Digg founder says Apple iTV launch in September will 'change everything'

Posted:
in iPod + iTunes + AppleTV edited January 2014
Kevin Rose, founder of Digg, has heard from sources within Apple that the company will launch its all-new iTV set top box, powered by the iOS operating system, in September for $99.



Rose posted on his blog that he believes the revamped and renamed Apple TV hardware will "change everything" for a number of reasons, including the addition of TV applications written for the iOS operating system. Like the iPhone and iPad, Apple's new iTV will have access to the App Store where users will be able to download software to run on their device, he said.



With these applications, he said, content providers will be able to provide iTV owners "a la carte" stations that Rose believes will change the way people watch content on their television.



"With Apple's iAds, content producers (eg. ABC/NBC/etc.) can directly monetize and distribute their content," he said. "This will eventually destroy the television side of the cable and satellite industry, as your only requirement to access these on-demand stations will be an internet connection. Say goodbye to your monthly cable bill."



Rose also said he has heard that the $99 device will make it easy for users to share pictures and videos "with the push of a button." He suggested the device could include a feature that would notify users when new family photos or videos are available to be viewed.



The Web entrepreneur also said the new iTV will turn Apple's iPad into a remote control, as the "preferred input device" for the set top box. The iPad will also allow users to edit videos, control games, and "extend the interactive television experience," he said. He gave an example of watching football while viewing other camera angles on the iPad.



Rose also made mention of Google TV, the search giant's already-announced Android-powered set top box set to launch this fall. He said that people should keep an eye on Google's product as well. "This is going to be a hot space in 2011," he said.



Rose has reported numerous Apple rumors in the past with varying degrees of accuracy. In 2008, Rose revealed a leaked photo of the fourth-generation iPod nano in advance.



His iPhone-related leaks have been hit or miss, as he correctly predicted the addition of copy and paste to iOS 3.0, but incorrectly said that the iPhone 3G would do video chat. That feature eventually came two years later with the iPhone 4, in the form of FaceTime.



Late last year, Rose also said the then-unannounced iPad would have an emphasis on e-books, and would prove to be a "Kindle killer," referring to Amazon's e-ink device. Apple's iBooks application was available at launch for the iPad.
«13456713

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 258
    postulantpostulant Posts: 1,272member
    Hurry up already, I have 99 big ones and they're burning a hole in my pocket.
  • Reply 2 of 258
    msuberlymsuberly Posts: 234member
    Goodbye monthly cable bill. You have just been replaced by an equally expensive monthly Internet bill.
  • Reply 3 of 258
    aizmovaizmov Posts: 989member
    Only $99! That's damn cheap. I guess Apple plans to make money on content.



    Time for Apple to consider offering movies in iTunes worldwide.
  • Reply 4 of 258
    leptonlepton Posts: 111member
    My set of predictions for Apple TV this year have included: Looks like the Apple TV case. Has an HDMI out and an HDNI in. You connect it between your current cable box and the TV - it passes everything through. However, it can overlay its own video on top of the video. The CPU is A4 or better, the OS is iOS 4.1 or better. I expect ethernet and WiFi.



    It can run all apps that run on the iPad, but new apps will be able to do video out with transparency, letting developers make apps that look like tickers across the video screen, widgets, and so on. Apps may also have access to video info such as the program info, closed captions, and audio.



    What I don't see: Apple selling a complete TV; A TV tuner in the device; the ability to record video.



    What I could imagine: An IR blaster for controlling the TV and/or the cable box; An IR receiver that apps can see so a remote can control the device and apps; Apps for iPhone and iPad that control the device.
  • Reply 5 of 258
    mr. kmr. k Posts: 115member
    Right, AppleTV gets Apps and *way* more reasonably priced, plus iTunes and full web media content (through apps)...controlled by iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch?



    Cable is gonna be freakin' dead.
  • Reply 6 of 258
    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it. Unless the iTV has a tuner and capable of connection to cable or off the air TV, it's not going to be mainstream. Why pay ABC, NBC or CBS for access through iTV when you can get it for free off the air? Same for the rest of the programming. Cable and satellite do it better and probably cheaper. This is one area where Microsoft is far superior. Their Media Center is where it's at. My Media Center can connect to off the air, cable, satellite, DVD, Blu-Ray or Internet sources. It's got a built in DVR as well for all those sources. iTV is simply an iTunes pay per view (or subscription) box. Even if some programmers utilize advertising as a revenue stream instead of subscription fees, we'll see how long that lasts. I love Apple products and own quite a few. I find Apple OS far superior to Microsoft. But the Apply TV isn't and the upcoming iTV doesn't sound like it's in the league of Microsoft's Media Center.
  • Reply 7 of 258
    aplnubaplnub Posts: 2,605member
    What is the chance that existing AppleTV owners get the software update?
  • Reply 8 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cinemagic View Post


    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it. Unless the iTV has a tuner and capable of connection to cable or off the air TV, it's not going to be mainstream. Why pay ABC, NBC or CBS for access through iTV when you can get it for free off the air? Same for the rest of the programming. Cable and satellite do it better and probably cheaper. This is one area where Microsoft is far superior. Their Media Center is where it's at. My Media Center can connect to off the air, cable, satellite, DVD, Blu-Ray or Internet sources. It's got a built in DVR as well for all those sources. iTV is simply an iTunes pay per view (or subscription) box. Even if some programmers utilize advertising as a revenue stream instead of subscription fees, we'll see how long that lasts. I love Apple products and own quite a few. I find Apple OS far superior to Microsoft. But the Apply TV isn't and the upcoming iTV doesn't sound like it's in the league of Microsoft's Media Center.



    I've always said without the ability to record TV or other shows AppleTV wasn't very compelling. TiVo was/is far more so. Don't get me wrong, I think the AppleTV is cool as a distribution unit for the price it really should have had recording ability.
  • Reply 9 of 258
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,757member
    Believe it.
  • Reply 10 of 258
    This "change everything" idea is a bit out there. I mean the iPad didn't "change everything." What it did is define the tablet "PC." But the AppleTV doesn't have the ability to kill cable/satellite or any such thing. As long as it requires connectivity someone's going to make money in addition to Apple. In fact, more so unless you account for ads on the thing.
  • Reply 11 of 258
    timuscatimusca Posts: 123member
    I've been a hardcore TiVo user for many years. I want the new iTV so bad, I REALLY do. But unless the thing has a tuner in it so I can record OTA (I don't have cable), I won't be getting one. I'm only willing to replace my TiVo, but in order to do that, I need to have a DVR!
  • Reply 12 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cinemagic;


    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it. Unless the iTV has a tuner and capable of connection to cable or off the air TV, it's not going to be mainstream. Why pay ABC, NBC or CBS for access through iTV when you can get it for free off the air? Same for the rest of the programming. Cable and satellite do it better and probably cheaper. This is one area where Microsoft is far superior. Their Media Center is where it's at. My Media Center can connect to off the air, cable, satellite, DVD, Blu-Ray or Internet sources. It's got a built in DVR as well for all those sources. iTV is simply an iTunes pay per view (or subscription) box. Even if some programmers utilize advertising as a revenue stream instead of subscription fees, we'll see how long that lasts. I love Apple products and own quite a few. I find Apple OS far superior to Microsoft. But the Apply TV isn't and the upcoming iTV doesn't sound like it's in the league of Microsoft's Media Center.



    Anyone that starts with the phrase "Steve Jobs still doesn't get it clearly still doesn't get it. If only he'd listened to the critics of the iPad, the iPhone, the iMac, the iPod, they'd all be successful today!



    As for Kevin Rose well excuse me but couldn't anyone have made those same predictions? Hope he's right though...
  • Reply 13 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cinemagic View Post


    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it.



    Maybe you ought to start your own company since you obviously are much more savvy than Steve at creating new markets, industries and products.
  • Reply 14 of 258
    postulantpostulant Posts: 1,272member
    Man, I can't wait to see what RealRacing HD and Madden NFL look like on my Samsung.
  • Reply 15 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cinemagic View Post


    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it.



    Yeah. Apple is doomed!™

  • Reply 16 of 258
    aplnubaplnub Posts: 2,605member
    The part about the new iTV OS, the new OS using the iPad as a remote, all makes sense why the 4.0 OS for the iPad was delayed.
  • Reply 17 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by aplnub View Post


    What is the chance that existing AppleTV owners get the software update?



    Good question. I truly hope there will be backwards compatibility.



    I would love to consign my (1st gen, 40GB, and worth every penny I paid for it) @TV to the basement.
  • Reply 18 of 258
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by lepton View Post


    My set of predictions for Apple TV this year have included: Looks like the Apple TV case. Has an HDMI out and an HDNI in. You connect it between your current cable box and the TV - it passes everything through. However, it can overlay its own video on top of the video. The CPU is A4 or better, the OS is iOS 4.1 or better. I expect ethernet and WiFi.



    It can run all apps that run on the iPad, but new apps will be able to do video out with transparency, letting developers make apps that look like tickers across the video screen, widgets, and so on. Apps may also have access to video info such as the program info, closed captions, and audio.



    What I don't see: Apple selling a complete TV; A TV tuner in the device; the ability to record video.



    What I could imagine: An IR blaster for controlling the TV and/or the cable box; An IR receiver that apps can see so a remote can control the device and apps; Apps for iPhone and iPad that control the device.





    Now that I'd buy. Something that could work WITH my existing TV service. I can see the possibilities. Especially if can be smart enough to know what I'm viewing and can be an adjunct to it. Of course I'd also like to be able to use it as a stand-alone device too.
  • Reply 19 of 258
    sflocalsflocal Posts: 6,092member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Cinemagic View Post


    Steve Jobs still doesn't get it. Unless the iTV has a tuner and capable of connection to cable or off the air TV, it's not going to be mainstream. Why pay ABC, NBC or CBS for access through iTV when you can get it for free off the air? Same for the rest of the programming. Cable and satellite do it better and probably cheaper. This is one area where Microsoft is far superior. Their Media Center is where it's at. My Media Center can connect to off the air, cable, satellite, DVD, Blu-Ray or Internet sources. It's got a built in DVR as well for all those sources. iTV is simply an iTunes pay per view (or subscription) box. Even if some programmers utilize advertising as a revenue stream instead of subscription fees, we'll see how long that lasts. I love Apple products and own quite a few. I find Apple OS far superior to Microsoft. But the Apply TV isn't and the upcoming iTV doesn't sound like it's in the league of Microsoft's Media Center.



    Why pay extra for the additional electronics and possible headaches that go with TV tuners? You can buy a separate tuner already.



    So you go wait by the phone. I'm sure Steve Jobs is looking for someone just like you that does "get it". Does phone service work in your basement?
  • Reply 20 of 258
    If I can subscribe to just the networks I like for less money I'm golden.
Sign In or Register to comment.