Apple Planning a Real TV? Let's Hope So...

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/12/28/apple_wants_to_offer_television_subscribers_customized_channel_lineups.html' target='_blank'>http://www.appleinsider.com/article...el_lineups.html</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Apple's anticipated full-fledged television set could offer Internet-based content subscriptions with customized channel lineups, if the company has its way."</em></p><p><img height="554" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1325108196.usr105634.jpg" width="600" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We can only hope that Apple can convince the providers to go along, so we can truly get an "ala carte" type of subscription service. I hate paying for channels I never watch, and would totally go Internet only if sports were available without having to have a subscription to a regular content provider. What are your thoughts?</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

Depends a bit on the price. Also depends on the quality of internet an individual can come up with. As great as the numbers sound on the download speeds as advertised, they don't always meet the expectation. Price is the other factor. If Comcast were to loose my Cable TV montly dollars because I am now getting my 'TV' via my Comcast Internet access....they might do something about that. Much like utility companies that raise rates to maintain revenue after conducting a successful energy efficiency campaign.

The cost of those other internet services isn't always free, if you want what you want. The good stuff tends to come with a montly subscription...heck, the bad stuff even comes with a monthly subscription (Netflix). A la carte programming sounds good, but it has the potential of costing more than a package, just like a la carte meals do.

Best thing that has happened to TV at my house is the XFinity app on iOS and Android. I can now establish in less than a minute that there is nothing worth watching on the 100+ channels I pay for. Crap, Crap, Rerun, Crap, Rerun, Reality Show (lower than crap), Crap, Crap, Rerun...OK I can do something else.

[encece]

I'm not sure I'd be interested in the TV hardware...but if they push all of these new features into AppleTV, I may be more interested.

The only thing I like about my AppleTV these days the AirPlay push from my phone and the occasional movie rental from iTunes. (Much better selection than ondemand from xfinity. And Netflix once in a while...but for some reason I tend to use my xbox for that equally as often out of habit.

Incidentally...have you taken a look at the video service options on XBOX these days? If I were able to use airplay n my xbox, I'd use it for all services more than my AppleTV. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and soon HBOGo, Xfinity, and more that I cant remember.