Apple’s vision for a set-top box blurs the distinction between live and on-demand videos. Apple reportedly plans to build a new device that replaces its current Apple TV and blends live and on-demand content. The Wall Street Journal, following up on a report yesterday, said today that the new set-top box from the Cupertino, Calif. -based tech giant will simplify how we access and view TV content. Apple is in talks with cable companies to allow consumers to use Apple TV as their main set-top box and use it to view TV shows stored on the Internet.
One cool feature is reportedly similar to Time Warner Cable’s Start Over. It will allow someone to start watching a show from the beginning, even if it has just begun playing at its scheduled time. The device is expected to have a user interface resembling the navigation icons on Apple’s iPad. It is reportedly in talks with Time Warner Cable as well as other entertainment companies that own their own TV content. Apple Plans To Simplify TV With Internet Live Streaming, iPad-Like Interface, Social Integration [Report. Yesterday The Wall Street Journal shed some light on Apple’s future plans for the TV, noting that the company was in talks with cable providers to offer live broadcasts through an Apple set-top box. The report also alluded to the possibility of an Apple-branded HDTV. Tonight The Journal published a follow-up report that adds more details to yesterday’s story, including the not-so-surprising revelation that Apple wants to greatly simplify the overall TV viewing experience.
According to the report: Apple’s vision for a new device that can be used as a set-top box includes features designed to simplify accessing and viewing programming and erase the distinction between live and on-demand content, people briefed on Apple’s plans said.The Cupertino, California-based company proposes giving viewers the ability to start any show at any time through a digital-video recorder that would store TV shows on the Internet. Viewers even could start a show minutes after it has begun. Apple TV Is More Than Just A Hobby, Says CEO Tim Cook. During his interview at the D10 conference today, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked point blank by Kara Swisher about how Apple plans to change television. He replied by praising the current set-top box Apple sells for $100. The Apple TV sold 2.8 million units last year and 2.7 million this year. “It’s an area of intense interest for us,” said Cook, “It’s not a fifth leg of the stool.
It’s not the same size as the phone or Mac or tablet business.” Walt Mossberg, co-interviewer, asked directly if Apple could just make a box and continue leaving the panel to others. The key phrase here: “control the key technology.” Tim Cook said in reply, “I agree.” In addition, Cook alluded to the fact that Steve Jobs had owned a content business (Pixar), and that Apple had learned a lot from that. Whew. But what about gaming? “I think it could be interesting,” Cook said. Source AllThingsDRelated. Apple Working With Cable Providers To Stream Live TV To The Living Room [Report.
Will the current Apple TV simply evolve, or is Apple working on something much bigger? The iPhone 5 and iPad mini sections of the rumor mill have been churning nonstop as of late, but there hasn’t been any rumors surrounding the future of the Apple TV for quite some time. Today a report sheds more light on the future of the Apple TV by noting that Apple is in talks with major cable providers to stream live television to a set-top box. According to The Wall Street Journal: Apple is in talks with some of the biggest U.S. cable operators about letting consumers use an Apple device as a set-top box for live television and other content, according to people familiar with the matter.The talks represent Apple’s most ambitious crack at infiltrating the living room after years of trying.Apple doesn’t appear to have reached a deal with any cable operators.
One obstacle may be the reluctance of operators to let Apple establish a foothold in the television business. Foxconn prepping its plants to make an Apple iTV. Apple manufacturing partner Foxconn will soon ready its plants to manufacture a television made by Apple, according to China Daily. We’ve routinely heard reports that Apple’s “iTV” will be coming to the market before the end of 2012, but now it seems momentum is moving toward reality.
In an update on company operations, Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou reportedly said the company’s plants are being prepared for Apple’s television even though development or manufacturing hasn’t yet begun. Foxconn recently entered into a joint venture with manufacturer Sharp’s Japanese factory as one of the company’s preparations. Apple’s “iTV” will most likely be a larger version of its Thunderbolt display, and will reportedly offer an aluminum build, voice control with Siri, and video calling to other Apple devices with FaceTime. Apple may also be in talks with movie channel EPIX about a streaming content deal that will be targeted at the new device. iMac photo: Apple.