Comments on: Will TV Ever Get an App Store Moment?

By: Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:41:49 +0000

I think the TV environment hold alot of potential – but there is a bigger set of variables for apps than in mobile environment. Take gaming: Gaming has to factor in multiplayer, online potential, and multiple inputs/controllers in the living room. The mobile gaming environment is generally single player (though not always), often times isn’t an online game (though this isn’t always the case) but never generally has to factor in multiple controllers. Now, all of these are not overly difficult for Apple to create an environment for these apps to be created, but it does speak to how transferring the same app for the phone may be difficult as the gaming environment is much different.

Will Apple push their app-store into the living room? I think so. And I think the focus will be in large part games. But creating gaming and app market and pushing adoption in the living room is not a straightforward task, and actually may be more challenging than the mobile market.

By: martyhess

martyhess — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:49:12 +0000

If Apple made it drop dead simple to build and distribute apps for the phone, why not the television? The challenge so far for Apple has had constrained access to content for ATV. In addition, consumers in general think of the television experience as separate from everything else. If they add ATV to the app store ecosystem and developers can build apps that work on the phone and ATV then they may have something. The real trick is to enable the consumer to easily see the benefit. Perhaps a dock for the iPhone or Touch might help. Of course, not all apps would be applicable but definitely games and such.

By: Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:12:12 +0000

I think you’re right, Cameron, Sony is definitely going to play. Their assets in the PS3, LCD and Blu-ray markets are undeniable. They do fall down a bit when it comes to creating strong online marketplaces – the PS3 market is a good example of one that has been late and, quite honestly, a bit lacking compared to the competition. They clearly excel in hardware and that’ll be their main competitive weapon.

Last point – I think Blu-ray manufacturers are probably the third big potential entrant in this space of TV apps. Sony will be there, both with PS3 and separate players. In fact, all the Blu-ray OEMs are looking to integrate good web services, and the question remains of do they let their adherence to the BD-Live/Java roots slow them down relative to the other players.

By: Cameron McClurg

Cameron McClurg — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:14:24 +0000

What about Sony? Not only do they have a ton of knowledge in consoles and technologies (blu ray, etc.), they also own content. They also have the cash to compete with MSFT.