Neil HughesShaw Wu of Kaufman Bros. issued a note to investors Wednesday in which he revealed that sources indicated the "biggest potential change" to the forthcoming Apple TV refresh is the move to an ARM architecture processor running the same iOS software that powers the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The current Apple TV hardware relies on an Intel x86-based chip, running a "light" version of Mac OS X and its Front Row software.
If the iPhone 4 and iPad are any indication, Apple is likely to employ its own custom A4 processor, or some variation of it. Apple began designing its own chips through the purchases of Intrinsity and PA Semi.
Wu also said that the new Apple TV, which some have said will be called the iTV, will have access to the App Store, Apple's digital software download storefront. Like the iPad, the new Apple TV could have access to the iPhone App Store, which offers about a quarter-million options for users, though such functionality is apparently not guaranteed.
"Our sources indicate there is some debate within Apple whether to allow this or not, or to have it run only Apple TV-specific apps," Wu said. "We believe the ability to run the same apps makes a lot of sense and believe this feature could be enough to drive significantly more volume for Apple TV. We find the potential to run video game apps on a TV set most intriguing, as it has been proven in the marketplace that there is (a) large market for casual gaming at inexpensive prices."
Wu did not indicate, however, how iPhone or iPad applications would run on a TV set, as those that rely on the touchscreen interface require users to interact with the images on screen. But games that rely on the accelerometer in Apple's mobile devices would likely be suited for the allegedly forthcoming set top box.
As for reports that Apple is negotiating with networks to offer 99 cent TV show rentals (reaffirmed this week by The New York Times), Wu said such an offering would benefit not only the Apple TV, but the company's entire ecosystem, including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Mac lineup.
"From our checks with supply chain and industry sources, we believe potential changes could turn Apple TV into a bigger hobby and a multi-million unit seller," the analyst wrote. "And perhaps be a precursor to a bigger effort to address the home entertainment space down the road."
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
98 Comments
Will apps be able to be written to be cross platform compatible with iTV? Might be tough with all the different resolutionsiPhone 4 - 960x640
iPhone 3g/Touch - 480x320
iPad - 1024x768
TV - 1280x720 or 1920x1080
Wu did not indicate, however, how iPhone or iPad applications would run on a TV set, as those that rely on the touchscreen interface require users to interact with the images on screen. But games that rely on the accelerometer in Apple's mobile devices would likely be suited for the allegedly forthcoming set top box.
Dont know about the accelerometer but the touch side of things would be covered by the new magic touchpad thing they recently released.
As for resolution im guessing that it will be similar to when you hook up a macbook or iphone to a TV. The resolution on the TV will change to suit. But im thinking that we wont see 1080 but some form of upscaled 720p.
So basically i can see it working but will it be enough to get the 1080p purists to agree that it is a good buy is another argument all together.
I think this is right.
Biggest news: iOS
Next Biggest: FaceTime?
Next: Aggregate streaming like PlaysOn or Boxee
Least: 99 cent TV shows
Base model with a cheap remote for iTV specific apps. Add on a Magic Trackpad or i-Device for full iOS compatibility.
iTunes TV needs a few years to become viable if ever.
A subscription option is a must. I don't think a majority of people are hip to renting a show for .99. This can get really expensive, really quick and I don't believe the people that are saying that this is cheaper than, or about the same price as, cable. If my kid watches two hours of tv a day, with her 30min shows, thats 4 shows for 30 days which is 4*30=120 *.99=$118.80, now tell me who pays this to their cable company for 60 hrs of tv a month?
As long as it does not require periodic reboot/re-powering to make it work again. After three years of use I noticed that this piece of hardware needs acting like with PC and crashing Microsoft Windows on it.
No it is not my network or ISP. I have carefully tested piece by piece nailling root cause at Apple TV exclusively. I run enough hardware in my network to have many reference points to judge which one is suspect.
Also it looks like the current hardware needs better cooling so, setting it above flat surface (e.g. on some attached rubber posts) and turning it off from time to time fixes some problems. Also running it in 720p instead of 1080p seems to resolve some hickups when playing content.Apple should really focus on quality of this device, because interface is not that bad. Apart of the store they could bring some plugin interface, but if not then few of us might hack it and start using XBMC or similar solution.