Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Apple : In Depth: Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know

Apple : In Depth: Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know

In Depth: Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know

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In Depth: Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know

Apple iTV rumours: what you need to know

We love our Apple TV, but we're not sure Apple does: the firm's more interested in getting iPads into your living room than Apple TVs under your flat screen.

It turns out that that's because Apple is thinking bigger. Much, much bigger: it wants to sell you the entire TV set, not a little box beneath it.

Apple iTV design

Forget the current hockey-puck form factor: the rumour mill is unanimous that the third generation Apple TV will be a proper TV.

The Telegraph says that "sources within the company" say that Jeff Robbin, the man who helped create the iPod, is leading the team.

Remember that hockey puck we told you to forget about two sentences ago? You might want to remember it again, because 9to5Mac has found a reference to a new Apple TV (AppleTV3,1; the current model is 2,1) in the latest build of iOS. That could indicate an upgrade to the current Apple TV before the new sets ship.

Engadget predicts an A5 processor and 1080p video.

Apple iTV specifications

Australian tech site Smarthouse says that the Apple iTV will come in three sizes, including 32" and 55" models. Sources at "a major Japanese company who are involved in manufacturing the TV" reckon the sets will have the same processor as the forthcoming iPad 3, which presumably means an Apple A6.

Smarthouse isn't usually the go-to site for Apple rumours, but its report echoes similar claims by respected Apple analyst Gene Munster, who told the recent Future of Media conference that Apple will make its TV in a range of sizes.

Apple iTV operating system

As with the current generation, the third generation Apple TV is likely to run iOS, albeit in slightly disguised form. Compatibility with other iOS devices is a given: current Apple TVs already accept video streamed via AirPlay and access shared iTunes libraries. We'll be amazed if the iTV doesn't get apps.

Apple iTV and iCloud

Steve Jobs told his biographer: "I'd like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use. It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it."

Apple iTV remote control

Munster says the iTV will come with an ordinary remote control, and will be controllable with iPhones, iPod touches and iPads, but the real remote control will be Siri.

Apple's voice recognition system will be the heart of the new Apple TV, enabling you to choose channels and control the TV's functions with voice alone. That means " the simplest user interface you could imagine" is voice.

Apple iTV programmes

While the iTV will get content from iTunes and iCloud, it's not going to be completely separate from current TV broadcasters: Munster says that you'll still need a cable TV subscription and decoder because Apple doesn't have enough content.

Apple iTV price

Gene Munster reckons that the iTV will be twice the price of a similarly sized TV.

Apple iTV release date

Most rumours predict a 2013 Apple iTV release date, but the more optimistic observers think Apple won't want to miss 2012's Christmas shopping season. The New York Times says that price, not technology, is the problem: Apple is waiting for the cost of large LCD panels to fall further before building iTVs.

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