AppleInsider Staff
Apple is expected to launch a refreshed Apple TV with an A7 processor in 2014, says one analyst, but major hardware additions like an "iTV" television set won't come until the end of 2015 or early 2016 at the earliest.
In a report obtained by AppleInsider, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple TV shipments have slowed markedly over the past year, likely heralding a delay for a so-called "iTV" to at least late 2015.
Kuo estimates Apple TV shipments hit only 7.6 million units during 2013, a drop of five percent year-over-year. This may indicate that Apple is having issues with integrating TV content and services, which does not bode well for the possibly launch of a connected television set.
"If Apple wants to launch iTV, the challenges of integrating content and service are more difficult considering the different TV content ecosystems (e.g. cable operators) in various countries," Kuo writes. "Moreover, establishing an iTV supply chain is very costly. Thus we believe iTV launch will be delayed to end-2015 or early 2016 at the earliest."
The analyst forecasts Apple TV shipments of 8.2 million units in 2014, but sees growth stagnating unless Apple is able to integrate additional TV content and services, as well as tie-ins with the App Store.
Apple has long been rumored to be working on a high-definition television set, though at this point all information remains speculative.
Most recently, a report from NPD DisplaySearch on Monday claimed Apple has put iTV development "on hold" as the company concentrates its efforts on wearable computers, like the "iWatch."
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27 Comments
If they'd just release an App Store so that local content providers like the BBC could get on the ATV they'd own the segment overnight. No idea what's taking them so damn long to do something so simple!
I've pretty much given up on Apple offering an elegant flat-screen TV. Mainly b/c of the C**kS**k'ng, Bl**dS**k'ng media/cable companies intransigence, (More foreskin than foresight!)
I guess I'll have to keep upgrading my ATV and buy anything but a Samsung TV.
FYI: Viewing photos on ATV is the worth the price of admission. I stream all my photos to my HDTV via ATV and my GF thinks I'm a genius! (That's worth $99 right there!)
I invite our friends over for a little din-din and have some photos of them "Ken Burns'ng" on my flat screen TV with a little light jazz in the background and they're really impressed. Especially, my Windows/PC centric friends! (Poor sods!) :)
It's like a fireplace or a really nice aquarium...just mesmerizing!
Used to be, you'd take a few photos, frame them and hang them on the wall. But, most of them ended up in a shoe box or an ugly album (to be viewed every five years or so)...then came the computer and email. But, who wants to "sit around" a computer to see photos? Ugh!
My GF and I see more of our photos via ATV than we ever have. When her Dad comes over, I make sure we show photos of him and his WWII days "shuffling."
At xmas, when her daughter comes to visit, I make sure we're streaming photos of last xmas!
It is super cool! Maybe I am a genius? :)
Best
If they'd just release an App Store so that local content providers like the BBC could get on the ATV they'd own the segment overnight.
No idea what's taking them so damn long to do something so simple!
I agree! BBC and SKY for F1....
A delay of a rumored unannounced product? Oh no!
Do nae care about some rumoured TV panel, just update the ATV puck asap, please, Apple.