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There has been a lot of speculation that Apple is going to enter the television hardware business. But according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the company is exploring other ways to infiltrate people’s living rooms around the globe. Namely, expanding the content available on its set-top box with live television and other media through partnerships with major US cable operators.
The report suggests no deals have yet been made toward that goal yet, but Apple has reportedly been in talks with Time Warner. It’s unclear exactly what the deal would entail, however -- presumably users will get the same service they do today except through Apple’s device instead of a rented generic brand box. Hopefully Apple has something else planned besides sugar coating your TV guide and adding a few bells and whistles.
If that the case it would be a far cry from initial plans -- or at least rumored plans -- of licensing content on its own and offering it to consumers a la carte or via subscriptions. On the other hand, the move would at least give Apple a firmer foothold in the market and some leeway to negotiate other deals in the future.
For the time being it seems cable and media companies are reluctant to let them in their territory, worried about ceding control the same way record labels and wireless carriers have done in the past.
Although the current plan involves’ Apple’s set-top box, the Wall Street Journal says the technology could ultimately be embedded in a television if the Cupertino company decides to finally enter the market.
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The Apple TV features a micro-USB for service only, HDMI output, optical audio output, 10/100 Ethernet. It also allows you to sign in to your Wi-Fi account and use the remote (or better yet, the free Remote app on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch) to navigate around. Last but not least, you can purchase TV shows, plus rent or purchase movies and stream in photos from your iCloud Photo Stream and Flickr.
User Comments: 4
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"Although the current plan involves? Apple?s set-top box, the Wall Street Journal says the technology could ultimately be embedded in a television if the Cupertino company decides to finally enter the market."
I don't see Apple going for this. They haven't yet supplied software without it being inside some Apple hardware. But unless they plan on offering something unique like paying for only the channels you plan to watch, I don't see why people will put up paying for another box with another remote (oh wait! Because it'll have an Apple Logo on it! Duh). Especially since the content will come over the internet like everything else that goes through my Bluray..
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RubinOnRye said:
BS, you do it for one, you do it for all.
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RubinOnRye said:"Although the current plan involves? Apple?s set-top box, the Wall Street Journal says the technology could ultimately be embedded in a television if the Cupertino company decides to finally enter the market."
I don't see Apple going for this. They haven't yet supplied software without it being inside some Apple hardware. But unless they plan on offering something unique like paying for only the channels you plan to watch, I don't see why people will put up paying for another box with another remote (oh wait! Because it'll have an Apple Logo on it! Duh). Especially since the content will come over the internet like everything else that goes through my Bluray..
Exactly!!! Except for me I built an HTPC use that.
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I really don't see this happening. The cable providers and Apple together would have to completely change CableCARD firmware to allow it to run on anything other than Windows Media Center.
I'll wait for a Ceton Q (or build my own HTPC, I dunno).
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