Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Foxconn Likely to Win Contract for Building Apple Television Set
Following up on yesterday's report claiming that Apple's supply chain is set to begin gearing up for the introduction of 32-inch and 37-inch television sets in 2012, Digitimes now claims to have received more information about companies likely to play roles in supplying components for the products. Among the highest-profile companies involved in the rumors is Apple's primary iOS device manufacturing partner, Foxconn, which is said to also be likely to win the contract for assembly of the television set products.Following sources' claims that Samsung Electronics and Sharp will manufacture chips and displays, respectively, for the so-called Apple "iTV," others have suggested that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) have the potential to win orders for Apple's smart TV.The report goes on to note that Apple is expected to finalize the device design by the end of the second quarter and launch the television sets by the end of the year, claims which are slightly at odds with yesterday's report citing a launch targeted for the second or third quarter.
Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) likely will obtain assembly orders for the Apple smart TV, according to industry sources.
Separately, AppleInsider and Forbes report on a new research note from Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, who suggests that Apple may be interested in disrupting the television industry on the content side by launching its own à la carte live television programming services.
"This is obviously much more complicated (than current offerings) from a licensing standpoint," Wu wrote in a note to investors on Wednesday. "And in our view, would change the game for television and give AAPL a big leg-up against the competition."Apple has been said to have developed "new technology" for delivering video content to televisions, and had previously been rumored to be expressing interest in shaking up television with "best of television" subscription packages through iTunes. Resistance from content providers had, however, forced Apple to put those plans on hold.
Hardware and technology are not the issues holding back Apple from releasing a television set, he said. Instead, Apple must negotiate unique content deals that will allow the company to differentiate its product from other televisions on the market.
Tags: digitimes.com, Apple TV Guide
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
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100 months ago
it would be funny if it's just a rumor Apple spread so other companies would copy. Then next year, boom the new $99 Apple TV box.
100 months ago
Separately, AppleInsider (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/12/28/apple_wants_to_offer_television_subscribers_customized_channel_lineups.html) and Forbes (http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2011/12/28/apple-sterne-agee-concurs-with-tv-set-speculation/) report on a new research note from Sterne Agee analyst Shaw Wu, who suggests that Apple may be interested in disrupting the television industry on the content side by launching its own à la carte live television programming services.Apple has been said to have developed "new technology" (https://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/25/apple-developing-new-technology-for-delivering-video-content/) for delivering video content to televisions, and had previously been rumored to be expressing interest in shaking up television with "best of television" (https://www.macrumors.com/2009/11/02/apple-pitching-itunes-subscriptions-to-tv-networks/) subscription packages through iTunes.
I still don't get what any of that has to do with an Apple TV Set. A set top box, that I can buy for 99$ and plug into my existing TVs would still give me Siri, would still give me iTunes content distribution, would still give me a way to control all other peripherals (CEC over HDMI already exists) and all the other stuff people can come up with.
Either Apple is just doing a dumb monitor like all other TVs or they are forsaking a ton of people that would come aboard with a 99$ set top box but won't if they have to buy a whole TV. That, or there's something all these reports, rumors and analyst still haven't pinpointed where an actual TV set makes sense.
100 months ago
I still don't get what any of that has to do with an Apple TV Set. A set top box, that I can buy for 99$ and plug into my existing TVs would still give me Siri, would still give me iTunes content distribution, would still give me a way to control all other peripherals (CEC over HDMI already exists) and all the other stuff people can come up with.
Either Apple is just doing a dumb monitor like all other TVs or they are forsaking a ton of people that would come aboard with a 99$ set top box but won't if they have to buy a whole TV. That, or there's something all these reports, rumors and analyst still haven't pinpointed where an actual TV set makes sense.
You are "spot-on" sir!
100 months ago
This is how apple comes to market? with a 32-inch TV? I'm sorry, but colour me unimpressed.
100 months ago
In all honesty, why on earth would Apple start manufacturing TV's. :apple:TV hasn't been huge success so why would "set top box built into a monitor" be any different. Anyway, all the major players in TV set business manufacture their own panels in their own factories to achieve better profit margins with attractive price point. Honestly, why would Apple want to compete in that market?
I might be totally wrong but I think Apple will never release a TV set. There will be more capable :apple:TV set top boxes but never TV sets.
I might be totally wrong but I think Apple will never release a TV set. There will be more capable :apple:TV set top boxes but never TV sets.
100 months ago
More slave labor jobs will be created too.
But you will still be here to have your cake and eat it too.
100 months ago
I don't know about this...32" and 37"...unless they are priced cheaply or they have some amazing content deal I don't see how it will work.
I have a 40" right now, so the prospective Apple TV would be a size downgrade. Probably the same for a lot of people considering you can buy a 40" 1080P TV for around $350 now.
I have a 40" right now, so the prospective Apple TV would be a size downgrade. Probably the same for a lot of people considering you can buy a 40" 1080P TV for around $350 now.
100 months ago
I wonder if Americans realize that much of the world does not demand the same size screens or spend most of their free time watching hour after hour of prerecorded video day after day.
100 months ago
I know I'd want one.
Good luck with your 32" non-3D outdated LCD TV with limited content that could turn off by saying "Siri off" instead of presing a single button then. I'll opt for my 55" Samsung 3D micro-dimmed high contrast 20th generation SmartTV with with full content provided my my cable company and Samsung apps that I can already stream my PC content to as well for the same price probably. ;) If I need to talk to something, it'll be my wife. :D
Tony
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