Apple TV Feature Set
I do not pretend to know anything about the potential of Apple TV. However, if Steve Jobs said he “cracked the code” for the interface, it must have a feature set that average person would not only find easy to use, but would actually want in a TV. I am going to present my take on what the “perfect” TV feature set would be.
It is rumored that the Apple TV will debut at $2000. If that is the case, there are at least 2 areas of quality where the Apple TV will have to cover. To get me to buy one anyway. Service and Technology.
Quality of Service
The Apple TV will need to be compatible with multiple types of service. Apple could do like they did with the iPhone and provide a limited release for a specific service like Comcast, Dishnetwork, or DirectTV. But that doesn’t seem likely. It is more likely it will be compatible with all of the major services. Meaning, all cable companies and standard satellite companies. It must have something other TVs do not typically have besides a built in operating system.
Quality of Technology
This is where things get a bit more exciting. I envision the ability to record any show that can play on the Apple TV. It will have a built-in DVR that will store your programs indefinitely on iCloud. As a result, these shows will be accessible from any device you own iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. I also anticipate the ability to stream programming to any of your devices so you can watch programming not only from anywhere in your house, but anywhere you have a wireless connection.
Controlling the Apple TV will be just as easy. Some speculation indicates there will be a Siri interface so all you have to do is talk to your TV. This may be true. I would also suspect that you will have access to Apps that run on other devices like your iPod, iPhone, iPad and Mac that will control the Apple TV as well. Steve Jobs would not change a paradigm that drastically by removing what everyone is used to.
Of course Apple TV will have the other standard features that we have all seen like parental controls, iTunes rentals / purchases, YouTube access, etc. I would also suspect it will have a social quality built in. This will allow you to post what you are watching and how you rate it to social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
There is my take on what the Apple TV will be, if it is in fact going to be a product.
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