Supply chain chatter claims Apple is building 4K ‘Ultra HD’ TV set

By Cody Lee on Mar 26, 2013

It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new information regarding Apple’s rumored TV project. It seems ‘iTV’ speculation has been replaced by talk of Apple’s secret plans for the smartwatch space, and its expected entry into the budget handset market.

But that changed this evening with a new report out of China, claiming that Apple has been in discussions with Foxconn over the production schedule of a TV set. And the 4K ‘Ultra HD’ television will finally land in either late 2013, or early next year… Read More

 

WSJ: Apple testing TV set designs with Asian suppliers

By Cody Lee on Dec 12, 2012

Finally, after months of listening to pundits and analysts wildly speculate on an Apple TV set, there’s actually some real evidence that it exists. Well, sort of. Citing the usual ‘people familiar with the matter,’ The Wall Street Journal is reporting that it has learned that the Cupertino company is working with component suppliers in Asia to test several TV-set designs… Read More

 

Bloomberg says no new Apple TV products in 2012

By Cody Lee on Sep 6, 2012

Despite the lack of evidence, some pundits still maintain that an Apple television set is coming. In fact, just last month analyst Peter Misek told investors that an Apple HDTV was already in production.

There’s also been some recent chatter that the company’s working with cable companies on a set-top box. But according to a new report, we won’t be seeing any new TV products from Apple this year… Read More

 

Apple’s new set-top box rumored to feature cloud DVR, social integration and more

By Cody Lee on Aug 16, 2012

Yesterday, a scoop from The Wall Street Journal sent shockwaves through the Apple community, claiming that the fruit company is now focused on building a cable receiver of sorts, rather than the long-rumored TV set.

Today, the publication added some new information to its initial report, offering up more details about the set-top box. It’s said to feature an iPad-like interface, and is designed to simplify the we access and view content… Read More

 

DisplayMate CEO on why Apple’s TV set will have a Retina display

By Cody Lee on Jul 16, 2012

Just because the rumor mill is focused on the next iPhone and iPad Mini right now, doesn’t mean it’s forgotten about the Apple television. The consensus still seems to be that the Cupertino company is working on a TV set.

The latest bit of speculation on the topic comes from DisplayMate’s Raymond Soneira. The CEO says that he believes that the rumored Apple television will feature a display with its popular Retina technology… Read More

 

Apple looking to bring WatchESPN app to Apple TV

By Cody Lee on May 15, 2012

Bloomberg is out with a new report this afternoon, claiming that Apple is in talks with Disney to bring its WatchESPN app to the Apple TV. The app, which is currently available on the iPhone and iPad, allows existing ESPN subscribers to watch sporting events on the go.

Apple TV already contains apps from the NBA, MLB, and NHL — all of which provide live broadcasts of league games to subscribers. But ESPN’s offering would feature much more rounded coverage, including basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, tennis and more… Read More

 

TV industry in ‘crisis mode’ should help iTV own premium segment

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 23, 2012

As the likes of Samsung, Panasonic and others cut costs in order to keep their struggling television-making operations in the black, Apple of California is believed to be interested in the high-end of the market, according to one industry executive.

By largely ignoring this lucrative segment of the TV set industry, existing players have already helped Apple make billions when it fills the void with a superbly designed product that doesn’t compromise on quality.

According to this industry source, the iPhone maker apparently is convinced it could rule the premium segment by selling a $2000-$3000 television set with advanced features, for an estimated $10 billion a year opportunity… Read More

 

What if Apple isn’t building a TV set?

By Cody Lee on Apr 18, 2012

Fortune ran an interesting article last night entitled “Tell me again. Why we think Apple will make a TV set?” The piece outlines the sketchy details surrounding one of the most anticipated, unannounced consumer products in recent memory: the Apple TV set.

Rumors that Apple has been working on a television have been bouncing around for years now. Started by analysts and fueled by “supply chain checks,” the speculation regarding an Apple TV has reached epic proportions. But has it all been for nothing? Read More

 

Rumor: Apple to start “iPanel” HDTV production in May

By Cody Lee on Apr 5, 2012

Barron’s, a financial arm of The Wall Street Journal’s web network, passes on an interesting report today from Jefferies & Co.’s Peter Misek. The analyst has upped his stock price target for Apple to $800 per share on the back of new information regarding a TV set.

In an investor’s note, sent out this morning, Misek said that his recent trip to China has given him “increased confidence” that Apple will be launching a TV this year. He claims, among other things, that he saw television components en route to Apple suppliers… Read More

 

Apple looking to launch subscription TV service by year’s end

By Cody Lee on Mar 1, 2012

The New York Post is reporting today that Apple is pushing ahead with plans to launch its own subscription TV service. The publication claims that Apple is looking to roll out the service by Christmas this year, despite serious push-back from major content providers.

We’ve been hearing rumors that Apple was working on its own streaming video service for over a year now, but this seems like one of the first times we’ve heard the news from a major outlet… Read More

 

Apple TV disappears from Best Buy inventory ahead of expected refresh

By Cody Lee on Feb 17, 2012

The Apple TV is in an interesting spot right now. Apple introduced the media hub, in its current form, all the way back in September of 2010. So in comparison to the company’s other iOS products, the ATV is long overdue for a refresh.

But given all of the rumors that we’ve heard that Apple is building a full blown TV set, you have to wonder if we’ll see another iteration of the set-top-box. Well whatever the next ‘Apple TV’ product is, we could see it very soon… Read More

 

Rumor: Apple TV Set Already in the Hands of Canadian ISPs

By Cody Lee on Feb 6, 2012

So this is pretty interesting. The Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, is reporting this evening that Apple is actively looking for Canadian launch partners for its rumored television set.

The report claims that the Cupertino company has recently approached both Rogers and Bell, two major Canadian carriers, about the product, and that the two operators already have the TV in their possession… Read More

 

Samsung Executive Says Apple’s Rumored TV Set is “Old News”

By Cody Lee on Jan 12, 2012

Just by looking around the showroom floor at this year’s CES, you can see that Apple’s rumored TV set has already made an impact on the industry. The electronics show is littered with voice-activated “smart” televisions, and the like.

But you wouldn’t know it by listening to Samsung’s Australian audio visual director Phillip Newton talk. The executive made some interesting comments recently in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald regarding Apple’s TV set. Read More

 

Rumor: Apple TV Set Slated for Mid-2012 Release

By Cody Lee on Dec 27, 2011

What’s that? You were just thinking that we needed more Apple TV set rumors? Well perfect, because we’ve got some for you. Digitimes has once again weighed in on Apple’s rumored television project.

Citing its all-too-familiar supply chain sources, DigiTimes is reporting that it has learned several new details about the upcoming TV set. Among those details are initial screen sizes, and even a timeframe for its release… Read More

 

Rumor: Apple Television Set for Next Year, Ranging in Sizes From 32″ to 55″

By Cody Lee on Dec 5, 2011

Analysts, investors, and tech pundits have been predicting an Apple-flavored TV set for quite some time now. It seems like everyone wants to see the company do for televisions, what it has for smartphones and tablets.

We’ve heard all kinds of gossip regarding the rumored television set — everything from integrated Siri voice control to built-in iCloud and App Store support. But this is the first time we’ve heard specific details on the hardware… Read More

 

Apple Interested in TV Subscription Service

By Cody Lee on Aug 26, 2011

In a recent article about Tim Cook, The Wall Street Journal dropped an interesting tidbit about Apple’s future plans to invade our living rooms. The article questioned if Cook was aggressive enough to muscle Apple into the TV industry.

As most of you know, Apple is rumored to be working on a television set. And there has also been ongoing speculation that it is thinking of launching its own subscription-based content service, worthy of competing against NetFlix or cable.

The Journal’s article lends some more credibility to the latter theory by confirming Apple’s interest in a “subscription TV service…” Read More

 

Apple Reportedly Launching 3 HDTV Models Next Year

By Cody Lee on Aug 1, 2011

Would you buy an Apple TV set? That’s the billion dollar question I’m sure Steve Jobs and company are asking themselves right now, as speculation continues to suggest that Apple is bringing an HDTV to market in the not-so-distant future.

While the Cupertino company has identified their interests in the TV industry as “a hobby,” there have been several reports over the last 12 months that indicate they are about to take it to the next level. So what could Apple do to make their TV set better than the competition? Read More

 

Apple Reportedly Hires THX Founder

By Cody Lee on May 4, 2011

Tech sites are buzzing today in response to an interesting tweet this morning by known tech guru Leo Laporte. The former spokesman for Tech T.V. told the Twitter world that he had heard on “good authority” that Apple has hired Tomlinson Holman to head up the company’s audio projects.

For folks who aren’t familiar with Holman’s work, just check out any THX-certified movie or stereo system. The audio pioneer developed the technology back in the early 1980′s while working at Lucasfilms. He also engineered the world’s first 10.2 surround sound system.

What could Apple want with an audio specialist of this caliber? One theory is that Apple has brought Tomlinson on board to help work on their rumored TV device. Apple’s motto has always been to make technology easier for the everyday person, what if they were looking to do that with home theatre?

Imagine a mid-sized T.V. set (24″-37″) with new LED technology and state-of-the art sound. Combine this with current Apple TV amenities like AirPlay and you have a pretty interesting concept.

Although Apple hasn’t commented on the hiring of the Lucasfilm expert, it wouldn’t be the first time they hired  a high profile employee. Apple recently hired PR executives from Activision and Nintendo, fueling speculation that they are looking to bump up their share of the gaming market. With all of these new talented editions added to their roster, it’ll be interesting to see what the Cupertino company comes up with next.

What do you think?

 

Another Patent Hints at Apple-Branded T.V. Set

By Cody Lee on Apr 25, 2011

It seems like every other day we are hearing rumors of the iPhone 5 and what it’ll look like, but not a peep on an impending refresh of the ATV2.

I guess that’s understandable considering the iPhone sold nearly 20 million units last quarter and the Apple TV is believed to have sold just under a million.

But with all the evidence mounting that Apple is looking to enter the television market, how can you not be curious as to what the folks in Cupertino are up to? They gave the mp3 player and mobile phone market a booster shot, why couldn’t they do the same for T.V. sets?

The latest patent filing uncovered by Patently Apple seems to point to an innovation to improve picture quality in LED Displays. The document describes a method of reducing color shift, a problem plaguing current LED systems.

It does this by reducing chromacity variations that cause color shifting, making the LED display brighter and clearer than ever. The patent mentions that the technology could provide superior FaceTime conferencing experiences, as well as improve photo clarity on larger displays.

The filing also notes that the innovation could be used in television sets. While the mention of a T.V. set could just be to emphasize the many possible applications of the technology, it still makes one wonder. What are those Apple engineers cooking up?

Although patents are more likely to wind up in a court room these days than consumer’s hands, it’s not hard to gather that we are going to see Apple refresh its TV line at some point. The real question is, when?

We know we are going to hear some more things about iOS 5 in June, and possible get some information on the next iPhone. Will Apple unveil a new Apple TV then , or wait until the September iPod event?

What do you think?

 

Future Apple TV to Use Laser Projection Tech?

By Cody Lee on Apr 15, 2011

Although in many cases they don’t make it to consumer products, patents kind of give us an inside look at what a company is working on. Trust me, there’s no better company to peek in on than Apple.

Their latest patent filing to make its way around the web, describes hybrid laser projection technology. Before you start thinking Star Wars, let me explain.

Apple describes the hybrid laser projection technology as a system that can be used to display images using coherent laser light as opposed to incoherent incandescent light of normal projectors.

The benefits include lower production costs and higher quality images. It also notes that combining an incoherent light source with a coherent one would consume less power and could reduce the size and complexity of light projecting systems.

How could they use this technology in their products? 9to5Mac seems to think they might be integrating it in an Apple-branded TV set. That’s not a bad prediction considering all of the recent Apple TV rumors, but I’ve got another idea.

Remember the LG Expo? It was an LG smartphone with a built-in micro projector. You could project captured and downloaded content onto any flat service, with quite a sizable viewing area.

The phone was essentially a flop but the technology was still fascinating. Now there are dozens of pico projectors on the market, many of them even compatible with Apple products.

I could definitely see Apple doing something along similar lines. They have a history of bringing innovative technology to the average person by making it simple and sexy.

Imagine an Apple TV device, much like the ATV2, that has a built-in high definition laser projector. It has outstanding battery life and content can be projected clearly on almost any surface. Maybe it even supports iOS apps and obviously AirPlay.

My head spins with the possibilities, you could have TV anywhere. You could set up multiplayer games anywhere. This would be a revolution, especially if it were priced and marketed properly, which Apple also has a knack for.

While the idea is intriguing, known projected light-obstacles like daylight and lack of available projection surfaces certainly stand in the way of it making its way to shelves anytime soon. Maybe Apple is just going to project the laser images into thin air, Minority Report-style.

What do you think?

 
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