Slash Lane
Jobs' biggest issue with modern televisions, according to Walter Isaacson, was their "complicated remote controls." In an interview with The New York Times published Friday, Isaacson revealed that Jobs said he had "licked it," as he felt there was "no reason" for TVs to be so difficult to use.
But televisions were only one of the product categories that Jobs apparently had interest in revolutionizing. Isaacson also noted that Jobs wanted to push more change with textbooks, something Apple has already begun to do with the iPad in schools, and photography, where change has been brought about by the convenience and quality of picture taking on the iPhone.
Isaacson said he chose not to go into detail about Apple's future products in his book, in particular how they might relate to the interest of Jobs in TVs, textbooks and photography. The author said he didn't feel it was fair to the company to reveal those details publicly.
Isaacson's book, which came out last month, does mention that Jobs said he felt he had "cracked" the secret to a simple HDTV. The late CEO said the television set he envisioned would have "the simplest user interface you could imagine."
That revelation has led to newfound speculation and rumors that Apple is planning to release a full-fledged television set at some point in the near future. The Times itself said last month that Apple is expected to release a TV with Siri voice recognition functionality by the year 2013.
It has also been claimed that Jeff Robin, an Apple vice president who helped to build both iTunes and the iPod, is spearheading the company's efforts to produce a connected TV. Such a device is expected to have integrated search functionality that will allow users to seamlessly find their content from a number of locations, including iTunes, Netflix or a cable subscription.
Wall Street analyst Shaw Wu with Sterne Agee also said in October that while Jobs was "very excited" about the prospect of a true Apple TV, the project remains held up by content licensing deals that the company feels are necessary to release a competitive product.
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64 Comments
Jobs' biggest issue with modern televisions, according to Walter Isaacson, was their "complicated remote controls."
My my, Ireland, it looks like you nailed it. Here comes 20 people telling you never said this. In fact, the area of remotes was my number 1 concern/reason I've had for why Apple needs to build an all-in-one TV, and has been for years. That's the whole reason for no HDMI ports on the back; to force simplicity on the situation. Not just for simplicity of set up, but for one remote, one remote, one remote.
I wish somebody would reinvent textbooks and the exorbitant prices charged schools and college students.
My my, Ireland, it looks like you nailed it.
You are just too damn clever for your own good, young man! (Even if you have to say so yourself!)
One of my favourite moments in The Osbournes (remember that?) was when Ozzy got a new top of the line plasma with a HUGE remote control.
You are just too damn clever for your own good, young man! (Even if you have to say so yourself!)
One of my favourite moments in The Osbournes (remember that?) was when Ozzy got a new top of the line plasma with a HUGE remote control.
It was a lot longer ago than that when JObs, in some interview, (before he came back to apple?) said he wanted to design the best universal remote - the Controller Of Remote Electronics. I doubt he was serious at the time, but he was complaining about the number of boxes he had to play with, just to watch a movie
I would be interested in seeing an Apple TV just to see how Apple would do it and how many people would buy one.