In a recent note to clients, Jefferies analyst Peter Misek writes that manufacturers are “scrambling” to react to claims that Apple is preparing to enter the television set market.
Based on our discussions, interestingly other TV manufacturers have begun a scrambling search to identify what iTV will be and do.
They hope to avoid the fate of other industries and manufacturers who were caught flat footed by Apple.
Misek goes on to note that “mainstream TV manufacturers are likely to be at least 6 to 12 months behind in a best-case scenario,” giving Apple a significant advantage in the marketplace if they do launch a revolutionary new product.
The report also details some rumours, suggesting that production of the Apple TV will begin in February at a Sharp factory in Sakai, launching some time in mid-2012. Previous rumors had claimed that Apple would announce its television set much later. For instance, last month The New York Times forecast that Apple would announce the product by late 2012, with it launching in early-2013.
Rumours of an Apple TV picked up considerable steam with the release of the authorized Steve Jobs biography. In the biography, author Walter Isaacson quotes Jobs saying he’d “finally cracked” the secret to building an easy-to-use television set, and said it would have “the simplest user interface you could imagine.”
A report from last month suggested that the simple user interface would be Siri, allowing users to replace remotes and standard navigation with voice commands, for instance, “What’s new this week?” and “Play the next episode of The Wire.”
Apple has not yet made any announcements regarding the rumoured TV.
[via AllThingsD]
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2 months before launch “Bell, Shaw, Telus, Rogers, Cogeco & Videotron all drop caps to 25mb on all internet tiers!
I am kidding of course, but this is great news. Maybe cable/iptv/satellite prices will drop?
haha…so true.
Apple ought to team up with Netflix and hire more lobbyists. Perhaps some marketing campaigns with Teksavvy and other TPIA. I’m sure Apple’s market here will be hindered by the big telcos and their caps.
Apple could just bribe the CRTC with iPhones too!
Apple TV already exists … Perhaps you should have titled the article “Apple Television”
Well it has to have all the features that the current apple tv box has. Add FaceTime and social fees integration.
Use your iPhone as a remote.
But I wonder if they can work out something with the cable carriers so that they can ditch their unique set top box so that customers only need an Apple Television and still get all the digital channels they have subscribed to. That would be killer!
I think Apple’s offering, should one ever be offered, will almost certainly be
LCD. It will undoubtedly be a quality set, but not up to snuff for many videophones.