Apple Looking to Launch Siri-Enabled Television Set by 2013

[jacksonkeller]

If a stand-alone box is allowed to also exist for around $99 and it is pretty much the software of this television, I can't see it working much at all. If they kill the TV to unify the software with the hardware, it would seem to have a better chance, but that target 40% margin is going to be hard to swallow for the television shopper seeing bigger screens (or worse, the exact same screen with someone else's logo on it) being pitched for probably a lot less right next to the Apple-branded model.

Yep, is there anyone here that bought a $5300 Bose 46inch TV?

 

[Amazing Iceman]

all flat glass you say? isn't that most tvs now sold? you described a tv that's already out in the market, i just dont see the point when they can sell a box for far less.

why would they be working on this television as far back as 2007 and at the same time release a product so far removed from their goal?

I still say people are going to miss having a constant feed of tv on, unless apple implement a cover-flow style method of flipping thru the content, like you do now with a cable/satellite provider, the experience will just leave a lot to be desired

I think he was referring to something else...

Anyways, when Jobs said he figured out the TV, I'm sure he was referring to it's functionality more than its looks. What would be the biggest challenge for a smart TV? I would say make it Cable compatible right out of the box. Sure, there are CableCard Ready TVs, but any Cable guy will tell you these don't work well, and there are always problems.
True, there are ways to control a cable box through another device, but there's no feedback from the cable box.

And Jobs wants the TV to break this and all other problems that get people frustrated. It will have to be very simple, yet technologically futuristic.

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It better be a robot sex slave if it expects me to not have a way to plug in my Xbox.

LOL... WHo knows... maybe your wish comes true...
By the time it comes out, you'll have thrown away your XBox.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Totally disagree with you. Do people buy regular PC's and put OS X on them?

People do even though they're not supposed to do that. And it's not Apple-endorsed. My point was about if it was endorsed by Apple to run OS X on anyone's computers, which is what we have when the software apple:TV) is separated from the hardware (a hypothetical Apple Television). If we can get the same software benefits from an TV hooked to ANY television, do we still want to own the Apple-branded Television? What if we know the screen is exactly the same one available in a much cheaper model from whatever manufacturer Apple chooses to supply the screen? Then, we face the dilema of literally paying up for the Apple brand and the case rather than getting the exact same screen and (software) experience by saving some money with the manufacturers television plus an TV-like box.

Is there any WOW factor in any of the hardware Apple produces nowadays?

Yes, I bought my iMac for all the OS X can do. I bought my iDevice for all that iOS can do. I like the Apple hardware but if Apple endorsed OS X and iOS on other hardware, I likely would have purchased other hardware and got the exact same software experience. That's the issue here. It's hard to imagine some big hardware innovation Apple could build into their own Apple Television. If the big innovations are in the software AND that software is going to also be replicated on other televisions via an TV-like device, why buy the Apple Television?

With iPhone 4S, there was an awful lot of people hungrier for a bigger screen. Imagine if iOS was available to run on bigger screen phones from HTC, Samsung, etc in an Apple-endorsed way. That's what we have with this particular rumor- the concept of the full software experience separate from the hardware. In this way, it is unlike anything that Apple has revolutionized before... unless they kill the TV.

 

[Amazing Iceman]

Yep, is there anyone here that bought a $5300 Bose 46inch TV?

Not me... I could buy 5 really nice TVs for that kind of money. I'm not paying for the name of a company that fakes great audio quality by using a subwoofer. I like my audio to play the old fashioned way: Sub Woofer, Woofer, Mid-Range, Tweeter.

 

[something3153]

I think he was referring to something else...

Anyways, when Jobs said he figured out the TV, I'm sure he was referring to it's functionality more than its looks. What would be the biggest challenge for a smart TV? I would say make it Cable compatible right out of the box. Sure, there are CableCard Ready TVs, but any Cable guy will tell you these don't work well, and there are always problems.
True, there are ways to control a cable box through another device, but there's no feedback from the cable box.

And Jobs wants the TV to break this and all other problems that get people frustrated. It will have to be very simple, yet technologically futuristic.

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LOL... WHo knows... maybe your wish comes true...
By the time it comes out, you'll have thrown away your XBox.

I'm going to be giving the CableCard thing a go via a Ceton, quite shortly, having already built the HTPC and just installing the mass storage drives tomorrow. Reportedly Windows 7 Media Center is very good. Can't be worse than my Motorola cable box via Comcast.

And why do you think I'll have thrown my Xbox out? If this thing comes in 2013, my current 360 will be about half the age of my first one when it wore out. I'm still not convinced this is actually going to be made, but if it is, I'll give it a fair evaluation the next time I buy a TV. That will mean playing nicely with my other toys, though.

 

[topmounter]

Yep, is there anyone here that bought a $5300 Bose 46inch TV?

It is definitely on my list of things to do... right below sky diving solo without a parachute.

 

[rsocal]

I hope it has Siri on it, it works great on my iPhone and is the best voice software I've used yet. Leaps & bounds ahead and it will be perfect for couch potatoes that hate having 2 or 3 remotes (me). I can just imagine talking to all my iOS devices like little buddy's.

Hurry up with my Apple iOS Siri powered TV!

 

[a random John]

No way there is a logo on the front. Do you see a logo on the front of your iPad? iPhone? MacBook? Apple TV? Power Mac? The iMac is the exception, not the rule.

 

[AppleScruff1]

For most people, buying a TV is like buying new shoes. Have to pick through many models, sizes styles, colors, refresh rates, 3D Capable, LED Backlit or not, Plasma or LCD, etc.

I guess Apple is going to determine what size of TV a person should buy. They may release 3 or 4 different sizes, but will that be enough?
Now, imagine a TV with no HDMI, no Component, no DVI, no VGA. Only Thunderbolt Port.

Whatever it is they are building, I'm sure we will love it.

Of course Apple will determine the size of the TV people will buy. Anyone who wants a size they don't offer needs to be reprogrammed. Apple knows more about what you want than you do. They know the perfect size set for everyone's viewing room.

 

[something3153]

No way there is a logo on the front. Do you see a logo on the front of your iPad? iPhone? MacBook? Apple TV? Power Mac? The iMac is the exception, not the rule.

Those all still have the Apple logo in a prominent spot. There's no prominent spot on a TV except the front bezel, unless I'm missing something.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Talking Apple TV's. Purchase content from Apple. Synch with all Apple devices. Yep, Big Brother has arrived. He will be in your house watching your every move, picking your pocket for every last dollar.

 

[cere]

Talking Apple TV's. Purchase content from Apple. Synch with all Apple devices. Yep, Big Brother has arrived. He will be in your house watching your every move, picking your pocket for every last dollar.

Judging by my pockets, he's already been there and gone.

 

[gugy]

Yep, is there anyone here that bought a $5300 Bose 46inch TV?

Not a Bose but I did pay $5k for a Pioneer Kuro Elite 60". Boy and I don't regret. That set is absolutely beautiful.
That's why I do not look forward to buy an AppleTelevision if they do not surpass the quality of the best displays out there. Just Siri won't cut. I would rather get a $99 ATV box quite frankly.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Judging by my pockets, he's already been there and gone.

He'll be back. He doesn't get all of your money yet. Supermarkets and utility companies are next. Hopefully one day in the future Apple will be able to supply all goods and services for mankind.

 

[Shearwater]

Oh come on.....

I don't really get what advantage it would be to build this into a TV set instead of making it a set-top box. Then people could choose the TV with the picture they like best instead of relying on Apple's choice.

You just don't get the Apple philosophy!!....end to end customer experience.....integrated software and hardware!!!

 

[Gasu E.]

I don't really get what advantage it would be to build this into a TV set instead of making it a set-top box. Then people could choose the TV with the picture they like best instead of relying on Apple's choice.

I think this would be a maintenance nightmare for Apple... trying to make it work with a wide variety of combinations TVs, cable services, streaming services, DVD/BlueRay players. This is a problem that Microsoft faces with Windows, and you know what the result has been. Anything that can reduce the permutations will result in Apple being able to provide a better user experience.

 

[Mortalias]

He'll be back. He doesn't get all of your money yet. Supermarkets and utility companies are next. Hopefully one day in the future Apple will be able to supply all goods and services for mankind.

The day Android and Blackberry don't compete with iPhone, Samsung, HP, etc don't compete with iPad, and Dell, HP, and hundreds more don't compete with Macs, you'll have a point.

There's nothing wrong with consumer confidence in a product.

 

[840quadra]

Yeah. I just feel with all the millions upon millions of TVs already out there why not make the AppleTV more eye catching. Siri could work on any TV then. I would be wary about buying a complete TV from Apple. How many HDMIs slots would it have? Whats the price? Can i only get it in 1 or 2 different sizes? Whats the lifespan of one of their TVs going to be?

Its more the content that needs to change for me. I hardly watch any TV on my TV. Its usually DVDs or Blu-Rays. If i do watch TV then its a sporting event. I dont see how owning an Apple full TV set will benefit me

Agreed,

I am not happy about he forced obsolesce factor that Apple implements on many of their hardware products. I buy TV sets only as needed, and tend to go for models with the most IO options, allowing me to connect various devices.

The nice thing about the current AppleTV is the small size and price. If they replace it a couple years later, I am only out a minuscule $99, compared to $1,000+ for a TV.

 

[cere]

He'll be back. He doesn't get all of your money yet. Supermarkets and utility companies are next. Hopefully one day in the future Apple will be able to supply all goods and services for mankind.

Ahh, so your issue is that it is Apple that would receive the money. To me, my money is gone, so why should it bother me that Apple has it over Comcast or Sony?

 

[gugy]

Agreed,

I am not happy about he forced obsolesce factor that Apple implements on many of their hardware products. I buy TV sets only as needed, and tend to go for models with the most IO options, allowing me to connect various devices.

The nice thing about the current AppleTV is the small size and price. If they replace it a couple years later, I am only out a minuscule $99, compared to $1,000+ for a TV.

yes, this is my main point as well.
It's easy to update a device every two years like ATV or iPhone, iPad, etc. TVs, people keep much longer because the picture quality is what matters at the end. If the set has a great picture why sell it?

The revolution needs to be in the software/experience/UI/content/price structure and it all can happen on ATV rather than the display.

While I can see Apple releasing a TV just for the sake of having a presence there, i don't think it will be a game changer. So I don't expect it to happen.

 

[strieck]

No way there is a logo on the front. Do you see a logo on the front of your iPad? iPhone? MacBook? Apple TV? Power Mac? The iMac is the exception, not the rule.

They put the logo where it can be seen. Apple displays have always had the logo on the front bezel.

 

[xtacyboy]

Tv

I'm 50/50, it'd prob be a grea TV.....but i bet would charge through the roof for it. Plus, I bet they'll do a new one every year cycle and really people can't by new TV's every year. Plus some flat screens can be had at some great prices! I'm mixed on this....

All TV manufacturers do a yearly refresh on their TVs anyway. Doesn't matter where you buy your TV, you'll always be outdated.

 

[djepsilon]

If we can get the same software benefits from an TV hooked to ANY television, do we still want to own the Apple-branded Television?

I would say yes. It's possible to do the same thing with a Mac computer yet people consistently buy Apple's "over-priced" hardware. (I personally think there computer hardware is great, but that's me)

Then, we face the dilema of literally paying up for the Apple brand and the case rather than getting the exact same screen and (software) experience by saving some money with the manufacturers television plus an TV-like box.

I hate to break it to you, but Apple banks on its consumers to buy the Apple brand with all of their products!

It's hard to imagine some big hardware innovation Apple could build into their own Apple Television. If the big innovations are in the software AND that software is going to also be replicated on other televisions via an TV-like device, why buy the Apple Television?

That's the thing. It won't be available via TV-like device. I'm guessing they would only make the software available to the full TV, obviously to justify buying a new full TV.

Apple considers themselves a hardware company first and foremost. But their great software drives the sales of that hardware. That is the case with every device they make, and that is what they will do with this TV. Because in the end, it's all about making money and selling cheap hardware with high markup does just that.

I promise you this TV is in the works. It makes complete business sense to me.

 

[bretm]

I think he was referring to something else...

Anyways, when Jobs said he figured out the TV, I'm sure he was referring to it's functionality more than its looks. What would be the biggest challenge for a smart TV? I would say make it Cable compatible right out of the box. Sure, there are CableCard Ready TVs, but any Cable guy will tell you these don't work well, and there are always problems.
True, there are ways to control a cable box through another device, but there's no feedback from the cable box.

And Jobs wants the TV to break this and all other problems that get people frustrated. It will have to be very simple, yet technologically futuristic.

----------



LOL... WHo knows... maybe your wish comes true...
By the time it comes out, you'll have thrown away your XBox.

Good luck finding a cable card TV anymore. There might be one in production. They all but disappeared a few years ago. A year ago Charter quit supporting the cable cards except for devices like TiVo. I had to get an adapter modem type thing to keep our TiVo HD working.

 

[charlesdayton]

I don't think an actual Apple TV set will be as successful as the Apple TV box given the fact that most households already own a TV and most won't be willing buy a new set just for the Apple content.