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Apple to launch iOS powered tv display this fall?

It won't happen. There is not a large enough profit margin for Apple's liking, and there's nothing a full TV set could do that a set top box can't (No room for innovation).

Additionally, the turnover of TV sets is so low (probably at least 5 years) that Apple's model of yearly upgrades wouldn't apply.
 
Aidoneus said:
Additionally, the turnover of TV sets is so low (probably at least 5 years) that Apple's model of yearly upgrades wouldn't apply.
Click to expand...
TV models usually change yearly for most manufacturers.

This isn't anything I'm particularly excited about, but it seems like most manufacturers are including aTV-like features already. They advertise Netflix and Vudu, so I can imagine that one might consider that being able to advertise Apple features could be seen as a marketing advantage. It should be easy enough to fit an aTV into most any TV chassis.
 
Aidoneus said:
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Additionally, the turnover of TV sets is so low (probably at least 5 years) that Apple's model of yearly upgrades wouldn't apply.
Click to expand...

So you buy a new computer every year because its a new model?

My iMacs 5 years old and is due for door stop duties, so I'll be upgrading soon. But then I'll wait at least another 3 years before doing so again. Hasn't stopped Apple releasing updates every year.

I dont think a products life cycle is a dominating factor in entering a market. The ATV1 was around 3 years before the first update happened. My 50" LCD TV is now going on 4 years, probably update it in a year or two.

Having said all that, I don't think an actual Apple TV is an absolute winner idea anyway. Other then perhaps FaceTime using a built in camera being a nice addition, the ATV2 as it now stands does what Apple wants....Gets you onto their iTunes store!

I would personally prefer to see a TV come out where there was a universal plug in port for various devices. Buy an ATV3(or 4) or the GoogleTV 3 or whatever, plug it straight into the port like an expansion card in a PC. No cables for anything as the TV supplies all power/networking/whatever. The plugged in card supplies the flavour of interface & features you get. Now if Samsung or Sony or LG could produce both the TV & a royalty free universal port for the set top box manufacturers of all ilk, THAT would be nirvana.
 
At one point I was using the Windows Media Center Extender. I believe HP came out with a TV with an Extender attached to the back. Not sure how it cabled in. This was an expensive TV and had no intentions of buying one.

I can't imagine I would get TV from Apple. Like others I believe the hardware for ATV should evolve faster then a TV would. Of course you can upgrade software but I am talking about the hardware.

I would much rather Apple got real serious (not a hobby) and complete the work on the ATV. I think the first step (and my far most important) is they need to allow third party Apps. This would solve many of the problems within months.

Regarding the hardware, I like the small form factor and would prefer they keep it small. Other then that many others have ideas like a Camera, 1080P, more memory for Apps etc.
 
Well, Jobs has made it clear that he hates set top boxes in the past. I'm sure he'd love a tv like this...but the question is if it makes business sense. from what i've read in the news...it doesn't come close to making sense for apple to do this. they can afford the small ATV "hobby"...but TVs are big ticket items...they can't afford to have that be a hobby.

This rumor has been around a long time. I think they have been looking at it for a while and have surely made some prototypes...but who is going to pay $500 extra for a apple branded tv with atv features? I just don't see it UNLESS Apple introduces something that will revolutionize tv's...simply adding ATV and itunes doesn't do this.

My opinion, if they do this, they will only do it if there is some huge feature to it that on one knows about...perhaps wii-like point and click interface...who knows...

but just a big tv with atv and itunes onboard? won't happen...
 
This is one of the rumors that does the circuit every copule of years. I think that it is highly unlikely.

For a start in order to sell it couldn't be locked into Apple's magic gated garden. i.e you would need to be able to watch free to air T.V on it, and plug a cable box and dare I say blu-ray into it. It couldn't be limited to a iOS device that just linked to iTunes.

Steve would love to do away with a cd drive from macs, and try and limit installable applications to the "App Store (c)".

They pulled it off with the iPad/iPhone but I don't see it happening with TV quite yet.
 
Count me in with those who think it's not gonna happen. An iOS powered TV doesn't fit into Apple's current business model. They like to make premium products. "Premium" televisions don't make money. Just ask Pioneer. It'd be much easier for Apple to keep updating the functionality of the AppleTV than to build televisions.
 
You are right sir...

OptyCT said:
Count me in with those who think it's not gonna happen. An iOS powered TV doesn't fit into Apple's current business model. They like to make premium products. "Premium" televisions don't make money. Just ask Pioneer. It'd be much easier for Apple to keep updating the functionality of the AppleTV than to build televisions.
Click to expand...

Isn't this the point of ATV? Apple's business model is simple... SELL MORE! Make a big deal out of each and every product release, so people will have to keep up with the Jones'. They do this by releasing subpar products with unsupported 'hidden' features. Then, incrementally release updates that support these features on new models only, so consumers will wait in lines at the Crapple store! (And making it so you can't replace the batteries in you mac, or iDevice) Just look at the iPad2... its everything the ipad 1 should have been but wasn't.

Apple will not start making TVs, its simply too much risk when they can connect iOS through a little box called ATV! To further my rant, ATV sux! It fits perfectly into their business model, by giving us nothing but a way to BUY more from iTunes! Really, who wants to watch a full length movie on an iDevice! Not me, unless I'm waiting in an airport! However, I do commend the strides in airplay... It is at least a step in the right direction! As far as "premium" goes the only thing premium about Apple is their cases and packaging that implies its premium (Oh yeah, and every Apple commerical that tells us just how premium Apple is...)

If you really want a capable streaming device that makes it easy to ditch cable/sat buy a Roku DVP...
 
drivindisco said:
To further my rant, ATV sux! It fits perfectly into their business model, by giving us nothing but a way to BUY more from iTunes! Really, who wants to watch a full length movie on an iDevice! Not me, unless I'm waiting in an airport!
Click to expand...
But the whole point of aTV is to let you watch your movies through your TV, not through a small device.
 
A television is a piece of equipment that displays imagery, usually from outside sources, sometimes through an internal tuner. It essentially can work for decades...I'm sure the 'family' TV in many homes was around for a decade or more.

Computers get more powerful every year by necessity, due to faster internet connections and more interactive content online, more storage needed for larger files (HD, 3D now...who knows what next?) and faster processors and graphics cards to allow more powerful programs to do bigger and better things each and every year.

A TV just needs to display that picture crisply, and should be able to do so for many years without any processor or storage upgrades.

The upgrade cycle, at least right now, makes it an odd proposition for Apple to be able to have cyclical sales that they need to make for a profitable product. If you don't replace your TV every 3 years or so, Apple won't be making much profit on them.

Unless Apple can re-educate folks and get them to upgrade their TVs just like they would upgrade their computers.

As it stands now, sticking a $99 box to your current TV makes sense. When it's upgraded, people will think nothing of buying a new one at that price point. Buying a new $1000 TV? That's a big investment every few years when upgrades come out.

Now, if the TV replaces the home computer...then it's more of a no-brainer. But depending on consumers to make major purchases like this for twice as many appliances in the house (TV AND computer) is a big stretch...narrow it down to one (eliminate computer) and it's doable.
 
drivindisco said:
Isn't this the point of ATV? Apple's business model is simple... SELL MORE! Make a big deal out of each and every product release, so people will have to keep up with the Jones'. They do this by releasing subpar products with unsupported 'hidden' features. Then, incrementally release updates that support these features on new models only, so consumers will wait in lines at the Crapple store! (And making it so you can't replace the batteries in you mac, or iDevice) Just look at the iPad2... its everything the ipad 1 should have been but wasn't.

Apple will not start making TVs, its simply too much risk when they can connect iOS through a little box called ATV! To further my rant, ATV sux! It fits perfectly into their business model, by giving us nothing but a way to BUY more from iTunes! Really, who wants to watch a full length movie on an iDevice! Not me, unless I'm waiting in an airport! However, I do commend the strides in airplay... It is at least a step in the right direction! As far as "premium" goes the only thing premium about Apple is their cases and packaging that implies its premium (Oh yeah, and every Apple commerical that tells us just how premium Apple is...)

If you really want a capable streaming device that makes it easy to ditch cable/sat buy a Roku DVP...
Click to expand...

When was Apple's last "subpar" product? And what, precisely, made it so?
 
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