Some initial information from various sources
Apple iTV specifications
- Engadget predicts an A5 processor and 1080p video – neither of which are a huge surprise, granted.
- Australian tech site Smarthouse says that the Apple iTV will come in three sizes, including 32-inch and 55-inch models.
- The supply chain for the iTV is set to get going during the first quarter of 2012. That’s according to Digitimes on 27 December 2011.
- March 2012 rumours point at Sharp being the manufacturing partner.
Apple iTV operating system
As with the current generation, the third generation Apple TV is likely to run iOS, albeit in slightly disguised form. Compatibility with other iOS devices is a given: current Apple TVs already accept video streamed via AirPlay and access shared iTunes libraries. We’ll be amazed if the iTV doesn’t get apps.
Apple iTV and iCloud
Steve Jobs told his biographer: “I’d like to create an integrated television set that is completely easy to use. It would be seamlessly synced with all of your devices and with iCloud. It will have the simplest user interface you could imagine. I finally cracked it.”
Apple iTV remote control
Munster says the iTV will come with an ordinary remote control, and will be controllable with iPhones, iPod touches and iPads, but the real remote control will be Siri.
Apple’s voice recognition system will be the heart of the new Apple TV, enabling you to choose channels and control the TV’s functions with voice alone. That means ” the simplest user interface you could imagine” is voice.
Apple iTV AirPlay mirroring
After AirPlay mirroring from Mac to Apple TV was present in the developer preview of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, it’s not a great leap to suggest that the Apple iTV could mirror the display of your Mac or iPad wirelessly too. AirPlay mirroring is 720p only at the moment – could it be 1080p compliant on in the Apple iTV?
