Remote control iPad interface reportedly outlined for rumored Apple HDTV
An uncorroborated report claims to have knowledge of how Apple is planning to use the iPad with a much rumored unannounced television, saying that the tablet will run dedicated remote control apps featuring an enhanced UI.
An industry source gave a second-hand account of the tablet-as-remote functionality to Business Insider, outlining how the iPad will reportedly be used as a channel-surfing tool for an Apple television set rumored to be in development.
Despite having a somewhat dubious origin, the information is the first of its kind and offers a glimpse as to what Apple may be working on regarding the HDTV's user interface.
The source claims that the iPad will be running special apps that will allow users to scan media content through a GUI akin to that seen on the existing TiVo app and its set-box counterpart. The system is "early stage" and could be merely a working model for Apple engineers.
Specific channels are said to have their own app that displays extra content and information on the iPad in concert with regular programming. For example, while watching ESPN, dedicated app would possibly show upcoming games, provide statistics or offer show information that would otherwise clutter the HDTV's screen. Current versions of the system are said to not contain extended content as the apps have not been sufficiently developed.
An obvious concern with this system is the amount of apps that will reside on a user's iPad as current cable providers offer hundreds of channels which would each require their own software. The notion of having to launch a new app for each channel change seems cumbersome at best. Perhaps more likely would be a single remote app that change channel, pull extra content and schedule recordings.
Apple's iPad remote control interface will reportedly resemble the current TiVo app. | Source: TiVo
Development of Apple's HDTV is rumored to be well underway, though conflicting reports have yet to pinpoint a release window. Most recently Apple was reported to be in talks with Disney to bring WatchESPN content to the iPad maker's current set-top streaming device.
An industry source gave a second-hand account of the tablet-as-remote functionality to Business Insider, outlining how the iPad will reportedly be used as a channel-surfing tool for an Apple television set rumored to be in development.
Despite having a somewhat dubious origin, the information is the first of its kind and offers a glimpse as to what Apple may be working on regarding the HDTV's user interface.
The source claims that the iPad will be running special apps that will allow users to scan media content through a GUI akin to that seen on the existing TiVo app and its set-box counterpart. The system is "early stage" and could be merely a working model for Apple engineers.
Specific channels are said to have their own app that displays extra content and information on the iPad in concert with regular programming. For example, while watching ESPN, dedicated app would possibly show upcoming games, provide statistics or offer show information that would otherwise clutter the HDTV's screen. Current versions of the system are said to not contain extended content as the apps have not been sufficiently developed.
An obvious concern with this system is the amount of apps that will reside on a user's iPad as current cable providers offer hundreds of channels which would each require their own software. The notion of having to launch a new app for each channel change seems cumbersome at best. Perhaps more likely would be a single remote app that change channel, pull extra content and schedule recordings.
Apple's iPad remote control interface will reportedly resemble the current TiVo app. | Source: TiVo
Development of Apple's HDTV is rumored to be well underway, though conflicting reports have yet to pinpoint a release window. Most recently Apple was reported to be in talks with Disney to bring WatchESPN content to the iPad maker's current set-top streaming device.
Comments
O~r it's just an updated Remote app for the Apple TV.
I'd rather have a simple remote like the one they have, but with bluetooth. MUCH rather!
They will still need a dedicated hardware remote. the problem with using the remote app is the whole "waking it up and waiting for it to connect to the network" thing. This is easily 10 seconds or so every time and then when you put it back down it falls asleep and turns off in four or five seconds.
Next time you want to change channels ... wait ten seconds again. It's really not that convenient at all.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
O~r it's just an updated Remote app for the Apple TV.
What will you do if Apple does announce a TV? If they have no interest in selling a television they're sure not doing anything to dampen the speculation (like Tim Cook did with the MacBook Air/iPad convergence).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gazoobee
They will still need a dedicated hardware remote. the problem with using the remote app is the whole "waking it up and waiting for it to connect to the network" thing. This is easily 10 seconds or so every time and then when you put it back down it falls asleep and turns off in four or five seconds.
Next time you want to change channels ... wait ten seconds again. It's really not that convenient at all.
I think an iPad type remote is great when searching for things where you're typing in the name of the program. Because then you have a keypad rather than having to up/down/left/right arrow to type out a word. But just for changing channels, accessing the channel guide, or recorded programs on DVR a hardware remote makes the most sense.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
What will you do if Apple does announce a TV?
Decide that I'm not going to buy any Apple stock after all. I'd rather watch the company lose $200 billion than be on the ride as it happens.
Quote:
If they have no interest in selling a television they're sure not doing anything to dampen the speculation (like Tim Cook did with the MacBook Air/iPad convergence).
Because Apple doesn't do that. A compound AiPad is ludicrously asinine. Do you have a link to where he did that? I'm certainly not doubting you, I just don't remember when that happened.
How is scrolling through a bunch of apps harder than scrolling through a program guide one painfully slow page at a time?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
O~r it's just an updated Remote app for the Apple TV.
Yep and it's more likely to look just like the Remote app does now with perhaps a first scene that has the same buttons as the Apple TV interface. Or it might just be the Apple TV interface 100%. At least when you are using it linked to your Apple TV. You could also be using it with iTunes on your computer and then it might look like that interface.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan
What will you do if Apple does announce a TV? If they have no interest in selling a television they're sure not doing anything to dampen the speculation (like Tim Cook did with the MacBook Air/iPad convergence).
If they were to do anything it wouldn't matter cause folks would just trot out the whole "Steve Jobs said they would never put video on an iPod and then they did it a year later" to show that Cook is almost certainly lying.
I hope Steve cracked the problem of having the iPad slide down under the couch cushions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
Because Apple doesn't do that. A compound AiPad is ludicrously asinine. Do you have a link to where he did that? I'm certainly not doubting you, I just don't remember when that happened.
When asked by Richard Gardner of Citigroup whether Apple will eventually converge its iPad and MacBook Air products into a single computing device combining the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a keyboard and full desktop operating system, Cook dismissed the idea as poorly conceived.
"Anything can be forced to converge," Cook answered. "But the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs. You begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn't please anyone."
Cook quipped "you can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but you know, those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user."
Cook added, "Our view is that the tablet market is huge," noting that Apple realized this before the iPad ever went on sale, just from observing how broadly useful the tablet device was in internal testing.
"The iPad has taken off, not only in consumer [markets] in a meaningful way," Cook stated, "but in education and in enterprise, and its sort of everywhere you look now."
Additionally, "as the ecosystem gets better and better and as we double down on making great products, I think the limit here is nowhere in sight."
Cook also stated that he also sees tremendous potential for conventional systems like the MacBook Air, noting that "we continue to innovate in that product. But I do think that it appeals to someone that has a little bit different requirements.
"You wouldn't want to put these things together because you end up compromising in both and not pleasing either user. Some people will prefer to own both, and that's great too. But to make the compromise of convergence, we're not going to that party.
"Others might, from a defensive point of view particularly," Cook said, a clear dig at Microsoft's strategy of offering one converged product line under Windows 8 while advertising that it will offer 'compromise free' computing.
"We're going to play above," Cook stated.
http://www.appleinsider.com/print/12/04/24/tim_cook_says_windows_8_style_tablet_pc_convergence_wont_please_anyone.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by MacBook Pro
When asked by Richard Gardner of Citigroup whether Apple will eventually converge its iPad and MacBook Air products into a single computing device combining the portability of a tablet with the functionality of a keyboard and full desktop operating system, Cook dismissed the idea as poorly conceived.
"Anything can be forced to converge," Cook answered. "But the problem is that the products are about tradeoffs. You begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left at the end of the day doesn't please anyone."
Cook quipped "you can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but you know, those things are probably not going to be pleasing to the user."
Cook added, "Our view is that the tablet market is huge," noting that Apple realized this before the iPad ever went on sale, just from observing how broadly useful the tablet device was in internal testing.
"The iPad has taken off, not only in consumer [markets] in a meaningful way," Cook stated, "but in education and in enterprise, and its sort of everywhere you look now."
Additionally, "as the ecosystem gets better and better and as we double down on making great products, I think the limit here is nowhere in sight."
Cook also stated that he also sees tremendous potential for conventional systems like the MacBook Air, noting that "we continue to innovate in that product. But I do think that it appeals to someone that has a little bit different requirements.
"You wouldn't want to put these things together because you end up compromising in both and not pleasing either user. Some people will prefer to own both, and that's great too. But to make the compromise of convergence, we're not going to that party.
"Others might, from a defensive point of view particularly," Cook said, a clear dig at Microsoft's strategy of offering one converged product line under Windows 8 while advertising that it will offer 'compromise free' computing.
"We're going to play above," Cook stated.
http://www.appleinsider.com/print/12/04/24/tim_cook_says_windows_8_style_tablet_pc_convergence_wont_please_anyone.html
Thanks!
And that certainly shows that he didn't at all debunk anything directly. He used it as an in-company analogy, like his comment on the froaster.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
An uncorroborated report claims to have knowledge...
I'm sorry, but this differs from own uncorroborated report which claims to have knowledge that the soon-to-be-released Apple TV panel will actually come with a stylus.
The cable companies will not give up their monopolies that easily. Just look at the rumors surrounding access to Hulu being linked to a cable subscription.
Anything is possible but I just don't see it. People are already annoyed with the price of cable and think they will pay less with an a la carte approach. Good luck with that.
Google TV, Boxee Box, etc .... seem to be massive failures. Making things easier to use won't get people to buy. You need content that is trailered to the iPanel and that doesn't exist yet.
Philip
Note: By cable I mean all of the usual culprits.
Exactly what did you think all those 7.85" panels were for? It's the remote control!
I've never understood the appeal of using a phone or tablet as a remote control. With a regular remote, I pick it up, hit stop/any button I like, and I'm done. Takes a second.
With a phone/tablet, I have to pick it up, unlock it, find the remote app, wait for it to load, then touch a clunky virtual button. It's slow, cumbersome, and a big step backwards.
Nice portmanteau! (had a mind-black-out for a sec and had to look that word up. Then I came across this one:
Rinderkennzeichnungs- und Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz
Wiki
edit: Longest word in English: 189,819 letters (the protein Titin)
History has just been made!
AI have run their first article since last October mentioning the AppleTV set without mentioning how Steve Jobs had "cracked the TV control".
I've mentioned it in another thread. I think the only way Apple can deliver the content that we think they should or want is to buy Dish Network.
Otherwise dealing with the cable companies is a bag of hurt.