Steve Jobs told biographer he 'cracked' the secret to a simple HDTV
The forthcoming biography of Steve Jobs reveals that he worked to build an integrated, easy-to-use Apple television set, and that he felt he had "cracked" the concept for such a device.
The details from Walter Isaacson's book, set to arrive next week, are the latest indication that Apple plans to eventually release a connected HDTV set, as has been rumored for some time. According to The Washington Post, Jobs's vision was for a connected TV that would be synced with all of a user's devices, and with Apple's iCloud service.
The simplified HDTV would spare users from having to use complex remotes for multiple devices like DVD players and cable boxes. Isaacson wrote that Jobs "wanted to do for television sets what he had done for computers, music players, and phones: make them simple and elegant."
"It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine," Jobs was quoted as saying. "I finally cracked it."
Rumors of an HDTV from Apple have existed for years, though before the alleged comments from Jobs, there has been little evidence to support that Apple is planning to build such a device in the immediate future. In late 2010, Apple redesigned its Apple TV set top box to run on the same ARM-based processor and lightweight iOS operating system found in the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
One recent report in July claimed that Apple will launch a total of three HDTV models by March of 2012, with three different screen sizes and price points. A recent update to the Apple TV already offers console-style gaming with the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S via wireless AirPlay.
The details from Walter Isaacson's book, set to arrive next week, are the latest indication that Apple plans to eventually release a connected HDTV set, as has been rumored for some time. According to The Washington Post, Jobs's vision was for a connected TV that would be synced with all of a user's devices, and with Apple's iCloud service.
The simplified HDTV would spare users from having to use complex remotes for multiple devices like DVD players and cable boxes. Isaacson wrote that Jobs "wanted to do for television sets what he had done for computers, music players, and phones: make them simple and elegant."
"It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine," Jobs was quoted as saying. "I finally cracked it."
Rumors of an HDTV from Apple have existed for years, though before the alleged comments from Jobs, there has been little evidence to support that Apple is planning to build such a device in the immediate future. In late 2010, Apple redesigned its Apple TV set top box to run on the same ARM-based processor and lightweight iOS operating system found in the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
One recent report in July claimed that Apple will launch a total of three HDTV models by March of 2012, with three different screen sizes and price points. A recent update to the Apple TV already offers console-style gaming with the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S via wireless AirPlay.
Comments
And then it's only a matter of time until we see a redesigned Apple TV.
What, you actually thought I'd subscribe to the idea that Apple would waste their time on a TELEVISION proper?
One recent report in July claimed that Apple will launch a total of three HDTV models by March of 2012, with three different screen sizes and price points. A recent update to the Apple TV already offers console-style gaming with the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S via wireless AirPlay.
Bring 'em on!
It's always on so it can always listen and take commands without physical interaction. It's Big Brother and we're going to love it. What else could we need?
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
Count me in the group that thinks an Apple branded HDTV is inevitable within the next 5 years.
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.
Maybe the 7-inch screens are for the "remote" or whatever user-interface these TVs would have?? Presumably Jobs didn't envision us standing at the TV, and it seems silly to go backwards to a hard-button, non-touch interface. Assuming that owners would have an iPad limits the audience, so include a usable, but smaller screen as a dedicated controller.
Count me in the group that thinks an Apple branded HDTV is inevitable within the next 5 years.
television is ripe for disruption.
That, or Steve's illness and sense of looming mortality made him more inclined to talk candidly about projects he knew he would never get to introduce himself.
HDTV body + Apple TV brain + iCloud + Siri
It's always on so it can always listen and take commands without physical interaction. It's Big Brother and we're going to love it. What else could we need?
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?"
I do think, however, that Apple should have created an ATV AppStore already...
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?"
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.
I cut the cord a LONG time ago. My mantra is "make your content accessible without an expensive bundle or I can do without your show"
My bank account thanked me long ago.
go ireland!