Apple Developing 'New Technology' for Delivering Video Content

In an article on some of the challenges facing Tim Cook as he steps into his new role as CEO at Apple, The Wall Street Journal briefly notes that Apple is in the process of developing "new technology to deliver video to televisions". The article does not elaborate on what that technology might be, but revives rumors that Apple is seeking to launch a subscription package for television content.

An immediate challenge for Mr. Cook will be to advance Apple's plans in what is expected to be a key market for growth: digital video. Apple is working on new technology to deliver video to televisions, and has been discussing whether to try to launch a subscription TV service, according to people familiar with the matter. Unlike the iPod and music, where Apple has a commanding position, the battle to rule online video remains wide open and the company faces fierce competition.

Apple has of course been pushing its AirPlay technology for streaming video from iOS devices to its Apple TV set-top box, but the report's context suggests that the technology being referred to is separate from that effort.

apple tv glee
Apple has been rumored to be interested in launching an Apple-branded television set, although many of the rumors appear to fall into the category of speculation and wishful thinking. Apple has been very careful about entering the television market, limiting itself primarily to select content offered the iTunes Store and hardware such as the Apple TV for streaming within the Apple ecosystem. The company has expressed concern over the difficult go-to-market strategy for any television offerings, citing the competitive, low-margin market for television sets and the balkanized content arrangements among media and cable companies.

Rumors of a potential "best of television" subscription package surfaced in late 2009, with Disney and CBS said to have been interested in signing on to the service. By the time the iPad launched in early 2010, those plans had apparently been put on hold due to a lack of interest from media companies.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

15 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.2

Friday December 5, 2025 9:40 am PST by
Apple is about to release iOS 26.2, the second major point update for iPhones since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least 15 notable changes and improvements worth checking out. We've rounded them up below. Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.2 to compatible devices sometime between December 8 and December 16. When the update drops, you can check Apple's servers for the ...
Intel Inside iPhone Feature

Apple's Return to Intel Rumored to Extend to iPhone

Friday December 5, 2025 10:08 am PST by
Intel is expected to begin supplying some Mac and iPad chips in a few years, and the latest rumor claims the partnership might extend to the iPhone. In a research note with investment firm GF Securities this week, obtained by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu said he and his colleagues "now expect" Intel to reach a supply deal with Apple for at least some non-pro iPhone chips starting in 2028....
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 18 Pro Leak Adds New Evidence for Under-Display Face ID

Monday December 8, 2025 4:54 am PST by
Apple is actively testing under-screen Face ID for next year's iPhone 18 Pro models using a special "spliced micro-transparent glass" window built into the display, claims a Chinese leaker. According to "Smart Pikachu," a Weibo account that has previously shared accurate supply-chain details on Chinese Android hardware, Apple is testing the special glass as a way to let the TrueDepth...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds Second iOS 26.2 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Monday December 8, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Apple today seeded the second release candidate version of iOS 26.2 to developers and public beta testers, with the software coming one week after Apple seeded the first RC. The release candidate represents the final version iOS 26.2 that will be provided to the public if no further bugs are found. Registered developers and public beta testers can download the betas from the Settings app on...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Monday December 1, 2025 2:40 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
Johny Srouji

Apple Chip Chief Johny Srouji Could Be Next to Go as Exodus Continues

Sunday December 7, 2025 10:41 am PST by
Apple's senior vice president of hardware technologies Johny Srouji could be the next leading executive to leave the company amid an alarming exodus of leading employees, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Srouji apparently recently told CEO Tim Cook that he is "seriously considering leaving" in the near future. He intends to join another company if he departs. Srouji leads Apple's chip design ...
Johny Srouji

Apple's Chipmaking Chief Johny Srouji Responds to Report About Him Potentially Leaving

Monday December 8, 2025 9:23 am PST by
Apple's chipmaking chief Johny Srouji has reportedly indicated that he plans to continue working for the company for the foreseeable future. "I love my team, and I love my job at Apple, and I don't plan on leaving anytime soon," said Srouji, in a memo obtained by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Here is Srouji's full memo, as shared by Bloomberg:I know you've been reading all kind of rumors and...
top stories 2025 12 04a

Top Stories: iOS 26.2 Coming Soon, Apple Execs Depart, and More

Saturday December 6, 2025 6:00 am PST by
You'd expect things to be starting to wind down for the holidays by now, but that doesn't seem to be the case yet in the world of Apple news, with Apple just about ready to release iOS 26.2 and other operating system updates to the public. There was also a flurry of news this week about Apple executive departures, some expected and some not so expected, while we also learned that Apple and...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...

Top Rated Comments

Icaras Avatar
187 months ago
When i can use AirPlay to stream content from my Mac as well as my iOS stuff i'll be more interested.

Late to the party, eh?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
likemyorbs Avatar
187 months ago
When i can use AirPlay to stream content from my Mac as well as my iOS stuff i'll be more interested.
You can...
I do it daily. I wouldn't have even bought an apple tv if i couldn't do that.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
likemyorbs Avatar
187 months ago
Late to the party, eh?
I guess after reading our replies he'll be more interested.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacNewsFix Avatar
186 months ago
That's a big assumption: That iPad will continue to dominate.

Perhaps smarter consumers will start buying tablets that cost less, deliver all web content to their users, and come with a Blu-Ray drive. Survival of the smartest vs. survival of the prettiest.

:apple:
You forgot something, so I provided a suggested edit. Cheers.

:apple:



How is that possible when Flash sucks on Android?
Perhaps he's referring to the runaway success of the HP TouchPad.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
*LTD* Avatar
187 months ago
No Apple Television. No need.

Interesting. Because "wants" tend to drive the industry as much as "needs." And Apple really understands wants.

There was no need for an iPhone, either. Certainly no need for an iPad, right?

Now look where we are.

https://www.macrumors.com/2010/07/20/isuppli-boosts-ipad-sales-estimates-through-2012-to-nearly-100-million/

http://goodereader.com/blog/tablet-slates/acer-reports-first-ever-quarterly-loss-blames-ipad/

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/18/hp-to-spin-off-pc-business-as-sales-stagnate/

https://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/18/apple-tops-worldwide-mobile-pc-shipments-in-q2-2011-with-ipad-included/

If Apple plans to enter the TV/Video biz, count on a more than even chance of them redefining the entire market. It's what Apple does with their major projects.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xbjllb Avatar
187 months ago
There you go again...

Apple, the company that pretends Blu-ray doesn't exist, developing "new technology" for delivering video content?

Let me guess. Black and white, broadcast through the air, and you watch it on these new-fangled things called cathode ray tubes...

...attached to wristwatch bands. And sued by Dick Tracy.

:apple:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)