Apple TV Goes Streaming, HD and to the Clouds

While announcing that iPad sales have reached the 2M devices milestone ("in less than 60 days" - here) we get another sign for the way Apple will be using the net - this time with Apple TV.

The less-known Apple product, (sold so far for $229) is hidden under the iPod section of Apple's web site, is so far a limited, yet stylish, media streamer. I believe that all other media streamers in the market are feature-richer (media formats, connectivity, openness - for example PopCornHour) - but Apple does have the "complete solution" with the integrated content service, iTune.

Now, a number of web sites report that a new Apple TV is on its way (see engadget, cnet, arstechnica) - with a $99 price tag, streaming, full 1080P quality and cloud based storage - "an iPhone without a screen" they call it.

Apple's business model is clear now - selling network based content and storage, while providing a low-priced device as a service enabler (setup box).

One more business challenge to broadband carriers with IPTV or cable TV revenues, as we can expect Apple to provide the simplest and cleanest user-interface, and making over-the-top WebTV as easy to use as our old-fashioned TV or VoD. Broadband carriers are also facing a technical challenge to meet customers' expected Quality of Experience (at least for those that hate the "buffering effect").

And I haven't mentioned GoogleTV so far ...