Expect Apple TV in 2014 Analyst Says PCWorld. Whoa. So it’s finally happening, albeit in an excruciatingly slow manner.

Apple tv set, P6233108—omoon (Flickr.com)

If that’s the case and Apple does come up with a proper widescreen TV set for its gadgets, it looks like a secret Apple Santa has been reading our wish list of Apple peripherals we’d love to see, as written in the previous post.

Think about it: it only makes sense. A gadget for a widescreen television, and no flat screen TV to go with it? The mind fairly boggles, Apple! Why wait for 2014 when a television set made expressly for existing Apple gadgets and apps will practically sell itself in the here and now. That’s two years from now…people may be viewing television programs and apps on holograms cast by their wristwatches, or via sheets water falling down their den walls instead. Kidding.

There’s a fairly logical explanation for the hemming and hawing, according to Apple insiders. The current economic crunch has dictated that launching such a luxury within the year would not be deemed appropriate, and people with existing television sets may not see any sense in upgrading or getting a new one. Plus, there’s the real concern about whether or not Apple can make a significant dent in the existing television set market. Many products are already offering innovative technology. As J.P. Morgan analyst Mark Moskowitz notes:

“We are not sure that the Apple premium could prevail in the TV market, unless there is a radical change of the user interface, integration of the TV programming and data content, and use of gesture or voice control.”

 

Fair enough. A slow but sure approach would suit Apple given today’s economy, and Apple TV is designed to be a nifty, handy, and convenient gadget for many types of widescreen television sets, anyway. So those who want matching “sets” (pun fully intended) would have to chafe a bit more.

Also, finding a way to harmonize Apple’s cleaner interface with satellite and cable television providers’ often clunky, cumbersome ones would be very much welcome. You may have the best in television innovation, but if your cable television “technology” is stuck somewhere in Wayne and Garth’s basement, then it could prove to be a very vexing viewing experience, indeed.

Perhaps between now and the much-awaited 2014 launch of its own television set, Apple can do more streamlining for this existing gadget. Say, find a way to hide or eliminate ugly cables from sticking out and making a mess all over the den or something. Or have Siri change channels or admonish viewers against potentially brain cell-damaging programs or apps, or something.

Or get cracking on those Apple TV peripherals we wrote about last time.

Apple mic, Office March 2011—GregDawson (Flickr.com)

Apple TV is fast proving itself to be a “den” favorite, meaning it can have pride of place in anybody’s relaxation space at home. Well, since we want to constantly improve our viewing and home entertainment experience, we thought of future Apple TV peripherals we’d like to go with our Apple TV device…and yes, we’re really thinking like couch potatoes (or couch apples, as potatoes and apples are both “pomme” in French, anyway) here!

A widescreen Apple TV television: Well, why not? It’s only logical that Apple will come out with its own version of an HD TV screen to better enjoy what their gadget has to offer. It’s true that the device does offer the plug and play versatility, plus the convenience to use it on any HD TV you may already have. But sometimes, we’d like a matching set. Or sets, as this list will soon prove.

An Apple TV headset. One with a mic and very clear earphones to converse with in future chat apps (hint, hint), and of course, to enjoy the music. Should also be compatible with other Apple gadgets like the iPod, iPad, and iPhone.

An Apple app that can convert any existing Apple gadget into a ‘universal’ remote control for Apple TV. Sure, it sounds lazy. But having an iPod, iPhone, and iPad turn the Apple TV on (we know it already has its own remote control, but…) and switching to different channels will only underline the gadgets’ versatility. Besides, we don’t want to fumble for the remote control when it’s wedged between couch cushions, not when we can switch channels with our iPod.

Microwavable Apple TV dinners. For the total television experience, munching on prepared dinners would be a very welcome treat. Some microwavable staples we’d love to stock up on: pizza, popcorn, fries (apple fries!), sandwiches, and soup. While we’re at it, we’d love an Apple soda and tea to keep us refreshed. And maybe a couple of Apple garden salads when we’re feeling a bit porky.

Apple Recliner. Couches are fine, but we want push-button convenience with our Apple TV. An Apple recliner can make viewing and listening much, much more comfortable than the average living room sofa or armchair. If there are docks for the Apple TV remote control and all the other peripherals we’re listing down here, so much the better for us and our gadgets.

Apple TV 3D glasses. While you can argue that 3D glasses can be DIY’d with some colored cellophane and cardboard, we want to reiterate that we’d like matching sets with our Apple TV, thank you very much. Aluminum 3D glasses would be AWESOME, especially since movie theater attendants don’t have to breathe down our backs about returning them after the movie.

The Best Apple TV Apps around Today, an article from The Glass Amulet, discusses Apple TV’s contribution to the digital revolution, and how users are reacting to what it can offer. Now, digital content from sources like You Tube, the iTunes Store, Netflix, NBA League Pass, Flickr, and NHL Game Center can be enjoyed on high-definition widescreen television.

Apple TV—billaday (Flickr.com)

As well, you can view pictures, play music, and watch videos via approved sources in the Internet. Apple TV is now on its Third Generation, with updated specs but pretty much the same look and feel as the previous Generations’.

So what are the top apps users like for Apple TV? The article mentions The Weather Channel, which is not surprising because of recent unpredictable weather and natural upheavals you would want to get a heads-up on. There is also the Discovery Channel (a regular cable TV staple, as well) for interesting information and knowledge. CNN is also an app that many people use to learn about current events and breaking news. Google Earth also makes it to the list as an alternative to road maps to get around anywhere you may be in the world.

Other favorite HD content that Apple TV users want to have an app for include FaceTime. FaceTime already works for iPhone users, but many are clamoring for an HDTV version where people can webcam-chat in comfort. For this, Apple TV needs to come up with a webcam peripheral for it, as well.

Basketball fans also express the need for an NBA Jam app for Apple TV. Again, perfectly logical. HDTV has an alluring video game appeal, after all. (In this regard, what are the odds Apple can come up with Apple popcorn and soda to complete the package?)

For homebodies and homemakers, apps where you can shop for groceries without leaving the home, such as FreshDirect, are bound to be a keeper. Business people can make do with a PowerPoint app. When viewed on HDTV instead of as a projected image or on a laptop screen, it can drastically improve the quality of business presentations.

And for music lovers, Apple TV apps should not confine itself to iTunes alone. Why not get a streaming radio app that one can listen to in the comfort and privacy of home? Snobby non-radio listeners can still get their preferred music niches if Apple packages them in such a way as to have easy options to go for, right?

Essentially an updated 2nd generation Apple TV, the 3rd generation goes from an A4 to a single-core A5 chip processor so it can support a 1080p to an HD TV. Though they look pretty much alike, the upgraded specs are expected to make a world of difference. The slender aluminum remote control that comes with each purchase is also pretty much the same as the 2nd generation’s. All the ports are in place, and offer the same functions the previous edition does.

Once plugged in, the streamlined interface becomes obvious on the TV screen. Bigger buttons make for convenient content categorization. iTunes are now available for instant download with this edition, thanks to support from Cloud. As well, a new helpful and exciting feature called Genius recommends movies you might want to watch based on past movies you have seen.

To make the most out of the third generation Apple TV, you must have at least 8 mbps in order to download 1080p files. Those with slower connections can still use this gadget, but have to adjust their video resolution to High Definition 720p.

What is still lacking in this latest edition of the Apple TV? The ability to add more channels and media options which are from non-Apple providers, for one. You also cannot run apps on it yet, just like with the previous Apple TV generation.

Hands on Apple TV software update and new UI shows how the device has upgraded to software version 5.0.

To check if your own Apple TV gadget is updated, simply go to Settings, click on General, and select Update Software to allow you to download the latest version. This will take just a couple of minutes, and your Apple TV will reboot with the latest edition.

Apple TV—bfishadow (Flickr.com)

Doing so will make navigation much, much easier because the latest software update enables you to see all the channels on the main screen. This way, you can easily navigate between badges and see all your viewing options.

You can also view your favorite channels via the auto-rotating carousel on the top of the interface.

Pretty neat, huh?

Image taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_TV

Apple TV is a product of Apple, Inc. It is a device that allows users to play digital content from different legitimate sources such as:

• iTunes
• YouTube
• Netflix
• Flickr
• NBA League Pass

and others. With this gadget, you can view content in enhanced definition using a widescreen TV.

Apple TV was released for preview in late 2006 as a 40 GB hard disk, and was available for shipping the following year. Eventually, the earlier model was replaced with a 160 GB HD. A 2nd generation version was launched in 2010. It had smaller dimensions, costing just a fraction of the price of the original version. It also allowed for streaming of rented content from online sources. This newer version did away with the hard drive altogether, but featured an 8 GB flash storage instead.

In March of this year, Apple TV once again launched a third generation version of its device. This demo of 3rd Generation Apple TV shows updates of internal specs instead of a radical change in look, function, and design. The interface is said to be sleeker and more user-friendly, and the resolution even higher.

And guess what?

There is a buzz among Apple fans that an Apple TV set is coming in 2013!

According to a CNet.com article about Apple TV, industry insiders are talking about a 50-inch Apple TV screen. A quote from Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak during a USA Today interview back in January seems to underline this endeavor:

I do expect Apple to make an attempt [to get into the TV set business], since I expect the living room to remain a center for family entertainment, and that touches on all areas of consumer products that Apple is already making.