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Apple TV update at the rumored 26 of January event?
- Thread starter kristoffer4
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Access to hulu and such would be nice, but prob won't happen since it would hurt itunes sales. I don't have cable, I just have the internet and run my AppleTV and mini on it. When I get in the mood for TV, I am limited on shows I can watch for free on sites like hulu. Also I have to watch them in the den where the mini is located as the AppleTV is is the bedroom.
I hope so, too. I haven't hesitated to hack the Apple TV for use with Boxee, XBMC, and external hard drives. However, the less of that crap that I have to do the better. I wish they would offer a subscription rental service like netflix. At $3 or $4 a pop, renting through iTunes is expensive.
It seems like the perfect event to do it - media focus, anniversary of debut, clearly a shortage of parts for the current model (probably a shortage of 40 GB ide drives caused that model to be mothballed).
The new PowerVR chip should be able to decode 1080p material at high profile - or even the new Tegra chip should reduce power usage/heat/build complexity. It would be useful for the AppleTV to run iTunes so all your media is stored on a NAS/Time capsule, iTunes on the AppleTV is controlled from a computer and you choose which media is synced to other devices (such as macs/pcs, ipods/iiphones etc) and the rest is streamed.
I can't see iTunes content moving to 1080p for a while though.
The new PowerVR chip should be able to decode 1080p material at high profile - or even the new Tegra chip should reduce power usage/heat/build complexity. It would be useful for the AppleTV to run iTunes so all your media is stored on a NAS/Time capsule, iTunes on the AppleTV is controlled from a computer and you choose which media is synced to other devices (such as macs/pcs, ipods/iiphones etc) and the rest is streamed.
I can't see iTunes content moving to 1080p for a while though.
A new Apple TV could appear at almost any time, but it probably won't be done at the rumored Apple tablet event in January. Apple won't "dilute" the tablet event with any additional product announcements. The Apple tablet will be front and center, they would be unlikely to discuss anything else.
This is Apple's last chance for AppleTV, especially with the Boxee Box on the horizon (which looks awesome by the way, especially the full QWERTY remote!). Maybe Apple will scrap AppleTV and provide iTunes Store support in the Boxee Box (?!). Dare to dream....
Um, didn't Steve Jobs actually introduce the original Apple TV in MacWorld 07 at the same time as the iPhone?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'd sure be nice to have history repeat itself.
Um, didn't Steve Jobs actually introduce the original Apple TV in MacWorld 07 at the same time as the iPhone?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'd sure be nice to have history repeat itself.
Looks like he first did so (in some form) at a special press event in 2006.
80% of people, at a minimum, want stuff like Apple TVs to make their lives easier and more connected. To use their kids' ski pictures as the screensaver and pull up They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard! on youtube to make people laugh. To play their iTunes library and/or Internet radio for background noise.
20% of people, at maximum, want to hack, hack hack their hardware, put Linux on everything, prove what they can do, reach some state where they can hypothetically do a bunch of stuff they will in reality rarely do.
Like most companies, Apple will nod to the 20% but will focus on the 80%, as it should.
20% of people, at maximum, want to hack, hack hack their hardware, put Linux on everything, prove what they can do, reach some state where they can hypothetically do a bunch of stuff they will in reality rarely do.
Like most companies, Apple will nod to the 20% but will focus on the 80%, as it should.
It depends on how the tablet handles media. After all, it you need to plug it into a tv, it's pretty pointless for you sat on the sofa ten feet away. If however it interacts with the AppleTV to get media onto a tv, we could well see an update.
At the end of the day, what was the point of the 3.x software update if there wasn't life in the family. As far as I can see it's simply a UI overhaul with few new features (only the reordered menus and radio stands out). Surely such a software release would not have been worked on if the line was to be binned - especially as 2.x wasn't really broken.
New apple tv
I have nothing to go by but Rumors, and I haven't heard any apple tv Rumors. However, I do remember a couple years back there were rumors of a portable screen for apple TV. What I actually expect is that one of the functions built into to tablet is "apple tv with screen". That being said, I do think this means that we will see a hardware upgrade (as well as software) for apple tv in January. I recommend you freeze your spending until the unveiling.
I have nothing to go by but Rumors, and I haven't heard any apple tv Rumors. However, I do remember a couple years back there were rumors of a portable screen for apple TV. What I actually expect is that one of the functions built into to tablet is "apple tv with screen". That being said, I do think this means that we will see a hardware upgrade (as well as software) for apple tv in January. I recommend you freeze your spending until the unveiling.
At this point, I'd be happy for a software update that forces it to stay turned off when it's turned off. Anything more than that is lagniappe.
If there is an update, I don't think it will be at the 1/26 event. Steve likes to get up on stage and play rock star, so Apple will stretch out these announcements to give him lots of face time with his adoring fans. </jest>
Remember last year, when there was an announcement every Tuesday for several months straight? That's Apple's style.
Remember last year, when there was an announcement every Tuesday for several months straight? That's Apple's style.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Perhaps a bigger question is this: if a next-gen 
TV was launched with the Tablet, which device would really grab the BUYERS attention? My thinking is that a next-gen TV is much more interesting for mass market buyers than a Tablet.
Sure the Tablet would be most of the "wow!" as it would be entirely new. But as is evident in many Tablet threads, the non-fanboy crowd keeps having trouble figuring out how they would use it, why it would be preferable to a laptop they might already have, and so on. Mix that "functionality" problem with the estimated price of $799-999, and you get more of the "if it's that much I would just buy a laptop instead" and similar feedback.
A next-genTV doesn't have to go up in price at all, yet can step it way up in terms of capabilities. We see from many competitor boxes that you can put 1080p-capable hardware in a box and sell it profitably for a lot less than TV pricing now. For the "it has to have a BD player" crowd, we see that BD players using 1080p playback chips can be put in a box and sold for a lot less than current TV pricing. For the "it needs to have DVR functionality" crowd, ditto.
But more importantly it seems to be a lot easier to imagine a much bigger market of interested buyers for a cool, cheap(?) device to hook to the HDTV vs. a market who will pay up much more dearly for a device that they can then pay up some more to purchase e-magazines/e-newspapers (to which they may not be subscribing now), instead of buying that same content on a laptop or iPhone they already own.
I strongly believe the next big thing from Apple is a next-genTV rather than this Tablet, if "big" is measured by how many buyers will subsequently buy it. I'm somewhat interested in both, but I see a next-gen TV as a no-brainer, while the Tablet seems like a "maybe" at best.
TV was launched with the Tablet, which device would really grab the BUYERS attention? My thinking is that a next-gen TV is much more interesting for mass market buyers than a Tablet.Sure the Tablet would be most of the "wow!" as it would be entirely new. But as is evident in many Tablet threads, the non-fanboy crowd keeps having trouble figuring out how they would use it, why it would be preferable to a laptop they might already have, and so on. Mix that "functionality" problem with the estimated price of $799-999, and you get more of the "if it's that much I would just buy a laptop instead" and similar feedback.
A next-gen
TV doesn't have to go up in price at all, yet can step it way up in terms of capabilities. We see from many competitor boxes that you can put 1080p-capable hardware in a box and sell it profitably for a lot less than TV pricing now. For the "it has to have a BD player" crowd, we see that BD players using 1080p playback chips can be put in a box and sold for a lot less than current TV pricing. For the "it needs to have DVR functionality" crowd, ditto. But more importantly it seems to be a lot easier to imagine a much bigger market of interested buyers for a cool, cheap(?) device to hook to the HDTV vs. a market who will pay up much more dearly for a device that they can then pay up some more to purchase e-magazines/e-newspapers (to which they may not be subscribing now), instead of buying that same content on a laptop or iPhone they already own.
I strongly believe the next big thing from Apple is a next-gen
TV rather than this Tablet, if "big" is measured by how many buyers will subsequently buy it. I'm somewhat interested in both, but I see a next-gen TV as a no-brainer, while the Tablet seems like a "maybe" at best.
Based on an Aperture 3 book release date of mid-February, it may be that the January event is indeed for all media and could well have some relevance to the ATV: http://www.tuaw.com/2010/01/15/rumor-aperture-3-release-imminent/
The only way they update TV is if the new tablet device were to somehow inter-operate with it. That is by no means an impossibility, but it doesn't seem all to likely either.
Myself, I would LOVE to see an Apple TV update that could play content from Netflix and some of the other online services - and they'd have an INSTANT sale. Plex is great, but requires a _computer_ to be hooked up to my TV, and that is simply a stumbling block that'd trip up the rest of my family.
We've got a Roku, and I like it (we even use it to rent from Amazon), but Apple TV would allow me to display all _my_ content as well (photos, videos, etc). That's something the Roku can't give me.
TV is if the new tablet device were to somehow inter-operate with it. That is by no means an impossibility, but it doesn't seem all to likely either.Myself, I would LOVE to see an Apple TV update that could play content from Netflix and some of the other online services - and they'd have an INSTANT sale. Plex is great, but requires a _computer_ to be hooked up to my TV, and that is simply a stumbling block that'd trip up the rest of my family.
We've got a Roku, and I like it (we even use it to rent from Amazon), but Apple TV would allow me to display all _my_ content as well (photos, videos, etc). That's something the Roku can't give me.
I could see it go both ways, although Apple does like itself to be poised for a decent number of announcements through the year they are not a 'nail biting-cliff hanger' for the next one.
On the horizon, I think we could see the following
January '10
-(Brief) AppleTV Updated hardware to help make the new update just flow.
-iPhone/iPod OS 4.0
-iTunes 'state of the union' what Apple has done with the iPod/iPhone and now taking it to the next level... Que the iSlate
-iSlate and Apple accesories
Spring '10
-Mac Pro Update (Some case change)
-MacBook Pro (arrandale update)
-iPhone (release in may/june)
Summer '10
-iPhone OS, iSlate WWDC Software based and preview of 10.7, just getting hype about Apple Software being built to create the seamless lifestyle and user experience you can only get from Apple. No major hardware announcements, maybe refreshes.
September/October '10
-iPod, Macbook gets Arrandale, iTunes 10 and the iTunes Box (2TB storage box that works with iTunes 10 like 'home sharing' with iTunes 9. iTunes box works headless and syncs/stream all your media saving precious hard drive space for photos, apps, etc. It will also be 'expandable' as if you need more space you just buy another iTunes box and under your network storage appears as 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 10TB, respectively with each additional box. Will run a simple OS allowing for maximum storage on formatted Drive, and can also be used with Time Machine.
-iMac refresh
November '10
-One more thing before Apple sets its product line for the holiday season.
On the horizon, I think we could see the following
January '10
-(Brief) AppleTV Updated hardware to help make the new update just flow.
-iPhone/iPod OS 4.0
-iTunes 'state of the union' what Apple has done with the iPod/iPhone and now taking it to the next level... Que the iSlate
-iSlate and Apple accesories
Spring '10
-Mac Pro Update (Some case change)
-MacBook Pro (arrandale update)
-iPhone (release in may/june)
Summer '10
-iPhone OS, iSlate WWDC Software based and preview of 10.7, just getting hype about Apple Software being built to create the seamless lifestyle and user experience you can only get from Apple. No major hardware announcements, maybe refreshes.
September/October '10
-iPod, Macbook gets Arrandale, iTunes 10 and the iTunes Box (2TB storage box that works with iTunes 10 like 'home sharing' with iTunes 9. iTunes box works headless and syncs/stream all your media saving precious hard drive space for photos, apps, etc. It will also be 'expandable' as if you need more space you just buy another iTunes box and under your network storage appears as 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 10TB, respectively with each additional box. Will run a simple OS allowing for maximum storage on formatted Drive, and can also be used with Time Machine.
-iMac refresh
November '10
-One more thing before Apple sets its product line for the holiday season.
if a major feature on the iSlate is streaming video (based on some of the CES HD announcements of wireless HD, I think it's likely) , then I think an Apple TV update would be very possible.
I hope so. The 3.0 update didn't seem to bring a lot to the table for a major release, i always suspected there were a lot of "under the hood" changes instead, which suggests they were getting it ready for something... I'm an optimist so i'm hoping it's some kind of iSlate integration so if it is, yes they'll update it.
I think the reason why apple hasn't updated the hardware on the ATV yet is because they still don't know what direction it's headed in... As soon as they make up their mind we'll all benefit.
One thing i think is inevitable eventually is an iTunes subscription service. It makes perfect sense with the ATV. I hope they roll something like this out soon....
I think the reason why apple hasn't updated the hardware on the ATV yet is because they still don't know what direction it's headed in... As soon as they make up their mind we'll all benefit.
One thing i think is inevitable eventually is an iTunes subscription service. It makes perfect sense with the ATV. I hope they roll something like this out soon....
I think a new Apple TV is long overdue.
There are tons of companies jumping on the multimedia/htpc bandwagon. Many of which are offering more/better features than the current Apple TV. For example the new Boxee Box looks pretty cool, and comes with some nice features like Netflix and social networking.
I don't know why Apple is so quiet on the Apple TV front. I think the battle for people's living rooms is going to be huge in the next few years.
Hopefully Apple has been hard at work making deals with content providers to get more movies and TV shows at better prices.
However in the mean time Apple should release a new Apple TV with more features, such as online streaming, 1080p, Blu-ray, and the ability to play more formats.
I really hope there is an Apple TV announcement at the January event. While a tablet sounds kind of cool, I am much more interested in a new Apple TV. If Apple releases a new Apple TV with the right features I will definitely buy it.
There are tons of companies jumping on the multimedia/htpc bandwagon. Many of which are offering more/better features than the current Apple TV. For example the new Boxee Box looks pretty cool, and comes with some nice features like Netflix and social networking.
I don't know why Apple is so quiet on the Apple TV front. I think the battle for people's living rooms is going to be huge in the next few years.
Hopefully Apple has been hard at work making deals with content providers to get more movies and TV shows at better prices.
However in the mean time Apple should release a new Apple TV with more features, such as online streaming, 1080p, Blu-ray, and the ability to play more formats.
I really hope there is an Apple TV announcement at the January event. While a tablet sounds kind of cool, I am much more interested in a new Apple TV. If Apple releases a new Apple TV with the right features I will definitely buy it.
At or after the Tablet event. In all likelihood it could easily be at a subsequent event of its own. But likely WWDC -
The 26/27th event is more about Tablet announcement and OS 4.0
It'll be the event that talks about KeyChest, and Apple's implementation of media. I could see this as coming alongside the release event of the tablet as an alternative.
Seeing as Apple is less open (SDK, API, apps etc) for the ATV, i'd imagine they'll announce this alongside new iPhones, and 4G Touches.
The 26/27th event is more about Tablet announcement and OS 4.0
It'll be the event that talks about KeyChest, and Apple's implementation of media. I could see this as coming alongside the release event of the tablet as an alternative.
Seeing as Apple is less open (SDK, API, apps etc) for the ATV, i'd imagine they'll announce this alongside new iPhones, and 4G Touches.
Yes, it could wait for new iPhones, but I see the ATV being related - err - it should be related to the tablet, too. They were talking about making the apps "full screen". What better "full screen" than your HDTV?
Of course, there are big difference between all these devices - and you would probably want different apps to run on a TV versus running on a handheld device, especially one with a rotating display and an accelerometer for controls. But I would expect some overlap, especially if the Tablet/Touch/iPhone can be used as a controller for apps being displayed on the TV.
But I think that they could probably make the ATV an external interface for the tablet. Wireless of course. I expect that they'll have a wired TV connection for this thing, but if they could get the costs low enough to do this wirelessly, perhaps using SiBEAM's WirelessHD chipsets (see http://hd.engadget.com/2009/01/13/sibeams-wirelesshd-chipsets-enter-into-mass-production/ and http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_20100105/ai_n45739282/) or AMIMON's (see http://hd.engadget.com/2009/11/17/amimons-whdi-wireless-hd-modules-coming-to-netbooks-and-laptops/). No need to buy one of the new (expensive) TVs with this capability. Just get a new ATV.
Now wouldn't that be cool. Get all your media mobile, then when you get home, throw it up on the big screen.
I'm not sure how available these chipsets are yet, so my prediction... an announcement about a new ATV with these capabilities, but a release date later in the spring.
Dan