CNN: Apple to start making TVs, report says

[Pliablemoose]

I remember when I first heard that Apple was making a phone.

I lol'd.

Yep..

 

[ultimatebob]

I remember when I first heard that Apple was making a phone.

I lol'd.

Yeah, but even the first Apple iPhone was slow and overpriced. It wasn't until the iPhone 3G came out until they really got popular.

If Apple tries asking $1,900 for a something like a 42" LED backlit LCD TV with an Apple TV built into it, they're going to get a painful reality check.

 

[MotionMan]

Nah. Too much function would spoil the design. It'd have one Apple iConnector, and if you want HDMI, pony up $85 for the iConnector to HDMI adapter.

Thunderbolt.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

I honestly don't think apple would actually go into this unless they felt they could revolutionize the market in some way. I think they learned enough from AppleTV that they in fact can't just slap the apple logo on something and have it sell like hotcakes. I'd expect to see either a revolutionary display technology or (more likely) very clever integration with other devices. Imagine being able to use your TV as a second display for your an iphone/pod/pad, or other forms of integration.

This makes me think of the mysterious offers made on Hulu

How about wireless TV? Except for the power cord, they could build in an AppleTV, with wireless, and, other than live TV, you can watch TV without wires. And you could match it with a bluetooth 5.1 speaker system...

Hmmmm.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

Yeah, but even the first Apple iPhone was slow and overpriced. It wasn't until the iPhone 3G came out until they really got popular.

Really? I am not sure I remember it quite like that. Links?

MotionMan

 

[TuxDave]

Yeah, but even the first Apple iPhone was slow and overpriced. It wasn't until the iPhone 3G came out until they really got popular.

It sold as fast as the Motorola Droid did when it got released. So I guess you can call that slow if you ignore the fact that smartphones weren't as high in demand as they are now.

 

[HaukSwe]

Apple looked at the varied heap of crap that was CD & MP3 players and made the iPod.

Then the varied heap of crap that was dumb phones (including the "smart" ones and made the iPhone.

They're about the rape the TV makers as well with all their BS, answer me this: How many models does samsung and philips have (The UGH2bRRxzY812-Z you say?)? If you answer "fuck loads" you're right.

Give me a major innovation or model that's stood out in the last year...

Apple will make this choice so nice and easy for anyone with a bit of premium dollar to spend that they won't even think 5 seconds about which TV to buy - it's not going to be revolutionary just very good, nice looking and simple...

 

[alent1234]

but how else are TV makers supposed to make slightly different models for different retailers so the idiots on fatwallet think they are getting a deal when some model is hyped at $50 less or whatever?

 

[alent1234]

Considering there are only really 5 actual manufacturers of LCD panels in the entire world, they'll just repackage one and sell it for twice as much. And people will buy it because there is an apple sign on it.

1. LG/Philips
2. Samsung
3. AU Optronics
4. CheMei
5. CPT/CMO/Innolux

just like half the android phones are more expensive when you figure in the rest of the features iphones have. it was funny for 5 minutes when i plugged my HTC Inspire into my honda's USB port and it didn't work

 

[Zaap]

^ None of that makes sense.

You would need an actual iPod adapter, not a USB port. Meanwhile, a $5 USB stick would work.

Also, an Android phone would work either in USB host mode or Bluetooth and play from the SD card.

 

[Zaap]

Give me a major innovation or model that's stood out in the last year...

What major innovation or model has stood out in Bluray players? Stereo systems? Washer/Dryer units? Toaster ovens?

Better question: what major innovation or model does anyone actually need in a device that's been around for 60 years, so long as there are tons of choices of major electronic appliances that work well to choose from? What do we need exactly that isn't on the market already? Super 4D iDisplay? 7000080p so we can watch 720p iSource material?

Not that Apple wouldn't be able to make a nice (albeit probably overpriced as mentioned) TV, it's just that once again every one else would soon get sick of hearing from all the fanbois how no one else can possibly make a TV that shows a nice picture and entertains its owner. I'm giving another *BIG YAWN* to that noise before it ever comes to that.

 

[alent1234]

^ None of that makes sense.

You would need an actual iPod adapter, not a USB port. Meanwhile, a $5 USB stick would work.

Also, an Android phone would work either in USB host mode or Bluetooth and play from the SD card.

so i can't play slacker radio from my android phone like i can my iphone?

my honda cr-v has a USB port in the glove compartment. it takes idevices, zune and USB sticks and will let me control my ipad music playback from the car radio. doesn't work the same way with my HTC Inspire. actually it just doesn't work at all with it

no bluetooth in my car, didn't feel like paying the $2000 for the Nav/BT package

 

[alent1234]

What major innovation or model has stood out in Bluray players? Stereo systems? Washer/Dryer units? Toaster ovens?

Better question: what major innovation or model does anyone actually need in a device that's been around for 60 years, so long as there are tons of choices of major electronic appliances that work well to choose from? What do we need exactly that isn't on the market already? Super 4D iDisplay? 7000080p so we can watch 720p iSource material?

Not that Apple wouldn't be able to make a nice (albeit probably overpriced as mentioned) TV, it's just that once again every one else would soon get sick of hearing from all the fanbois how no one else can possibly make a TV that shows a nice picture and entertains its owner. I'm giving another *BIG YAWN* to that noise before it ever comes to that.

internet access

my father in law has one of them internet enabled TV's but no blu ray. so when i come over i can turn on netflix for my kids

 

[Zaap]

so i can't play slacker radio from my android phone like i can my iphone?

Well you could via Aux. Granted, the iPhone does have a lot better vehicle options for direct control.

my honda cr-v has a USB port in the glove compartment. it takes idevices, zune and USB sticks and will let me control my ipad music playback from the car radio. doesn't work the same way with my HTC Inspire. actually it just doesn't work at all with it

Not sure why. My DroidX works just fine via USB connection in the car.

 

[Zaap]

internet access

my father in law has one of them internet enabled TV's but no blu ray. so when i come over i can turn on netflix for my kids

So internet access is an innovation that's stood out in the last year on some particular model of TV?

Basically, I'd love to see a list of these needed 'innovations' that we need Apple to make TVs in order to get, that no one else seems able to make. I can think of one:

iThink.

I don't want to have to have any external remote/controller/keyboard etc, just think commands and have the TV respond: "Turn on and show me channel 899!" *done* "Open internet, go to www.whatever.com" *done*

Now that would be a worthy innovation! Get on it Apple!

 

[MotionMan]

So internet access is an innovation that's stood out in the last year on some particular model of TV?

Basically, I'd love to see a list of these needed 'innovations' that we need Apple to make TVs in order to get, that no one else seems able to make. I can think of one:

iThink.

I don't want to have to have any external remote/controller/keyboard etc, just think commands and have the TV respond: "Turn on and show me channel 899!" *done* "Open internet, go to www.whatever.com" *done*

Now that would be a worthy innovation! Get on it Apple!

It just seems that, at least recently, Apple has been able to take ideas that have existed for a while or are commonly know, and make them work for the unwashed masses just enough to become hugely popular.

Somehow, some people see that as a negative.

MotionMan

 

[endlessmike133]

What major innovation or model has stood out in Bluray players? Stereo systems? Washer/Dryer units? Toaster ovens?

Better question: what major innovation or model does anyone actually need in a device that's been around for 60 years, so long as there are tons of choices of major electronic appliances that work well to choose from? What do we need exactly that isn't on the market already? Super 4D iDisplay? 7000080p so we can watch 720p iSource material?

Not that Apple wouldn't be able to make a nice (albeit probably overpriced as mentioned) TV, it's just that once again every one else would soon get sick of hearing from all the fanbois how no one else can possibly make a TV that shows a nice picture and entertains its owner. I'm giving another *BIG YAWN* to that noise before it ever comes to that.

lawls.

"What else do we need to do on our phone? All we need to do is make calls, not listen to teh musics and surf teh webz!!!!"

 

[Zaap]

^ In other words he can't answer the question without revealing himself a typical know-nothing fanboi.

 

[Zaap]

It just seems that, at least recently, Apple has been able to take ideas that have existed for a while or are commonly know, and make them work for the unwashed masses just enough to become hugely popular.

Somehow, some people see that as a negative.

MotionMan

It's not a negative. It just doesn't apply to TVs.

There was plenty of room for improvement in MP3 players, smartphones and tablets before Apple's take on them. Someone needs to answer the question what Apple can actually add to TV technology that isn't already done well. Still waiting.

 

[MotionMan]

It's not a negative. It just doesn't apply to TVs.

There was plenty of room for improvement in MP3 players, smartphones and tablets before Apple's take on them. Someone needs to answer the question what Apple can actually add to TV technology that isn't already done well. Still waiting.

You use to be able to turn on a TV and watch a show. Now you need an engineering degree (or a pre-teen child) and a universal/Harmony remote in order to simply watch TV.

When it comes time to switch to the VCR(!)/DVD/BluRay/HTPC/AppleTV, then all hell can break loose for the average person.

Apple needs to do what Apple does best - make it easy for average people to do things with their TVs that are too complicated for them to do now.

MotionMan

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

It's not a negative. It just doesn't apply to TVs.

There was plenty of room for improvement in MP3 players, smartphones and tablets before Apple's take on them. Someone needs to answer the question what Apple can actually add to TV technology that isn't already done well. Still waiting.

I don't really see a need for Apple to do their own TV. I think the Apple TV is better and gives you the ability to choose whatever TV you wanted. However, I do see why people would want an actual Apple television. It would most likely be something with the Apple TV built in and all the menus and everything is integrated.

I personally rather see more Apple monitors (larger sizes).

 

[Zaap]

Apple needs to do what Apple does best - make it easy for average people to do things with their TVs that are too complicated for them to do now.

So far it's sounding like some kind of Google TV crap. And so far, I've seen no evidence that Apple really understands home entertainment as well as many other companies, the Apple TV being an example. It's ok for what it is, but a game changer? Hardly.

 

[MotionMan]

So far it's sounding like some kind of Google TV crap. And so far, I've seen no evidence that Apple really understands home entertainment as well as many other companies, the Apple TV being an example. It's ok for what it is, but a game changer? Hardly.

Agreed. Jobs always called the AppleTV a "project" (or something dismissive like that), but I have to think that Apple has learned a lot from the dipping of their toes in the HTPC market.

I am not sure I would bet against Apple if they decided to make a TV.

MotionMan

 

[TheStu]

It's not a negative. It just doesn't apply to TVs.

There was plenty of room for improvement in MP3 players, smartphones and tablets before Apple's take on them. Someone needs to answer the question what Apple can actually add to TV technology that isn't already done well. Still waiting.

With the basic concept of a TV, pretty much nothing. It is a dumb display that shows content, aside from spec bumps (better backlighting or viewing angles or resolution) there isn't a whole lot to do there.

Something that Apple could do, whether or not it is feasible doesn't matter, it is something that they could do that few others could, would be a complete bottom up rethink and redesign of how we get content and interact with said content on those systems. Imagine an Apple designed cable box, one that is easy to use, and doesn't blow. Integrated into the rest of the ecosystem, you could take that same content and watch it on any iDevice (remember that post-iCloud that includes your iMac/MacBook now). It isn't about building an AppleTV into an Apple TV, it would be about a complete overhaul of the cable industry, not unlike how they changed the music and cellular industries.

More digital sales of music, more buying songs instead of albums, and the slow abolishing of DRM on their music. For the cellular industry, they have helped to take at least some of the power away from the carriers, and made the updating process so much easier. Plus the explosion of data use that (hopefully) will lead to more positive change for the customers.

I don't think that they will do it though. Cable seems to be entrenched in a way that not even cell phones were, with just one provider in a lot of areas, and best case scenario, maybe 2-3 in highly populated areas.

 

[Zaap]

I don't really see a need for Apple to do their own TV. I think the Apple TV is better and gives you the ability to choose whatever TV you wanted. However, I do see why people would want an actual Apple television. It would most likely be something with the Apple TV built in and all the menus and everything is integrated.

I personally rather see more Apple monitors (larger sizes).

I just don't get where bundling the ATV in a TV is any kind of 'innovation' unless they serious rethink the whole thing. (The current ATV is only impressive for its size, not much else vs. a gazillion other devices that do the same thing and more just as well or better).


The only real innovation I'd like to see Apple or anyone else do with TVs and monitors is make them with absolutely zero outer bezel. Just nothing but wall-to-wall picture.

And using multiple monitors would be even better without useless bezel space between them. That's truly the future.