Why Apple TV will change everything
Apple TV, a new set-top box from Apple running iOS, will not only be out in September but will “change everything.”
They are the stern words from Digg founder Kevin Rose who earlier this year was also dropping rumours about Google working on a new social network project called ‘Google Me’.
Now he is saying that Apple TV will be renamed and that he expects an App Store for interactive TV apps that will eventually “destroy the TV side of the cable and satellite industry”.
He says your only requirement will be to access “on-demand stations” with an Internet connection. “Say goodbye to your monthly cable bill,” he proclaims. Apple’s product is rumoured to cost around $US99, which would be substantially less than Dish Network’s Google TV offering if a recent survey from the company is any indication.
At such a cheap price, everyone has the potential to afford iTV (another rumoured name).
“Sharing pictures/videos from your iPhone will happen with the push of a button. Imagine getting a notification of new family videos the next time you turn on your TV. My mom will love this feature,” says Rose. Who happens to have quite a lot of interest in the new up and coming product.
Rose also reckons the iPad will become one big remote.
It certainly looks like Google has its work cut out for it if it wants a chance of competing in this space. It’s already had trouble trying to get broadcasters and partners on board in time to launch a compelling offer.
However, users won’t have to give up the channels they like to use Google TV. They will get the best of both worlds – TV and internet/apps where as Apple is offering one or the other. Google TV will be integrated with Android, making a wide range of Android devices remote controls in a sense.
Furthermore, given that Android runs on so many devices, whereas iOS only runs on select Apple devices, the window for integration via TV would appear to be much greater for Google. The battle for the TV space lives on. But what do consumers want?
Just last week it was revealed that while the UK is a nation of ‘multitaskers’, Britons spend
almost one-fifth of their time watching TV – albeit accompanied by laptop or mobile activity.
To integrate the two seems to make sense, but as long as it is done properly. Advertisers and marketers will have to think carefully about how to integrate ads in a landscape where consumers are so used to skipping the ads. Lucky for broadcasters product placement is set to take off from next year. As for ads, they are about to change beyond recognition and I predict we’ll be seeing a lot more brands getting into sponsorships.
