Apple is set to introduce a new strategy for its Home products this year, with rumors suggesting that an Apple Television is being considered as a potential future offering. Current developments in the television market highlight the opportunity for Apple to innovate and provide a different approach to consumers.
TV Manufacturers Focusing on Features That Enhance Ad Revenue and User Data
This week’s CES showcased various TV manufacturers’ plans for the coming year. Unfortunately, these strategies indicate an inclination toward flashy software and AI features that offer minimal real benefit to users.
Scharon Harding, writing for Ars Technica, notes:
The trend illustrates how TV brands are increasingly perceiving themselves as software entities instead of hardware producers, with their products becoming more about gathering customer data than delivering high-quality television experiences. This raises concerns for the future of smart TVs—where even premium models known for superior image quality and robust hardware are being burdened with superfluous add-ons.
Harding’s detailed report elaborates on specific examples observed at CES, including:
- LG transforming its remote into an ‘AI Remote’ that eliminates the input button in favor of a button that opens a webOS dashboard—an approach seemingly driven by the company’s push to serve more advertisements via webOS.
- Incorporating far-field microphones in TVs to support Google Gemini—raising significant privacy concerns and suggesting the potential of earning a share of Google’s subscription revenues down the line.
- Samsung’s flawed AI tool that attempts to analyze food items displayed on-screen and suggest accompanying recipes—conveniently timed with the company’s new partnership with Instacart for grocery deliveries.
- Both LG and Samsung implementing Microsoft Copilot—a chatbot that appears to lack meaningful utility in a television setting.
If you’re feeling disheartened about the future of TV hardware, I recommend reading the full article for further insights.
There’s Significant Opportunity for an Apple Television to ‘Think Different’
In sum, the so-called ‘innovations’ seen in the television industry emphasize the pressing need for a new contender capable of delivering a premium product devoid of unnecessary gimmicks and privacy risks.
In other words, an Apple Television is a necessity.
Previously, I’ve highlighted five compelling reasons for Apple to enter the television market.
The insights from this CES report serve as an additional motivating factor.
Some could argue that Apple is heavily invested in revenue from services and AI as well.
While it’s true that Apple is experiencing growth in its services sector, and AI is currently a focal point,
unlike its competitors, Apple possesses a strong comprehension of what constitutes a high-quality product.
This involves a seamless integration of hardware, software, and services that result in an engaging user experience.
While modern TVs can excel in hardware, the overall experience suffers due to inadequacies in software and service integration.
It is my hope that should Apple decide to produce a television, its prioritization of user privacy along with the thoughtful amalgamation of hardware, software, and services could herald a transformative change in the industry.
This may be an unrealistic expectation, yet one thing is certain: with discouraging trends emerging from CES regarding new TV sets, my desire for an Apple Television has never been stronger.
Would you consider purchasing an Apple Television? Are the current trends in the TV market concerning to you, or do they not bother you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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