Rumors of a “revolutionary” Apple (AAPL) television set have been around for years, but this may be the year that we actually see the mythical iTV unveiled for public consumption. Per MacRumors, Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek reports that Apple is holding an event for developers in March that “is Apple-TV related (possibly an iTV SDK introduction).” Even more enticing, Misek believes that a ”September/October iTV launch is being targeted” and that the SDK will give developers plenty of time to have apps ready when it’s released to the market. Misek also expects the “iTV” to be priced at around $1,500 and sized between 42 inches and 55 inches. More →
HBO on Tuesday updated its HBO GO and MAX GO applications for the iPhone and iPad, adding long-awaited AirPlay support. The new update will allow cable and satellite TV customers who subscribe to either HBO or Cinemax to stream on-demand content via their iOS devices to any Apple TV set-top box. The announcement was made by HBO President and COO Eric Kessler during the AllThingsD: Dive Into Media conference in San Francisco, and both app updates are available immediately in Apple’s (AAPL) App Store.
The rumors were true — Intel (INTC) really is working to shake up the television industry by offering its own set top box that delivers live television broadcasts over the Internet. But there’s a catch — as AllThingsD reports, the box will include a built-in camera that’s designed to watch users in their living rooms to collect data on their viewing habits to better help marketers target their ads. Erik Huggers, Intel Media’s corporate vice president, told the D: Dive Into Media conference on Tuesday that users should think of the camera as a way to personalize their experience with their television, much in the same way that Google (GOOG) users allow the company to collect data on them and deliver personalized ads based on their search histories, email contents and Google+ posts. More →
It has been widely reported that Apple (AAPL) is interested in releasing a high-definition television that would potentially revolutionize the market. The so-called “iTV“ is rumored to feature an aluminum build, Siri functionality, FaceTime video calling, and more. Although nothing has been confirmed, Apple’s most recent hire suggests that the company is at least toying with the idea of releasing an HDTV. More →
Traditional cable-based TV providers saw their share of the pay-TV market decline in 2012 as Internet-based TV services offered by companies like Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T) grew more popular, according to a new report. Market research firm ABI Research says that as a whole, the global pay-TV industry generated $238 billion in revenue last year. That figure is up from $223 billion in 2011 and is expected to continue growing to $304 billion in 2018. Cable companies’ share of the market dropped to 47% in 2012 from 48.5% in 2011 however, as IPTV services saw their share grow to 11.5% in 2012, up from 10% in the prior year. ABI analyst Khin Sandi Lynn notes that Verizon was the top IPTV provider in 2012 in terms of revenue.
Apple (AAPL) is said to be in negotiations with Time Warner (TWX) to offer an HBO Go application on Apple TV by mid-2013, according to sources speaking to Bloomberg. The set-top box already carries services from Netflix (NFLX) and Hulu, and the addition of HBO Go could help Apple boost sales of the device. The service allows HBO subscribers to stream original TV shows and movies on the Web and through variety of devices such as Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, TVs, Blu-ray players, Roku boxes and gaming consoles. More →
Have $38,000 to spend on an 85-inch television that looks like a chalkboard? If so, then you might consider Samsung’s (005930) newest flagship S9 UHD TV that’s now available for pre-order in Korea for 40 million won, or roughly $37,900. Engadget reports that there are only 77 units available to pre-order at this time, which makes sense since it’s hard to imagine more than 80 people willing to spend $38,000 to buy the 85-inch beast. Amazingly, Samsung is also planning to release a 110-inch version of the television as well, which will likely sell in the $50,000 range when it becomes available for pre-order.
The option to save money on pay-TV service by choosing channels a la carte instead of paying for a package of channels that go mostly unwatched has been cable subscribers’ collective dream for years. Following comments from three cable company executives made during a panel at CES 2013, however, it appears as though an a la carte option will remain a dream for years to come. More →
Netflix (NFLX) on Tuesday announced new enhanced streaming options for users on select ISPs. Following a series of rumors that suggested as much, Netflix has confirmed the availability of “Super HD” streaming — which is simply Netflix’s branding for 1080p content — and 3D video streaming. Both services are available immediately with a huge caveat: only Netflix subscribers with Cablevision or Google Fiber Internet service have access to the new content. For those lucky subscribers, Super HD and 3D content is accessible using a number of devices including the Wii U, compatible Roku players, the Apple TV, Windows 8 PCs and select smart TVs and Blu-ray players. Netflix’s full press release follows below. More →
AT&T (T) on Monday unveiled a new video-on-demand service for its U-Verse TV subscribers at its annual Developer Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is looking to keep its customers away from streaming services from Netflix (NFLX), Amazon (AMZN) and Hulu, and will offer the U-Verse Screen Pack for $5 a month. The service is only available to U-Verse subscribers and provides access to a library of 1,500 movies that can be viewed on any TV, computer or tablet. More →
Samsung (005930) has been teasing us with visions of a revolutionary new television set recently, and the company did its best to deliver at the Consumer Electronics Show Monday by showing off an 85-inch television set that bears a striking resemblance to a chalkboard. The Samsung S9 UHD TV comes with a “proprietary up-scaling engine” that “can up-convert HD or Full-HD to UHD-level picture quality by restoring detail information to create greater precision and real-life picture quality.” Samsung also showed off a Siri-like Voice Interaction feature on the TV set that’s able to execute commands and answer questions about programming that Samsung says makes the television “almost human.” Samsung has not yet provided pricing data or a shipping date, although the company says that it also plans to release a 110-inch version of the television set later this year. The company’s full press release is posted below. More →
“Ultra-HD” is the new 3D TV, and sales of new higher-definition television sets are expected to flop. The 2013 Consumer Electronics Show is upon us and TV vendors will look to 4K resolution at this year’s show in an effort to wow consumers. According to analysts, however, ultra-HD TV sales won’t amount to much in 2013 — or even four years from now. More →
