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Topic: Apple

Another research analyst predicts an Apple HDTV is coming, along with a "Genius Squad" to install sets

Summary: There's always been one research analyst -- Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster -- that has predicted Apple will release HDTVs, but now a second one -- UBS Investment Research's Maynard Um -- is joining Munster in his belief that the next Apple TV could be an actual TV. Where there's smoke is there fire?

Sean Portnoy

By for Home Theater |

There's always been one research analyst -- Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster -- that has predicted Apple will release HDTVs, but now a second one -- UBS Investment Research's Maynard Um -- is joining Munster in his belief that the next Apple TV could be an actual TV. Where there's smoke is there fire?

The reasoning is that Apple's supply-chain efficiencies and brand name could allow it to profit in a space where margins are as razor thin as the sets other TV manufacturers are producing. It's doubtful that the company would be able to innovate in terms of display technology -- don't look for an OLED Apple TV -- so it will need to integrate its Apple TV streaming features to set its sets apart.

Um floats one intriguing new idea: Apple could turn its Genius Bar into a "Genius Squad" that would work like Best Buy's Geek Squad, driving to people's homes to set up their new Apple televisions -- for a fee, of course.

Unlike Munster, who always seems to think that an Apple HDTV is eminent, Um doesn't think the computing giant will release a set until next year. Nothing like an announcement at Macworld Expo to upstage all of CES.

[Via CNET's Apple Talk]

Topics: Apple, Hardware, Mobility

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11 comments
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  • Genius Squad? Apple can't even explain how their products work...

    Steve Jobs says "It just works", If someone said that when trying to explain something to me, i'd show him the door out knowing they have no idea what they are talking about. It would seem Apple has hired all the out of work Best buy & Circuit City reject so-called-tech's to come and install this in your home. I just want to say I hired one of them once until I saw him rubber cementing a key to a laptop keyboard...
    Nate_K
    Reply Vote

  • I don't see that at all.

    The market is inundated with TV's.
    root12
    Reply Vote

    • And, hence the main problem: how Apple would get its usual 40% margins?

      @root12: just releasing TV set with AppleTV functionality built-in is no way going to make any significant market input if Apple would be selling it with 40% margins -- in the industry, where average margins are 20%.

      So it is not very probably at all that Apple ever will be in TV set business unless they would invent something way beyond usual to justify 40% margin prices.
      DDERSSS
      Reply Vote

  • Look it up, please

    That's "imminent," not "eminent."
    mayadanteamihan
    Reply Vote

  • Nothing like an announcement at Macworld Expo to upstage all of CES?

    How did you come up with that conclusion?
    William Pharaoh
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Another research analyst predicts an Apple HDTV is coming, along with a

    An actual Apple-branded television would make no sense for Apple. But, I can foresee Apple licensing an embedded Apple TV device to TV manufacturers. All of Apples latest initiatives (Airplay, iCloud, standardized gestures, Versions, Fullscreen Apps, virtualization, etc.) are leading up to something like this. Imagine the ability to use your TV as a secondary or mirrored display for any OSX/iOS device using AirPlay. Imagine the ability to use your TV or projector as the display for a secondary OSX user sessions (any TV is also a MAC desktop/terminal). Imagine the ability to play the music, videos, or pictures you own on ANY OSX/iOS AirPlay capable device anywhere (even when you are away from home). Imagine being able to simultaneously stream a powerpoint or keynote presentation to the iPads and iPhones of all of your conference/meeting attendees, while also streaming it to a projector. All of this done wirelessly. I believe that is what they are attempting to achieve, and Apple needs to get into your television (easily) to do it.
    dalord
    Reply Vote

    • It makes sense for Apple to sell TV's

      @dalord
      Apple's a hardware company - it makes it profits from hardware.
      It doesn't make sense for them to just license an embedded Apple TV device to TV manufacturers as that isn't their way - they won't make as much profit.

      Apple wants to be the hardware/software/media content company as they'll make all the money themselves, not having to share it with anyone else.

      That's what's worked for Apple before so why would they want to change it?
      William Pharaoh
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Another research analyst predicts an Apple HDTV is coming, along with a

      @dalord
      That would make sense, but Apple has never done that. Their devices have their high status in people's minds because they're able to control the full manufacturing process. There's no way they'll ever license out their software.
      Darkninja962
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Another research analyst predicts an Apple HDTV is coming, along with a

    Now you get to pay $2000 for an Apple branded TV.
    LoverockDavidson
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Another research analyst predicts an Apple HDTV is coming, along with a

      @LoverockDavidson Why not? If it had 4 colored squares on the logo for the same price you'd break speed records running out to buy one...
      I12BPhil
      Reply Vote

  • Still doesn't make sense

    Why people would buy an Apple HDTV when for $99 plus whatever TV you have sitting around can do the same thing. I'll believe it when I actually see it, until then it's refried rumors.
    oncall
    Reply Vote
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