“Years-old rumors that Apple will roll out a line of Internet-connected displays have resurfaced in reports that suggest the company will bundle its Apple TV product within a new line of HDTVs,” Prince McLean reports for AppleInsider.
“In a report referencing a rumor floated by Mahalo chief Jason Calacanis, who claims that he knows ‘first-hand’ that Apple is working on what’s described as a networked television, CNET writer Nate Lanxon noted that the assertion ‘isn’t surprising’ given Apple’s 30-inch Cinema Display,” McLean reports.
“No manufacturer has seen any runaway success in selling an Internet-connected HDTV for streaming downloads, photos, music and related content like Apple TV. HP’s strategy of attaching its MediaSmart box to its own HDTVs has not resulted in any particular success, and Sony’s incorporation of its Bravia Internet Video Link module has faired roughly as well,” McLean reports. “Much of this challenge stems from the cost. Putting a $229 Apple TV into an HDTV costing $700 or more would add 32 percent to the price of the set. In a market where price is often the primary consideration, this may be a difficult sell.”
“If anything, Apple’s best bet may be to work out a deal to bundle Apple TV units with the HDTVs sold by manufacturers, or else striking deals with partners such as Best Buy to sell the unit as an accessory with the new HDTV units it sells,” McLean writes.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Brawndo Drinker” for the heads up.]
Yes, but what does the Wawa “Sandwich Man” say?
Ummm… I really don’t bite on this one.
sounds more like a blogger’s wishful thinking than anything.
Steve Jobs will want the Apple logo on the most visible and important component in the den — the HDTV display. This is a no-brainer folks. I expect models with a built-in tuner. Some wil have a built-in AppleTV, other product-line may not.
It would make sense that they may have considered this direction before, but opted to sell just the box to widen the appeal. Now, the time might be right for the full display…but the price has to be right enough for people.
TV goes all-digital in Feb 2009. Great time for Apple to re-invent the TV. Give us something so astounding that we’ll all buy it immediately and cancel our cable subscriptions. It has to have DVR and blow all other gaming devices completely out of the water.
This doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. First, where is the added value in it? Sure, it would save a little space and eliminate a couple of cables. But what else would be market-shifting about it? Second,in terms of expected shelf life, the two devices are too far apart for most consumers. If I purchase an HDTV, I would expect it to service my needs for a relatively long time (say, 10 years). My expectations for an Apple TV box, however, would more in keeping with my expectations for a computer (1 year at the cutting edge, 2-3 more years of performance behind the curve, and ready to upgraded by year 4). By putting the two together, Apple will be putting out an expensive HDTV that is pretty much assured of being technologically obsolete in a year or two. Who’s willing to pay a premium for that?
Nope. Consumer HDTVs are too cutthroat a market for Apple. Margins are too slim. The AppleTV model is the way to go.
But I must say, the AppleTV is in need of a serious hard drive upgrade.
Like Prince says, showing off the AppleTV potential in places like Best Buy and Circuit City would be a great idea.
But trying to sell TVs is about as lucrative as selling printers. Unless Apple owns some spectacular display tech that no one else can use for about five years.
This would make a great “one more thing” on Tuesday
Why not make it a display that the Apple TV can be docked into. Put the tuner in the same case as the Apple TV, and allow people to apply those $40 government coupons toward it.
This makes sense from the standpoint that what Apple is really in search of is a way to be the gateway for all programming to run to the tv. Once they control that, then they control everything.
It makes perfect sense for Apple as they expand from beyond a computer company to a consumer electronics company. Done right, there is no reason that Apple couldn’t carve out a niche in the high end specialty market. I would at least consider a television that built all TV functionality into a single unit.
“Yes, but what does the Wawa “Sandwich Man” say?”
Credible sources sometimes disguise themselves as homeless and mentally imbalanced. Jason can <strike>always</strike> spot real from fake.
Sandwich Man whispered his news then slowly sniffed the entire length of each finger, then his own. Then, he poured two jars of grape jelly into his underwear while yodeling the third chapter of Portnoy’s Complaint pronouncing all of the t’s as v’s. Clever girl.
“Once they control that, then they control everything.”
Even NATO? What about Hugo Chávez? He’s a pistol.
How long can Apple keep a AppleTV up to date via software? 10 years??? 10 years ago we got the iMac G3 266, what will happen to at build in AppleTV = totally outdated even inside a full HD TV
AppleTV = really dumb idea
Mac sitting beside HDTV with really big disk, DVR capability and Blu-Ray = really good idea
Not a chance.
Anyone who understands business model will understand why.
If it does happen I doubt very much that it’ll match the picture quality of my Pioneer Kuro.
That’s the only thing that will make me bite.
Who wants to carry in a giant HDTV into an Apple Store for when the remote stops working? Believe me, people will do it.
Apple really needs to look at what happening over at HULU.com and the Netflix ROKU box. Hulu Netflix have tons a cool current programming for either free (Hulu ad based) or free (with Netflix subscription). I have my G5 hooked up to my 52in LCD and it looks good. In these economic times, I’ve stopped buying TV shows and movies. I have BluRay with Netflix. Occasionally rent something off TV, but that about it. Yes, none this is HD. But for nearly free who cares. Looks “good enough” for the masses (reference Windows joke here)
“Consumer HDTVs are too cutthroat a market for Apple. Margins are too slim.”
Well, margins in desktop PCs and handheld music players are pretty slim too, but Apple’s been able to charge a premium for their quality.
I think an Apple HDTV is a long shot, but I wouldn’t rule it out entirely.
-jcr
Sounds cool to me. I can watch digital cable, then when I get bored of that i can hit the appletv button on remote, then I have access to all the content from apple. And if their is a built-in isight on top of screen I can video conference with family right from the couch.
No extra cables to run. No problems with hdcp.
Sounds awesome.
Apple hdtv sounds like a no brainer.
Am I only one appearing to be Banished from Kingdom at moment ?
MDN not letting me post for some reason
This place has rules ?
ok, but not letting me in the Apple Stock Story from Friday with any length, maybe my ‘thing’ is too long ?
I’d like to see a Total Apple Solution to the AV stack. Receiver, music/image/video server, 60″ flat panel, IPTV, media reader. Fully programmable, fully upgradeable.
And a flying car, too.
Maybe a flying, submersible car.
If it’s called Apple TV, then it got to be at least a TV set.