Steve Jobs told biographer he 'cracked' the secret to a simple HDTV - Page 4

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

For example, Apple expects 35 billion in revenue this quarter, without an HDTV. If they were to release an HDTV this quarter, I figure they'd wind up with at MOST 34 billion.

Originally Posted by freckledbruh

"Made for iPod" means that there is a periphery for a whole widget called an iPod. That is waaay different than letting another company make the tv (widget) and apple just does the software (periphery).

Originally Posted by solipsism

Siri would be great in a car, too, but I don't see Apple getting into that business. I at least hope Apple works with manufactures to allow access Siri from the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Siri would be great in a car, too, but I don't see Apple getting into that business.

Originally Posted by Mister Snitch

Exactly! What Apple wants to do is make its products integral to cars and TVs, not MAKE cars and TVs.

Originally Posted by Dave K.

Its relevant because it is another interface for the TV that won't change with Apple's potential offering. In fact, devices like the XBOX and PS3 would actually dilute the Apple experience... And that is the point of this discussion. If Apple can't control everything aspect of a device (both UI and hardware) there offering simply can't compete.

Originally Posted by Dave K.

Nobody should care about the box itself only the content displayed on it (interface, shows, movies, games, etc.) . Your HDTV is like your computer monitor attached to your Mac Mini... A necessary accessory. But that is it.

Originally Posted by Dave K.

Why would anyone want an integrated AppleTV with an HDTV is beyond me. Do you really think Apple will support an integrated AppleTV accessory for the life of the TV?

Originally Posted by Dave K.

Nobody should care about the box itself only the content displayed on it (interface, shows, movies, games, etc.
IMO, the cable companies, television studios, and movie studios have no use for Apple. There is no reason why they would threaten their monopolies in dealing with Apple.

Originally Posted by Dave K.

The video linked previously sums it up.. The cable companies business model has to change. Once it does, then Apple could introduced some really awesome technology on the scene, but not until the cable companies change....

Originally Posted by Mister Snitch

Never. Said. That.

Apple would make an external box, the software, and either specify or provide hardware components (proprietary chips, boards, whatever) needed inside the TV (if any are in fact needed). The TV maker just makes the TV, same as ever, but the TV is branded as compatible for the new Apple TV unit.

These TV manufacturers already have a foothold in all the places TVs are now sold. Now, get your head around this: When Apple began selling phones, they sold them through AT&T. They didn't set up shop entirely outside the channels where phones were sold. And today, with the phone a success, they STILL sell most of their phones via established vendors (Verizon et al). That hasn't changed. Apple wants to buck the system, sure, but they're not insane about it. More important, consumer habits are hard to break.

The average consumer looking to buy a TV is not going to go to Sears, Best Buy, WalMart or wherever to compare those TVs and THEN go to an Apple store to look at only ONE model. That's not ever going to happen. And Apple's going to find it very difficult to fight for floor space in Sears, etc., against all the existing brands.

The solution is a third-party TV with a "Made for AppleTV" symbol on it. It gives the makers an edge in the stores where TVs are purchased.

It's also possible that Apple does this AND offers an upscale Apple brand which they sell in their stores. That's possible, and it would appeal to the Apple aficionado, as well as create excitement for a 'Made for AppleTV' brand. But for mass acceptance, they need to work with existing manufacturers. Otherwise, this AppleTV will be deemed a failure in comparison with Apple's other products - just as their previous attempts at an AppleTV (remember this? or this bomb? or this one, which was never produced?) were failures.

In fact, Apple has probably hit the ceiling in terms of what it can sell by way of an AppleTV product (of ANY kind) without reaching out and striking up a partnership with Samsung or Sony or someone like that. They've struck out on their own more than once, and have always - well, struck out. Even TiVo, which makes the best overall DVR product out there (yes, this is not a DVR I am just citing an example) but has gone it alone, has been relegated to a niche market (and is struggling).

Whether or not the fanboy types learn, I'd like to think Apple does. I bet Steve knew exactly how he wanted to implement this idea, too, and when the product is unveiled we'll get just what he had in mind.

I also think Apple really does not want to get bogged down with a lot of awkward TV inventory. Cook in particular would be very sensitive to that. And I suspect that the real strategy, especially in the cutthroat TV industry, is NOT to make a big profit on AppleTVs. Instead, the strategy would be to sell AppleTVs as cheaply and broadly as possible, because they would be controlled by (profitable) iPhones and iPads running an AppleTV controller app, and/or Siri. The AppleTV is therefore a means of outreach to a consumer who has (so far) resisted these products, and a means of locking-in existing iPhone/iPad owners.

Originally Posted by 2385amh

This is interesting news giving the discussion of some here regarding apple basically pushing out the cable box and replacing it with itunes.

Google as we all know recently purchased motorola and will soon own nearly 90 percent of the set top market. take a look at your cable or satellite box, chances are great that it is made by moto..soon to be google, not in name but does that matter.

Google will undoubtedly try to use this to their advantage and place android into the motorolla boxes, this would give them a totally overwhelming advantage over say atv and would in my opinion pretty much rap up the smart top market for a long time.

Originally Posted by Realistic

NO, Google bought Motorola Mobility which is the cellphone part and has nothing to with the rest of Motorola

Originally Posted by solipsism

Siri would be great in a car, too, but I don't see Apple getting into that business. I at least hope Apple works with manufactures to allow access Siri from the steering wheel.

Originally Posted by iKol

Nothing like being driven off the topic of the thread.

Originally Posted by Realistic

NO, Google bought Motorola Mobility which is the cellphone part and has nothing to with the rest of Motorola

Originally Posted by paxman

Siri for TV would / could be useful except you'd be fighting for Siri's ear(s) with the damn TV. But Siri in you iPad / iPhone could integrate nicely using airplay.

Mind you, its hard to beat the simplicity of the Apple remote.

"Siri, is there any Baseball on?"

Siri replies with a display of options and times on the iPad / iPhone.

"Any particular game you want"... etc

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

BMW has already expressed an interest in getting Siri into their vehicles.

Originally Posted by ascii

The simplest user interface you can imagine? That would be just one action, selecting the show you want to watch and it automatically starts playing. And since the TV is out of reach, pointing with your hand would be the most natural thing.

So I can imagine just sitting back on the couch and pointing at the screen, and it has a webcam that can read my arm movements, like MS is doing with games. I can't imagine much simpler than that, but Steve probably did!

Originally Posted by BrooksT

Yep, that's what I thought too. No concept of channels or networks, just shows and movies. Tell it what you want to watch.

You: "I want to watch tonight's Mad Men"
Siri: "Here's tonight's episode of Mad Men"

You: "Play Monday Night Football"
Siri: "The game hasn't started yet, should I change to the game once it does?"

You: "Give me a list of episodes in Community, season 2"
Siri: "Here's a list of the episodes in season two of Community, would you like to watch one?"

Originally Posted by jragosta

...
That would be awesome.
How about: "What baseball games are playing tonight?" or "What sitcoms are playing?"

However, I could see a couple of problems:

1. Microphone sensitivity and noise reduction would be an issue. You're telling it what to do from across the room - possibly while the TV is already playing.
2. How do they filter out fake signals? For example, you're watching "How I Met Your Mother" and Robin says "let's watch 'Friends'". There has to be a way to filter that out.
3. With a remote, only one person can control it at a time. I could picture that voice activation could turn into a shouting match.

I suppose it might be possible to deal with #1 and #2 by programming it to automatically ignore any sound coming through the system, but it still sounds like quite a challenging technological problem.

Originally Posted by ralphvasco

Maybe the AppleTv was just waiting for Siri...

Imagine how beautiful it would be, I am in the mood for some How i met your mother episodes...
And it will be there!
It will be legen... wait for it.... dary

Originally Posted by solipsism

Count me in the group that thinks it's uninevitable evitable? Anyway, I could see Apple licensing "iCloud Connected" HDTVs and other HEC appliances to vendors but I don't see them lining their small stores with big ass TVs.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Count me in the group that thinks it's uninevitable evitable? Anyway, I could see Apple licensing "iCloud Connected" HDTVs and other HEC appliances to vendors but I don't see them lining their small stores with big ass TVs.

Originally Posted by lightknight

Man, I again agree with Solipsism. Got to see a shrink soon

Originally Posted by freckledbruh

Um, yes you did. I said that Apple is a whole widget company and you replied that there are "made for iPod" products to which I replied that this is totally different (iPod = widget and "made for" = periphery). Apple already makes boxes that can be upgraded via software update and if need be incremental hardware. Are you (and anyone else) telling me that screen tech moves so rapidly that televisions have to be upgraded every few months? I doubt it, BUT I bet Apple could offer free software updates worth customers' wilds like idevices.

Originally Posted by Mister Snitch

You have a serious comprehension problem, or more likely, you just don't want to hear what someone else has to say. Either way, there's no point in responding to you, since no matter how many times I repeat myself you'll twist it out of shape.

And the phrase you're mangling is "customers' WHILES" - there's no such thing as a "customers' WILD". You didn't get that right... because you just do not listen.

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

...Yeah, but that was into the back seat...

Originally Posted by Ireland

If you think Apple's will release a set top box with Siri I can't help you.

Originally Posted by Tiger

If there's ever any revolutionary innovation in TV, it will be a fundamental change in the business modelprobably in the TV network/movie studio business model. The hardware and software will be incidental.

Originally Posted by iKol

Would they be LCD, LED, or Plasma?

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

http://articles.businessinsider.com/...-ipod-car-yelp

Originally Posted by gugy

So Ireland, when is that Apple Television coming up? It's been more than 5 years man, tired of waiting....

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's been a long time alright. My vision was a bit too far reaching. I apologise for being right so early on.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Being right? You saw the AppleTV and said, like millions of others "Wouldn't that be cool if Apple made a TV?"

You didn't come up with a scenario to achieve a viable market from a device that wouldn't piss off the content providers. You didn't come with anything I can see that would make hint at this being viable idea.

Originally Posted by Ireland

Steve Jobs previewed Apple TV in September 2006. I acquired apple-tv.com in July 2006.

Originally Posted by holy_steven

Nice until you don't know what the H you want to watch. At that you just say,

User: I'm a looser talking to a TV
Siri: You sure are, you sure are.

Originally Posted by holy_steven

Nice until you don't know what the H you want to watch. At that you just say,

User: I'm a looser talking to a TV
Siri: You sure are, you sure are.

Originally Posted by tonton

Then you say, "Siri, flip through the major networks."

Originally Posted by Ireland

It's been a long time alright. My vision was a bit too far reaching. I apologise for being right so early on. My timing was off, yes. Apple chose to focus on other products first, yes. But surely you've got to admit me some credit for my prediction?

Originally Posted by gugy

Credit?
Just looked on the Apple store and still no signs of a television.....

No worries bro, maybe someday we will see such a thing. I hope it's good, because I am not selling my Pioneer 60" plasma for something less, oh wait maybe I just need an AppleTV box, that might give the same functionality for $99. That's a steal.

Originally Posted by Ireland

I've a Kuro too. Best TV ever!

I don't think us Kuro owners are the ideal market for iTV. I think it will suit more the upcoming family of the 'app generation' about to buy their first family TV. They plug in this TV, type in their WiFi password and their Apple ID and away they go. Console games, TV Shows, Movies and more all in one TV with no extra boxes with one household remote. Boom!

Originally Posted by Ireland

I hate that website.