Is A Tablet At The Heart Of Apple’s Upcoming TV Subscription?
Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) is reportedly gearing up to launch a video subscription service, and while the details are still murky, our own Staci Kramer at paidContent.org is reporting that negotiations between Apple and the TV networks are in advanced stages and a service could launch by next year.
CBS (NYSE: CBS) and Disney (NYSE: DIS) (in which Apple’s Steve Jobs is a major shareholder) are considered the most interested parties, and the service would likely be available through iTunes, which already sells movies and TV shows today, but does not offer them for a monthly subscription. It could also run on multiple platforms, including Apple’s iPhones, iPods, or its Apple TV device. But today, the Financial Times is taking the speculation one step further and reporting that Apple could offer the TV subscription on the yet-to-be-confirmed tablet computer, which it reports is “widely expected to launch imminently.”
Kathryn Huberty, a Morgan Stanley analyst: “The driver behind it [the tablet] will be content.” As for the timing, FT.com claims that Apple is preparing an announcement next month, at which time a launch could occur. Wall Street analysts also expect mass production of an Apple tablet to begin as early as February.
For the record, Apple has denied that it is actually working on a Tablet. The details of such a device if it actually exists are entirely vague and completely based on rumors. Other tablet-like computers have launched in the marketplace, and magazine publishers, like Time (NYSE: TWX) and Condé Nast, have created prototype digital editions for them.
Where, when, and how exactly did Apple deny working on a tablet? They have repeatedly said that the current netbook segment is full of junk hardware, software and user experience – and that they are not interested in addressing that segment as it current exists.
They have also said that they have a solid, intriguing and compelling pipeline of products and services. Those two comments both hint at new hardware and software that does not mimic the current market segment, but perhaps does something better, more compelling, etc….like a tablet with TV subcriptions, full access to iTunes and apps, perhaps magazines and books, and some level of computing.
But tv subscriptions may also mean a new apple tv or even a LCD screen with atv embedded.
I am doubtful a tablet will ever see light of day as it makes no sense as a living room device, nor as something you carry in your bag or in your pocket. It might be a book reader so that 3g cost can be amortized on the book price, but it is a far cry from a multimedia tablet. Not to mention a 10″ piece of glass breaks much easier than an iPhone. I doubt even apple can crack that problem.
The tablet is probably real. It makes sense to increase the iphone screen to 10 or 12 inches diagonal. If they want to pay homage to the old…. Macintosh – they can do a 9 inch screen. That is the original scren size but they should use HDTV 1080p video definition. We shall see but…. I say wait till the next gen tablet appears. Wait a year or two after the tablet appears…
you will not regret it.
The Apple Tablet sounds like a cool idea, but wait alittle while to buy it, it will get cheaper. The streamlined design and portability and functionality make it better than other web machines. Oh and Iceland, just the first domino to fall expect more. Those loans were made during the good times with better than expected returns….Now times are bad and these orginal loans are impossible to pay back…Kind of like needing a mortgage bailout for whole contries to refinance.