For at least a year, maybe longer, there has always been talk regarding AppleTV. Everything from its just a pet project of Steve Jobs to it is the reason the new mini doesn't have an HDMI port to now, rumors regarding its expansion into the living room.
I think there is no doubt the future of entertainment (be it audio or video) lies in ones and zeros. When was the last time you actually bought a physical CD? I know my friend John (who's mentioned in the blog several times) just sold his DVD player on craigslist, and is now straight up, no physical media. Which is basically where we're at as well on this blog. (Although I do have Blu Ray, John is ripping blu ray and no longer has a desire to buy a stand alone player).
Can Apple do for TVs what it did for phones? And really, to put it in a better frame - can Apple take what Plex or Boxee has made, and what we as users have done with it, and make it into another great product?
Imagine, the mac mini, no cable, integrated HDMI with proper screen output for TVs, a proper remote, official support from Netflix, Hulu, etc. with integration of iTunes and the App Store - which could wirelessly sync shows and audio between your computer, the new "Apple TV", iphone, the rumored tablet, rumored blu ray support in itunes 9, and whatever else they can think of...
What do you think? What would you like to see? Would it take the idea of TV show subscription via iTunes to the masses and really bring 25% of America to cut cable? Would cable companies freak out and cause chaos? What are your thoughts on this?
Apple expected to push for greater living room presence
Published: 12:25 PM EST
Gene Munster, senior research analyst with Piper Jaffray, said in a note Thursday that he believes a new Apple TV will arrive in the next several months. Beyond that, he believes the company will launch a "connected television" in 2011.
Munster suggests a new Apple TV would bolster iTunes video purchases with a subscription model. He cites the popularity of Hulu and Netflix Watch Instantly as a reason Apple should offer iTunes video subscriptions.
"Apple could leverage its deep library of content with many network and cable channel content owners to provide unlimited access to a sub-library of its TV shows for a standard monthly fee ($30 or $40 per month)," Munster writes. "Such a product would effectively replace a consumer's monthly cable bill (~$85/month) and offer access to current and older episodes of select shows on select channels."
Munster goes on to say that he believes the timing could be impacted by the negotiations Apple would need to conduct in order to have the rights to offer a subscription model. However, he predicts that when a deal is finalized, Apple would simultaneously release the offering with a new Apple TV, or updated Apple TV software, within the next year.
He predicts that Apple will become more aggressive in the living room, citing a number of factors, including:
An upgraded Apple TV with subscription capabilities, the analyst says, could access the device's untapped potential.
As for the "Apple Television," Munster believes that is a long-term goal for the company, within the next two to five years. He suggests such a device would have DVDR and home media center functionality built in to the set. Recorded shows, he predicts, could sync with other Apple devices, like Macs, iPhones and iPods, all wirelessly.
"The device would push apple further into the digital living room with interactive TV, music, movie and gaming features (with the iPhone or iPod touch as a game controller)," Munster states. "Such a device would command a premium among the competitive field of budget TVs."
Munster acknowledges that TV hardware is a "challenging business," but the analyst expects that Apple would "change the rules of the game," as it has done in the phone market.
Piper Jaffray has said before that it expects Apple to offer both a connected television, and Apple TV with DVR. A similar report was issued earlier this year, though Thursday's new analysis provides more recent examples to justify the prediction.
A new market analysis predicts that an update or overhaul to the Apple TV could arrive soon, perhaps with iTunes TV show subscriptions and DVR capabilities.
Gene Munster, senior research analyst with Piper Jaffray, said in a note Thursday that he believes a new Apple TV will arrive in the next several months. Beyond that, he believes the company will launch a "connected television" in 2011.
Munster suggests a new Apple TV would bolster iTunes video purchases with a subscription model. He cites the popularity of Hulu and Netflix Watch Instantly as a reason Apple should offer iTunes video subscriptions.
"Apple could leverage its deep library of content with many network and cable channel content owners to provide unlimited access to a sub-library of its TV shows for a standard monthly fee ($30 or $40 per month)," Munster writes. "Such a product would effectively replace a consumer's monthly cable bill (~$85/month) and offer access to current and older episodes of select shows on select channels."
Munster goes on to say that he believes the timing could be impacted by the negotiations Apple would need to conduct in order to have the rights to offer a subscription model. However, he predicts that when a deal is finalized, Apple would simultaneously release the offering with a new Apple TV, or updated Apple TV software, within the next year.
He predicts that Apple will become more aggressive in the living room, citing a number of factors, including:
- Apple executive Tim Cook said on a recent earnings call that the company would "continue to invest" in the Apple TV.
- Patents the Cupertino, Calif., company has filed regarding TV recording.
- A five-year, $500 million agreement with LG Electronics for supply of LCD screens.
An upgraded Apple TV with subscription capabilities, the analyst says, could access the device's untapped potential.
As for the "Apple Television," Munster believes that is a long-term goal for the company, within the next two to five years. He suggests such a device would have DVDR and home media center functionality built in to the set. Recorded shows, he predicts, could sync with other Apple devices, like Macs, iPhones and iPods, all wirelessly.
"The device would push apple further into the digital living room with interactive TV, music, movie and gaming features (with the iPhone or iPod touch as a game controller)," Munster states. "Such a device would command a premium among the competitive field of budget TVs."
Munster acknowledges that TV hardware is a "challenging business," but the analyst expects that Apple would "change the rules of the game," as it has done in the phone market.
Piper Jaffray has said before that it expects Apple to offer both a connected television, and Apple TV with DVR. A similar report was issued earlier this year, though Thursday's new analysis provides more recent examples to justify the prediction.
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