For the first time Apple has shared some thoughts on the “future of TV” with major media companies. Apple has not revealed any details but gives hints regarding iCloud integration, Siri, gestures, subscription TV and more, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Apple shares thoughts on TV
Steve Jobs revealed that Apple is working on a TV in Walter Isaacson’s biography but Apple has remained mum – until now. For the first time Apple has shared their vision for the future of the living room with major media publications. The shared information is “vague” but includes a few interesting thoughts.


Apple is said to be working in a flat panel TV to be released in a few years. This is the user interface on the current Apple TV box

In the meetings Apple reportedly shared some thoughts on accessing content across phones, tablets and TVs.

- “In the recent meetings with media companies, the Apple executives, including Senior Vice President Eddy Cue, have outlined new ways Apple's technology could recognize users across phones, tablets and TVs, people familiar with the talks said.” WSJ writes.

Apple also described how a future television could respond to voice and hand gestures.

- “In at least one meeting, Apple described future television technology that would respond to users' voices and movements, one of the people said. Such technology, which Apple indicated may take longer than some of its other ideas, might allow users to use their voices to search for a show or change channels.”

According to Wall Street Journal, that cites people briefed on the matter, a core function would be AirPlay video-streaming and remote controlling using other Apple devices. AirPlay even enables Apple to approach the living room gaming console segment.


The current Apple TV box streams content from iPad/iPods/iPhones via AirPlay

- “The TV device Apple is working on would use a version of Apple's wireless-streaming technology AirPlay to allow users to control it from iPhones and iPads, according to people briefed on the matter”

Apple has even shared some thoughts on teaming up with content providers and a subscription TV service.

- ”The company has also talked to television-service providers about teaming up on new video services for Apple devices” … "It has also broached the idea of licensing content directly from media companies for some sort of subscription-TV service, resembling the packages now offered by cable operators, but the talks have been 'exploratory'.”

Apple has not confirmed that they are working on a TV or shared any specific details, only thoughts and visions. However, Wall Street Journal reiterated that Apple is indeed working on a connected TV but added that Apple may change their plans to include specific features. For the full report see Wall Street Journal here.

Google is also trying to enter the TV realm and recently introduced the new Honeycomb version of Google TV.