Tag: apple-hdtv

  • Why the Apple TV Sequel, Expected In 2014, May Now Face a Tricky Debut


    We know for sure that Apple is developing a new Apple TV. We are curious as to what new features the new tiny black box will have and when exactly it's set to be launched.

    There was the possibility that apple might have been creating its own Internet TV service as a solution to its Apple TV limited content. Bloomberg News reported that it was less probable for Apple to by-pass cable operators and gets programming rights licenses from the media companies after failed negotiations with programmers and cable operators. Apple may be looking at the next alternative which would be having cable operators like Times Warner Cable and others get the programming rights on their behalf.

    When news later came of the acquisition of Time Warner Cable by Comsat in a $45 billion deal, it seems that Apple may find a hard time getting a good deal with Comcast since Comcast has a set top box of its own. The X1 set top box may make Comsat reluctant to give up its internet TV to a market rival.

    People following Apple’s activities and new innovations have been waiting on the company to cause a storm in the TV market just like what it did with the iPod player and iTunes in the music industry. The 2007 Apple TV was last updated in 2013 and there have been news of a new AppleTV with the iOS 7 mobile software which is indicative of a new device this year.

    13 million AppleTVs have been sold according to Apple CEO even with rumors of the company reducing its plans to venture into the TV industry. They are now focusing on getting programming rights from media companies though cable providers so that they do not seem like they are competing with the companies. So for now, all eyes are on the outcome of these deals. Mostly, we look forward to what will happen with the Time Warner Cable as it seems to be the first company that Apple has approached.

  • A New Concept on How an iOS-Inspired Apple HDTV Might Look

    Many people are expecting Apple to release an Apple smart watch before a HDTV. Nevertheless, a new concept provides an interesting look at how a smart HDTV that has been inspired by the iOS might look like. The concept is attributed to Andrew Ambrosino, the designer who gave us the highly enchanting OS X 10.11 concept a few days ago.

    The Apple HDTV concept is extremely captivating, despite the hardware shortfalls. The Apple HDTV OS concept, much like the earlier OS X 10.11 concept gets a big chunk of its inspiration from the iOS 7 from Apple.
    The concept comprises of a dock for icons at the bottom part of the HDTV's screen and notifications will be appearing at the top-right corner. The HDTV also features Spotlight text field that enables searching throughout the system as well as a built in Siri for hands free control of the HDTV.

    There have also been talks of Apples interest in 4K as well as 8K displays for use in future iDevices such as iPads or Apple HDTV. However, according to Tim Cook, Apple chief executive officer new categories of products are expected to be launched in 2014. Most analysts expect this comment to mean the so called iWatch, with the Apple’s dedicated HDTV set to be launched in 2015.

  • Ming-Chi Kuo Predicts Apple HDTV Set in 2015 and A7-Powered Apple TV In 2014


    There has been a lot of speculation regarding an anticipated Apple-designed TV set this year. However, research by Ming-Chi Kuo with KGI Securities notes that the much anticipated product is not set to arrive until 2015. He however indicates that a refreshed Apple TV that is powered by its 64-bit A7 processor will instead be launched in 2014.

    This news comes after a similar report undertaken by from NPD DisplaySearch intimated that a wearable iDevice and probably the much rumored iWatch is set for release in 2014. The research noted that the Apple HDTV has been shelved until 2015.

    Apple was expected to refresh its Apple TV in October this year but this did not happen and many people were left wondering whether Apple had postponed the launch of the TV or a much more advanced TV was in the pipeline to replace the $99 set-top box.

    The Apple Tv has been receiving more channels over the past few months. In July, both Eddy Cue and Tim Cook attended the Sun Valley Conference in Utah where Liberty Media Corp Chairman John Malone was said to be in a meeting with certain attendees. This indicates that a TV product from Apple could be in the making, but nevertheless it leaves all of us in a limbo about the expected release date.

    If Kuo is right, then we could be a few years off from seeing an Apple-designed TV reach the market.

    Source: Apple TV Hacks

  • Apple’s 2014 Lineup includes iWatch and HDTV


    Apple’s media event on Oct. 22 turned into a bit of a damp squid with only some upgrades to the existing products being unveiled. However, reports indicate that Apple is ready with a new product line to be unveiled in 2014.

    According to CNET, Apple is also working on a HDTV. Apple may also release add-ons for its standalone TV set such as a Bluetooth controller and a gaming console to complement the former Apple TV.

    Apple’s upcoming products seem pretty interesting with amazing features such as bigger screens and finger print recognition. Amongst the most interesting products is the new Apple’s upcoming wearable tech. Apple is poised to release its wearable tech early next year, after Sony and Samsung released theirs and Google reportedly on its way. The much speculated iWatch is also set to be released next year as reports indicate that the company has been hiring employees on its engineering team.

    In September, Apple released the iPhone 5S and 5C models, which retained the screen size of 4 inches like their predecessors. Global smartphone leaders Samsung, Nokia and Sony are releasing smartphones with larger screens, which may provoke Apple to build their next generation iPhones with larger screens. An iPad maxi is also said to be in the lineup and is set to be accompanied by a keyboard cover.

    Images: Federico Ciccarese/Ciccarese Design

  • Displays for 4.7-Inch iPhone, Apple HDTV, Retina MacBook Air and iWatch Predicted by NPD DisplaySearch


    NPD DisplaySearch is a reputable source of supply chain chatter. They are currently making predictions on Apple’s future iOS device line up. These include the Retina MacBook air, Apple HDTV, iPhone 6 as well as the iWatch. NPD is indicating that Apple will certainly release a larger iPhone. Infact, they are of the view that Apple’s products across the board are set to have massive improvements. 

    Apple is poised to revamp almost all their displays according to NPD DisplaySearch blog. This will cut across almost every category in its product line. Apple has always had a unique way of doing things including doubling pixels and improving resolutions on its devices.

    NPD DisplaySearch believes that Apple will adopt both 5.7-inch display and 4.7-inch display for the iPhone 6. These will be running on 1080p and 720p displays. They also think that a 13 –inch iPad will be released running on oddball 2732 x 2048 resolution.

    NPD DisplaySearch also believes that a bizarre 2304 x 1440 display will be available on the new MacBook Air.

    The research company also predicts that the Apple HDTV will be a 4K set and will come in 55 inch and 65 inch varieties. As for the iWatch, they believe it will be a flexible AMOLED affair and will have a wimpy 320 x 320 display.

  • Is Apple Manufacturing an HDTV?

    Even though it’s yet an unconfirmed rumor, it’s difficult not to get excited. According to a series of Tweets from industry insiders and an upcoming report by Jeffries, Apple is currently in production on their own HDTV, to come to market in 2013.

    The Jeffries report has not yet been released, so regrettably none of the details can be confirmed. But according to an industry analyst with access to the report, Apple will partner with Verizon and AT&T to handle the service for the Apple HDTV, or iTV as it will be called.

    Customers who don’t want to change out their current cable provider will still be able to get on the Apple bandwagon. The iTV will also sell as a set-top box for Comcast and the other regional providers. Initial reports put the first iTV at a retail price of $1,250, and Apple expects to ship as many as two million units by the end of 2013.

    Of course, this isn’t the first report on an Apple HDTV to come from Jeffries. Near the beginning of the year they suggested a forthcoming product called the iPanel, at around that same price break, and that five million of the devices would be produced by the end of 2012.

    Those rumors seem to be picking up more support as the months pass. The Wall Street Journal has started discussing Apple’s HDTV release, even suggesting it would link directly to the iCloud, to allow for both live and on-demand television services.

    Time will tell if any of these rumors are true. Hopefully Apple will shed some further light on their HDTV at this fall’s new product release conference.

  • With DirecTV and Viacom at Odds, Apple HDTV Suffers

    The continuing litigation between Viacom and DirecTV reached new levels this week, as Viacom pulled all of its stations from DirecTV’s more than twenty million subscribers. For those unfortunate satellite viewers, access to some of the most popular networks in the country, including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and MTV has been denied, with no end to the blackout in sight. Viacom has also removed many of their most watched shows from DirecTV’s free online streaming service, drawing a line against internet-powered content providers.

    With the two media giants battling over internet rights and increased pricing, owners of Apple’s forthcoming HDTV service may find themselves losing out..

    Apple’s goal was to supplement their popular Apple TV service with an expanded offering, one that allows viewers to pick and choose the channels they want included in their plans. This strategy is an affront to the cable providers who really make their money through bundled plans, and refuse to come down from their previous strategies. This is the case with Viacom and DirecTV, and may keep Apple’s a la carte dreams from ever becoming a reality.

    Apple has long contended that their internet service would save consumers money over traditional cable television. But it is clear that Viacom and those other programming behemoths will price individual channels so high that private customers would end up spending far more for Apple’s HDTV service than they would for cable. The only hope is if Apple can strike direct deals with the content creators, thereby giving customers a direct line into picking and choosing their favorite shows. But as Netflix, Hulu and other internet content providers have found, traditional entertainment companies are unwilling to play ball.