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$99 Apple TV with iPhone OS Rumored to Rumble with Google TV

Details emerge regarding the next version of Apple TV.

Your living room is quickly turning into a battleground. On one side, there's Google and their upcoming Google TV platform, which we've been hearing a lot about ever since the Google I/O convention. And on the other side is Apple TV, which according to the digital detectives at Engadget, is about to shake things up in a big way. Citing un-named sources, including one "very close to Apple," they report that Steve Jobs and company have apparently been busy working on the next version of Apple TV, which they say will tie in closely with Apple's mobile infrastructure. So what can you expect?
 
For starters, the next iteration of Apple TV will be based on Apple's upcoming iPhone 4G/HD or whatever you want to call it. 
 
The hardware will sport an A4 processor and 16GB of internal storage, and be able to pump out full 1080p HD video. Early rumors say the device will be small enough to fit in your pocket, just like "an iPhone without a screen."  While 16GB doesn't sound like a lot, Apple is apparently tapping into the cloud. Users will have the option of storing content locally via Time Capsule, but the big focus here is on streaming. It's unclear at this point whether the App Store will be part of the experience, though if it isn't, we'd be shocked.
 
How this all compares to Google TV remains to be seen, especially since neither one of them have a shipping product yet, and information about Apple TV is pretty sparse so far. What we do know, however, is that Apple is usually very good at what it does, which should make things interesting given Google's ambitious plans to invade your living room. Google has already locked up a handful of hardware partners to include their platform in everything from TVs to Blu-ray players, and an app store figures to play a prominent role in the Google TV experience. One thing that could work in Apple's favor, however, is the ultra low cost of entry. If the rumors hold true, the upcoming Apple TV device will only run $99.
 
Are you looking forward to either Google TV or Apple TV? Surprised by Apple TV's rumored price point? Who do you think will win the war in your living room?
itchyeyeson May 28, 2010 at 9:55 a.m.
$99 actually sounds about right.  There's no screen, or battery, no cellular antenna.  It's basically just an ARM chip, a token amount of flash memory, a video out, and presumably WiFi.  How much can that really cost? 
  
I'm actually pretty excited for this, as I've recently decided to ditch my cable subscription.  I do have a few questions though.  First, if it's based on the iPhone OS, will there be an App store for it?  Also, hopefully Apple has plans to incorporate video delivery other than through the current iTunes model.  Subscription models seem to make a lot more sense with video than they did with audio.  Lastly, I'll be almost disappointed if there isn't some pretty cool interoperability with this thing and Apple's other iPhone OS based devices.
fwyloon May 28, 2010 at 11:27 a.m.
So I don't have Apple TV but a patent application that Engadget just posted has a huge tie in with this. 
 
Basically a Patent resume playback on another device after you've started watching it on one. 
 
Kind of a cool idea, being able to start watching something at home.  Then if you have to get up, being able to watch it on the bus on the way to work or something.
Tatum staff on May 28, 2010 at 11:28 a.m.
Honestly, I do hope they upgrade AppleTV. I think the talk of "it's just a hobby" is total smoke and mirrors to a nervous TV/Movie rights holder market afraid they will be in the same positions as the music labels. AppleTV works. It has "wife UI", which we all know is all that matters in the end. Having spent the better part of 6 hours trying to attain something close to WifeUI using a MacMini and either PLEX or Boxee, I'd gladly pay $400 for an AppleTV that does the following: 
 
  • Integrated EyeTV without having to download the PyeTV plugin. Real Apple-level support
  • Hulu/CBS Desktop integration.
  • QT support of .avi and DiVX files that are already on my machine and should just be recognized
itchyeyeson May 28, 2010 at 11:43 a.m.
@tatum said:
It has "wife UI", which we all know is all that matters in the end.  
Too true.  BTW "Wife UI" may be the best tech term I've heard in a long time.  Definitely going to become part of my vocabulary.
Phenwahon May 28, 2010 at 12:26 p.m.
I can see this happening, but not for $99. The currently-sold AppleTV is $229. The cheapest device currently running iPhone OS is an 8GB iPod Touch, which retails for $199. Apple's low-end wireless device, the Airport Express. runs for $109, and their low-end computer, the Mac Mini, retails for $599. 
 
The iPhone OS is supposed to communicate luxury, and I don't see that happening in a $99 product.
Jayrosson May 28, 2010 at 12:54 p.m.
So, will it still be tied to iTunes? 
 
No hulu, or Netflix support? 
 
Eh..
Avarixon May 28, 2010 at 1:07 p.m.
@Phenwah said:
The iPhone OS is supposed to communicate luxury, and I don't see that happening in a $99 product. "
I was under the impression is was supposed to communicate ease of use. If 100 million people will buy them, Apple doesn't care about the cost. Look at the iPad, its bargin priced.
HawkeyeGCCon May 28, 2010 at 1:50 p.m.
I'm definitely interested in google TV.  This holds no interest for me whatsoever.
MisterMouseon May 28, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.
I would want to have something greater than an iPhone OS personally
GozerTCon May 28, 2010 at 8:53 p.m.
@itchyeyes said:
" @tatum said:
It has "wife UI", which we all know is all that matters in the end.  
Too true.  BTW "Wife UI" may be the best tech term I've heard in a long time.  Definitely going to become part of my vocabulary. "

QFT!  Deffinetly adding it to my vocabularly as well. :)  
 
That said I'm actually interested in an Apple TV that does a heck of a lot more than the current one.  Though can an iPhone processor power HD media well?  Can it stream to a big old HD TV without jitters as well?  That's actually a big concern to me when I hear this.   
 
Also, if there IS an Ap store for it one has to ask, what's the interface for an iPhone without a touch interface?  I mean Apple TV only has the remote right?  So what kind of aps can you make using only a remote for interface?   
 
Finally will it come with software to stream media from my Mac?  I.e. like the PS3/Xbox does when I use PS3 Media Server. I'd love a set-top box for that and Apple designed software (i.e. it just works) for my Mac to let me stream things to it. 
dillingerton May 29, 2010 at 4 a.m.

 As for Apple TV. I have not found it a very ground breaking service to be honest. The fact Google has worked out a deal with  Sony is big! The benefits of such a deal will be something Apple will find very hard to compete with regardless of any innovation they do to their current service. 
  
Working in the AV industry I see almost every brand is compared to Sony when tossing up what to buy and if Sony has Google then Samsung has got to have it aswell and LG then Panasonic... Sharp. 
TheAdminon May 29, 2010 at 4:21 a.m.
I already have a box that's connected to my TV that plays DVDs, netflix, video games, and more... my Xbox. I don't really need another box to connect to a service which I would have to pay for more content. 
 
I'm not interested in Google TV because it can't skip ads. I just want to pay for the content I watch. I just want more streaming content for Netflix and I'll be happy - all I can watch, whenever, no commercials, 10 bucks. It's the greatest thing ever. 
 
These content wars really come down to greed on the content providers side. They want to still make millions of dollars for everything they make. That works when you control the delivery method to create artificial demand - but not when you have to make the content easily accessible.   
RCFinleyon June 1, 2010 at 11:03 a.m.
As I said in my comment on the Google TV post, I'm quite happy with what my PS3 can do in conjunction with PlayOn in terms of streaming internet content.   I don't see anything in these rumors that really interests me.
 
Now, if anyone came up with a product that did this: 
 
  • Digital Video Recording
  • Over the Air HDTV antenna
  • Netflix, Hulu, Amazon VOD, "full boat" internet content access
Then I'd be sold.  I'd pay 500 bucks or more for something that did all that!  :)   
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