Apple Focused On Set-Top Box, Not Television For Web TV
Carl Icahn thinks
Apple will launch a 4K television set next year, but he's probably wrong.
The company is reportedly focused on its set-top box.
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Transcript:
If you follow the latest Apple news, you’ve likely heard of Carl Icahn. He’s an activist investor — his company acquires a substantial amount of stock in any given company (thereby gaining leverage in said company) and is then able to, let's say, inspire companies to do his bidding. (
Video via
CNBC)
Like when he inspired Apple to buy back shares, because he felt the company’s valuation was “totally irrational.”
Now Icahn’s got another feeling. He’s convinced
Apple’s launching an UltraHD, or 4K, television next year.
But here’s the problem: Apple’s probably not launching an UltraHD television, at least according to
The Wall Street Journal.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the
Journal says, "after nearly a decade of research, Apple quietly shelved plans to make such a set more than a year ago."
The outlet has an impressive track record when it comes to Apple happenings.
Apparently, the company couldn’t find innovative, unique ideas for a television set that would set its product apart from others in the television market.
So the company’s been full steam ahead on its set top box, the Apple TV, instead. (Video via DetroitBORG)
We’ve heard a lot about Apple’s upcoming plans for a web-based television service, including the rumored à-la-carte
TV channel bundles.
And we’ve seen evidence of Apple’s content deals.
Back in March, the
Cupertino company announced — what at the time was — an exclusive launch partnership with
HBO, for its standalone streaming service, HBO Now. (Video via HBO)
Tech blogs galore report the company is wrapping up deals for content that could see the launch of the new service at
Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
The launch would be punctuated by the introduction of a redesigned Apple TV set-top box, which is said to be thinner, will include an updated remote, and may feature an app store.
This video includes images from
Getty Images and music from Brenticus /
CC BY 3.0.
Sources:
Getty Images http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/carl-icahn-looks-at-charts-on-a-projection-screen-during-a-news-photo/56774612
CNBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OJFfP1cZZ0
Getty Images http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/green-leaf-adorns-the-apple-logo-on-earth-day-at-the-news-photo/470626102
Shareholders'
Square Table http://www.shareholderssquaretable.com/
Getty Images http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/sonys-x900c-ultra-slim-4k-uhd-tv-is-displayed-at-the-2015-news-photo/461101136
The Wall Street Journal http://www.wsj.com/article_email/behind-apples-move-to-shelve-tv-plans-1431992617-lMyQjAxMTE1MjE0ODQxNzgxWj
Newsy http://www.newsy.com/videos/apple-s-rumored-attempt-at-tv-different-than-before/
HBO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7p5akti90Q
Cult of Mac http://www.cultofmac.com/315960/apple-tv-service-june/
MacRumors http://www.macrumors.com/
2015/04/01/apple-tv-service-networks-costs/
Re/code http://recode.net/2015/02/04/apple-is-talking-to-tv-programmers-about-its-own-web-tv-service/
9to5Mac http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/18/apple-readies-first-significant-apple-watch-updates-tvkit-sdk-for-apple-tv/
Image via: Getty Images /
Justin Sullivan