Apple TV (a real Apple TV)

[Pliablemoose]

Gene Munster is suggesting Apple's near 4 billion dollar investment last month is in screens for a traditional TV (in addition to the smaller screens for phones, laptops and tablets.) Munster's suggested this before, and I haven't seen it... It didn't make any sense.

Now I'm starting to agree with him, Apple hates unaesthetic component boxes lying around, a tv screen with Apple TV hardware built in would look pretty nice and provide an outlet for the content Apple sells. A set of Cambridge Soundworks size speakers and they'd have a living room/bedroom/kitchen (depending on the screen size) device, an app for iPhones/iPads/iPod Touches to make them remote controls, and you're set.

Jobs has commented on how people are accustomed to getting the set top boxes for free, and the Apple TV as a box is a difficult device to market... A traditional TV would solve that for Jobs as well...

 

[CptObvious]

I don't know...I don't really see the point for Apple, as an integrated TV product isn't really functionally different from the set-top box setup, and Apple would be late to the party with offering internet-connected TVs.

I imagine their 4 billion dollar investment was more straightforward - investing in components manufacturing to ensure their competitive edge for future iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs. Apple's been good at using their purchasing power for NAND and LCDs to delay competitors' attempts to copy their products. Still, they're probably not too happy about being so reliant on Samsung to source their major components.

 

[Patranus]

Apple should just buy Sony and be done with it.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I don't know...I don't really see the point for Apple, as an integrated TV product isn't really functionally different from the set-top box setup, and Apple would be late to the party with offering internet-connected TVs.

I imagine their 4 billion dollar investment was more straightforward - investing in components manufacturing to ensure their competitive edge for future iPhones, iPads, iPods, and Macs. Apple's been good at using their purchasing power for NAND and LCDs to delay competitors' attempts to copy their products. Still, they're probably not too happy about being so reliant on Samsung to source their major components.

Yep, Samsung just happened to be the manufacturer that made the Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy series of smartphones...

 

[Emulex]

maybe they should buy micron's share up 😉

 

[Zaap]

The day Apple becomes the gigantic, bloated, practically generic, mostly clueless multi-conglomerate like Sony or Samsung that some people imagine it becoming- just stick a fork in it. That's not to say that those conglomerates don't make some great products among the gazillion product lines they have, but really, does anyone want Apple becoming like that? Sure, let's just have Apple clock radios and washer-dryer units too. Bleh.