Quote:
Originally Posted by
digitalclips 
Problem is none of these folks know what Apple is planning so they are all scrambling around doing anything they can think of, hoping to beat Apple to what ever 'it' is. If Apple had never mentioned an interest in a new TV concept I doubt the industry would have even tried to change their concepts other than for the likes of Netflix services.
I wouldn't be surprised if Apple is intentionally smoking out the competition. My theory behind this speculation is this:
Apple has been [rumored] trying to lobby and sweet-talk the media companies to allow content contracts with [whatever this new TV is] and getting nowhere. My thought is that since everybody and their uncle is trying to one-up Apple before they release something, they too are trying to shoe-horn a deal with the same media companies. With all this interest in penning deals with the Media Companies, they (big Media) will finally see a possible market in licensing out content to the Tech Industry...waiting for that sweet deal. And finally realizing that Apple's proposals were probably the best deal to be had, given the resounding acceptance of the Apple Ecosystem. So while all the other Tech companies try and fail to ink contracts with Big Media, Apple will squeeze in after they've smoked-out the competition and emerge with "Le Grande Travaux".
Now, whether this is Comcast to start with or the Major Networks is the real question. IMO, I think for Apple to ink any partnership (which let's face it, this will have to happen at the beginning...a la, AT&T), it will have to start with the Service Providers and not the Media Giants. The Cellular Model they used for the iPhone is probably the most likely scenario for TV/Cable. They provide the fastest signals and are the most wide reaching. But, I don't see this as a TiVO model though, since I think that business model has already proved to be less than stellar. I see it more as as Apple Providing the Box (like Motorola currently does) and making this model a "Premium" service for the Cable companies to offer as an Alternative. Therein lies the problem for Apple. They still don't have control over the content and Customer Experience...hence why we probably still haven't seen an Apple Television yet.
Whatever and whenever it happens, I see it as this...but something tells me that TV isn't going to be the entire focus of this [rumored] product. I see it as much more than just a TV. I see it more at a home network that links your TV and your devices to a central system...a home server or even a "Home Automation" system that's accessible from any Apple device, be it an iOS and/or OSX device. That's really the 2nd most important feature I believe will be the success of an Apple Television...I still think this idea of an "iPanel" will be what makes it stand out from the competition.
