It's 2009 Again: Apple is Apparently Reconsidering Making a TV

[QuietGamer]

If Apple could re-invent the Bose Videowave with a OLED screen and copy the non-infrared remote and remote interface that Bose used I would interested for sure. They discontinued them in 2015 after a 5 year run.

If you are not familiar, Bose made a TV with fantastic sound built in. It had a wireless remote that used some sort of WiFi that could be used from any position/area. A screen based interface in which the screen options changed based on what input device was being selected, controlled from a touch area on the remote.

Style wise it is just the TV that you see but the sound that it puts out is incredible. Room filling sound and bass that will rattle the windows. I love the fact that I do not have a bunch of speakers that have to be placed/hidden around the room.

I have been dreading the day I have to replace ours in the living room and trying to even coming close to the simplistic form factor and performance it has provided over the last decade.

FWIW I have an LG OLED/Apl TV/multi speaker set up in the man cave for comparison.

Bose VideoWave Entertainment System II (55-Inch) Review

The Bose VideoWave II Entertainment System offers a few video-related improvements over the original iteration, but nothing has changed in terms of this high-end HDTV's phenomenal audio system. And that's a very good thing.

www.pcmag.com

 

[kramerdude]

Please, can we just get an AppleTV with a tuner? That would be the game changer right there. You can use whatever manufacturer you want for a display, and never have to touch their interface or ads.

 

[DevNull0]

If Apple could re-invent the Bose Videowave with a OLED screen and copy the non-infrared remote and remote interface that Bose used I would interested for sure. They discontinued them in 2015 after a 5 year run.

If you are not familiar, Bose made a TV with fantastic sound built in. It had a wireless remote that used some sort of WiFi that could be used from any position/area. A screen based interface in which the screen options changed based on what input device was being selected, controlled from a touch area on the remote.

Style wise it is just the TV that you see but the sound that it puts out is incredible. Room filling sound and bass that will rattle the windows. I love the fact that I do not have a bunch of speakers that have to be placed/hidden around the room.

I have been dreading the day I have to replace ours in the living room and trying to even coming close to the simplistic form factor and performance it has provided over the last decade.

FWIW I have an LG OLED/Apl TV/multi speaker set up in the man cave for comparison.

Bose VideoWave Entertainment System II (55-Inch) Review

The Bose VideoWave II Entertainment System offers a few video-related improvements over the original iteration, but nothing has changed in terms of this high-end HDTV's phenomenal audio system. And that's a very good thing.

www.pcmag.com

Interesting how everyone has different wants. Built in TV sound is literally the last thing I want.

 

[scorpio vega]

Sadly, no I don't. In the meantime I've gotta sit around a wait for my TV to boot.

What tv do you that has to boot? mine is on within 3 seconds.

 

[rulymammoth]

The primary problem with "TV" isn’t the software and hardware integration. It is the software to software (apps) integration and Apple has very limited success in improving that because that is so dependent on the content providers. None of that can/could be improved by controlling the hardware and the software in the TV itself. What made the iPod a success wasn't the hardware and software integration IMO, it was the deals Apple was able to make with all the Music houses brining everything together. Sorry, but that isn't happening with TV/Movie etc.

And that is just one of the issues. TVs are a commodity item with extremely low margins. Also the life cycle of TVs is much longer than other product categories Apple has entered (around 6-7 years). Anyway if Apple could solve the primary problem, they could do it in a set top box first.

That's why I said they could add hardware features that would basically be independent of any software/content conundrums they face.

 

[CarlJ]

Wake me when someone decides to make a 'dumb' TV again. Something with a gorgeous display that does absolutely nothing except display whatever content I feed into it via a variety of ports.

Lots of people want this, but the manufacturers are unlikely to do it. Because (a) the mass market wants an all-in-one device, and (b) the manufacturers make money selling profiling data collected from your viewing habits (as well as renting you movies and such) - to the point where some TVs are basically sold at a loss, because they expect to make it up later, using you as a revenue stream. And that's unlikely to change soon, because of (a).

I'm running an LG C1, and effectively using it as a dumb TV. I never clicked OK on the latter half of its licensing agreements that would have enabled all the built-in streaming stuff, and it hasn't been connected to ethernet in ages (and was never put on WiFi - I let it update the firmware a number of times and then unplugged it around the time that the LG marketing department decided that it would be a great idea to use the TV's messaging system - which was originally useful to be alerted to new firmware updates and such - to upsell streaming subscriptions, and "since you clearly missed the special offer last week, we'll send it to you again now" - so, I unplugged the network connection). I didn't enable any of the built-in OS's functionality, I opted out of anything that would monitor my viewing habits, and it can't phone home.

I use my Apple TV remote (and occasionally PS5 controller) for everything, and almost never touch the LG remote, except for the rare occasions when I watch OTA TV broadcasts (basically the Olympics, the SuperBowl, and sometimes SNL).

I'd prefer a TV that didn't have any built-in streaming services / etc., and just offered a TV tuner, a bunch of HDMI inputs, and a setup menu, but the industry doesn't want to make that any more. In the meantime, the LG OLEDs have spectacular pictures. I hear Sony and Samsung are good too, but this TV has put me happily on team LG.

 

[CarlJ]

What tv do you that has to boot? mine is on within 3 seconds.

Between the TV starting up, the sound system kicking in, and the Apple TV waking up, it's probably more like 10-15 seconds before it's all up and sync'd together and ready to watch, but then I usually start the process while walking into the room by saying, "Hey Siri, turn on the TV".

 

[Chungry]

Your understanding of how RAM works is flawed, unfortunately. Requiring less RAM -has- been one of macOS's strengths over the years. That's not a lie, but more RAM is needed for certain -apps- and LLMs, as used by Apple Intelligence.

If Apple had bumped up the base RAM years ago, we'd be in a world where bloated apps were consuming all of it, and then we'd need more.

There no evidence to back up that claim

 

[Powerbooky]

Wake me when someone decides to make a 'dumb' TV again. Something with a gorgeous display that does absolutely nothing except display whatever content I feed into it via a variety of ports.

Is that too much to ask???

Count me in. I want one.
TV makers should always make the same TV's models also "dumb", so with all the "smart" stuff physically removed.
Hey... EU/EC... make that a directive instead of bothering Apple with more App Stores.

 

[vantelimus]

Such a brave man, doesn’t know yet the specs, design and the price but already willing to pay.

It is called brand loyalty. It is earned and can be lost. It has real market value.

 

[scorpio vega]

Between the TV starting up, the sound system kicking in, and the Apple TV waking up, it's probably more like 10-15 seconds before it's all up and sync'd together and ready to watch, but then I usually start the process while walking into the room by saying, "Hey Siri, turn on the TV".

So no wonder it takes awhile lmao. You have a bunch of random stuff attached to it lol.

My Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and networks don’t always instantly connect on my phone when it starts. The way you made it sound I thought you were waiting minutes lmao

 

[Realityck]

It is called brand loyalty. It is earned and can be lost. It has real market value.

Does anyone here think that a brand loyalty encompasses all product categories? All companies have their strengths vs weaknesses, and Apple is no different.

 

[scorpio vega]

Such a brave man, doesn’t know yet the specs, design and the price but already willing to pay.

God forbid someone is a fan of a company and trust their reliability based on user experience.

Macrumors never fails to make me laugh at ppls opinions of how they spend their money. See anyone who complains about Vision Pro prices

 

[scorpio vega]

Does anyone here think that a brand loyalty encompasses all product categories? All companies have their strengths vs weaknesses, and Apple is no different.

I’m pretty loyal to apple and likely will never buy anything non apple.

I certainly refuse to use any other mobile software like android ever again since it is inferior.

So yeah my brand loyalty encompasses most things

 

[Chungry]

It is called brand loyalty. It is earned and can be lost. It has real market value.

I question how much Apple appreciates that they stand on the shoulders of all that hard work from their past that built that loyalty. Or how easy it is to squander? Dev relations comes to mind

 

[Chungry]

I’m pretty loyal to apple and likely will never buy anything non apple.

I certainly refuse to use any other mobile software like android ever again since it is inferior.

So yeah my brand loyalty encompasses most things

For many, loyalty is hard to earn and easy to lose

 

[scorpio vega]

For many, loyalty is hard to earn and easy to lose

That’s how I am.

Apple has yet to do anything to lose mine.

Adding usb c and RCS are annoying to me. I have more or less dealt with usb c even if I preferred lightning. But it wouldn’t be enough to make me switch. I almost didn’t upgrade because I hate usb c but ehh.

And RCS I can turn off so I can always use sms and I’m lucky now. I just switched to a carrier who doesn’t have RCS support at all. lol

 

[Chungry]

That’s how I am.

Apple has yet to do anything to lose mine.

Adding usb c and RCS are annoying to me. I have more or less dealt with usb c even if I preferred lightning. But it wouldn’t be enough to make me switch. I almost didn’t upgrade because I hate usb c but ehh.

And RCS I can turn off so I can always use sms and I’m lucky now. I just switched to a carrier who doesn’t have RCS support at all. lol

Curious. If some company came out with a phone so superior to everything else on the market it was literally 10 years ahead- but it wasn’t Apple- would you switch? Maybe it wasn’t even android but it was some sort of tectonic shift in phones.

Let’s assume all your apps are on it

 

[Realityck]

What if the comment Mark wrote was not about an actual Apple 4K TV, but just maybe a new Apple TV 4K?

 

[vantelimus]

Curious. If some company came out with a phone so superior to everything else on the market it was literally 10 years ahead- but it wasn’t Apple- would you switch? Maybe it wasn’t even android but it was some sort of tectonic shift in phones.

Let’s assume all your apps are on it

Why wouldn't he? Such shifts have happened before. My Motorola flip phone got replaced by a Treo. I swore by Treo and thought I would never switch. But then the iPhone came out and made Treo look like yesterday's contact organizer.

The idea that people are married to Apple products merely because it's Apple is a canard. Apple has continued to provide value that people appreciate. Apple can and will falter someday. It is inevitable. Until then believing that people are zombies buying Apple products out of some weird cult-like behavior is simplistic thinking.

 

[scorpio vega]

Curious. If some company came out with a phone so superior to everything else on the market it was literally 10 years ahead- but it wasn’t Apple- would you switch? Maybe it wasn’t even android but it was some sort of tectonic shift in phones.

Let’s assume all your apps are on it

It would really have to do something spectacular. Like a superb camera (it’s why I loved windows phone. The lumia 1020 at the time was the best smartphone camera).

Chances are probably not. I can’t see me every switching from apple unless apple themselves does something catastrophic.

I used android for well over a decade and while it has more capabilities than apple in some areas it misses the biggest mark.

Ecosystem.

It’s not just a phone. I and millions of others buy into apple because of the ecosystem that google, Samsung and Microsoft have failed to replicate. They can replicate success in some areas but the overall experience apple has won which is why it sucks that the EU is trying to destroy that.

So it would need to be a strong enough ecosystem for me to actually ever consider switching.

 

[Chungry]

It would really have to do something spectacular. Like a superb camera (it’s why I loved windows phone. The lumia 1020 at the time was the best smartphone camera).

Chances are probably not. I can’t see me every switching from apple unless apple themselves does something catastrophic.

I used android for well over a decade and while it has more capabilities than apple in some areas it misses the biggest mark.

Ecosystem.

It’s not just a phone. I and millions of others buy into apple because of the ecosystem that google, Samsung and Microsoft have failed to replicate. They can replicate success in some areas but the overall experience apple has won which is why it sucks that the EU is trying to destroy that.

So it would need to be a strong enough ecosystem for me to actually ever consider switching.

I think that’s fair, and well-reasoned. I’m just curious about where you stood. Since you’ve tried your hand at Android- is there some area in particular where you feel it misses the mark?

Admittedly I’ve flirted with Pixels and they are slick but you know what it is for me? Not iMessage (I’m agnostic on that topic), not required apps (mine are largely cross-platform), no, it’s the dang focus modes. That may sound silly but I don’t see any Android handset that replicates it (pure Android or overlays like One etc).

 

[scorpio vega]

I think that’s fair, and well-reasoned. I’m just curious about where you stood. Since you’ve tried your hand at Android- is there some area in particular where you feel it misses the mark?

Admittedly I’ve flirted with Pixels and they are slick but you know what it is for me? Not iMessage (I’m agnostic on that topic), not required apps (mine are largely cross-platform), no, it’s the dang focus modes. That may sound silly but I don’t see any Android handset that replicates it (pure Android or overlays like One etc).

One. I hate google. So anything that relies on google is terrible to me.

App quality sucks compared to iOS.

Android is so inconsistent. Depending on the flavor and OEM of android there is no centralized and unified experience. It makes using and adjusting to the platform so difficult. But at the same time brand loyalty is common in android based on the Oems.

The apple ecosystem just feels stronger and more robust than googles offering.

The lack of updates UNLESS it is a high end flagship.

The compromises you make buying a low end android.

You can buy an iPhone SE and you aren’t compromising much because it shares a lot of capabilities with newer iPhones. Most budget androids are insulting to even use.

I can go on and on lol.

Yeah iMessage doesn’t keep me with iOS either. I just love the user experience of iOS.

With android I was having to constantly tweak this setting. Having to download this app or this launcher to fix slowness. Disable this setting.

My iPhone just works. And I have very little to complain about.

 

[Chungry]

One. I hate google. So anything that relies on google is terrible to me.

App quality sucks compared to iOS.

Android is so inconsistent. Depending on the flavor and OEM of android there is no centralized and unified experience. It makes using and adjusting to the platform so difficult. But at the same time brand loyalty is common in android based on the Oems.

The apple ecosystem just feels stronger and more robust than googles offering.

The lack of updates UNLESS it is a high end flagship.

The compromises you make buying a low end android.

You can buy an iPhone SE and you aren’t compromising much because it shares a lot of capabilities with newer iPhones. Most budget androids are insulting to even use.

I can go on and on lol.

Yeah iMessage doesn’t keep me with iOS either. I just love the user experience of iOS.

With android I was having to constantly tweak this setting. Having to download this app or this launcher to fix slowness. Disable this setting.

My iPhone just works. And I have very little to complain about.

You’ve touched on the one major gripe I have with Android- it’s got the kitchen sink approach to preferences. Gotta go stop this app forcefully. And the settings are all over the place and it drives me nuts. Some stuff is over here. Oh- but these preferences related to storage are elsewhere. It’s scattershot, and why I’ve stuck with iPhones. That said, my personal phone is a 13PM, and while I always get yearly upgrades from work (currently on the 16PM) I haven’t seen any compelling reasons to upgrade. I really hope that changes but noting is really pushing me to bust out my wallet and throw money at a new phone. Perhaps part of it is I always have the newest one for work, so I’ve had 11-16. I’m not sure what to do because the hardware and software is familiar if a little stale. But the Android landscape at present reminds me of the grimdark future of Warhammer 40,000 without the cool chain swords

 

[scorpio vega]

You’ve touched on the one major gripe I have with Android- it’s got the kitchen sink approach to preferences. Gotta go stop this app forcefully. And the settings are all over the place and it drives me nuts. Some stuff is over here. Oh- but these preferences related to storage are elsewhere. It’s scattershot, and why I’ve stuck with iPhones. That said, my personal phone is a 13PM, and while I always get yearly upgrades from work (currently on the 16PM) I haven’t seen any compelling reasons to upgrade. I really hope that changes but noting is really pushing me to bust out my wallet and throw money at a new phone. Perhaps part of it is I always have the newest one for work, so I’ve had 11-16. I’m not sure what to do because the hardware and software is familiar if a little stale. But the Android landscape at present reminds me of the grimdark future of Warhammer 40,000 without the cool chain swords

I’m just so used to upgrading at this point I don’t even really NEED to. I just do lol.

Honestly my iPhone 11 became my work phone up until recently (why did I just now realize we had dual sim iPhones like a year ago) and id upgrade each year to the newest model for my personal iPhone but honestly I could have probably survived till sometime next year with my 11(it’s now regulated to my car phone for music and gps).

That’s the problem and beauty of iPhone. They create a good product but it’s not always enough to need or want to upgrade each year.

And it’s so bad on android because the settings on one android are completely different on another Oems model. At least settings in windows are the same no matter what. It’s a haphazard mess.