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Apple Reportedly Set to Open Up Apple TV to Third-Party Developers at WWDC

True DirectTV

If I was DirectTV, I would try and figure out to use their current deals to offer their service over the Internet. Not all households can have a dish installed. Direct TV with an app can offer their service to AppleTV, Xbox, etc users, still charge for the subscription. Gone is all of the technical support with the dishes. Easy installation. Over course streaming rights are probably not granted under the current contracts DirectTV has with the content providers.
 
Tinmania said:
Are you saying you have one option for high-speed internet? If so then of course you have no other choice than to use them. But that is not the case everywhere.
Michael
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Not sure what you mean. I have multiple choices for Internet but I feel Verizon FIOS is the best. It gives me 35/35 speed at my home and my office. I had Time Warner Road Runner before and it was much slower. Especially the upload. My point was whichever one I pick for Internet I can get the TV at a discount. Example, my HOA gets TW TV at a discount but everyone has to have it and I think it is $25 per month per home (paid for my the HOA). And you have to pay for Internet on your own without a bundled discount. For work reasons I really wanted the 35/35 faster internet so I chose that for Internet and because I felt their TV/Phone was better I choose to get the bundle for 3 items. Even thought my TV was FREE via the HOA I am about break even because of the bundle. The reason I bring this up is because a lot of people feel that only if we could bypass the Cable Company TV then it would be much cheaper to only subscribe to the channels we want but I do not believe that will be the case. I believe ALL of the Internet Providers that also provide TV will make it so TV is just not that much more. So why pay for Internet from say TW and buy your TV from Apple. You may end up paying more in total because you do not get the bundle discount. Of course you may feel better because you are only receiving the 20 channels you actually want instead of 200 but paying the same or more. As another person pointed out you need to simply ignore the extra 180 channels because in reality you are not actually paying extra for the extra channels.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
OK, now I see what you mean. If the goal is to get local network programming into an :apple:TV4 via coax, that can work. What you're doing there is expanding the functionality of the :apple:TV to also be a DVR. Apple has formalized some patents for DVR functionality in the past so anything is possible.

The pessimist might say that Apple wouldn't do this because it would cannibalize iTunes rentals/sales (and a lot of :apple:TV evolution decisions have seemed to be counter to ideal in support of trying to make iTunes the center of the video universe IMO). Also, the Studios that already do business with Apple may be less enthusiastic about the relationship if the main network's programming can be easily captured and stored for free (via OTA + DVR functionality)

So, the way to get there without Apple taking it there (and probably the easier way for this to arrive sooner than later) would be to normalize the USB port and allow a company like Elgato offer a DVR attachment with a DVR app. Apple could then show some arm's length from the DVR functionality while still selling many more :apple:TVs because it becomes a "2 birds with one stone" device for those wanting this kind of functionality.

If you would be interested in such functionality now, those Elgato products work pretty well "as is" (hooked to a computer). This moves the DVR to the computer but the software is pretty smart and can convert the captures and insert them into iTunes for you (ready to play on :apple:TV). I realize that's not the same as having the DVR functionality right in the box next to the TV, but maybe an Elgato app will come along to control the DVR hardware linked to the Mac from the :apple:TV. That would be a very close approximation with what you are seeking, only using the much greater horsepower in the computer to do the video capture work.
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I was concerned about cannibalism, but I thought that Apple stopped offering TV shows in iTunes. An old article said that, but I'm assuming they started again.
 
If this is true and the content creators/providers flock to the Apple TV like they have to iOS in general, I will be ditching my Roku box for an Apple TV. I love Roku, but if Apple makes a more compelling product, I'm there.
 
This would be cool. My wish is an EyeTV app. This is crazy that I can see the TV on my iPad (I have a netstream tuner) and not on my Apple TV. Add XBMC without jailbreaking and that's only what I need to buy one for each of my two TVs.
 
There was recently an article in the Financial Times making the case for more-or-less exactly what this rumour suggests Apple will do. It was pointed out that it seems somewhat asinine for Apple to enter into the actual television market, which is already extremely competitive, mature and close to saturation point. It's hard to imagine how Apple could advance screen technology beyond where it currently stands; the inadequacies in the televisions we use lie in the areas of user interface and content-delivery models.

These two areas represent not only the two biggest shortfalls in television today, but also the two areas that Apple is best positioned to attack (although as has been discussed, the content side of the matter may be more difficult for them to prise open). And all that is required to pitch an alternative vision for these two aspects is a set-top box. Why try to force your way into what is a pretty cut-throat market, when you could leave the manufacture of displays at razor-thin margins to the rest and focus on areas that not only need improving but that your are genuinely capable of moving forwards?

So far so good. Yet something that the FT suitably enough pointed out, but which I haven't seen addressed elsewhere on the 'net, is that is there really any money to be made on these things? The Apple TV sells for £99 in the UK, and I think $99 in the US. These aren't £500 phones and tablets, nor are they £1,000+ computers. I don't know what kind of margins Apple run on them, but even if any renewed push on the Apple TV was widely successful, and Apple were able to ship millions of units a year, the revenues simply aren't going to match those of the iPad, iPhone and Mac product lines.

Still, profit is profit, and there is obvious potential for Apple, operating as a platform for content-vendors to deliver their product to our television screens, to take a decent slice of that pie. And obviously I really hope that what we're hearing rumoured with regards to the ATV is born out in reality, as I really believe it could change the nature of television. I practically never watch broadcast TV as it is, and believe that, beyond the news, sports and massive events like the diamond jubilee we recently enjoyed in the UK, an a la carte model is infinitely superior. If Apple can provide the platform for content providers to deliver their products to the end-user directly, through the form of apps or what have you, then I think they would be advancing media discovery and consumption in an historically notable way.
 
"So far so good. Yet something that the FT suitably enough pointed out, but which I haven't seen addressed elsewhere on the 'net, is that is there really any money to be made on these things? The Apple TV sells for £99 in the UK, and I think $99 in the US."

I would think that the money is in the content. If a certain program/channel requires a subscription, I am sure Apple would charge a certain fee (maybe 30%) as it does in apps and books.
 
Robin4 said:
"So far so good. Yet something that the FT suitably enough pointed out, but which I haven't seen addressed elsewhere on the 'net, is that is there really any money to be made on these things? The Apple TV sells for £99 in the UK, and I think $99 in the US."

I would think that the money is in the content. If a certain program/channel requires a subscription, I am sure Apple would charge a certain fee (maybe 30%) as it does in apps and books.
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This is what Tim Cook said at Apple's shareholder meeting:
http://www.macworld.com/article/116...nter_stage_at_annual_shareholder_meeting.html
Cook, in response to a shareholder urging the company to use its cash hoard to come up with an alternative to Netflix, Hulu, and the like for video-content distribution: “There are plenty of apps that provide content, and users want those apps. We get profit from selling devices...our focus is not on making a lot of money in content...An a la carte video system isn’t likely to arrive quickly, because the money is big for the companies involved.”

So I could see them doing a TV just because hardware is where they make most of their money. Of course you need great software to sell hardware. But I'd be curious to know how much money Apple makes off the $99 ATV. Unless Apple can somehow find a way to revolutionize the TV space (and they need content/broadband providers to play ball in order formthat to happen)I can't see this $99 box being a "blow your mind" type product.
 
Gonky said:
As Apple allow Plex on the iPhone/iPad, I can't see them disallowing it on the Apple TV.
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Can Plex for iOS stream local media directly from a NAS, or does it require your computer to be turned on with some sort of media server software installed?
 
Rogifan said:
Unless Apple can somehow find a way to revolutionize the TV space (and they need content/broadband providers to play ball in order formthat to happen)I can't see this $99 box being a "blow your mind" type product.
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I was thinking along these lines. Dissatisfaction with the current system is running high and it is finally being noticed and acknowledged by content providers.
 
Rogifan said:
I'll believe it when I see it. Right now it's just a lot of people projecting on to Apple what they want to see.
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It's ALREADY HAPPENING. Jesus. Talk about stone age mentality. How long HAVE you worked for DIRECTV anyway?

Cable cutters are leaving in DROVES. Yeah, they are shaking in their boots.

If you don't work for DIRECTV, sure sounds like you hate money.
 
whiteyanderson said:
It's ALREADY HAPPENING. Jesus. Talk about stone age mentality. How long HAVE you worked for DIRECTV anyway?

Cable cutters are leaving in DROVES. Yeah, they are shaking in their boots.

If you don't work for DIRECTV, sure sounds like you hate money.
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The prob is cost savings aren't there for cable cutting. I just checked and just to get Daily Show is $10/month on iTunes subscription (16/episodes). Then add netflix and hulu plus and other itunes subscriptions the cost quickly adds up.

My cable tv (bundled with internet) with DVR is $35/month. I get much better picture often and far more stuff I want to watch for that $35.
 
avanpelt said:
If this is true and the content creators/providers flock to the Apple TV like they have to iOS in general, I will be ditching my Roku box for an Apple TV. I love Roku, but if Apple makes a more compelling product, I'm there.
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I also have Roku and it is an very good product. But I prefer the Apple TV because 1) I like the UI Better and 2) It is the ONLY STB that can process ALL of my iTunes Content and 3) the other features like AirPlay.

I think if it is indeed true that we will have an App Store for the Apple TV then I believe the other STB's (including Roku) will be in trouble. Example: One mfg for the Google TV already bailed at a big loss. I think Apple "could" make it extremely hard to compete if they wanted too.
 
Most of the posts here are over thinking it. Jobs' focus was on simplicity, so this TV or whatever it is is not going to involve complex rigging to HTPCs. The average consumer has no idea what Plex, XBMC, HTPC etc even are.

Think more of a television with ios ATV software built in, isight camera, bluetooth, wifi. Maybe it could display notifications on your TV when your phone is connected to it, instant airplay without changing inputs when watching TV. I would love to see gesture based remote control for flipping stations much like you flip through apps with 4 fingers, and of course Siri.
 
WannaGoMac said:
My guess it will be months as I doubt iOS 6 will be available June 11 :(
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I agree. If last year is an indication we will get iOS 6 for developers on June 11 and it will go thru a number of releases while developers make sure all of their Apps work with iOS 6 and also allow for New Apps for iOS 6 to be ported and/or developed as new. Then you will need a new iTunes to support the new App Store. I think we are least waiting for September. Of course Apple could surprise and release iTunes right away and then add support to the existing iOS 5 and start providing Apps from Apple but I really doubt that would happen.
 
I welcome any and all improvements to the ATV, but I personally don't like the idea of having a dozen different apps for each channel. I don't want to have to know to launch the NBC app to get show X or the FOX app to get show Y. I'd like to see better pricing from iTunes (which I realize is not up to Apple) for rentals and purchases, or a cable-like tiered flat-fee system (Basic channels, Deluxe package, etc.). I'd prefer to search through the list of shows from a common interface. Right now I have to use three different apps: 1) iTunes, 2) Netflix, and 3) My Computers (for my own ripped stuff) which is already pushing it from a usability perspective.

I've posted about this several times before, but right now I've got a Windows 7 computer running Media Center along with a SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime network tuner (which has a cablecard slot) which gives me 3 tuners. I have XBox 360's elsewhere in the house which I can use to watch live TV or my recordings. I don't see it happening (since Apple seems to like the iTunes store idea), but I'd love to see a next-gen AirPort Extreme running iOS which has on-board DVR server software and which can work with the HDHomeRun Prime and record shows in MP4 format. Then, you could watch live TV or recorded shows from any iOS device, including the ATV.
 
bt2184 said:
Most of the posts here are over thinking it. Jobs' focus was on simplicity, so this TV or whatever it is is not going to involve complex rigging to HTPCs. The average consumer has no idea what Plex, XBMC, HTPC etc even are.

Think more of a television with ios ATV software built in, isight camera, bluetooth, wifi. Maybe it could display notifications on your TV when your phone is connected to it, instant airplay without changing inputs when watching TV. I would love to see gesture based remote control for flipping stations much like you flip through apps with 4 fingers, and of course Siri.
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I think you missed the point of this Thread. This has very little to do with what Apple will do but what third party developers will do. 99+% of the Apps on the App Store for the iPhone and the iPad are created by third party developers and NOT Apple. Again, this Thread is about an App Store for the Apple TV OS.
 
d21mike said:
I think you missed the point of this Thread. This has very little to do with what Apple will do but what third party developers will do. 99+% of the Apps on the App Store for the iPhone and the iPad are created by third party developers and NOT Apple. Again, this Thread is about an App Store for the Apple TV OS.
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It would be perfect if app for hdhomerun could be made which let apple tv connect to WMc recordings like the xbox!
 
WannaGoMac said:
It would be perfect if app for hdhomerun could be made which let apple tv connect to WMc recordings like the xbox!
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EXACTLY. Below is on their web site. Now port that iOS App to the Apple TV and you have access to your DVR. No need to have a DVR Built into your Apple TV. I believe, unless Apple decides to prevent it, all of these companies will be creating an Apple TV Version of their already programmed iOS Apps. Some companies like Slingbox already do this with other STB's.

"Stream your HDTV live on your iPad and iPhone throughout your wireless network. Using EyeTV software and EyeTV App purchased on itunes, you will be able to watch, pause and record on your ipad and iphone. App not provided by SiliconDust"
 
Sadly, I don't see Apple releasing an aTV update with subscription TV in the foreseeable future. Netflix lost its deal with Starz because the Starz CEO wants to go the HBO route by creating an alternate subscription source for their streaming content. Starz and others don't want a centralized source for streaming whether it's Netflix or Apple. They watched what happened with the recording industry vs. Apple/iPod/iTunes, and do not want the same thing to happen with TV/Movies. Content creators will be much happier with a Balkanized digital world where every studio has their own delivery platform and charges their own monthly subscription fee.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
OK, now I see what you mean. If the goal is to get local network programming into an :apple:TV4 via coax, that can work. What you're doing there is expanding the functionality of the :apple:TV to also be a DVR. Apple has formalized some patents for DVR functionality in the past so anything is possible.

The pessimist might say that Apple wouldn't do this because it would cannibalize iTunes rentals/sales (and a lot of :apple:TV evolution decisions have seemed to be counter to ideal in support of trying to make iTunes the center of the video universe IMO). Also, the Studios that already do business with Apple may be less enthusiastic about the relationship if the main network's programming can be easily captured and stored for free (via OTA + DVR functionality)

So, the way to get there without Apple taking it there (and probably the easier way for this to arrive sooner than later) would be to normalize the USB port and allow a company like Elgato offer a DVR attachment with a DVR app. Apple could then show some arm's length from the DVR functionality while still selling many more :apple:TVs because it becomes a "2 birds with one stone" device for those wanting this kind of functionality.

If you would be interested in such functionality now, those Elgato products work pretty well "as is" (hooked to a computer). This moves the DVR to the computer but the software is pretty smart and can convert the captures and insert them into iTunes for you (ready to play on :apple:TV). I realize that's not the same as having the DVR functionality right in the box next to the TV, but maybe an Elgato app will come along to control the DVR hardware linked to the Mac from the :apple:TV. That would be a very close approximation with what you are seeking, only using the much greater horsepower in the computer to do the video capture work.
Click to expand...

The cable box in my house is a DVR and has pay-per-view content. Studios allow that. Sony has DVRs and is a content provider.

Many content providers have odd ideas about protecting their creations, but most potential Apple TV buyers will already have a DVR. Having an Apple TV DVR that allows content purchase would be better for content providers than many existing DVRs that do not allow content purchase.
 
d21mike said:
EXACTLY. Below is on their web site. Now port that iOS App to the Apple TV and you have access to your DVR. No need to have a DVR Built into your Apple TV. I believe, unless Apple decides to prevent it, all of these companies will be creating an Apple TV Version of their already programmed iOS Apps. Some companies like Slingbox already do this with other STB's.

"Stream your HDTV live on your iPad and iPhone throughout your wireless network. Using EyeTV software and EyeTV App purchased on itunes, you will be able to watch, pause and record on your ipad and iphone. App not provided by SiliconDust"
Click to expand...

But the recordings made by Windows Media Center won't work on the app, just live TV :(
 
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