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If current "Smart TV" widget interfaces are any indication, we have nothing to worry about.

I don't know how many of you have seen these, but they are SO TERRIBLE, choppy, confusing, etc. its almost comically bad.

And let's face it the GUI is everything.
 
*LTD*, My regret is that I can only upvote you once for that.

I've been doing a lot of thinking and listening to what others have to say on the topic of the future of AppleTV.

This is about software, UI, and access to content. When it comes to content distribution and ways to consume that content, no one does it better than Apple.

I couldn't agree more. Apple has the foresight and (possibly more importantly) the cash to access content that most other companies can only dream of. The big entertainment industries are dinosaurs that are addicted to cash and stuck in the old way of doing things. Only recently have they even started to change as technology has changed.

But sooner or later, they (RIAA/MPAA/Studios) will feel the pressure and will be forced to change or be replaced. And Apple is the likely company to push for the change or be ready with the replacement.

The CBS story is interesting, because it gives some insight to where Apple is going. The funny thing is, Universal tried it once too, but in the end, they re-upped with Apple. And I think Universal/NBC is even bigger than CBS.

Should make for an interesting next couple of years.
 
Sony has a "four screen" strategy of offering network services on mobile phones, tablet computers, personal computers and TV sets. "I spent the last five years building a platform so I can compete against Steve Jobs," Mr. Stringer said. "It's finished, and it's launching now."

Sounds like he's trying to get Sony to where Apple already is. That quote about skating to where the puck is versus where it's going comes to mind. The problem for these guys is that Apple tends to come at these products from such an unexpected tangent that it catches an entire industry in the lurch and, in some cases, presents features or ideas impossible for companies more entrenched in a given industry to duplicate. Sony better be willing to throw their entire business model out the door. If Apple repeats with TVs what they've done with phones, music players and tablets, then just emulating what Apple is today is going to prove woefully inadequate.
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing TV's for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.

Yeah, Sony, a company producing Walkman's for over 20 years will surely lose to Apple iPod sales that are just starting out.

I can see your logic. :p
 
How many media companies/content providers could Apple buy with its what, $80 billion in cash?
 
Sony is clueless when it comes to good UI and a platform. They'll launch whatever it is. Then they'll wonder why no one cares.
 
I like Sony - they've made good products and have innovated in the past. Sometimes their innovations take off, sometimes they fail, but they've tried. I hope this TV effort captures some of that spirit they've shown in the past.

The history of Trinitron development is pretty awesome, and I'm rooting for them to return to that form. Not sure if it is possible though.
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing TV's for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.

There is a Korean company called Samsung that has been making TV's for a much shorter amount of time than Sony and is kicking the crap out of them is quality and sales.
 
I can't wait for a tv that will cost twice as much, only suppots 720p and will not allow me to hook up a blu ray player, a xbox 360, or a ps3.

crystalBall1.jpg
 
There is a Korean company called Samsung that has been making TV's for a much shorter amount of time than Sony and is kicking the crap out of them is quality and sales.

Yep Samsung TV's are to die for.

Apart from a PS3, would never own any Sony kit in my setup.
Think their TV's are way overpriced.
 
""We can't continue selling TV sets the way we have been. Every TV set we all make"

What was it Steve Jobs said about salesmen running the company?
 
Samsung TV's> Sony
Apple iPod> Sony
Canon & Nikon DSLR's> Sony
Apple MacBook Air's/Pro's/iMac> Sony
Nintendo> Sony
VHS> Sony Beta

Son'y new banner should be "Following the leaders"
 
Sony has been a long-time champion of building high-quality TVs, but their UI has plain sucked on every product I've ever used. Whatever Apple's plan is, it's clear they intend to simplify the TV experience... and that has been the exact opposite of ANYTHING Sony has EVER done.

Sony haven't produced any TV of high quality for 10 years. They generally suck in every respect these days. Which is a shame.

"For every 10 Sony TV's that need replacing only 1 Panasonic needs replacing."

Something a electronics shop worker said to me the other day.

If Panasonic were going to start warming things up it would be worth taking note, will wait to see what Sony claim they will bring before I pass final judgement on it.
 
The PS3 is over 5 years old now. Maybe they should focus on something that needs a refresh.
 
Yeah, Nokia, a company producing phones for 30 years will surely lose to Apple iPhone sales that are just starting out.

You can fill that "Nokia" space in with any number of the old guard names. Motorola, Microsoft, Palm, you name it. Do the same for tablets.

Sanjay Jha in 2007: "But is Apple ready for us?" Yeah, they nearly killed your business. Ask Ballmer what Apple did to Windows Mobile. Apple left a path of destruction in their wake. As for tablets, Apple blew the pre-2010 market into oblivion. We had tablets in the past. Look at tablets post January 2010.

Never underestimate Apple in a new market. Anyone that puts User Experience first and has the ecosystem to back it up has a more than even chance of shaking things up.

Sony makes the hardware. So what. Sony is Panasonic is LG is Samsung. You can barely tell them apart. It's all just specs. 120 Hz MontionFlow vs. the other guy's 120hz MotionCinemaX+. LOL. One is slightly smoother than the other, but the other does SD content better, but this one has internet connectivity, yes and so does the other, but this guy's remote is easier, etc. Same ****. Six of one, a half dozen of the other.

This is about software, UI, and access to content. When it comes to content distribution and ways to consume that content, no one does it better than Apple.

The "Apple implementation" usually tends to change the game, especially when it's about synergy between hardware+software.

Well said. Sadly I can't give you enough +1s :(
 
The PS3 is over 5 years old now. Maybe they should focus on something that needs a refresh.

they haven't come close to maxing that thing out, even MS probably won't refresh their console until 2013 as well, these current consoles are still very powerful
 
For me Apple's biggest struggle is to find a new way of content distribution to really revolutionize the TV market. Bring on board all networks, etc.

Another TV set with some cool features here and there will not be extremely successful imo to convert millions to buy their sets. Also think they can achieve most of it using the $99 ATV box rather than an overpriced TV set.
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing TV's for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.

Yeah, Nokia, a company producing mobile phones for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing TV's for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.

Quite true. The Apple TV's will probably cost twice what the Sony's will and people don't upgrade their tv's every year like they do with a phone. It will take a decade for Apple to make a footprint in this segment and Samsung and Sony aren't going to sit idly by.

That guy looks money hungry

At least Apple isn't money hungry.

Yep Samsung TV's are to die for.

Apart from a PS3, would never own any Sony kit in my setup.
Think their TV's are way overpriced.

And the Apple one's will be cheaper.
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing TV's for over 30 years will surely lose to Apple Television sales that are just starting out.

And losing money on TV sales for 8 years...

But I am sure they will make up for the loss per TV sold in volume
 
Alright. Agreed they are working on television sets but this all sounds funny.

We are working on some revolutionary television set and so is Apple but we don't know anything about that but we are gonna beat them this time.

lol
 
Yeah, Sony, a company producing Walkman's for over 20 years will surely lose to Apple iPod sales that are just starting out.

I can see your logic. :p

I can see your logic too. Because the Walkman and iPod are ABSOLUTELY THE SAME.
 
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