Apple Tv

AN ANALYSIS OF THE NEWLY RELEASED APPLE TV

Prepared by:

Industry Analyst

Apple, Inc.

April 30th, 2007

EXECUTIVE SUMAMRY

Purpose

This report is to analyze the new Apple tv after its release in January 2007. It will investigate the television accessory market to see how the Apple tv compares to similar products, as well as the capabilities and functionality of the newly released Apple tv. It will also determine which product is the best in its class and which one is the best buy for consumers.

The Competition

With no product on the market that is quite like the Apple tv, a new market sector has been created that makes a common household item - your television, work as one with your computer. While this product is unique with its features it does have some competition that has been already on sale to the public for some time. They are the Tivo television box and Comcast DVR box, which are both similar in function. Both have their pros and cons and will be thoroughly reviewed in this report.

The Apple tv

With the same concept of the competition, Apple tv takes on-demand television to the next level. Through iTunes, tt offers countless television programs as well as a library full of high definition movies to be available at the click of a button. It also takes a users personal music library and syncs that up with your home entertainment system, making household music sharing easier than ever.

Findings

For the user that is more interested in media such as photos, music, movies, and computer friendliest, the Apple tv is the best supported choice. For the user that is more interested recording television programs, the Tivo service is the best supported choice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................2

I. Introduction.............................................................................6

a. History of Apple....................................................................6

b. Purpose of Report.................................................................7

c. Sources and Methods.............................................................8

d. The Industry.......................................................................9

II. The Apple tv............................................................................9

a. An overview of Apple tv.........................................................9

b. Device Compatibility............................................................10

c. The User Interface...............................................................11

d. Pros and Cons.....................................................................12

e. The Future of On-Demand Television.......................................13

III. The Competition......................................................................13

a. Tivo..................................................................................13

b. Comcast DVR.....................................................................14

IV. A Comparison........................................................................15

a. Key Features of All Three Products..........................................15

V. Findings.................................................................................16

a. Results..............................................................................16

b. Reccomendations.................................................................17

VI. Appendices............................................................................18

a. Appendix A........................................................................19

b. Appendix B........................................................................20

VII. Work Cited............................................................................21

AN ANALYSIS OF THE NEWLY RELEASED APPLE TV

I. INTRODUCTION

In the fast growing industry of on-demand television, Apple Inc. has released a product that has changed the world of wireless media streaming in the common household. With various competitors, this analysis of Apple tv will compare the functionality and features of other similar products to the Apple tv.

History of Apple

Apple Computers was founded on April 4th, 1976 by three men named Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The first computer that was released was called the Apple II, and was not as big of a success as the founders had hoped it to be. It wasn't until 1984 until Apple gained recognition in the computer industry by releasing the Apple Macintosh. The Macintosh was the first computer ever to have a moveable visual interface and was also the first computer to come with a mouse. After getting their start, the company created and tested a handful of other computers, none of which were a very big hit. In 1998 the release of the famous iMac slingshot Apple back into the technology industry. Ever since, Apple has expanded to become a mega giant in the computer industry. In