It will launch when component prices have fallen to the point were Apple can make it and sell it for a reasonable price and still make their usual margin. Right now an Apple Ultra HD TV would be so expensive it would have limited appeal.
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Smart TV Adoption Growing Rapidly, Market Ripe for Apple iTV
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It will launch when component prices have fallen to the point were Apple can make it and sell it for a reasonable price and still make their usual margin. Right now an Apple Ultra HD TV would be so expensive it would have limited appeal.
I agree. While I love Samsung LEDs, my Samsung LED Smart TV features are pathetic, broken, glitchy, etc, etc... I hate them, but when I look at the TV for design and LED/Display quality, I simply smile.
Even if Apple does make a "Revolutionary" or "Resolutionary" TV, the price wont be justified by my wallet or budget.
This is what I've seen too.
I'm in the market for a TV right now but I don't want a "smart TV" because manufacturers are charging an arm and a leg for features that are not only useless to me but hideous to look at. I'd much rather hook up the $99 box of my choice to a dumb TV, not only is it way cheaper but I don't have to worry about my TV going out of date due to poor software support a few years down the road..
Very limited.
In fact, Warren Buffet would say "Spend that much money on an Apple iTV? I'm good with this $1500 TV".
The TV isn't interactive? really? It takes me forever to find shows, channels, set my DVR up, the entire experience is awful and stuck in the mid 90's.
If Apple puts together a single UI that allows the customer to choose from all of their cable provider's choices, iTunes, Netflix, Amazon Instant without needing to worry about where the content is coming from they'll blow the market away.
You know what, I didn't know my tv had 3D support until after purchase. I still don't use it (because it gives me a flippi'n headache)
This is what I've seen too.
I'm in the market for a TV right now but I don't want a "smart TV" because manufacturers are charging an arm and a leg for features that are not only useless to me but hideous to look at. I'd much rather hook up the $99 box of my choice to a dumb TV, not only is it way cheaper but I don't have to worry about my TV going out of date due to poor software support a few years down the road..
I only bought my 2nd (smaller) TV as a smart TV because of the deal I got. My cousin works for a Furniture store here in UT and I got a Samsung 40" LED 120Hz Smart TV for $580 (after taxes), the TV retails for $1050 (ish) and was on Sale for $799, then with his discount, I was like ILL BUY IT AT THAT PRICE!
Isn't 4k resolution just now becoming somewhat affordable? More than anything else, getting screens with high resolution at a reasonable-ish price is probably what's holding things up. I've had some form of home theater PC for over 10 years now and to me, my setups have always come up short due to the inherent problem of the resolution required for a living room type space. Yes, Apple could have delivered many of the concepts in a lesser hardware solution, but I think they just wanted to wait until it all came together. Deliver it too early at some rediculous price and they won't sell enough of them before everyone has copied their ideas.
BTW, one of the features I would like is a TV that knows when to turn itself off. Sometimes I like to just listen to music. I can do this with the Apple TV and then turn the TV off, but what happens when I want to change what I'm listening to? Turn the TV on, wait for it to boot with it's little jingle, fumble with the other remote and then turn the TV off again. Stupid, not smart. Really, I don't think the Apple Television is going to be much more than a high resolution monitor with the brains of an iPad.
BTW, one of the features I would like is a TV that knows when to turn itself off. Sometimes I like to just listen to music. I can do this with the Apple TV and then turn the TV off, but what happens when I want to change what I'm listening to? Turn the TV on, wait for it to boot with it's little jingle, fumble with the other remote and then turn the TV off again. Stupid, not smart. Really, I don't think the Apple Television is going to be much more than a high resolution monitor with the brains of an iPad.
"Ultra HD" or "4K" television set with a resolution of 3840 x 2160."
I would not bet on that.
It will be years before there is enough (any) content in 4K.
I would not bet on that.
It will be years before there is enough (any) content in 4K.
Wow a 40" smart TV on sale for $799? That's how much I paid for the exact same size dumb TV four years ago!! Shows how much manufacturers have jacked up the price for a few gimmicks, seems like they're desperate for bigger profit margins.
They won't get my money so easily.
Ripe ?
If not roten !
Look what you can do with a Vu+ sat receiver, or what has been possible for years with a Dreambox !
And to let you know what Apple TV could look like, did you know that for 38€ (45$) in France, all included, they now have
- ADSL2+ internet connection
- unlimited phonecalls (cellphones and regular phones) in France and 108 countries including USA: they can call anyone anywhere in France, Europe, the US etc. mobile or home, for free...
- free TV channels via ADSL and access to paying channels
- free TV replay channels
- SIP account
- 250 GB recorder
- NAS server
It consists of a DSL gigabit Wifi router designed by Stark plus a Tv module (with bluetooth remote) including an internal 250GB HD (that can be extended via any USB HD) working as a NAS.
With this provider, for an additional 16€ (20$) they have a mobile plan giving you:
- unlimited calls to mobiles and home phones
- 3G data limited to a fair use of 3GB/month before they are entitled to slow speed down
- unlimited MMS/SMS (texting, including pics and vids, call it how you may in your country)
- use of the phone as a modem
Plus they can also have another mobile SIM and phone number for 0 $ (yes zero) without data but 2 hours of calls/months with the same conditions as about, and cheap price per minute if you do more than 2 hours...
Just to let you know...
If not roten !
Look what you can do with a Vu+ sat receiver, or what has been possible for years with a Dreambox !
And to let you know what Apple TV could look like, did you know that for 38€ (45$) in France, all included, they now have
- ADSL2+ internet connection
- unlimited phonecalls (cellphones and regular phones) in France and 108 countries including USA: they can call anyone anywhere in France, Europe, the US etc. mobile or home, for free...
- free TV channels via ADSL and access to paying channels
- free TV replay channels
- SIP account
- 250 GB recorder
- NAS server
It consists of a DSL gigabit Wifi router designed by Stark plus a Tv module (with bluetooth remote) including an internal 250GB HD (that can be extended via any USB HD) working as a NAS.
With this provider, for an additional 16€ (20$) they have a mobile plan giving you:
- unlimited calls to mobiles and home phones
- 3G data limited to a fair use of 3GB/month before they are entitled to slow speed down
- unlimited MMS/SMS (texting, including pics and vids, call it how you may in your country)
- use of the phone as a modem
Plus they can also have another mobile SIM and phone number for 0 $ (yes zero) without data but 2 hours of calls/months with the same conditions as about, and cheap price per minute if you do more than 2 hours...
Just to let you know...
Yeah but not very well.. I saw a demo of a woman trying to use a Samsung 55" inch with voice control and it kept getting commands wrong, by the 3rd attempt (which it got wrong again), I couldn't help but think 'there's a bunch of people I know that would have thrown that stupid remote through the screen by now'.
Maybe that's why they're making remotes smaller
I spent some time with LG's monster 4K $15,000 panel last weekend and thought, if Apple was to bring this out they would want at least $20,000 - people just won't pay an 'Apple tax' for a TV.
To make it smart (and get some sort of premium footing) Apple needs to have the TV sync it's display over Airplay with OSX / iOS via Siri commands - 'Siri, connect to my computer', 'Siri, connect to my iPhone / iPad / iPod / Apple TV'.. 'Siri, FaceTime Hooker 1'.
I actually bought my most recent TV a month ago because it was a Smart TV and a great deal. I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about with these things. I've come to the conclusion that, if you buy the right model, they are 100% as advertised. Incredibly easy to set-up, and sync up with accounts.
I actually bought Amazon Prime to stream movies because I was so impressed with the free video they gave me. It's a significant step up from a standard TV, I'll say that. I was definitely skeptical at first, but it had me sold.
That being said, even though it's ease of use is pretty good, the first thing I said to my girlfriend was "Apple could probably make this better." With an OS designed by them, I could see Smart TV's being huge. But unfortunately there's no way I'd pay a much higher premium for an Apple-only TV. Smart TVs are already doing pretty well and improving. I do wish they'd take a stab at it though
-if Apple does introduce a new product, it's going to take a lot the headaches of television out: reaching content, switching between sources, terrible controllers, etc. The equivalent of what the iPhone did for phones, even though
Blackberries already did Internet and email.
Here's how I imagine Apple positioning a new Apple TV (imagine Steve Jobs, but Schiller or Cook will do fine):
-The Apple TV as we know it has been great. But as of today, this product is no more. What are we replacing it with? Blah blah here's all the awesome stuff it does...$199 or $299 or some such for the set-top box. But there is one more thing. Then they show the full-blown TV which has some amazing industrial design and integrated functionality for a more profitable price. For those who already have the display, plug in the set-top box. If you're up for a TV upgrade, pick up one with the integrated display.
I rather feel the same. I dont even need it to be 4k at this point since there's not that much 4k media out there. But I will take an ATV box with more storage and the ability to autodownload certain files so they are ready to view when I want them. For something like that I could see logic in a 32 or even 64 GB ATV box. And what if I could buy or rent a video from my iphone while I'm at lunch with a friend cause he says it's awesome or I see it's on sale and rather than downloading it etc I could send it to my ATV.
And then perhaps to go with it Apple launches a revamped cinema display lineup. Cause with the lack of HDMI and inability to use it with a blu-ray/dvd player etc i don't see a lot of 'cinema' in the current ones. Give me one with that's say 40 inches, with HDMI and video quality for even 3d movies. Make it totally 'dumb' and let me decide what to do with it.
Then it becomes about the storefront. Getting missing shows and seasons up. Better pricing and timing. Not jerking us around with box sets that have features the seasons didn't so we'd have to buy it all over again. If we bought the whole season then maybe $2-3 for those features isn't unreasonable.
And then put some 4k, some 3d etc options in the store. hell make 720p the minimum quality for everything, or at least everything that is less than 30 years old. And let me 'itunes plus' as new formats come out. I bought say Avengers in HD, and now the 3D version is out. rather than making me pay full price how about $2 and I can add that. or 4k comes out and I can add that. Free would be better but I don't see that happening. Maybe say $5 and I get the Super HD which includes the 1080p 3d, 4k and 4k 3D. I'd be okay with something like that. For something like revamped 1080p to make it closer to blu-ray that should just be free, same with subtitles, audio track additions etc.
Content is King - So BUY/CREATE SOME Apple!
It's painfully obvious that Apple need a USP if they are to launch a true TV contender, in a crowded marketplace. As has been said: thinner's been done, people have invested in as hi-def screens as they can afford or are not going to be willing to invest any more (mainstream 3D anyone, seriously?). Too much content looks pish-poor even on 1080p TVs unless it's very recent or has had a lot of money thrown at re-purposing it.
So what can Apple's USP be? Ok, the trad UI is in need of an update, is that enough to warrant an Apple TV? No is the answer for the critical mass of users that Apple will be aiming at. This leaves content.
If only Apple would spend in the same way as Sony did on movie studios then they could kick start getting some original content. If Amazon are creating original content and Apple aren't then it's a sorry situation.
If only Apple had links with large studios like, say, Disney or Pixar oh, they do? If only they were beloved by the content artists, oh they were? If only Apple had a tradition for creative flair, oh they do/did? Then spend some cash on original content or buying up the rights ahead of the other players and commit! That way we have this stand-off between content creator/owners and the distributors. And the content creation route Netflix, HBO and even Amazon are going down can surely not be lost on Apple? And stop calling me Shirley.
It's not like Apple haven't got a few quid/dollars stashed in the corporate back pocket. Maybe spend some of the pile of ca$h that sits outside the USofA on 'foreign' content co-deals (Dr Who, Downturn Abbey, Scandic crime, Football aka Soccer, how about live concert streaming)?
and breathe
It's painfully obvious that Apple need a USP if they are to launch a true TV contender, in a crowded marketplace. As has been said: thinner's been done, people have invested in as hi-def screens as they can afford or are not going to be willing to invest any more (mainstream 3D anyone, seriously?). Too much content looks pish-poor even on 1080p TVs unless it's very recent or has had a lot of money thrown at re-purposing it.
So what can Apple's USP be? Ok, the trad UI is in need of an update, is that enough to warrant an Apple TV? No is the answer for the critical mass of users that Apple will be aiming at. This leaves content.
If only Apple would spend in the same way as Sony did on movie studios then they could kick start getting some original content. If Amazon are creating original content and Apple aren't then it's a sorry situation.
If only Apple had links with large studios like, say, Disney or Pixar oh, they do? If only they were beloved by the content artists, oh they were? If only Apple had a tradition for creative flair, oh they do/did? Then spend some cash on original content or buying up the rights ahead of the other players and commit! That way we have this stand-off between content creator/owners and the distributors. And the content creation route Netflix, HBO and even Amazon are going down can surely not be lost on Apple? And stop calling me Shirley.
It's not like Apple haven't got a few quid/dollars stashed in the corporate back pocket. Maybe spend some of the pile of ca$h that sits outside the USofA on 'foreign' content co-deals (Dr Who, Downturn Abbey, Scandic crime, Football aka Soccer, how about live concert streaming)?
and breathe
I had decided to leave that aspect out of my comment, but you are totally right. Among the many drawbacks of THAT system, one big negative with all those is still the lack of live events.
I will be staying far far away from an iTV. I like my AppleTV for airplay, but unless Apple actually gets some content then it will be a useless feature for any new TV. Now if they came out with a Roku TV...I am in. Roku with Airplay would be sweeeeeeet. (I know I am dreaming)