With Google recently dominating the news, it comes as a breath of fresh air that Apple is making headlines again. According to PC Magazine, Foxconn, Apple’s Asian manufacturing partner, is set to assemble the new high-definition Apple television set. It seems Samsung and Sony are about to have some serious competition. Though development and manufacturing hasn’t quite begun yet, details about it are starting to trickle out.
In addition to being able to stream multiple channels like any other flat screen television, the, um, iTV, will also feature an aluminum body, FaceTime video calling, and the voice-activated virtual assistant Siri. Clearly the folks at Apple are going for the ultramodern approach. Reports found on Mashable indicate that Apple is waiting until it signs contracts with major Hollywood studios before releasing the television to the masses. More than likely, the TV should be available for customers in 2013 or 2014.
So, what does this mean for television manufacturers such as Samsung, Toshiba and Magnavox?
Well, perhaps it means they need to step their games up. It’s no secret that Apple has the Midas touch when it comes to their projects. Consumers seem to trust them when it comes to the latest in entertainment technology and even their methods on improving education. However, this isn’t the first time that someone has tried to spruce up the way individuals watch TV. The future of television has been a topic for industry competitors and researchers for a while now, and other top notch companies like Google, are trying to make some headway. Smart TVs, sets that integrate the Internet into normal television viewing, seems to be where we are headed.
When reviewing data from a 2011 survey done by Nielsen, Erick Schonfeld from TechCrunch stated that “Americans spend an average of 32 hours and 47 minutes a week watching traditional TV. They only spend an average of three hours and 58 minutes a week on the Internet, and only 27 minutes a week watching video online. All those billions of videos watched online still only represent 1.4 percent of the time spent watching traditional TV.”
It is what it is. Apple’s upcoming TV will undoubtedly turn heads. We’ll just have to wait a little longer until we can experience it. Until then, perhaps it would be wise to stay busy with one of their other numerous products. After all, the company certainly knows a thing or two about staying fresh.
Now how about those apples?
Are you excited about Apple’s new iTV? Do you think SmartTVs are here to stay? Do you have any experience with them so far? Let us know by sharing your comments in the box below, or by sounding off on our Facebook Page or Google+ Page, or by tweeting us at @HostDime.