I am more or less in the market for a new TV for the living room. I am curious to see what surprises Apple has cooked up--everybody who is proclaiming "meh!" already needs to look back at history.
Remember the surprise (and initial dismay) when the iPhone was first announced? "No keyboard? No fit and paste? Expensive as hell! Web apps??" It took us a while to get it and it took Apple a while to polish it, but now, nobody denies that Apple turned the phone world upside down.
Then came the iPad. Shock and dismay at the name, lack of ports, inability to run "real" software and such. It was hard to see what it would be good at--sure, it is a nice toy, but...
So, to everybody who says this is just going to be an expensive LCD with an AppleTV built in--I totally expect you to be wrong. I don't know what the plan is, but I expect it to be well thought out and to be part of a multi-year roll-out...
I'm still skeptical. I may buy high end TV's, but i choose the models i want and get them from the cheapest online seller, usually a 40-60% discount on MSRP. We won't see the same discounts on Apple TV's, and i'm not paying 5K or my next TV.
My bet would be on 46" as someone else mentioned. In the 40"-49" range on Crutchfield.com, 46" was the most common size (sorted by LED TVs) by more than a 2:1 margin. Of course, it depends on who'll be making the screen for Apple. LG has a 47" instead of the more common 46" size.
Since I doubt AI will cover it MS will be adding a great many channels to the Xbox 360 which really helps pull us away from the idea that the current method is set in stone *though I'm sure MS is paying lump sums the way cable and sat companies are). They are even adding Verizon's FiOS TV to the mix, though I'm not 100% certain what that means for the 360.
In any case it should mean that non-traditional distribution will be a huge part of 2012. But beware because your cable company might start doing some crazy capping, throttling, and/or price hiking if and when they experience a huge exodus of television subscribers.
My understanding is that channels on XBox require an independent subscription, thus Microsoft is simply offering you an alternative to another cable box rather than an alternative to cable. I don't believe that Microsoft XBox will be the beginning of a paradigm shift but buy-in to an already existing but not-yet-fully-realized paradigm shift from an important technology leader.
I'm still skeptical. I may buy high end TV's, but i choose the models i want and get them from the cheapest online seller, usually a 40-60% discount on MSRP. We won't see the same discounts on Apple TV's, and i'm not paying 5K or my next TV.
I used to get the free Nokia every 2 years from my cellular provider. If you told me I would be on my third $300 phone in under 4 years I would never have believed it...
(not that I am keen on dropping $5K on a TV, but those Cupertino folk know how to make us do strange things...)
It took us a while to get it and it took Apple a while to polish it, but now, nobody denies that Apple turned the phone world upside down.
My first iPhone was the 3G and is was pretty polished already back in '08. Sure, it was great when they added all those other goodies over the years, but iOS 2.x on the 3G was very polished for it's day.
My understanding is that channels on XBox require an independent subscription, thus Microsoft is simply offering you an alternative to another cable box rather than an alternative to cable. I don't believe that Microsoft XBox will be the beginning of a paradigm shift but buy-in to an already existing but not-yet-fully-realized paradigm shift from an important technology leader.
I know HBO GO does, but that doesn't mean that HBO et al. won't eventually allow subscriptions to be purchased directly from MS or Apple, completely bypassing the cable companies. In fact, I think that is the only sure fire way these companies will be able to break through this wall.
If it comes in two sizes it will be probably 42" and 55" or something like that. But there certainly won't not be a 33" iTV. These guys are talking out of their asses. I.E. pretending they have inside information when they don't. If they said "here's our prediction" that would be different, but that wouldn't bring them large flows of traffic - now would it?
Siri only currently requires Apple's servers because it's providing the sort of information that is real time, such as weather or other. However, in controlling a TV, it will be mainly used for choosing channels & content, and making adjustments, such as "Mute volume" or "Lower volume". Either way, if they can handle millions of iPhones, I am sure they can handle TVs, that are likely to sell in lesser quantities unless mind blowingly innovative.
Quote:
Originally Posted by frogbat
personally, i'd rather have an improved appleTV with mic and webcam that will give more functionality than what is offered currently but lets me choose the best panel to suit my needs.
when my current 40" lcd needs replacing, i'd prolly go for a 50+ 3d LED
also - i like streaming my content from the mac to my ps3 or my cable netbox rather than use itunes' limited file support (one of the negatives of apple's tightly knit integration)
also i doubt they will go for siri in the apple tv because the increase in sales will be such that they might over burden their servers, whereas a fully integrated tv will be like many other apple products - niche or highend allowing them to give the discerning customer an excellent experience
personally, i'd rather have an improved appleTV with mic and webcam that will give more functionality than what is offered currently but lets me choose the best panel to suit my needs.
when my current 40" lcd needs replacing, i'd prolly go for a 50+ 3d LED
also - i like streaming my content from the mac to my ps3 or my cable netbox rather than use itunes' limited file support (one of the negatives of apple's tightly knit integration)
also i doubt they will go for siri in the apple tv because the increase in sales will be such that they might over burden their servers, whereas a fully integrated tv will be like many other apple products - niche or highend allowing them to give the discerning customer an excellent experience
AGREED!!!!!
WHY should I buy an entirely new TV when Apple could just release an updated Apple TV box? Why would I use Siri? It would take longer to hold the Siri button down (as on my phone), wait for Siri to respond, have me say what I want, and then wait for Siri to process the request (over the internet)....than for me to just push a few buttons.
My guess is that the TV (whether its an actual tv or the set top box) will be at the center of the entertainment system... and everything will be controlled from there... ie it will have a port(s) that work like the ipod/iphone 30 pin port so that it can hook up to 3rd party hardware (thunderbolt?)... enabling stuff like being able to control an external set of speakers without having to configure anything... just plug in the speakers and go... it will know you have speakers because they are plugged in and send the volume adjustments to the external receiver... granted, this method will require 3rd parties to support the apple protocol obviously...
Which is why every Apple TV set will come with a combined remote and megaphone.
I know most people think the idea of an Apple TV which includes a screen is silly because the television market is cut throat and there would be little margin in it - an expensive Apple TV would likely struggle to gain much traction. But personally I think an Apple television set could make sense if it is part of a much larger (and amazing) package. 'The new Apple way of doing TV'. This would necessarily involve new content deals and integration with iCloud. The reason an Apple Television set would make sense is that nothing would better announce Apple entry into the living room. It would raise awareness and make a real statement. The media coverage it will get is HUGE.
But by itself or as a replacement of the present Apple TV it is nothing. IMO.
Apple better not be thinking that they can sell a 55" 1080p LED TV that normally goes for 2k (give or take) for $3000. They need to make it the same price or lower.
Comments
Remember the surprise (and initial dismay) when the iPhone was first announced? "No keyboard? No fit and paste? Expensive as hell! Web apps??" It took us a while to get it and it took Apple a while to polish it, but now, nobody denies that Apple turned the phone world upside down.
Then came the iPad. Shock and dismay at the name, lack of ports, inability to run "real" software and such. It was hard to see what it would be good at--sure, it is a nice toy, but...
So, to everybody who says this is just going to be an expensive LCD with an AppleTV built in--I totally expect you to be wrong. I don't know what the plan is, but I expect it to be well thought out and to be part of a multi-year roll-out...
42" stuck me as most likely.
My bet would be on 46" as someone else mentioned. In the 40"-49" range on Crutchfield.com, 46" was the most common size (sorted by LED TVs) by more than a 2:1 margin. Of course, it depends on who'll be making the screen for Apple. LG has a 47" instead of the more common 46" size.
Since I doubt AI will cover it MS will be adding a great many channels to the Xbox 360 which really helps pull us away from the idea that the current method is set in stone *though I'm sure MS is paying lump sums the way cable and sat companies are). They are even adding Verizon's FiOS TV to the mix, though I'm not 100% certain what that means for the 360.
In any case it should mean that non-traditional distribution will be a huge part of 2012. But beware because your cable company might start doing some crazy capping, throttling, and/or price hiking if and when they experience a huge exodus of television subscribers.
My understanding is that channels on XBox require an independent subscription, thus Microsoft is simply offering you an alternative to another cable box rather than an alternative to cable. I don't believe that Microsoft XBox will be the beginning of a paradigm shift but buy-in to an already existing but not-yet-fully-realized paradigm shift from an important technology leader.
I'm still skeptical. I may buy high end TV's, but i choose the models i want and get them from the cheapest online seller, usually a 40-60% discount on MSRP. We won't see the same discounts on Apple TV's, and i'm not paying 5K or my next TV.
I used to get the free Nokia every 2 years from my cellular provider. If you told me I would be on my third $300 phone in under 4 years I would never have believed it...
(not that I am keen on dropping $5K on a TV, but those Cupertino folk know how to make us do strange things...)
It took us a while to get it and it took Apple a while to polish it, but now, nobody denies that Apple turned the phone world upside down.
My first iPhone was the 3G and is was pretty polished already back in '08. Sure, it was great when they added all those other goodies over the years, but iOS 2.x on the 3G was very polished for it's day.
My understanding is that channels on XBox require an independent subscription, thus Microsoft is simply offering you an alternative to another cable box rather than an alternative to cable. I don't believe that Microsoft XBox will be the beginning of a paradigm shift but buy-in to an already existing but not-yet-fully-realized paradigm shift from an important technology leader.
I know HBO GO does, but that doesn't mean that HBO et al. won't eventually allow subscriptions to be purchased directly from MS or Apple, completely bypassing the cable companies. In fact, I think that is the only sure fire way these companies will be able to break through this wall.
When Stevo said he "cracked" how to do TV right he meant Siri to replace all but one simple Apple remote....
Since no one knows this, I highly doubt that.
If it comes in two sizes it will be probably 42" and 55" or something like that. But there certainly won't not be a 33" iTV. These guys are talking out of their asses. I.E. pretending they have inside information when they don't. If they said "here's our prediction" that would be different, but that wouldn't bring them large flows of traffic - now would it?
personally, i'd rather have an improved appleTV with mic and webcam that will give more functionality than what is offered currently but lets me choose the best panel to suit my needs.
when my current 40" lcd needs replacing, i'd prolly go for a 50+ 3d LED
also - i like streaming my content from the mac to my ps3 or my cable netbox rather than use itunes' limited file support (one of the negatives of apple's tightly knit integration)
also i doubt they will go for siri in the apple tv because the increase in sales will be such that they might over burden their servers, whereas a fully integrated tv will be like many other apple products - niche or highend allowing them to give the discerning customer an excellent experience
And in OTHER other news: When watching porn on Apple's new TV, Siri will have the voice of Ron Jeremy.
Talk about limp.
personally, i'd rather have an improved appleTV with mic and webcam that will give more functionality than what is offered currently but lets me choose the best panel to suit my needs.
when my current 40" lcd needs replacing, i'd prolly go for a 50+ 3d LED
also - i like streaming my content from the mac to my ps3 or my cable netbox rather than use itunes' limited file support (one of the negatives of apple's tightly knit integration)
also i doubt they will go for siri in the apple tv because the increase in sales will be such that they might over burden their servers, whereas a fully integrated tv will be like many other apple products - niche or highend allowing them to give the discerning customer an excellent experience
AGREED!!!!!
WHY should I buy an entirely new TV when Apple could just release an updated Apple TV box? Why would I use Siri? It would take longer to hold the Siri button down (as on my phone), wait for Siri to respond, have me say what I want, and then wait for Siri to process the request (over the internet)....than for me to just push a few buttons.
http://video.aol.com/video/a-new-inv...lay/3666431115
lol!
Siri, turn the volume down.
huh?
Siri, turn the volume down!
huh?
Which is why every Apple TV set will come with a combined remote and megaphone.
I know most people think the idea of an Apple TV which includes a screen is silly because the television market is cut throat and there would be little margin in it - an expensive Apple TV would likely struggle to gain much traction. But personally I think an Apple television set could make sense if it is part of a much larger (and amazing) package. 'The new Apple way of doing TV'. This would necessarily involve new content deals and integration with iCloud. The reason an Apple Television set would make sense is that nothing would better announce Apple entry into the living room. It would raise awareness and make a real statement. The media coverage it will get is HUGE.
But by itself or as a replacement of the present Apple TV it is nothing. IMO.
I can't believe that Apple is just going to build a std. TV. There has to be something special about it. Something you're not seeing or doing today.
Talk about limp.
Well, at least now I've learned how to operate the 'ignore' function.
http://video.aol.com/video/a-new-inv...lay/3666431115