Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Could Still Be Planning Television-Related Announcement for Late This Year

Hopefully we see an SDK, a bunch of new content on current Apple TV's, and an iTV, which is just a 4K tv, with Apple TV functionality built in, and some neat control option to sweeten the deal. That way from a content standpoint, current Apple TV owners are not left in the old, but the iTV still has some sort of crazy control option, which would still possibly entice users to buy (not to mention it'd be a 4K TV).
 
Could it be something as simple as a box (Apple TV) that interfaces with an existing cable box that allows you to customize the look (icons) and location of your channels? Customization is what is lacking with existing cable providers. Having an Apple box that would collate, redesign, and allow you to place your channel icons wherever you like them would be a nice start, allow Apple entry into the market and keep existing cable providers in the content loop. Apple could then integrate developer apps. I'm thinking Apple TV will initially be more of an aggregator and sorter than a revolutionary device like the iphone or ipod and I am fine with that.
 
gmcalpin said:
I get this feeling that Apple's “TV” is an AppleTV SDK + deals with content providers plus a 4K monitor and not any kind of integrated “smart TV.”

And I would be perfectly happy with that.
Click to expand...
I'd like that more than a (crazy expensive) full blow TV set.

As it stands the Apple TV is crap unless you meet a certain criteria (i.e Live in the US and like channels X and Y). It needs to be opened up. My £30 RaspberryPi can do more than the damn Apple TV right now.
 
Believe it when I see it. Until then this entire 'Apple Television' rumour is nothing more than vapourware.

As for the current Apple TV, it just needs content surely? It has a lot of competition out there and it's pricing isn't anything special, so it needs something pretty unique.
 
Last edited:
SDK and upgraded box ...

is what I would like to see. Seems like a no brainer to start allowing some 3rd party apps.

I use the apple tv and roku 3. However, only use the Roku 3 for the rare Amazon Prime stuff and some news clips I can't get on netflix or hulu plus. The interface of the Roku cannot be compared to the apple tv.

Opening the Apple TV for 3rd parties will do what that did for the iPhone. :)
 
gmcalpin said:
I get this feeling that Apple's “TV” is an AppleTV SDK + deals with content providers plus a 4K monitor and not any kind of integrated “smart TV.”

And I would be perfectly happy with that.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking the same. Perhaps a new box with ac support, more storage etc.

Hopefully those deals will include more features, dumping special box sets that screw early buyers, better quality, lower prices and / or quicker releases and filling in missing seasons and older shows. Maybe even same as OTA streaming.
 
gmcalpin said:
There are other factors than just Apple saying, "Hey, let's make a 4K TV!"

You have to wait for LCD panels of the right density to be cheap enough to make millions of them in a year and still sell them for under… I dunno, three grand, you have to get the content providers in line to even OFFER 4K content…

Those things take time and involve way more people than just Apple.
Click to expand...

Yes i know this but this taking a long time. maybe it's not the right time to release it and they want to wait like with the iPad..
 
ra4oasis said:
and an iTV, which is just a 4K tv, with Apple TV functionality built in
Click to expand...

Apple will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever have any product released world wide called 'iTV'. They do not own the rights to it. The UK's largest commercial TV network is called ITV - its existed for almost 60 years. It has copyrights and trademarks all over Europe, the US and beyond. They have already told Apple they can't use it -and trust me, there is no way in hell a UK court would allow Apple to win that fight.

This is the reason it was called Apple TV in the first place - they had to rename it after showing it off as ITV (rightfully) threatened action against them.
 
I don't want to talk to my tv. I don't want to point at or dance in front of my tv. But I do want to be able to control it lying on the sofa without having to look at the control device.

Ideas, anyone?

PS: A new Apple TV would be awesome. Bring it on.
 
psst...Apple...If you build it, they will come...

----------
rmwebs said:
Apple will never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever have any product released world wide called 'iTV'. They do not own the rights to it. The UK's largest commercial TV network is called ITV - its existed for almost 60 years. It has copyrights and trademarks all over Europe, the US and beyond. They have already told Apple they can't use it -and trust me, there is no way in hell a UK court would allow Apple to win that fight.

This is the reason it was called Apple TV in the first place - they had to rename it after showing it off as ITV (rightfully) threatened action against them.
Click to expand...


True, but Apple could just BUY iTV and cancel their sorry asses.
 
Apple could begin selling fresh apples, but they're not going to. "could" is the key word here.

Upcoming PAA (Public Apple Announcements):

Sept. 10---all but confirmed iPhone
mid-October ---speculative: iPad/Mini updates
MacBook Pro event (or just a release)
and ride out the quarter on this wave.

Mid to late Jan/early Feb.---new gadget introduction
a watch or a TV, or a new Apple TV box
 
Regarding the non-voice control aspect of this story, I wonder if "iWatch" could represent a double meaning...

What if you were sitting on the sofa with your Apple iWatch on your wrist and using Bluetooth 4.0, the TV can detect that you are in the room and can also detect who else is in the room. From your previous presence in the room during other TV programs and movies it might be able to figure out what your collective preferences are and suggest what you might want to "Watch". This would also work with Bluetooth 4.0 devices such as some of the later phones.

When you think about it, how often do we sit down in front of the TV and scan through the channels using the clunky old remote control and the clunky old TV guide to try to find something to Watch, then usually we end up watching the same old programs and movies that we always watch.

I also wonder if the iWatch could be used as a persistent identification system in conjunction with the iPhone and other devices. How about if the iWatch can detect when it is removed from your wrist? If that was true, then you could "authorise" your iWatch once when you put it on and then just leave it there. It would retain your "authority" until it detected that you had removed it.

I really see lots of things that the iWatch could enable in a very convenient way. Exciting times...
 
I hear that Apple are in the future making a TV, I can't say what that will entail, it could be a screen or it maybe in the form of something flat and shinny. It also could be worn like a watch and maybe gold coloured. of course its all speculation but its going to be a wow and will save Mr Cooks red face as we will all then know that Apple are still innovating ( Except TV's have been around almost 100 years!) Lets prey it has a standard remote as most Smart TVs I have used are pushing the boundaries using the word smart!
 
musicianm said:
True, but Apple could just BUY iTV and cancel their sorry asses.
Click to expand...

OH I'm so glad you posted that. This is exactly the conversation that always happens - someone who thinks Money = buy everything. Apple couldn't but ITV and close it. If you cant figure out why then this is a conversation left for another thread.

Just think of this: It'd be like me declaring that A UK company could just go and buy out CBS because they want to release a set to box called the CBS Box.

Get real please.
 
After all the talk at WWDC about how the new MacPro will support 4K, I sure hope the chatter really winds up being about a new 4K, 27" - 30" ACD that would debut along side the new MP.

FWIW, I think a nice product roadmap would include 4K iMacs rolling out next year.
 
craig1410 said:
Regarding the non-voice control aspect of this story, I wonder if "iWatch" could represent a double meaning...

What if you were sitting on the sofa with your Apple iWatch on your wrist and using Bluetooth 4.0, the TV can detect that you are in the room and can also detect who else is in the room. From your previous presence in the room during other TV programs and movies it might be able to figure out what your collective preferences are and suggest what you might want to "Watch". This would also work with Bluetooth 4.0 devices such as some of the later phones.

When you think about it, how often do we sit down in front of the TV and scan through the channels using the clunky old remote control and the clunky old TV guide to try to find something to Watch, then usually we end up watching the same old programs and movies that we always watch.

I also wonder if the iWatch could be used as a persistent identification system in conjunction with the iPhone and other devices. How about if the iWatch can detect when it is removed from your wrist? If that was true, then you could "authorise" your iWatch once when you put it on and then just leave it there. It would retain your "authority" until it detected that you had removed it.

I really see lots of things that the iWatch could enable in a very convenient way. Exciting times...
Click to expand...


Then it blows up because the 4 people in the room all watch different types of shows.
 
I like that pull-out quote...it might be, could be, I've heard, not to go on rumor mill, I think, Could be, whispers, not going to write, I think, whispers, there might be...


of course. anybody can easily just throw things out there without a firm definite or any real details and then when nothing happens say, well, i didn't confirm anything and if it happens you say well, i was telling you guys this already (for teh past several year that is)
 
rmwebs said:
OH I'm so glad you posted that. This is exactly the conversation that always happens - someone who thinks Money = buy everything. Apple couldn't but ITV and close it. If you cant figure out why then this is a conversation left for another thread.

Just think of this: It'd be like me declaring that A UK company could just go and buy out CBS because they want to release a set to box called the CBS Box.

Get real please.
Click to expand...


Theoretically, iTV is worth $750million.
Apple has over $120 billion in cash ... so yes they could buy them out IF they were for sale.
Don't get your knickers in a bunch mate! ;)
 
What it should do:

1. Allow me to subscribe (for a reasonable price) to only the channels I want. Apple should bypass cable entirely and work directly with the networks to stream live TV. Don't know how possible this is, though.

2. The remote control should be any ios device (including the iwatch). If using an iphone or ipad the interface should not be simply scrolling and play/pause. It should allow for content search, reviews, and then play what you've found. Social media tie ins would also happen so you can see what your friends are watching.

3. It should allow for other 3rd party content as well (e.g. Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, etc). Ideally, this would be tied into the content search capabilities, but if the 3rd party doesn't have an API for that, just launch.

4. When displaying live TV, there needs to be a record option.
 
musicianm said:
True, but Apple could just BUY iTV and cancel their sorry asses.
Click to expand...

FYI, NEVER! It would have to pass the competition commission who would never allow it. Their would be far too many objections to the buy out across the industry, plus Apple hasn't got the money I doubt, you think it's going to buy iTV for a few billion and them dump the entire company and it's thousands of staff just for a name? And again the competition commision would never allow it.

So unless you people are going to also conclude Apple is going to own it's own UK based TV production and broadcasting company that it will have to run and support, or that Apple will somehow persuade the competition commission's plus all the Apple share holders it's a great idea to totally damage it's public image and name, by spending billions for a product name and then throwing thousands of people out of a job,

THEN IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN, GET IT IN YOUR HEADS!
 
dernhelm said:
What it should do:

1. Allow me to subscribe (for a reasonable price) to only the channels I want. Apple should bypass cable entirely and work directly with the networks to stream live TV. Don't know how possible this is, though.

2. The remote control should be any ios device (including the iwatch). If using an iphone or ipad the interface should not be simply scrolling and play/pause. It should allow for content search, reviews, and then play what you've found. Social media tie ins would also happen so you can see what your friends are watching.

3. It should allow for other 3rd party content as well (e.g. Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, etc). Ideally, this would be tied into the content search capabilities, but if the 3rd party doesn't have an API for that, just launch.

4. When displaying live TV, there needs to be a record option.
Click to expand...

Challenges with #1 are:
1) Most people's internet providers are the same as the tv providers. Why would they want to allow more internet bandwith at the same price they offer internet now, while losing customers on the tv side?

2) Content providers are getting known fees from cable subscribers each month(well, approximate fees give or take changes)...the pricing if direct to individuals might higher than we think...
 
I didn't realise MG Siegler was working for Google, Kevin Rose another outspoken apple fan boy works for google now too so we hear very little apple talk from these guys - is this Googles plan, silence Apples fans?
AppleTV doesn't have any hurdles to cross - build it and they will come, omit a RF antenna connection and make sure cable can't be plugged in, it's wireless and can't play with the past, it needs to cut all cords.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back