iPhone/iPod touch apps on Apple TV; future firmware update

[Alphy]

Based on the recent rumors of a keyboard coming out for the Apple TV which would have a "touch" trackpad, an idea popped out of my head; I have a strong suspicion that iPhone apps such as Safari and Google maps might be ported over to the Apple TV in a future update, perhaps even being unveiled this June 9th.

To me, this makes perfect sense. You don't have full blown Safari so I doubt this would really cut into iMac/Macbook marketshare, yet you have added a tremendous amount of value into a device that already has the hardware capability of running these programs.

Add this with the App store capability, and you basically have almost an entirely new device with this added functionality. You could even have some games that might even compete with the Wii in this segment, although the Wii is much more powerful than the Apple TV, however I think you know where I'm going with this.

Thoughts?

 

[Mac-Addict]

If the Apple tv were to get safari, google maps and whatever they would not be "ported" to the Apple TV. Apple would make a specific application for them and if Apple did add safari it would not eat into any of Apple's computer market share simply because its not a proper operating system. Since Apple recently updated the Apple TV I dont think we would see a huge update any time soon.

 

[Alphy]

If the Apple tv were to get safari, google maps and whatever they would not be "ported" to the Apple TV. Apple would make a specific application for them and if Apple did add safari it would not eat into any of Apple's computer market share simply because its not a proper operating system. Since Apple recently updated the Apple TV I dont think we would see a huge update any time soon.

Why would Apple make a specific application for the Apple TV instead of porting it over?

 

[markfc]

Well AppleTV is already running OS X right, so there is no need to port. Porting is only for transferring between different os/cpu right?
They may do a new AppleTV front end to it.

 

[Alphy]

Well AppleTV is already running OS X right, so there is no need to port. Porting is only for transferring between different os/cpu right?
They may do a new AppleTV front end to it.

But in concept, do you agree that there is a strong possibility Apple might do this?

 

[Aegelward]

While they could do a direct port it may not be the best for safari, a replication of the iphone's interface features may be a good idea, especially how it handles tabs..

Games *could* be nice.. but by no means something i'd push for

Of course, adding further applications and features to the appleTV could mean yet another change to the front end (i have to say, i sort of preferred the 'classic interface')

Apple might just follow their classic 'hey, these hackers came up with a good idea, we'll take that..' practice

 

[JonHimself]

Based on the recent rumors of a keyboard coming out for the Apple TV which would have a "touch" trackpad,

Just curious, where did you read that? I try to follow the AppleTV rumors and I assumed that was just wishful thinking from people on the forums, not from any rumor site.

 

[markfc]

But in concept, do you agree that there is a strong possibility Apple might do this?

Yeah sure, theres no reason not to do this. RSS Reader would be handy too.

I'd prefer them to sort out browsing photos better first though.