“The unstated message behind Apple’s recent product blitz was a blunt signal to its consumer electronics rivals: Apple wants a bigger piece of the living room business. But will Apple’s fall technology lineup give Steve Jobs the weapons he needs to best the big boys of the consumer electronics field? Apple’s CEO wowed the crowd but now he’s got to wow a group of consumers other than the Mac faithful,” CNET writes.
Join CNET’s Tom Meritt, James Kim, Charlie Cooper, and Tom Krazit for this week’s edition of the CNET News.com Reporter’s Roundtable here.
Related articles:
The most exciting feature of Apple’s ‘iTV’ may be its USB port – September 15, 2006
Cringely: How Apple plans to own your living room – September 15, 2006
LA Times: With iTV+iTunes Movies, Steve Jobs stumbles over the last 100 feet – September 14, 2006
BusinessWeek: If anyone can make bridge the great divide, Apple can with ‘iTV’ – September 14, 2006
The Beeb asks: Would you buy the Apple iTV? – September 14, 2006
Three markets that are different today after Apple’s ‘It’s Showtime’ event – September 13, 2006
Cramer: Apple’s ‘iTV’ all about ease-of-use; Apple shares are going higher – September 13, 2006
Apple + Living Room = Logical Marriage + Boon for Stockholders – September 13, 2006
The Register: Apple event more like ‘No Show’ than ‘Showtime’ – September 13, 2006
The Telegraph: Steve Jobs’ genius making people desire gadgets for which they have absolutely no use – September 13, 2006
The Guardian: Steve Jobs needs ‘a charisma download, Apple risks being left behind’ – September 13, 2006
Mark Cuban: Things that are special about Apple’s announcements – September 13, 2006
Apple’s ‘iTV’ strategy – September 13, 2006
How will Apple’s ‘iTV’ work? – September 13, 2006
Apple eyes living room market with device codenamed ‘iTV’ – September 12, 2006
Analyst: Apple ‘s iTunes+iPod+iTV model ‘the gold standard for the digital home of the future’ – September 12, 2006
Analyst: Apple ‘s iTunes+iPod+iTV ‘will be hard for other players to match’ – September 12, 2006
Apple gives sneak peek of ‘iTV’ set-top box to debut Q1 2007 (with images) – September 12, 2006
Apple’s QuickTime stream of Steve Jobs special event now live – September 12, 2006
NFL and Apple team up to offer 2006 NFL game highlights via iTunes Store – September 12, 2006
Apple debuts iTunes 7 – September 12, 2006
It just dawned on me– could the iTV be a diversion or hoax? I know it sounds implausible, but like they did with the iPod mini/nano switcheroo, they lead the market in one direction, then turned a sharp corner.
Dare to dream.
We live in interesting times. Good thing I didn’t hold out for a G5 Powerbook.
MS is the largest ocean liner. Apple is a speed boat. Which turns faster? Ask Ford.
Sorry, but a diversion would be highly implausible as well as financially irresponsible given the public showing that Jobs gave. You don’t play games like that with your shareholders.
I think iTV is just the first step in a far broader strategy. Just like Apple convinced car companies to offer iPod connectivity in their cars, the ultimate goal of iTV will be to try to get it integrated into TV sets. Both strategies free the user from being dependent on inelegant add-on devices.
That is, if iTV sells by the millions then I think you will see some manufacturers begin to license the connection technology from Apple, knowing that there is a big demand out there.
Something to think about.
I make one purchase of a digital song or movie. I can have that same file play on my computer, play on my portable device, play on my TV set and play in my car. All made easy to do with what Apple has rolled out.
Even though you could do the same thing with a CD or DVD, it is not as easy or cool. And with time and technology it will become even easier. This is the reason that starting today I will go all digital (with backups of my HD of course. Which cost the same as a decent storage shelf for CD’s and DVD’s).
iTV and a decent car video adapter for my iPod is all I need now. My kids will enjoy watching movie while we drive.
Think about it. One digital file, so many places…Thanks Apple.
I use my g5 ipod video to play movies in the car for the kids now….linked thru the dvd player rca aux plugs in front.
yeah, I could put in a dvd, but when you have a whole season of cartoons or videos they like in your hand, it’s easier to just let that play then switch disks every 30 minutes.
Zune in Traffic!
Imagine sitting stranded in the throes of interminable traffic, your Zune beeping to share what the other furious drivers are playing.
I hope Apple adds such fiunctionalitty, if only checking “now and then” for musical interlopers, charlatans, and spooks.
It could be witchy.
I’ve contemplated the diversion tactic – not so much a diversion, but underestimation. Showing only some features would parallel Apple only showing some of Leopard. Steve clearly thinks it’s important to keep wraps on the best of Apple’s ideas.
I have a feeling there is much more to “iTV” than most suspect and I don’t think withholding features is misleading shareholders.
Apple is very competitive right now. They dropped a bomb on Microsoft by dropping the price on the iPod. I see a subscription service and higher quality in both audio and video on the horizon.
So, I get the movies, the music, the pictures, all wireless. Now, how can I make this all work with games? There has got to be a way to incorporate some killer gameplay. Also, can it send info as well as receive? Can I send the signal to my DVD recorder?
Mac4lfe, you got it all !
Gotta trust digital… makes life much easier. I m all for it !
Mac4Lfe I could not agree more. You are right, all you need is those 2 units and your home pc and you have everything you need anywhere you want it.
We all know wireless ipod is on its way. itv is already wireless as a given. And you can already stream music from your itunes library to any pc inyour house.
And you are right agian, the key is that hard drives now are so cheap it is really lke buying a shelf for your dvd’s, so backup is just part of the program and itunes just made it easier to back up, just go to Frys and see, 60 bucks ofr a 120 drive, 100 for a 300
AND the next mac OS as we all know makes back up SO much easier.
@Gameman –
So interesting – how about you stream games wirelessly through iTV, having your mac do all the heavy processor lifting, while you play games on the big screen with wireless wii sticks? The only hardware you’d have to keep in the living room would be wireless controllers. Nifty.
NewType may have it right about Apple trying to prove the concept with iTV so that TV manufacturers can build it into their TVs and pay Apple for licensing.
I thought Apple might want to sell their own TVs, but unlike the portable media player market where Apple has 75% of the U.S. market, it would be tough to get a significant portion of the TV market. But if the iTV concept became popular, every TV manufacturer may want to include it to not be left out. So Apple would get a piece of every high-end TV sold without competing with the TV manufacturer. And every TV customer would want a Mac for the home to take full advantage of their TV.
I hate this talk of Mac faithful. listen a**hole, iPod holds 75% of US music player market. The MAc faithful is barely 5% of computer pop.
Who are these other 70% consumers.Windows users w/ipods.
I’m too tired to think if that makes sense.
“iPod holds 75% of US music player market. The Mac faithful is barely 5% of computer pop.”
If only you knew how many people DO NOT associate the iPod with Apple Computer, it would blow your mind. Unfortunately, most people who use iPods don’t even give switching to Mac OS a single thought.
What Apple has to do to be successful with iTV is take the iPod brand (not the Apple brand) and translate it into something suburban moms and dads (not just their kids) love just as much. Best of luck to them.
Here’s a thought….why not just make the iPod’s bluetooth enabled…wifi is an energy hog, bluetooth sips gas. Do you really need a wifi iPod when your iMac will use wifi to send video to iTv? Bluetooth enabled cars and bluetooth enabled ipods could could be great together. And bluetooth iPods opens up a lot of wild accessories and don’t forget about sharing…
Zune Virus anyone?
How long before Zunes will infect each other?
I can’t wait.
Hopefully the ZUNE’s MP3s will get over written with fart sounds and the sounds of chairs being thrown and DEVELOPER! chanting…
iTV is just a video express terminal. Nothing more, nothing less. What more does it need to be. The idea is that you network the things together for different rooms in the house. Storage and DVD drives can be anywhere in the network. The problem is that it is expensive. I hope apple do not limit it to iTunes films only like they have done with front row and DVDs.
Well if it is true that Zune sounds like a French Canadian word for penis, it sounds like they should be selling them with coloured condoms to keep down the risk of infection (and hide that turdy brown colour). Then again, when it comes to the Zune, maybe practicing safe sex is not the answer – instead, just say NO (to the Zune).
This is Steve Jobs we’re taking about here. He will not be able to resist the opportunity to have that elegant Apple logo displayed on the most prominent component in any home entertainment system — a large screen plasma or LCD display. This is in his DNA.
Various versions of the Mac mini line will power the connection to the home network for those who want to marry the computer and TV. Alternatively, the less expensive iTV product will be marketed to those who also want to stream video to other computers or TVs in the home or to those who might not want to connect existing equipment without adding a more complex computer in their home entertainment center.
He’s assembling modular components to reach the largest number of potential customers. Apple’s growing reputation for creating great software will pull everything work together into a simple interface.
Hi,
iTV will be a much better sell than Microsoft’s Media Centre PC strategy.
I think Apple’s strategy is to make the PC OPTIONAL in its formula to own digital entertainment in the living room. Come Q1 2007, the masses will now be able to use the iTV connected DIRECTLY to an iPod for its library without requiring a computer for only $299 plus iPod. This means new iPod sales to customers that never owned iPods before because of the previous computer requirement.
So much for purchasing an expensive Microsoft Media Centre PC. Apple extended the “extender” concept by allowing the iPod to serve as the iTV’s storage library for purchases/playback.
If you already have a computer, the iTV will access the iTunes library via Bonjour over your home network. Remember that iPods can now sync iTunes store purchases to an authorized computer, so if someone eventually purchases a PC, they can put their iTV purchases in the computer’s iTunes library.
The iPod/iTV combination will dominate the living room. It will be reasonably priced, and even your Grandma will be able to use it – unlike VISTA MCE’s unweildly new interface. When the movie studios see this model accepted in droves by consumers, they will allow their content on the iTunes Store.
The iTunes Store will go HD when Apple releases the true widescreen video iPOD. Needless to say, the iTV will support HD.
Cheers,
ITG
MDN Magic Word: DAILY, as in I like to check this website DAILY.
Geo, you couldn’t be more correct when you say, “This is Steve Jobs we’re taking about here.” The only thing is I suspect he may reach a different conclusion. Jobs loves high margin items, not commodities. I think it is at least partly why Apple is no longer in the printer business – too many other companies can produce fine products and have to be very price conscious.
The iMac, iPod and OS-X are clearly superior to their competition and would be even without the cosmetics, which are all about marketing. I don’t know how Apple could make a TV that was clearly superior to Sony or Pioneer or Panasonic.
I hope I’m mistaken ’cause I need a new TV and would love the logo but only if it was the hallmark of a superior product
Come Q1 2007, the masses will now be able to use the iTV connected DIRECTLY to an iPod for its library without requiring a computer for only $299 plus iPod.
It’s already there: saw it at Apple Expo in Paris. An HD TV set with a built-in docking for the iPod. Just plunk it in and watch whatever you have on the large HD screen.
as well as countless devices that just do that: connect the iPod to your TV, home theater, etc, with remote controllers as well. iTV will be a step further with adding wireless, connectivity and integration of multiple sources. For what concerns integrating just an iPod to whatever system you have to listen and watch content it is only matter of choice.
After all, iTV is the Airport Express concept on steroids (that is, video content as well). I would not be surprised if iTV will ask the same wireless configuration questions as the Express.
One thing that I predicted for the keynote and got wrong was that the music would be updated to Apple lossless. Maybe I’m in the minority, but this is the one thing that holds me back from making more purchases of online music rather than CDs.
From a consumers prospective, we’ve had to dish our records for tapes; tapes for CDs; Videos for DVDs. And soon DVDs for high definition.
It seems that the same is happening on iTunes – our TV shows from 320 x 240 to 640 x 480 – then again in a years time to HD? and music from AAC 128 to Apple Lossless? Replacing libraries of music and films could get very expensive and fustrating for consumers.
It would have been reassuring if Apple (or the networks/studios) allowed us to ‘refresh’ our collections – at least purchases within the last 6 months or a year to the higher definition.
I know you can argue that you have to replace your collection on the physical formats, but it would be a huge selling point to know that all the purchases you’ve made will be upgraded to the next level, especially when we know it’s only around the corner (high definition TV/movies).
I’m suprised that this point hasn’t caused some interest.