Apple TV predictions for “It’s only rock and roll, but we like it” event
Tomorrow (September 9, 2009) is the big day… yet another Apple event.
You’ve read all the rumours, gossip and speculation:
- Oct. 2008. Apple declares the Apple TV “still a hobby in 2009″ during quarterly conference call.
- Feb. 2009. Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi sparked rumours of Apple TV becoming the digital media hub for cable TV.
- Sept. 2009. Apple CFO says cable set-top box functionality doesn’t fit with Apple’s business model
- Piper Jaffray’s senior research analyst predicts Apple TV news on September 9.
- The Loop’s Jim Dalyrymple predicts no Apple TV news on September 9.
What’s an Apple TV Junkie to expect?
Yes, I believe it will be a music-centric event. It is called ”It’s only rock and roll, but we like it”, however, the Apple TV still falls within the iPod and iTunes product lines so an update should be expected. Good or bad.
Prediction (Good): Apple TV will get a price drop and larger capacities.
Prediction (Bad): Apple TV wont receive any CPU or BluRay updgrades.
I like the idea of a TV tuner and DVR functionality for the Apple TV, however, I can’t imagine Apple distracting users away from the iTunes Store for content. The iTunes store accounts for $1 billion in revenue each quarter!
Prediction (Good): More studios and networks signing deals to release content on iTunes. Introduction of a Rhapsody-like subscription model for unlimited music.
Prediction (Good): iTunes to support the ability to re-download previously purchased movies and TV shows.
Prediction (Good): For my “one-last thing” I’ll go out on a limb and suggest announcement of an App Store for Apple TV.
Prediction (Bad): Movies and TV shows from iTunes Store will still contain digital rights management (DRM).
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to import my DVD collection so I can watch on Apple TV (maybe they’ll try to compromise with a lame DVD sharing feature from PC/Mac).
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to stream content to Apple TV from my network attached storage (NAS) devices.
Prediction (Bad): Still unable to play non H.264 content (like DivX/Xvid) on Apple TV.
As much as I love the Apple TV, the last two predictions are why I will continue to use Boxee. I fear the Apple TV is reaching the end of it’s life. Another Apple event that comes and goes without acknowledging Apple TV Junkies. Considering the crumbling of brick and mortar video rental outlets, I hope Apple can find a way to keep the Apple TV relevant and worthwhile for future Apple TV Junkies.
CommentsView Comments
View Commentsyodamac
September 8th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I agree that tomorrow's event will be iPod/iTunes music centered and I think we'll be “lucky” if the AppleTV is even mentioned.
And while I'd love to be able to subscribe to rental TV shows, I have no interest in a Rhapsody rental system for music. So my hoped for announcement would be some form of TV rentals/subscription. That's really the last piece of the puzzle missing as far as I'm concerned. Apple won't get into the Cable TV/DVR business… ever.
I'd love to squeeze out one more software update to my existing AppleTV before new hardware comes out, but if a new AppleTV box was announced – I'd buy it as soon as it's available. (assuming it was more than just increased storage since I stream everything anyways)
An AppleTV App Store might be awesome!
grega
September 8th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
When you say bigger capacities and lower price – does this mean you're predicting the delayed purchase times for 40GB AppleTV reflect it's discontinuation, and the 160GB will become the base model?
I largely agree with your predictions, unfortunately
.
However, I'd have to think Apple has an AppleTV running on ARM chips waiting in the wings. It's cheaper hardware, but they may be waiting for their own internally designed chips to be ready before they take the plunge. As such, I don't think we'll see an AppleTV App Store for an Intel AppleTV.
ps. I agree with Yodamac, that TV rentals is a critical step. (not the last piece to the puzzle, but a huge one). Good timing now too, a week before the new TV seasons start. I wonder if we'll get lucky
BrianE
September 8th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I think they'll drop the 40GB and introduce something larger than 60 GB. Not that it matters to me, I use Boxee and stream from my NAS.
@ $1.99 per episode I've purchased some TV shows with the intent of only watching it once. I'd like to see a monthly subscription to TV and movies.
gordon
September 9th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Several thoughts:
re: DVR capability – I suspect it would anger those same companies Apple has deals with to provide the shows in iTunes for $2 a pop if Apple added free ability to record. Its silly but I think Apple is placating them and choosing not to rock the boat. I doubt we'll ever see it, or if it does, that it comes late to the game.
App store to appleTV is hard to predict – the games aren't designed for that large a screen and apple would never sit side by side with something superior (all game systems even second gen PS1 would look better) ….without a full scale re-launch of the games platform and new SDK to developers – I doubt its coming any time soon. I suspect the real focus there would be tablet which is more likely to get apps.
Now that the event is over – I suspect the next focus should be Tablet since that will lead a new focus on the living room (seriously its gonna be the ultimate couch / tv watching companion) and will therefore become a natural tie in with apple TV which would likely get some sort of refresh when the thing comes out.
YodaMac
September 9th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I like he Tablet tie-in with AppleTV. Hadn't thought of that before.
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