Rumor: Apple Prepping a $99 Google TV Competitor
Rumor: Apple Prepping a $99 Google TV Competitor
Posted 05/29/2010 at 8:52am
| by Justin Kerr
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With the announcement of Google TV we are sure, now more than ever that the future of media lies in on demand IP TV. With just about every tech company lining up with boxes and software trying to pipe Internet content into the living room, the future promises some pretty fierce competition.
Regardless of what you think about Apple in general, they are currently in the unusual position of being the weakest player in this emerging new media category. The current $229 Apple TV with 160GB of storage is an abomination of overbearing DRM and extremely limited utility. If the rumors are correct however, an ARM based version for $99 running iPhone OS 4 might be just around the corner.
The story was first picked up by Engadget who claims that the source of the leak was "very close to Apple" and the box would even offer full 1080p streaming. It remains to be seen if consumers will ultimately warm up to the idea of an Internet appliance as a separate box, or if they will favor software solutions build into TV sets such as Google TV. If boxes are the future Apple still has its work cut out for it competing with the likes of Microsoft and Sony who sell millions of dual-purpose game consoles into households every year.
Does a revamped Apple TV stand a chance? Let us know what you think.
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AntiHero
May 31, 2010 at 11:56am
My money is 100% behind the google TV, since it won't be restricted like we all know it will be somehow because it's Apple. Now, if the AppleTV will actually support some features that google does, it would stand a chance since people tend to gravitate to Apple's aesthetic. Google will have to come up with something really good looking, and really intuitive before Apple will get pushed off the main stream, but the original AppleTV failed hard, so this could also fail. We'll see. If it has iPhone OS attached to it, then garunteed half the world will go apeshit for it. I personally think the iPhone is ok, but I prefer the widgets my android provides.
huhhuh
May 31, 2010 at 5:04am
I don't believe in any other solution then the full fledged HTPC.
I have one for over 4 years, and most of my friends and familly also.
The only problem that has to be resolved is live HD tv content.
This is still missing, but once when that is taken care of, the HTPC will rule.
Caboose
May 29, 2010 at 10:16am
The Google TV link in the article points directly back to this article...
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
mjfutures
May 29, 2010 at 9:25am
According to Apple Users, Google TV is going DOWNNN!!!
I know my $$ is on Google or any other media sharing device. I'm not a fan of Apple's restrective media policies....and I can't imagine being stuck in Apple's Controlling Environment...........
I'll keep my Dell Notebook's, Custom Gaming/Business PC's, Zune's Media Player, 360 Gaming Consoles, PS3 for Blu-Ray, and enjoy the ability to use my media on any device as many times as I wan't.
Go Apple! NOTTTTTTTT
aviaggio
May 29, 2010 at 11:39am
I don't think they're capable of producing a device that is both performance and price competitive. If the price is that low you just know it's going to be completely locked down, have 1/5th the features, and 3x the restrictions.
Peanut Fox
May 29, 2010 at 5:58pm
If it has a ARM chip that can decode 1080p decently and links you to an iTunes type store using an iTunes account. It wouldn't have to be expensive, and Apple wouldn't have to spend a ton of time designing a back end for it because it's already in place. Sure most of us don't like being tied to the iTunes format, but it's worked well for Apple in the past. I'd still prefer an HTPC, but I guess we'll see.
Caboose
June 01, 2010 at 8:15am
"and links you to an iTunes type store using an iTunes account"
Two reasons right there why I'd never want anything like this (the third being it's from Apple). iTunes is clunky and is a terrible terrible application...
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
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