with it. A SDK for the Apple TV could possibly be one of the new features in iOS 7.

[samcraig]

Apps for Apple TV makes a lot of sense.

I'm not sure what an iTV would bring to the table - and at a particular price point that would be compelling.

No doubt these pundits are now resurfacing rumours given Intel's most recent announcement.

[Krazy Bill]

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Apple will launch its television set in the 42"-55" size range with prices starting around $1500.

Next time put this revelation at the top of the article so I can save time by skipping the rest.

$1500? What is it... a 3D hologram generator?

[mchoffa]

Originally Posted by tkhan456

This analyst is smoking something if he think the TV will launch at that price point. For gods sake their monitor that's just a monitor cost $1000. There is no way their TV will be that cheap.

the thing is, the monitor is more than 1080P. Dell's equivalent monitor is $800 with the same panel but without the ports. Other manufacturers that have 27" monitors with the same resolution are the same price or more (NEC, Samsung), whereas their 1080P TVs are less. If Apple makes a 1080P tv it could very well be the same price as or less than their thunderbolt display. If they make a 4K tv though, it will definitely cost a small fortune.

[Rocketman]

It appears the Apple TV update is a die shrink or minor update, so may be a silent update. At some point this list will have posts about which vendors are shipping the newer units. I will probably buy a couple then. I have been using Roku and near as I can tell AppleTV will support both Hulu+ and Netflix, negating the need for a second box.

The Roku has been an interesting sociological experiment as folks discover the sheer variety of things it lets you watch "for free", and the reaction when they realize there is essentially no live TV at all.

"You mean we can't watch the Superbowl?!?" "We'll watch it over the internet off the computer." "Oh, well then."

I understand Intel is going to add Live TV so I would presume at the same time or so Apple TV will as well.

Rocketman

[KdParker]

Cool. But still not sure type of apps I would use on an apple tv.

[Tankmaze]

Apps on apple tv could open a competition with game consoles player.

Edit : many people were very excited with ouya on kickstarter, console player using android.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouya

[daneoni]

Cool. But where the heck are the new Mac Pros!

[Jobsian]

I saw the start of the title of this thread on the front page and couldn't be more disappointed when I saw the rest

[jowie]

Originally Posted by KdParker

Cool. But still not sure type of apps I would use on an apple tv.

For me, it would be iPlayer, ITV Player, 4OD, Hulu, Sky Go, and maybe the odd game if they introduce a bluetooth game controller (unlikely).

[jonnysods]

Please give me the NBA app for Canada!

[pgiguere1]

Originally Posted by tkhan456

This analyst is smoking something if he think the TV will launch at that price point. For gods sake their monitor that's just a monitor cost $1000. There is no way their TV will be that cheap.

Their TV would probably be 1080p though, less than the Thunderbolt Display's 2640x1440, and be sold in much larger volume.

27" 2640x1440 IPS panels are produced in low yields, that's why any monitor using one is around $999, even non-Apple ones.

I don't think the TBD's pricing is representative of anything, it's kind of a niche product with low sales and a narrow target.

[cmChimera]

Originally Posted by Dwalls90

Next month is definitely only refreshed Apple TV with A5X ...

I'm thinking this (as in developer tools. The Apple TV will be silent update.), plus a preview of 10.9, maybe a showing of iOS 7, possibly even the iWatch announced in March.