General media outlet USA Today has offered teensy bit more information on just what can be expected from Apple’s purported – but as yet unconfirmed – connected TV offering.
Rumors have been prevalent for months now of ‘iTV’, with concepts and artist impressions aplenty. Since the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas begins just next week, many of the industry’s key companies are bracing themselves for whatever the Cupertino company may announce, hoping to avoid being left all at sea as has been the case with previous releases.
Although Siri has been something of a revelation since dropping with the iPhone 4S, and despite modders and devs exciting the techies among us by demonstrating its seemingly endless inventory of capabilities, the smartphone-based appetizer may not even come close to what the voice recognition could do for couch potatoes across the globe. The remote control, often complete with a cello-taped battery cover, could finally be ditched; a relic which has far outstayed its welcome in this digital age.
This latest report offers claims that the Tim Cook’s company will likely produce a top-end screen of at least 42 inches – seen as the norm for your regular HDTV junkie – with a 50-inch model currently being toyed with at design stage. Sir Jony Ive, is currently overseeing the entire process in his very secretive studio. One of Steve Jobs’ most entrusted minions, he worked closely with the co-founder throughout all of Apple’s recent major releases – from iPhone to MacBook Air – so expect the usual slickness to ooze from any connected TV effort, driving consumers toward their iconic stores like some sort of pilgrimage.
Along with Siri and the cosmetic finesse, it’s also expected to feature an iOS-compatible processor supporting Apps as well as AirPlay and iCloud. The report does mention that Apple is currently stumped as to how content will be delivered to the new sets, looking to revolutionize the current cable-box model. Securing rights to content is also proving to be a major snag, despite iTunes offering many of the shows we see on television regularly.
Steve Wozniak, who created Apple along with Jobs back in 1976, offered his own thoughts on what the hungry tech fans can expect to feed on in the near future:
“I do expect Apple to make an attempt . . . 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.”
Apple’s rivals are certainly bracing themselves, with Microsoft bigwig Ross Honey adding, “We do not discount what they are going to do in the space — they are going to come on strong.”
(source USAToday) (via macrumors)
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