Rumors

Apple Interested in TV Subscription Service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 3, 2018

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..."

Apple Reportedly Launching 3 HDTV Models Next Year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 10, 2018

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?

Apple Reportedly Hires THX Founder

Cody Lee ∙ 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

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 6, 2016

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?

Cody Lee ∙ April 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?

More Analyst Claim Apple-Branded TV Set Coming

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 30, 2016

If you recall, we reported on a rumor last month that Apple was looking to turn their TV product into something more than just a hobby. Well it looks like the gossip mill is turning again as more analyst chime in on a possible TV set from the Cupertino company.

9to5Mac is reporting today that Gene Muster, of Piper Jaffray, has predicted we will indeed see a new Apple-branded television set by 2012 accompanied by a host of unique features.

Obviously Apple TV services would be built in, but he predicts it will also have DVR capibilities, live programming and television channels via iTunes, and 1080p gaming via the App Store.

The prophecies don't stop there. Analyst Peter Misek believes a Netflix-like $10 a month subscription could be in the works for future iTunes programming. He also believes that networks removing channels from iPad apps could be a clue that they are "negotiating some sort of deal with Apple."

A subscription service could be likely, considering all of the data storage Apple has acquired in the past year. They just ordered 12 Petabytes (12 million gigabytes) of storage from Isilon Systems, and let's not forget about that large data center they've been building in North Carolina.

While an Apple-branded TV doesn't seem feasible, they've certainly managed to surprise me before. I just don't see them taking a big risk with such an expensive product. Hopefully we'll get some more details at this year's WWDC.

You think we'll see an Apple TV set anytime soon?