In yesterday’s post, I spoke about how Apple should work on its TV strategy.
One of the ideas that have been floating around is that Apple will unveil an HDTV set with iTunes and a TV App Store.
After all, Google already announced Google TV that includes a set-top box and connected TV sets with Google software built-in. So can Apple’s TV product be far behind?
Today’s poll question is:
Recently, I was thinking that the concept of “owning the screen” is a smart strategy to go after.
For example, let’s look at Apple. They are redefining smartphones, and now introduced the 4th screen, the iPad. So it’s just a matter of time before Apple goes after the other two screens: PCs and TVs
Apple does well selling computers, but I think it should go after the TV screen next. It has a much brighter future than PCs. Now that Google showed its hand with Google TV, I expect Apple to make a move to TV in the near future. It’s not inside knowledge from Apple, just a hunch. Plus a few articles appearing on the blogosphere that say this may be forthcoming (check the links down below).
Now that Apple is dominating the mobile and tablet “screens”, it can go after the hardest screen of all: TVs.
TV’s aren’t just for watching TV. Television sets are just the biggest screen in the home now. Although many people say consumers don’t want the Internet on their TV, I think they’re not looking at the future.
How will Apple do it? Will it be a version of its Mac Mini? Or Apple TV? Or some new product? Some people are even saying Apple will release its own line of Internet-connected HDTVs. I’m not sure, but I think going with retail, like a set-top box is a difficult market in the U.S. Getting Apple products and services embedded into connected TV sets seems like a better way to go, with less risk. Google will test the market with Google TV this Fall, so perhaps Apple can afford to sit a wait for a bit.
But it’s clear that Apple’s TV strategy should be far more serious and less hobbyist. Apple investors don’t want the company to sell products that are for hobbyists. They want mass consumer adoption and blockbuster sales. Can Steve Jobs deliver? Can Google? Or will another company emerge?
Google is reportedly ready to announce its “Google TV” strategy this week during their I/O 2010 event in San Francisco. I wish I could be there to ask some questions, but it seems like it’s made for developers primarily.
The most interesting things to glean from reports this week is that Google is working with Intel and Sony. What this means is that the solution will be built into the TV, I believe. Since they did not mention a set-top box vendor, it seems that they are first starting out with Connected TVs from Sony. Previous news reports indicated that Google might release a set-top box, but I’m guessing it’s more of a platform. They would have to partner with a set-top box vendor in order to make the box and help sell it in retail.
I guess Google TV is going after a few different distribution methods. At its core, Google TV will be about a platform for TV. Interactive TV. Or what they call Smart TV. Google wouldn’t be in the space if it didn’t want to play in a big way. Other companies to look out for in the TV space include Apple and Microsoft.
First, Apple. Sure its Apple TV box hasn’t received great reviews, and has been relegated to a hobby, but don’t rule out Steve Jobs yet. After taking over the mobile market and redefining the tablet market, Apple has a lot to gain going after a TV platform strategy. Apple already has content deals with Hollywood. And who else sells more TV and movie content online than Apple? Surely not Amazon or Blockbuster. Apple already has iTunes and thousands of apps. It seems like just a matter of time before Apple goes all in on TV.
Next, is Microsoft. You may be wondering, what is their strategy with TV? Well, Microsoft has actually been involved with interactive TV for a long time. In fact, its Mediaroom IPTV solution is number 1 in the world based on number of active subscribers using the system. Microsoft has created an interactive TV platform that is popular with users and IPTV Operators but tends to be more expensive than other IPTV solutions. Microsoft unveiled Mediaroom 2.0 with support for Over-the-top video in order to deliver TV to Xbox 360s, PCs and Windows smartphones.
Overall, I really have some high hopes for Google’s announcements tomorrow. Here’s my dream list:
In sum, I want Google TV to be the perfect all-in-one solution for Internet video and movie services. It should an over the air tuner, hard drive, Wi-Fi and lots more. Can Google deliver?
You probably are familiar with the term “three screens.” It essentially means bringing together content into the three main screens in our lives: PC, mobile and TV. Many companies, like AT&T and Verizon, have a three screen strategy for allowing consumers to watch shows on any device.
Apple's iPad
However, it’s just a strategy at this point. Very few companies are converging the three screens. Some of the U.S. cable companies are trying this with the TV Everywhere initiative. However, TV Everywhere is seen as just a way to retain cable dominance and not a way to bring about three screen convergence.
But bringing together the three screens is what IPTV is all about. Using IP to deliver content, opens up the possibility to send it via IP to other devices like mobile phones or PCs.
Just when three screens seems enough, we now have a new one with Apple’s release of the iPad last week.
Welcome to the era of the fourth screen.
The iPad is a new type of device. Not quite a computer. Not quite a smart phone. Not quite a portable media player. Not a TV set.
However it can do any of those things.
After selling about 350,000 iPads this week, it seems like it’s only a matter of time that consumers take to a new 4th Screen. Amazon’s Kindle had a chance, but it just doesn’t do enough to make it useful for many consumers. And portable DVD players seem quaint when compared to the ipad. Of course, other tablets will come but Apple deserves the credit for creating the new screen and doing it right.
Bonus: In Hong Kong, telco PCCW has been using a home media tablet for a few years now. It’s called the Eye 2 and it is popular among consumers. It is a portable home media device, with Wi-Fi, 8 inch screen, and the ability to watch TV shows and music.
(Image from Willowm)
On Thursday, I went down to downtown San Francisco to take a look at Panasonic’s traveling road show. They were demonstrating new 3-D TV sets, and the new Viera Cast Internet-connected TVs.
I was very impressed with the quality of the 3-D but my main interest was in Viera Cast, which allows viewers to access YouTube, NetFlix, Picasa and other sites from their TV sets.
What are Internet connected TVs? Simply put, they are TV sets that can connect directly to the Internet (via an Ethernet port or even Wi-Fi) and access certain web sites or even applications. Sony, HP and others already have this in their line of TVs. And no doubt all TV manufacturers will have connected TVs in their product portfolio.
Although 3-D TV may make the most headlines and have consumer appeal, I think the real story is with connected TVs.
As this website said:
“Would you rather see an AVATAR in 3D at home…than have your home TV connected wirelessly to 1500 apps that feed your home network?”
At the demo I saw last week, in order to access the Internet content users just have to press a button on their remote control and the Viera Cast home page pops up. Sadly, the demo wasn’t live (no Internet connection!) so all I saw was recorded demos. But the most interesting app available on Viera Cast was Skype. I saw a quick video of what it looks like, and I was excited at the possibilities. Skype on an HDTV really does look like The Jetsons.
Users just need to buy a USB camera, and connect it to the back of the TV set and then start up Skype. Apparently, Skype works just like on your computer–free calls to other Skype users and charges for calls to mobile or landlines. However if you have a Skype subscription, this can be a great way to stay in touch with far-away family.
The downside about Panasonic’s connected TV is that it doesn’t come with built-in Wi-Fi. You have to buy a separate USB dongle that connects to the back of the TV. Having just an Ethernet port is OK, but I think consumers don’t want to lay out Ethernet cable into their living rooms. I think cost of Wi-Fi chips may be one barrier, but they shouldn’t add too much to the cost of an already expensive TV set.
Hitting that Viera Cast button on the remote was easy and using the apps was intuitive. These are important considerations when it comes to TVs, since everyone just wants something you can turn on and use without a manual.
You may not have heard or seen of Connected TVs, but I think that they will be included with most, if not all, of TV sold in the next few years. Last year, iSuppli predicted that Internet Connected TV sales would grow sixfold by 2013, from 14.7 million in 2009 to 87.6 million by 2013. I haven’t done any research into this area but if all TV manufacturers have Connected TV capabilites in the future, then this forecast seems reasonable.
Consumer electronic manufacturers are also putting Internet connectivity inside Blu-Ray DVD players, but I don’t think this will be a popular way to get to the Internet. Blu-Ray hardware and DVD sales have been slow, mostly because of the popularity of Internet content.
I think there will be a big battleground for these Internet connected TVs. These TV manufacturers are clearly trying to replicate the popularity of the Apple iTunes ecosystem on the TV. But there are many companies, including Yahoo, Microsoft and even Google preparing to battle for the connected living room.
If Apple can dust off the disappointment of its Apple TV product, and release a compelling living room solution, they already have a huge headstart.
Posted in Apple, Blu-Ray, HDTV, Home Networking 
Tags: Apple, Apple TV, Google TV, Panasonic, Viera CastThere’s a lot of talk this week about iPads. In fact, today is the first day that Apple is selling the iPad in their stores, and I’m seeing a lot of people tweeting about waiting in line. It all sounds fun and exciting. I almost wish I could be there.
But the main reason why I’m not getting an iPad is that it’s a want, not a need. I don’t need an iPad, other than for fun, or bragging rights. Sure it would be nice to have one on the first day, but I don’t think it’s anything I need to have.
I’m really happy with my iPhone, and my MacBook Pro. (Yes, I converted from Windows just a few months ago.) And I will get an iPad eventually. It’s just not a priority.
I wonder if other people also have this feeling. If so, sales might be slower than some expected. Although from the buzz on Twitter and blogs, it seems like iPad frenzy is in full swing.
I think iPad 1.0 will be for early adopters. People with disposable income. And other nerd types.
Then, these people will be the ambassadors for iPads. They will show everyone else what the iPad is for, and how good it is. It’s just like when the iPhone was released.
Anyway, not sure I can hold off from buying one, but I do know that it won’t be today.
There were a lot of mixed reviews when Apple introduced its new iPad device. Some people liked it; others hated it. After initially believing that the iPad was nothing new, upon reflection I think that it will bring about a few things that will change computing and technology forever.
For starters, there are cloud-based services. Remember Apple’s acquisition of Lala? I think it’s fairly obvious, that Apple is going to be putting your music in the cloud in a future iTunes update.
All your media, anytime, anywhere.
For example, when you buy a song from iTunes, you’ll be able to download it to your device, but also access it over the Internet. So it won’t really matter if you have an iPhone or iPad with just 8 or 16GB of storage. You will be able to access all of your music over the Internet. And hopefully, even all your videos, photos, etc., through MobileMe.
All of your media, anytime, anywhere. That’s the promise of Internet-based services.
The second thing that will change is the availability of Internet-enabled Computers. Having Wi-Fi on a laptop is great, but it’s not the same as having 24/7 access to the Internet.
I learned this after visiting my parents in NYC two weeks ago. I had my iPhone and my MacBook Pro but my parents don’t have broadband Internet. So I had no Wi-Fi network and no Internet on my laptop. I was able to access the Internet via my iPhone, but my laptop felt pretty useless. I never realized how small my iPhone really was compared to my 15″ laptop.
In fact, I’ve found myself constantly searching for Wi-Fi hotspots, whereever I go. If I’m driving in a new neighborhood, I always look for cafes and wonder if they have free (or even low-cost) Wi-Fi. Looking for a Wi-Fi hotspot is a lot like looking for a phone booth. It’s inconvenient, hard to find, and you need to pay extra. Having 24/7 Internet on my iPhone is great, but I also want it on my laptop. Sure, it would be better if AT&T allowed me to tether my iPhone with my laptop, but having a built-in 3G connection is even better.
I’ve been pricing broadband USB cards for my laptop, and they generally are the same price no matter which provider you choose (Sprint or Verizon). In particular, I think the Mi-Fi device is the way to go, since it uses the wireless 3G signal and creates your own personal Wi-Fi zone for up to 5 devices. Prices for the Mi-Fi box is anywhere from free, to $99, while monthly service is about $60.
Conceivably, the price of computers may come down if they are subsidized by wireless carriers like AT&T and Verizon. Plus, paying for your laptop’s 3G service can be expensive, but I think prices will come down over time.
So, I think the iPad is beginning the trend of Internet-enabled computers. The iPad’s usefulness drop about 50% without an Internet connection. Same with any other laptop.
With today’s Apple tablet announcement it’s clear that content will be the big story. What is a new gadget without content? Just an empty shell.
Amazon’s Kindle launched with lots of content. And it appears that McGraw Hill’s books will be at least one book partner. Plus the rumors are that Barnes and Noble will be the e-book provide for Apple. This will renew the battle between Amazon and B&N. Books are making a comeback.
However if Jason Calacanis is to be believed, the Apple Tablet will come with an HDTV tuner and a PVR to program and record TV show.
This is a big deal and I hope it’s true. I believe video should be the real killer app for the Tablet. If Apple announces a TV subscription service today then it will come a long way to making it th best device since the iPhone.
Although there have been no credible leaks about a TV announcement it’s still a possibility. If not then it signals that Apple just couldn’t strike a deal with Hollywood the way it did with the music labels. Content owners have not hesitated to license their content to many providers so if they play delay tactics that could mean they want to retain more control.
If a TV subscription service is not announced today then I think it’s still possible that a deal can be made as an update at a future Apple announcement.
In the end, look at the tablet as a fourth screen in the home. It can be a way for families to share media since I don’t think the tablet will be like iPhones. They will be too big and too expensive to carry it around in your pocket. One per family seems reasonable until the price comes down.
One more thing: the Tablet will bring about changes to Internet connected computers since this will come with it’s own Internet service plan. With most laptops you’re stuck with WiFi or you have to buy a USB broadband device for an Internet connection. Having it built in, like an iPhone is crucial and the way all PCs should be sold in the future.
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