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Apple Reportedly Prepping Revamped Apple TV: iPhone OS, Cloud-Based Storage, $99 Price Point?

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Engadget's representation of an "iPhone-like" Apple TV
Engadget reports that it has received detailed information on a forthcoming revamp of the Apple TV, a major shift for the product that will reportedly see it resembling "an iPhone without a screen". Based on the next-generation iPhone hardware and software and relying on cloud-based storage rather than an internal hard drive, the new Apple TV is said to be set to carry a price point of only $99.
The new architecture of the device will be based directly on the iPhone 4, meaning it will get the same internals, down to that A4 CPU and a limited amount of flash storage -- 16GB to be exact -- though it will be capable of full 1080p HD (!). The device is said to be quite small with a scarce amount of ports (only the power socket and video out), and has been described to some as "an iPhone without a screen." Are you ready for the real shocker? According to our sources, the price-point for the device will be $99.
Click to expand...
According to the report, while streaming content will be the focus of the device, users will also have the option of pairing the new Apple TV with a Time Capsule for external local storage. In addition, while the forthcoming Apple TV will reportedly utilize an iPhone OS-based operating system, there is no word on whether it will support App Store applications as with Android applications on the forthcoming Google TV platform.

The report concludes by noting that we should not expect to see an introduction of the new Apple TV at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) early next month, as that event is set to primarily focus on the next-generation iPhone. And so while no specific timeframe for a launch of the revamped Apple TV is known, the project "is most definitely full steam ahead."

Apple has long considered the Apple TV a "hobby", noting numerous times that it feels "there is something there" and that it will keep investing in the platform. Rumors and speculation, as well as an Apple job posting, had also suggested that the company is looking to extend the iPhone OS to new devices, possibly including the Apple TV.

Article Link: Apple Reportedly Prepping Revamped Apple TV: iPhone OS, Cloud-Based Storage, $99 Price Point?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/28/apple-reportedly-prepping-revamped-apple-tv-iphone-os-cloud-based-storage-99-price-point/
Number one thing keeping me from buying an TV is having to sync it with my MBP. I don't want all my video on my computer, i want it at the TV.

If it can't do this I'm going to buy a mini.
 
I've said it before- Apple needs to hit a $99 pricepoint for the AppleTV to take off as a platform, even with no internal memory (streaming).

This sounds promising. :)

To resurrect the past:

GFLPraxis said:
AppleTV is simply much too expensive for what it offers right now. There are far cheaper alternatives on the market, and it's about the same price as an iPod with the same capacity.

Storage isn't nearly as necessary for the AppleTV, since you can stream. Apple needs to seriously drop the price. Offer a smaller hard drive if needed. Get it to $99-149 (if $149, then 1080p playback).

Otherwise, it'll be a niche product.

The PS3, for example, is $299. It includes a 120 GB hard drive, and plays Blu-ray, in addition to having the AppleTV's streaming capabilities and wider format support.

The XBox 360 is $249, and lacks a hard drive, but matches the streaming capabilities and has a huge gaming library.

Right now, the AppleTV's price point competes against the Playstation 3. And the Playstation 3 obliterates it, matching every feature and also including Blu-ray, 1080p playback, gaming, and in the next update, 3D movie playback.

I bought a PS3 over an AppleTV for streaming, with no regrets.
Click to expand...
 
hobbbz said:
Number one thing keeping me from buying an TV is having to sync it with a computer. I don't want all my video in 2 places, i want it at the TV.

If it can't do this I'm going to buy a mini.
Click to expand...

You don't have to sync it, you can also stream it. So if you have an external hd hooked up to your computer you can store all your media on the external and stream it to the Apple TV. No need to sync it..
 
an iphone without a screen? I'm wondering how the iPhone OS works without multitouch? Maybe a multitouch remote control? Maybe you can use your iPhone/iPod/iPad as a remote? Would be pretty cool, but I'm afraid they'll stick with a price-per-video system when I would be willing to pay a $10/mo subscription service - probably more per month, but I can dream.
 
I hear ya.... I have a current AppleTV running XBMC and I have a 2TB NAS on the network. I hardwired everything and put the Broadcom Crystal HD Card for Hardware-HD playback, it works very well playing everything from youtube, mp4, to 1080p mkv files... I just wonder how stuck this new device will be in regard to "Apple Video Only"

With programs like Boxee, the current ATV is really an online digital media hub... Don't want to see the new one scrap all that.
 
Consumer wins.

Now, wouldnt it be cool if they had a way for touch to work on the tv from your iphone or ipod? Not just in terms of a game controller, but rather transferring the touch capability from your iphone to the tv?
 
hobbbz said:
Number one thing keeping me from buying an TV is having to sync it with a computer. I don't want all my video in 2 places, i want it at the TV.

If it can't do this I'm going to buy a mini.
Click to expand...

You don't have to sync it, you can stream it. Either way, the video will essentially only be in one place at a time - on your computer and being streamed to your tv or on your ATV and being played locally (but yes, the original copy will be on your computer). In both cases, it's "at the TV" when you want it. You might have to get up and go turn your computer on, but is that really that much of a hassle?

The mini as an HTPC is powerful and capable, but it is a lot more expensive and not as user friendly.
 
I wonder if it would be compatible with standard UPnP streaming, or only iTunes.

If it's only iTunes, that might be a dealbreaker for me; my library is in varied formats, and I use a media server with my PS3 and iPad that can transcode to MPEG-4 live on the fly as it plays.
 
I suppose there's no clue about the possibility to upgrade old Apple Tvs to this new system... I mean... the chip is not the same... will the old Apple Tv be able to run the iPhone Os? I just received an Apple tv as a gift... if it will be "abandoned" I'll be a bit sad :confused:
 
Its a good price point for people just want to consume content. In the end, however, I find using a Mac mini as a media center as a better deal, functions as a (1) download server, (2) AirVideo server, and (3) standard media center.
 
Smells like BS speculation.

16GB of flash is a huge step backwards. That's what, three HD movies? Good luck streaming 1080p, even over 802.11n.

There's just no reason for flash and maximizing portability in a device that's hooked to your TV.
 
YAY YAY YAY!!! :D I knew they were working on this and it was just a matter of time! I mean think about it people, really!

I am soooo excited! Can't wait to get this! I love my Apple TV and I have been anticipating this for a couple years! :D

SUCK IT Google TV! :p

P.S. Apple please let us stream without needing iTunes open on our computers! Oh and the App Store is a must! Also, we will need some sort of better input, be it a Wii mote type device you have been looking into, or using our iPhones, iPod Touch, or iPads with a sweet new remote app! Gaming is going to be awesome! Oh and ONE MORE THING Steve :) you MUST give us the ability to FLICK content from our iDevices onto the TV screen by just flicking or throwing it with our finger toward the screen! Thanks :)
 
X38 said:
They MUST add a DVR, or it will still be a non-starter.
Click to expand...

Why? People have been saying this for years. Like it or not, DVRs are outdated. Why bother recording and storing locally if you can have content delivered on-demand from the cloud? DVRs are power hogs, space hogs, and pump out a lot of heat.
 
hobbbz said:
Number one thing keeping me from buying an TV is having to sync it with a computer. I don't want all my video in 2 places, i want it at the TV.

If it can't do this I'm going to buy a mini.
Click to expand...

Well, it sounds like this thing will be keeping all the video in one place. It's on the computer instead of at the TV, but why should that matter?

The "I'm buying a mini instead of an AppleTV" crowd is going to shrink very rapidly if this thing really does cost $99.
 
That will nail it.

Apple has Managed to make the Most desiereable Lifestyle Produkts to Listen to Musik: iPod check
Apple has managednto make the Most desierable lifestylprodukt to make phonecalls: iPhone check
The First ever really selig Tabletcomputer: iPad check

This will Be the Living Room!! Man i dient think they Build their Billion Dollar Data-Center to Be able to dominant the Living Room! This Sems to Be the plan!

If i had a Million Dollars i Gould by myself some appl Stock!:eek:
 
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