Will Apple ever create their own Television?

[tMac85]

I had a discussion with my friend tonight, about what apples next big product will be. Recently it was the Ipod touch and Iphone. HUGE, millions sold, forever changing the phone.

So we thought what will they introduce next that will change what we use now.

We thought maybe their own line of tvs. Thats all we could come up with.

What do you all think?

 

[Mammoth]

The Cinema Displays are pretty much small TVs without tuners or speakers.

 

[EricNau]

I doubt it. The television industry is already saturated with the best (and worst) brands in technology, plus, there's little room for improvement (i.e. there isn't much room for Apple to innovate).

 

[d_and_n5000]

Not a good idea. In order to really make the venture worth it, they'd have to have a decently substantial product line. Plus, they'd have to come up with something to make their televisions different, and I don't think that too many people are going to buy an Apple television instead of, say, a Sony, just because the Apple one looks a bit better and has roughly the same specs, keeping in mind it likely will cost a bit more. That might work in computers, where software comes into the picture as well, but not so much in televisions.

Now if they would do something totally killer like integrate the Apple TV into an actual television, or(even better) basically take an iMac, put in a 32" display(or even larger) and throw in a TV tuner, then they might have an idea on their hands. Yes, a very expensive idea, but a very, very cool one.

 

[seattle]

Didn't they make one already?

http://www.apple-history.com/?page=gallery&model=tv

 

[iHerzeleid]

Didn't they make one already?

http://www.apple-history.com/?page=gallery&model=tv

That's just a mac with a TV tuner.

 

[yg17]

The Cinema Displays are pretty much small TVs without tuners or speakers.

The 2 things you kinda need in a TV

 

[iMacZealot]

I don't see them making a TV seeing as Sony, for example, has been leading the TV industry in making fine television sets since 1066. When the iPod was released, it was being released to a product industry that had yet to be pioneered, and ditto for the Mac. The iPhone is arguable; but it has certainly changed the way people look at mobile phones.

They could develop the Apple TV into something more. I'd buy one in an instant if they put a tuner in it, which is a natural fit for it, and ad the obvious things that follow that, such as DVR capabilities.

I doubt we'll see another industry-altering, smash hit from Apple for a while. They have a pretty solid product line right now.

 

[tMac85]

I mean it doesnt have to be a TV, but we couldnt think of what would be the next BIG thing. WE just thought TV by apple would be beautiful. LIke a GIANT Imac on your wall.... mmmmmmmm

 

[d_and_n5000]

I don't see them making a TV seeing as Sony, for example, has been leading the TV industry in making fine television sets since 1066. When the iPod was released, it was being released to a product industry that had yet to be pioneered, and ditto for the Mac. The iPhone is arguable; but it has certainly changed the way people look at mobile phones.

They could develop the Apple TV into something more. I'd buy one in an instant if they put a tuner in it, which is a natural fit for it, and ad the obvious things that follow that, such as DVR capabilities.

I doubt we'll see another industry-altering, smash hit from Apple for a while. They have a pretty solid product line right now.

Wow...they've been at it for quite a while, haven't they?

I mean it doesnt have to be a TV, but we couldnt think of what would be the next BIG thing. WE just thought TV by apple would be beautiful. LIke a GIANT Imac on your wall.... mmmmmmmm

That would be pretty awesome...

I think they still sell the VESA mount kits for the 24 inch iMac. Not sure, though.

 

[ChrisN]

If they do it would have to have some really great features and not too expensive because if it was expensive i might just geta vizio or sony bravia.

ChrisN

 

[MacsBestFriend]

That's just a mac with a TV tuner.

A TV tuner that won't work come Feb.

 

[Abstract]

Apple can't add anything to this market that hasn't already been done, much like my post didn't add anything to this thread that hasn't already been mentioned.


Apple can't improve the TV. They also can't really make one look "better", because a lot of TVs already look VERY nice as they are, and Apple can't overcharge by 20% like they do with several of their computer models just because it looks better. It's not like computer hardware, where Apple can be cripple it somehow, and yet it shows no obvious, visible signs of it. If a TV's specs fall behind, people will visibly see it in the store when compared to other TVs.

 

[RexTraverse]

Like others have said, there's not a lot Apple could add. They could have the slickest and most easy to use menu system, but how often does anyone go into the TV menus? People also say DVR functionality, I could see this as a bigger possibility, but with more and more people moving to satellite and digital cable, you're able to get boxes for pretty much nothing with this functionality already. And with stuff like U-verse that can offer a common household DVR where you can watch recorded shows from any TV, Apple can't compete with that.

The only thing I see Apple really able to bring to TV is video streaming from computers via AppleTV, but when you can just buy the box and attach it to whatever TV you already have, why bother?

There's also the question of what market Apple wants to go for with a TV. Obviously they'll avoid the low end like Vizio and Westinghouse, but do they go for mainstream and fight the big boys like Samsung, Sharp, and Sony where competition is high and margins are low or do they go for the high end against insane picture quality giants like the Pioneer Kuro where they can get the high margins they like but then have to invest in the kind of R&D Pioneer has to achieve what it has with Kuro.

 

[rdowns]

I don't see it ever happening. Besides, their stores are not equipped to sell TVs. They're too small to display.

 

[bengal85]

I think in order for mac to keep up with Microsoft their next HUGE Thing has to be a video game system something to make up for the Xbox and Xbox 360.

I mean I have a valid point

 

[Le Big Mac]

Wow...they've been at it for quite a while, haven't they?

You didn't realize that the Norman Conquest brought nice TV to the british isles?

 

[Le Big Mac]

I don't see it ever happening. Besides, their stores are not equipped to sell TVs. They're too small to display.

Never say never, but I just can't see where apple can add value beyond design (if that). Their energy would me much better spent developing TV-related appliances (like Apple TV and a DVR).

 

[tMac85]

wow. diggin up old threads are we?...


i still think making a beautifully designed tv, with a kiss ass resolution and easy "computer" adapters to connect would be the ****. an aluminum tv would be sweeeet.

 

[dubhe]

I doubt it for two reasons:

1: TVs are very simple devices, they don't need much computing in them, apple would not be interested in making something so simple.

2: TVs go out of date so quickly, you need to update the product line several times a year, apple don't do that, they make a fantastic product then leave it as is.

 

[savar]

I had a discussion with my friend tonight, about what apples next big product will be. Recently it was the Ipod touch and Iphone. HUGE, millions sold, forever changing the phone.

So we thought what will they introduce next that will change what we use now.

We thought maybe their own line of tvs. Thats all we could come up with.

What do you all think?

I think its possible. TV represents another area of consumer electronics that is still just too dang complicated. Apple's simplifying touch -- and ability to get customers to pay big margins -- would work well...

I think they would have to build in a DVR/AppleTV type of device, however.

 

[savar]

I think in order for mac to keep up with Microsoft their next HUGE Thing has to be a video game system something to make up for the Xbox and Xbox 360.

I mean I have a valid point

This seems unlikely to me. Microsoft has DirectX as a major advantage over Apple, not to mention that they're really already nailed the online experience for gaming.

Apple would be way behind, and this is one market where the leader actually has a really great product. I love my 360. If Apple competed directly against it, I would be very unlikely to switch.

 

[eleven2brett]

I waiting for my Apple microwave.

 

[MisterMe]

I waiting for my Apple microwave.

What can Apple bring to the microwave that will motivate me to pay the Apple premium for the new appliance? There is, however, a home appliance that has seen very little innovation of the past 100 years and could use Apple's unique knack for human factors engineering--the refrigerator. As soon as Apple gets the iCool to market, I'm all over it.