Rumor: Upcoming Apple television sets to arrive in three sizes, including 32″ and 55″

// December 6th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Rumor: Upcoming Apple television sets to arrive in three sizes, including 32″ and 55″: “

It’s the rumors that help make life interesting.

Per Australian web blog SmartHouse, Apple’s full-fledged television set will arrive at the end of 2012 in three screen sizes, maxing out at 55 inches, a new rumor claims.

Citing sources in Japan, the web site reported this week that the new Apple television will also come in an entry-level size of 32 inches. It did not indicate exactly what screen size the third model would feature, falling somewhere between the low end with 32 inches and maximum size of 55 inches.

The report said it’s a “major Japanese company” that’s involved in manufacturing Apple’s rumored television set. Echoing previous claims, the report said that the Apple television will feature Siri integration, allowing users to control the TV set with their voice.

Powering the rumored television will be a new processor expected to debut in Apple’s third-generation iPad, which the publication said will arrive “midway through 2012.” Presumably that processor will be an “A6″ custom-built ARM-based CPU.

Apple’s anticipated high-end 55-inch model is expected to compete with “smart TVs” from established television makers like Samsung and LG. Those companies’ next-generation TV sets are expected to have new features like faster processors, a “combination of OLED display,” and “Super HD” from LG, the report said.

Rumors of an Apple television set have picked up steam since the release of the authorized biography of Steve Jobs. In that book, Jobs hinted to biographer Walter Isaacson that Apple was at work on a completely new device that would feature “the simplest user interface you could imagine.”

Reports have suggested that Apple’s anticipated television set could arrive as early as mid 2012, while others have seen Apple announcing it in late 2012 for an early 2013 sale date.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

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Speculation on Apple’s Television Set: Range of Sizes, Device Integration, Premium Pricing

// November 30th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Speculation on Apple’s Television Set: Range of Sizes, Device Integration, Premium Pricing: “Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has long been one of the strongest advocates for an Apple-branded television set, and with increasing claims of just such a product pointing to a launch as soon as the second half of next year, it seems that his persistent confidence in the idea may be panning out.

Keeping in mind that Munster does not have specific knowledge of Apple’s ultimate plans for its television sets, he does have ideas about what he thinks Apple will do with the product. Business Insider reports that he shared some of those ideas at a conference this morning, going as far as to recommend that anyone thinking of buying a TV wait until Apple shows its hand. Among Munster’s predictions:

– Full-fledged television set. Given that Apple seeks to streamline the user experience and its recognition that users don’t really want yet another set-top box, Apple will almost certainly be going for an all-in-one solution. But given that Apple does not currently offer a full suite of television content offerings, most users will likely not be able to cut ties to their cable or satellite providers. Apple’s TV will instead serve as an advanced interface that still draws upon the standard signal coming in from a cable box.

– Range of sizes and twice current pricing. Munster believes that Apple will introduce its television in a range of sizes, recognizing that customers have different needs. He also believes that Apple will price its television at approximately twice the prevailing market price of similarly-sized televisions. The price premium would cover the additional hardware and software necessary for integration with the Apple ecosystem while also preserving Apple’s high profit margins in a competitive market.

– Simplicity and Apple’s ecosystem. Aside from the rumored Siri voice-powered interface, Munster predicts that the Apple television will integrate with iOS devices and Apple’s content ecosystem for video, games, and apps, serving as another hub for digital entertainment tied into Apple. The interface will likely include a traditional remote control, but also iPad and iPhone apps for controlling the set’s features, as well as Siri voice control that seeks to remove much of the complexity of interacting with television sets. Users will simply be able to input or say “ESPN” to be taken to the sports channel rather than having to look up or remember the channel number.

In line with some of the other predictions and rumors, Munster sees the Apple television set making an introduction late next year, in time for the 2012 holiday shopping season.

Rumor: Apple television expected in mid-2012, initial production slated for February

// November 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Rumor: Apple television expected in mid-2012, initial production slated for February: “

Apple didn’t do the “Inc.” and “lifestyle company” change for nothing.

Per AppleInsider, commercial production of Apple’s anticipated television set is expected to begin in February at a Sharp plant in Japan, while competing HDTV makers are reportedly desperate to find out just what Apple plans to sell.

Jefferies analyst Peter Misek said in a note to investors this week that Apple is expected to partner with Sharp for TFT-LCD panels for its so-called “iTV.” Production is expected to begin in February at the company’s Gen 10 Sakai facility in Osaka, Japan, placing the television set in position for a mid-2012 launch.

Apple’s expected entrance into the television market is said to have sent other TV makers “scrambling” to identify what the features of the product may be.

“They hope to avoid the fate of other industries and manufacturers who were caught flat footed by Apple,” Misek wrote. “Having said that, it appears that mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario.”

TV makers are said to be looking at Android as a potential option to counter Apple’s anticipated television set. In that scenario, the television market would act much like the current smartphone landscape, with manufacturers making the hardware and Google providing the operating system.

TV makers are said to be looking to Android because they lack the software and cloud capabilities Apple already offers. Earlier reports have also suggested that Apple will implement its proprietary voice recognition service, Siri, to allow controller-free navigation and further differentiate itself from current products on the market.

Rumors of an Apple television set picked up considerable steam with the release of the authorized biography of Steve Jobs. To biographer Walter Isaacson, Jobs hinted at a completely new product that would feature “the simplest user interface you could imagine.”

In an interview published last week, Isaacson revealed that before he died, Jobs had three products he wanted to reinvent, with the television being first among them, followed by textbooks and photography. Jobs reportedly felt there was “no reason” for televisions to be as difficult to use as they currently are.

Misek’s timeframe for a mid-2012 Apple television launch is slightly more aggressive than some other rumors have suggested. For example, last month The New York Times forecast Apple to announce the product by late 2012, with it going on sale to consumers by 2013.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

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Competitors Already ‘Scrambling’ to React to Apple’s TV Plans

// November 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Competitors Already ‘Scrambling’ to React to Apple’s TV Plans: “AllThingsD reports on a new research note from Jeffries analyst Peter Misek suggesting that manufacturers are already “scrambling” to react to claims that Apple is preparing to enter the television set market. And rather than innovating on their own, competitors are reportedly focused on trying to identify what Apple will do to revolutionize the industry.

“Based on our discussions, interestingly other TV manufacturers have begun a scrambling search to identify what iTV will be and do,” says Misek. “They hope to avoid the fate of other industries and manufacturers who were caught flat footed by Apple.”

Misek notes that Sharp appears to be retooling an LCD production line to suit Apple’s needs, with mass production on the line reportedly targeted for February 2012. Such a development could put a product release sometime in the middle of the year. Previous rumors had claimed that Apple could announce its television set by late 2012 and launch the product by early 2013.

Whatever Apple’s plans are, Misek suggests that competitors will almost certainly be six to twelve months behind with their own offerings, giving Apple a significant advantage in the marketplace if it truly does offer a revolutionary new product.

Sony has been the most visible company seeking to head off Apple’s potential blockbuster entrance into the market, working to develop a “four screen” strategy across TVs, computers, tablets, and phones and investigating Web-based television services that would enable consumers to bypass traditional cable companies.

Apple has dabbled in television with its Apple TV set-top box and TV content available through the iTunes Store, but the company’s ultimate plans are said to be much more ambitious, involving actual television sets incorporating Siri functionality that premiered in the iPhone 4S. The company has also reportedly developed a “new technology” for delivering content to TV sets and has expressed interest in offering “best of TV” bundles of shows, although content providers have yet to agree to such a plan.

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Netflix uses 32% of Internet bandwidth

// October 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV, Weird or Interesting News

Netflix uses 32% of Internet bandwidth: “Despite recent troubles, Netflix is a major force on the Internet, accounting for 32.7% of peak U.S. downstream traffic, according to a new report.

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Apple Looking to Launch Siri-Enabled Television Set by 2013

// October 27th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Apple Looking to Launch Siri-Enabled Television Set by 2013: “Apple is definitely building a television set, according to Nick Bilton the New York Times. The TV, which will include extensive voice control courtesy of Siri, could be announced as soon as late 2012 with a consumer release in 2013. Bilton quotes anonymous sources saying that an Apple television is a “guaranteed product for Apple” because “Steve thinks the industry is totally broken”, which is echoed by passages in Steve Jobs’ biography.

Bilton says the project has been in the works for years, perhaps as far back as 2007 (the year the iPhone launched and the company launched the Apple TV set-top box. As far as controlling the new set:

It’s the stuff of science fiction. You sit on your couch and rather than fumble with several remotes or use hand gestures, you simply talk: “Put on the last episode of Gossip Girl.” “Play the local news headlines.” “Play some Coldplay music videos.” Siri does the rest.

Of course this experience goes beyond just playing TV shows or the local news. As the line between television programming and Web content continues to erode, a Siri-powered television would become more necessary. You aren’t going to want to flip through file folders or baskets of content, checking off what you want. Telling Siri to “play videos of cute cats falling asleep” would return an endless YouTube stream of adorable napping fur balls.

Bilton firmly believes the television is coming, but says the company “still has quite a bit of work to do on the project”, citing the physical design of the TV in particular. He also cites the expense of the display itself, though those prices are falling rapidly.

In a bid to set aside the speculation about if an Apple television is in the works, the piece finishes simply, “it is coming though. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

Apple television mockup courtesy Nick Bilton/New York Times

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Rumor: Apple creating HDTV prototypes for late 2012 launch

// October 24th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Rumor: Apple creating HDTV prototypes for late 2012 launch: “

Prior to his passing away, Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs stated that he wanted to capture the television market.

This might be the first step towards that goal.

Per AppleInsider, analyst Gene Munster with Piper Jaffray revealed in a note to investors on Monday that a source close to an Asian component supplier claimed in September that Apple was building prototype models of its rumored high-definition television set.

Munster has long been a believer that Apple will enter the television market, saying as far back as February 2009 that he believed the company was working on a major entrance into the living room. He sees Apple building an all-in-one, Internet-connected television set with access to the App Store and iTunes content.

If Apple were to launch a TV set in late 2012, he believes it would add about 3 percent to the company’s revenue in 2013. With a projected 220 million flat panel TVs to be sold in 2012, 48 percent, or 106 million, will be Internet-connected devices, and he sees Apple selling 1.4 million of those.

With the addition of iCloud and Siri voice control, Munster believes Apple is even more prepared to launch an HDTV in the coming years. With iCloud, users could access TV shows, pictures, and potentially moves, while Siri could “simplify the chore of inputting information like show titles, or actor names, into a TV.”

Munster also met with sources in Asia in January of this year, where he heard word that Apple is investing in manufacturing facilities and securing supply for LCD displays. The company is said to have invested in screen sizes of up to 50 inches for a potential television set.

Rumors of an Apple-built HDTV began to pick up steam once again last week, when it was revealed that Apple co-founder Steve Jobs told his biographer that he had “cracked’ the secret to building an integrated, easy-to-use television set. He said the device “will have the simplest user interface you could imagine.”

Apple is currently in the set-top box market with its US$99 Apple TV, but the company has famously referred to its interest in that market as a “hobby.” The Apple TV allows users to purchase content from iTunes, while new features like wireless AirPlay mirroring have been added with recent software updates.

Stay tune for additional details as they become available and if you have any features you’d love to see on an Apple-branded HDTV, let us know what they might be in the comments.

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Apple TV 4.4 update out the door, adds Photo Steam, AirPlay mirroring, other functions

// October 18th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Apple TV 4.4 update out the door, adds Photo Steam, AirPlay mirroring, other functions: “

If there’s one universal truth, it’s this: updates are nifty.

Per Mac|Life, Apple on Wednesday released iOS 4.4 for its second-generation Apple TV set top device. The update adds Photo Stream as well as new content from the National Hockey League and Wall Street Journal Live functionalities to the device. That update also provides AirPlay mirroring for wireless playback from your iOS 5 device, and can be downloaded directly from your black Apple TV.

To update your Apple TV to the latest software, go to Settings -> General -> Update Software and follow the directions.

If you’ve installed the update and have any feedback to offer, please let us know.

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Apple TV Software Update Adds Streaming of Purchased TV Shows, Vimeo Support, and More [Updated x2]

// August 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Apple TV Software Update Adds Streaming of Purchased TV Shows, Vimeo Support, and More [Updated x2]: “

A number of MacRumors readers are reporting that Apple has just pushed out a new iOS software update for the second-generation Apple TV bringing support for several new features including streaming access to purchased TV shows and support for video service Vimeo. Daring Fireball‘s John Gruber explains the TV show feature:

You can buy — not just rent but buy — new episodes directly from your Apple TV, and access and stream any TV show episodes you’ve previously purchased using your iTunes account. (I’m not quite sure if it has all episodes — but it’s showing me all the TV shows I can remember buying from iTunes.)

According to one report, however, the feature may be U.S.-only for the time being.

In addition to the purchased TV show support, the update also brings support for Vimeo video content and reportedly adds YouTube playlist support.

With the update, Apple TVs now report a software version of 4.3 (2557), while Apple’s servers refer to the update as Build 8F455 of iOS 4.3.

Update: Apple has also added TV shows to the “Purchased” sections of iTunes on both iOS and Mac/PC applications. The addition allows users to freely re-download previously-purchased TV show content in the same way that Apple enabled the feature for music alongside its iCloud announcements in early June.

Update 2: Apple has now updated its Apple TV support document with information on the two main changes included in the 4.3 update.

- TV show purchases: Purchase TV shows on Apple TV. Shows purchased on Apple TV can be re-downloaded on other iOS devices. Shows purchased on other iOS devices or with iTunes automatically show up as available to play on Apple TV.
– Vimeo: Browse and watch millions of user-uploaded videos found on the Vimeo service, for free.

Report Claims Apple TV Selling Okay, No New Hardware for Some Time

// August 2nd, 2011 // No Comments » // AppleTV

Report Claims Apple TV Selling Okay, No New Hardware for Sone Time: “

Ming-Chi Kuo, a Concord Securities analyst, is claiming via AppleInsider, that Apple shipped some 480,000 Apple TV units in Q2 of this year. This is a 70% uptick from the year-over-year quarter. This is no doubt do to the change in business model undertook when they replace to original Apple TV with the current model, which lacks a hard drive and has little on-board storage.Also in the report, Kuo makes the claim, with industry sources to back him, that there will be no new Apple TV for some time. This contradicts recent rumors and findings that suggest iOS 5 will bring full 1080p video support, with some suggesting that the current Apple TV hardware, with it’s A4 processor, may not be able to handle the load of such pixel-dense content. By extrapolation, Apple would need to release new hardware to handle to load- apparently this is not the case.

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