Apple HDTV Launching This Year with “iRing” Motion Controlled Remote Control?

Updated: April 6, 2013

As if Apple did not have its hands in enough business models already, they once again plan on entering another very competitive market – the Television, with their all-new iTV. Long have the rumors been flying that Apple wants to enter the foray of TV’s and now it seems they are coming to light by way of the Apple iTV that not only has a tablet like remote it also can be controlled by a ring worn on your finger like a super hero or sci-fi action dude. The ring acts just like a remote control, which should be at the very least interesting as hell.

Many people not in the know are calling Apple’s latest twist the Apple iTV, a nickname that the public has put on the product although that is not the correct nomenclature of it. The Apple TV is a little set-top box that acts like a Roku or other similar devices, but the new product is a complete TV not just a set-top box. This will be Apple first big attempt at this and their second attempt to get themselves into your living room. Some people have stated that this is an untapped market being sought by the masses, but smart TVs have been around quite awhile now so I don’t really see how they feel this is an untapped market. An untapped market would be on something truly original something Apple has really yet to do, as they try and tap into anything they think they can manipulate and dominate and only really innovate on occasion.

Right now we see the Steam Box, the Ouyu and lots of other companies trying to find a way to get themselves into your home so Apple, being Apple has to have a slice of that market. Apple clearly now wants their own brand of HDTV by the 2nd half of 2013 according to Brian White who during his travels, the analyst gleaned information from unnamed sources that has him convinced that Apple will finally launch their iTV. These new products would most likely start out at the 60-inch size, but 50-55-inch models may yet become available. It has also been rumored that Apple will release a miniature device called “iRing” that will be placed on a user’s finger and act as a navigation pointer for “iTV”, enhancing the motion detection experience and negating some of the functionality found in a remote. Thirdly, “iTV” will come with a “mini iTV” screen that will seamlessly allow users to view content on this smaller, 9.7-inch screen, while also opening up use cases around home security, phone calls, video conferencing and other areas.

Another thing that Apple want to do is tie your iPhone experience with the TV ecosystem along with things like wireless transmissions of up to 200 meters allowing for users to watch their shows in other rooms in the house on other portable devices like your tablets and personal phones. The iRing will also play an important role in this new TV ecosystem as it is designed to work as both the remote for the iTV and an interaction point for your phone so you can answer the phone with you iRing while you are watching TV and choose the options for answering your phone. This could be cool for playing a game or watching a movie and still want to be able to get that important call or you can have Facetime with friends and loved ones being able to see them on your screen. The mini iTV will not be a full-fledged tablet, but more of a device just to watch your media on in another part of your home. So far prices are rumored to be at the $1500-2000 range that puts in line with Apple other products like the MacBook Pro and iMac although the included bundle will have a lot to do with the determined price.

As I was writing this article another rumor has come down the pipeline that suggests that Apple new iTV will be nothing more than a glorified 42-inch iPad. This time the rumors come from Canada our Northern friends who have reportedly been testing Apple new iTVs for sometime now as Rogers and Bell Canada’s two largest telcos are already testing the new product to see if it is a viable tool for their business. Here is the thing, this is not your standard TV by any means as it will be like having a fully functioning A6 smart-phone inside the TV and offer the same functionality like Siri voice control, but with added features like gesture control by way of a front facing camera and many of the new social media plug-ins that are ever so popular right now. Best buy ran a very short and intriguing commercial this last weekend asking people how they felt about a new 42-inch iTV at a price of $1499.00 and it seems that there were many people who were very positive on the idea according to Apple. Me personally I feel that my TV is smart enough and that maybe in the future these things will all be the standard, but I will damned if I will pay the Apple folks $1500.00 for a 42-inch TV as that is just another rip-off product that is not even that original of an idea. What do you folks think? Is this price was too damn much for what it is? Or do you disagree and think Apple has dome a great job with this new iTV idea? Lets us know in the comments below and thank you for reading Tech Of Tomorrow.