The Wall Street Journal published another report Thursday with additional information on Apple’s rumored set-top box.
The device will apparently include an iOS inspired user interface and a cloud-based DVR system that would destroy the line between live and on-demand television. Imagine having every episode of every television show ever at your fingertips as soon as it airs on television. No waiting a few days for an episode to show up on-demand and no need to waste DVR space recording shows.
The device’s user interface would borrow heavily from iOS making the clunky and slow set-top cable box interfaces plaguing living rooms look ancient in comparison. The new set-top box from Apple would be a beefed up version of the Apple TV with live-television functionality in addition to other streaming services. The WSJ sources don’t know what the exact interface will look like, but the functionality will be an amalgamation of cloud based and on-site DVR capabilities, as well as live television.
If the reports are true and Apple is developing an improved Apple TV set-top box, this might be the company’s solution for bringing the functionality of the rumored Apple HDTV to users not ready to purchase a new television. If Apple were to only release a television with the functionality described above they would be losing out on the massive number of television owners who have capable televisions with no desire to drop a large amount of cash to enter the Apple ecosystem.
Apple’s success in the television programming market hinges on their ability to license content and produce an affordable, yet revolutionary experience. Easy right?
Source: WSJ [via AppleInsider]
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