“Get ready, America, because by Christmas 2012 you will have an Apple TV in your living room,” Ben Kunz reports for Businessweek. “I don’t mean the cute little box now called ‘Apple TV’ that plugs into your set to stream Netflix, but the real deal—a flat-panel Apple television set tied to the company’s online ecosystem and designed as only Apple can do it.”
MacDailyNews Note: Obviously, Apple TV does much, much more than simply “stream Netflix.” That’s like saying a Swiss Army Knife opens cans of soup.
“There’s a $14 billion rationale for this prediction but first, let’s explore the rumors. This summer Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster dug through component suppliers and found evidence that Apple is gearing up to produce a real TV set by late 2012,” Kunz reports. Venture capitalist Stewart Alsop, a former board member at TiVo (TIVO), has published rumors that Apple has a television coming.”
Advertisement: Apple TV. Now there’s always something good on TV. Just $99. Fast, free shipping only at the Apple Online Store.
Kunz reports, “And Steve Jobs himself hinted last year that Apple might build a real television unit. ‘The television industry … pretty much undermines innovation in the sector,’ Jobs said at the All Things Digital Conference in July 2010. ‘The only way this is going to change is if you start from scratch, tear up the box, redesign, and get it to the consumer in a way that they want to buy it.'”
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Edward Weber” for the heads up.]
Rumor. Nothing more. Same rumor, same twist.
It is on the Internet, therefore it must be true.
Don’t forget that it will have a 7″ screen and has to do Flash.
True. Everything in Apple starts with a rumor. But you know, almost always most of the rumors come true. The only question is WHEN?
Joining AppleTV functionality with a giant flat panel does not make any unique advantage that would justify 40% margins that it absolute condition for Apple to enter any market.
As of now, I have not read even a hint on idea what else Apple could add to flat panel other than AppleTV functionality. And, as I said above, this is not enough.
However, there is always chance that Apple (Jobs) came up with something not quite expected. If so, then iTV rumours could be right.
But, for now, these rumours make no sense and are not better than rumours from early 2000s about Apple making PDA.
You fail to allow for ‘joy and delight’ factors beyond our collective imaginatiom.
On a more mundane level, there is a mountain of things today’s AppleTV could be upgraded to do that would warrant a premium when built-in to a FSTV. There are many Wow-factors yet to be exploited there.
It’s ridiculous to say something is NOT true, just because someone is speculating about it. Make your own argument about WHY it is unlikely… or likely.
Spot on…
iMac 27 inch is a great big Apple TV…. Would love a 50 inch model… What a great TV that would be… Just add the tuner components and your off….
It’s a new rumor for this month? Not just a rehash of the same rumor that has been around for at least the past year.
This objection would be more persuasive if anyone had answered the reasons given against it happening during the five or more previous times that this rumor has been circulated.
There is now market for Apple to do TV’s. An Apple Thunderbolt display is still $1000 and it came out in 2010. At that type of pricing, Apple will need to drop the display to $300, in which they won’t, This TV will not be OLED and it will cost us $5000 or more and the largest size would be 40″ Cinema Display is 27″ @ 1G, and an Apple TV would have to adapt to HDMI Standard and not Display Port or Thunderbolt and picture quality need to be 1080P @120mHz refresh and 3D capabilities, ooops!!! those will be Apple TV set 2, 3, 4 and 5
Yeah right, I’ll believe it when APPLE says it. ………..
I still believe that licensing an “AppleTV on a chip” to major television manufacturers is the way Apple will enter this market. Apple gets a few bucks per set, without impacting supply line logistics. The manufacturers get a way to put an “AppleTV Inside” sticker on the box, to differentiate models (pure gold in commodity market like the TV business). Apple would continue to sell “AppleTV in a set-top box) for those who don’t have an “AppleTV inside” set.
Before that happens, I believe Apple will release a 1080 version of AppleTV, and then an AppleTV SDK. With an rich ecosystem of apps that are designed for the pixel count that TVs offer, combined with the ability to use every iPad/iPhone/iPod as a wireless controller, , the AppleTV will be irresistible to consumers and manufacturers alike.
Game, set, match. Apple.
I think Apple should look to upgrade Apple TV from the pathetic 720p resolution to 1080p first before having ambitions of conquering the television market.
I don’t think entrenched players like Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung are going to stand aside and let Apple take over the space without a fight. This will consume billions in R&D and manufacturing costs to set up a plant to manufacture flat screen TVs.
You’re dumb. Bet you didn’t think entrenched players like Nokia, RIM, Ericsson etc etc would stand aside and let the iPhone take over their space, did you?
Apple will either stay out of the TV business or they will come up with something nobody can conceive, everybody will want, and no competitor will be able to prevent
The last time we read those rumors here I believe the set was supposed to be based on a existing 42″ set retailing for something like $4,500-$5,000. I’m sure it’d be nice, if true, but if the price rumor is true for what is a mid-size, it’ll never be under my tree.
I think Apple will eventually do this, because the potential profit from selling a $99 box will always be “just a hobby.” Steve Jobs still called Apple TV 2.0 a hobby. Apple probably makes more profit per unit from selling an iPod shuffle.
However, IF Apple is able to distinguish their HDTV so that it is attractive and desirable at $999, THEN Apple TV would have the profit potential to no longer be in hobby status. Apple will not pursue it as a hobby forever, so there should not even be a $99 Apple TV box today, if Apple did not eventually expect to create a complete Apple TV.
I believe the original rationale for Apple TV was not as a gateway device for Apple to eventually manufacture TVs but as a digital hub to serve up entertainment from iTunes enabled Macs that made the Mac an entertainment device as well as a computing device. That was to distinguish the Mac from PC beige boxes that was seen to be used only work related tasks.
When Apple introduced the iTunes store and spread its platform to include the iPhone and iPad, the Apple TV morphed into a connectivity bridge between your game playing device and 50″ TV.
Sorry. Not going to happen. Apple sells monitors, nice monitors, but add a monitor or use one for a Mac mini and you buy a third party unit. Monitors and tv units are like the PC- a rush to the bottom and a commodity.
Rather make the AppleTV and control the tv, then you have something.
When Jobs said tv had major issues, I think he was talking about the service ( stations and channels) not the equipment.
Just a thought.
En
Most Macs are computers with built-in displays. The Mac mini and Mac Pro are the exception, not the norm.
OH wait, there is one reason that Apple might want to make a large tv…… They could change the format and make it a large touch screen tv. You know,,,,,, a big ass table.. er wall tv.. LOL
Then instead of using a remote, you could walk up to your wall touch screen tv (cause everybody needs to touch their screen, right 🙂 ) and push “buttons”, “turn” knobs, etc…
Seriously. A tv is just a standard output screen with a number of inputs options, for analog video, digital, pc, gaming, etc. Its as simple and stupid as it gets and a race to the bottom profit wise.
The Apple tv concept, puts all the brains and profits in a single box that can connect wirelessly, run internet, play music, you name it. Why make a huge profitless tube??
Just a thought,
en
OH, wait…. There is one TV that I can totally see Apple making, if it can be done well. And that is…..
Video in a set of glasses… Apple tv, appears as big as a 46 inch tv and uses voice and eye movement to detect and select options. Includes built in digital prescriptions, no glass needed. Wifi included and can import from iPhone, or any Bluetooth 4 system.
Now that is an Apple TV system that I could believe we might see. And it fits Apples direction of smaller not HUGE.
Just a thought,\\
en
PS, Ken, I use a MacBook with an external screen. 24″ Soyo. got it cheap and it has more resolution than my MacBook. It was so nice that I bought another one for the office. I almost never use the built in screen for my MacBook..
Just a thought.
en
Apple makes both computers with built-in display (more of these) and computers where you “bring your own.” Of the two types, Apple prefers customers to buy one with built-in display because Apple makes more profit per unit. That’s why a Mac mini is pretty good, but never as good as an iMac, and a Mac Pro is too costly for most consumers to seriously consider (and there is no “headless” Mac in between). Apple wants most customers to choose a MacBook or iMac.
It will be the same with Apple TV, eventually. Apple just needs to get all the “pieces” in place, so that there is a compelling reason (that is difficult for the competition to replicate) for customers to buy a complete Apple TV versus getting a “generic” TV plus Apple TV box. I don’t know for sure what that “angle” will be, but Apple won’t make the move until it’s ready. But “the move” itself is inevitable.
Too much day dreaming on the toilet and a rumorhoid forms. Besides, there are only 66 days until Christmas. Not likely.
That’s why it says 2012 and not 2011.
I almost hope this is true… just so i can see how bad the MS copy is 2 years later
Apple making a “Real TV” is redundant.
Apple making a “New Innovative TV” might be a disruption point for the Broadcast and Cable Companies.
What might a Apple New Innovative TV be like?
1) It is not likely to have a RF/DTS receiver unit built-in (but will be by a add on external module for Broadcast HD TV and for connecting a Standard Cable Box, DVD player and Game Console Units).
2) External Video Input will likely be HDMI and Display Port.
3) WI-FI connectivity, Gigabit Ethernet and Bluetooth will be build-in.
4) iTunes, iCloud and Safari will be built-in
5) A Face Time HD Camera will be built-in.
6) Games and Apps as the device will be iOS but, will only be available if using a non-included remote advanced control unit like iPad, iPhone, iPod touch devices.
7) iPod, iPhone, iPad docking and AIrPlay will both allow for viewing and using content on the Apple TV units.
8) Other ports and features could be USB and Thunderbolt I/O Ports, HDMI out port, Optical Audio out ports, support for the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse/trackpad,
9)As licensing of the the RF/DTS Turner technology will be covered in the optional add on unit Apple will be able to sell a 55″ LED Backlit LCD High Quality HD Unit for $1,500.00 to $2,200.00
Of course a new Mac is more likely at this point. A Mac that is called the Mac Mini Pro. Designed more for Office/Enterprise deployments. With easy swappable 2.5″ drives and 4 drive bays, choice of upgradable video modules, up to 16GB of RAM, Single or Dual 4 core Processors, plus all the Mac Mini Ports plus a few, all neatly packed in a small cube design form factor.
I agree with all the points. Especially no internal broadcast antenna. And, yes, we eventually reduce it down to an iMac or Mac mini.
Are there any tvs that allow full function remote via iPhone? That’s all I want. It’s cool to AirPlay but it’d be cooler if I didn’t need to push a button on my tv remote.
If it’s sold as a “TV”, by law it MUST contain a functional ATSC tuner.
Forgot Siri, who needs a remote when you can tell it what to do, what is on, what is new.
It has to have a tuner, America likes it’s pro sports.
Should they do this, it will be something different than the standard TV.
Here is the problem I have with the “Apple is going to sell a TV” prediction:
Apple has entered three new markets in the past 10 years:
— Digital music players
— Smartphones
— Tablet computing
What all three of these markets had in common was that they were ripe for disruption. The markets existed (just barely, in the case of the tablet), but absolutely no one was happy with the products available at the time. The markets were ready for Apple to march in, show everyone how it’s done, and take over.
Now compare that to the market for television sets. Is that a “disruptable” market? Sure, no one really gets excited about TVs these days (unless you’re buying your first HDTV), but I don’t sense any degree of discontent from consumers. What is there for Apple to shake up?
Let me put it another way. Until Apple came along with the iPod, most people weren’t buying MP3 players. Until Apple came along with the iPhone, most people weren’t buying smartphones. Until Apple came along with the iPad, practically nobody was buying tablets.
But everyone owns a TV.
This makes the TV market a much tougher nut for Apple to crack, and the risk of failure much, much greater.
——RM
If Apple were to get int he TV market here’s what I think it MIGHT have or possibly just my own punch list of desirable attributes.
First Hardware: It would have a screen supplied by someone else. C’mon Apple will not manufacture there own. Component Suppliers are just that. Hopefully they’ll add a TouchScreen capability to it although with iPads and iPhones I could easily see one of those having a “App for That”.
The set would be at least 1080p, hopefully even 2k resolution (can you say retina display). LED backlit, etc.
Software:
We all know this is where Apple adds value. In a word Siri. Who’s to say the remote control (iPad, iPhone or iTouch) would not have Siri relaying voice commands to the tv via remote app. It would be stupid not to. Along with all other current AppleTV functionality and more importantly wifi and ethernet port for linking to your shared folder on your desktop etc…
I also think that Siri is the true differentiator that Apple could have on this hypothetical TV (though I suspect they will not make one). Forget having to know the channel or the fun of doing a title search without a keyboard – just tell Siri to find the channel or the dates and set up a recording.
Ridiculous…Apple will never make a phone…Apple will never make a tablet…Apple will never make an mp3 player.
I would start shorting cable stocks.
Ohh, and the tv WILL have a QAM Cable port, over the air (OTA) antenna. You idiots thinking Apple’s (or any other tv) can drop those are deluding yourselves. No way I’d buy a tv that didn’t have those connections any more than I’d buy one that didn’t have at least 2 HDMI ports on it.
I think this is about the thousandth time I’ve heard this rumor.
No, I’m sorry. That’s an exaggeration. It’s probably only about five or six hundred times.
Ever since Apple shipped the MacTV way, way back when (’93) people have been saying Apple will do a TV. No Apple TV yet!
Gene Munster has been predicting this for years now. As his previous prediction date approaches, he pushes it back a year with a new prediction. He’s the only one who has been calling for this, and everyone else just recycles his rumors.
There is much greater profit incentive for Apple to license current AppleTV chipsets for Panasonic and Sony to install inside their monitors than there is for Apple to compete in a bloodthirsty, low-margin TV market against all of them.
Can anyone name a TV manufacturer that’s successfully sold a TV with a 40% margin in the last decade? 30%? 20%?
Perhaps these rumor mongers need to review the list of TV manufacturers that provided technically superior products but are no longer in business.
Uh, sounds like things that were said about…music, Phone Carriers, tablets. Apple doesn’t compete on existing terms, they write their own rules and then dominate because their product is ahead o the curve, everyone else scrambles to catch up.
Sony is pissing it’s pants, praying this rumor isn’t true. Apple has spanked them on MP3 players, Phones, Laptops and tablets. WHEN Apple decides to own the TV market, they will…
It’ll be 55” and will do everything.