Skating to where the puck is going, not where it has been
If the rumours are to believed Apple is about to release a new Apple TV. Their long running “hobby” that’s been passively plugged into our TV sets for the last few years could be about to make its way into the big leagues and become another transformative product like the iPhone. What’s not clear from the rumours is if that transformation is going to happen overnight.
While the iPhone leaped years ahead of the existing generation of smartphones, it didn’t truly become transformative until 3rd parties were able to create meaningful apps and connected services that made it an indispensable part of peoples lives. The iPad was an expected evolution — not a revolution — of the touch screen device; bigger yet highly portable device, that could replace the laptop for many. The Apple Watch released this year, is dependant on the iPhone for much of the functionality beyond keeping time and tracking activity, but it’s clear this is a small step towards something bigger.
All three devices encourage interaction at a visercal level be it prodding with your meaty finger, nose, or dare I say it… a stylus.
The Apple TV is a much more passive, functional experience. You interact indirectly using a remote that requires line of sight, and is an inefficient input tool. There’s little feedback, no bounce, and no “magic”. You can Airplay from your devices and stream media through the selected services that Apple has approved or built themselves. And that’s about it. But is that all set to change?
Siri seems to be the obvious tech to improve input, and will most likely require a new interface for that interaction. Adding a streaming video service sounds like it’s in the hands of the copyright holders. Playable games have also been rumoured which can only lead to the entire system being opened up to everyone not just games developers.
The tech inside will also be getting a bump, with a new processor and improved networking . Which could have the Apple TV acting as a centralised hub for all your Apple and HomeKit devices. There will need to be a new remote too, probably bluetooth enabling voice commands via Siri.
This only scratches the surface of what may be possible. The potential of these types of product and services is something we’re always thinking about at The App Business. So the Design team set itself a challenge, the first in what we hope will be an ongoing series of challenges.
What might be next for the Apple TV?
Below is a collection of our thoughts:
An app-focussed OS with Handoff and app resume functionality, user-specific logins to ensure content is appropriate for the user, game-controller integration along with HomeKit management and monitoring.
Looking at how existing devices display and categorise content how could Apple take a different approach and make the interface and your content come to life? Using a “waterfall” concept loosely based on the Apple Watch app screen your interaction feels more fluid and dynmaic while also alignig itself to the visual language of iOS9.
A new remote will help improve the navaigation of the interface and allow you to talk to your Apple TV.
My concept is around a ‘For You’ screen that would show relevant content to a specific user curated by Apple. This would show all types of media such as games they’ve been playing, new episodes for their favourite TV Shows, and movies they’ve saved via various different apps.
Ryan & Corinna
Apple TV will be a portal between device and home. Using your existing devices to control your entertainment and home.
Siri enabled televisions can help regulate kids programming. Extended iPhone apps to play your favourite games on a bigger screen, Facetime your cousins in Gibraltar. Sit back and enjoy some Game of Thrones via in iPad Apple TV app.
Apple TV isn’t an app or a product, it’s a lifestyle bridge.
We’ll update this article when the dust settles and see if we were thinking as different as Apple.
