Put this one in the highly speculative basket, but we’ve heard that Telstra’s sweetener for its iPhone 4S (or will it be iPhone 5?) deals will be a free Apple TV with inbuilt Telstra apps.
It’s less than 24 hours before Apple announces whatever it’s going to announce tomorrow, and the rumours are running thick and fast. One of the more intriguing to pass by us was sent in as follows:
Telstra is going to bundle a free Apple TV with every iPhone contract starting next month. I know this from an inside source from Telstra in Perth. This will also incluse a Telstra Big Pond TV app services which runs on the iPhone and Apple TV combo. They are going to ditch there existing hardware for this combo.”
Typos not withstanding, there’s perhaps a grain of possibility in this one, but it hinges on whether Apple’s going to say anything at all about the Apple TV tomorrow. Apple’s invite is rather iPhone-specific, and without an iOS5 announcement for Apple TV, it seems unlikely that BigPond TV would be easily bundled.
The other issue here is the suggestion that the Telstra T-Box would be dumped in favour of Apple TV, which I’ve got to say sounds far too fanciful. Not because Telstra’s buried under a pile of T-Box customers per se (although the company does have a briefing on its home entertainment products scheduled for later in the week), but simply because it’d be handing a huge slice of control of its IPTV future over to Apple in doing so.
Steve
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:49 AMI have to question why telstra would promote something that is so directly in competition with the telstra branded T-box. It’s basically the same product.
Richard
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 5:34 PMI imagine if they were to offer an Apple device it’s because they hope to drive revenue through whatever Telstra branded applications they have available.
I can’t see them taking their own device off the market, but theres no reason not to support both, especially if the public is more likely to lap up the Apple device and/or profits will be higher by going that way.
Mike
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 10:53 AMMakes no sense. Telstra bundles BigPond TV with BigPond internet services (mobile, DSL or Cable). A BigPond Apple TV app that you can use on any ISP is not the BigPond way.
Phillo
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:28 AMPersonally… I believe this rumour is nonsense.
The rumour would suggest that the iphone AND AppleTV would be pre-bundled with Telstra Apps.
Firstly, Apple DOES NOT allow branding of any type on their product. When the iPhone was slated to be released here in 2008, Telstra were at risk of not getting it because of their insistance of preloading with their software. Apple stood their ground and Telstra eventually relented.
Secondly, Apple have NOT announced a development platform for AppleTV apps. If they intend on doing so at tomorrows briefing, they certainly wouldnt have given Telstra the heads up about it before anyone else in the world.
If there is ANY truth in the rumour, it maybe that Telstra will bundle a T-Box in with iphone contracts.
Corey
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:32 AMThats ridiculous the t-box is going really well for them, no way would they ditch it if anything in Australia its selling better than apple TV
Phil
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 11:45 AMI doubt this rumor is true but I would just like to see Apple update ATV with the A5 chip (for 1080p) and allow develops to bring iOS apps to the TV.
Mark
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 12:24 PMGiven that the US version of Apple TV has Netflix streaming it isn’t inconceivable that Telstra has developed a Bigpond TV / Movie streaming service for Apple TV.
Boon
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 2:43 PMATV and T box are just tools for these companies to make more money.
smurfydog
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 4:46 PMHuh? Why else would a business offer a product or service?
Marc
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 5:32 PMI’m Telstra staff, and have absolutely no inside info on this!
…in theory this is possible, as has been pointed out, the US has a Netflix client, and many have argued without it the Oz Apple TV is pretty crippled, so Apple Oz might be motivated to find a replacement..?
As for competing with T-Box, there’s a BigPond Movies app on LG and Samsung Smart TVs; the content and device aren’t exclusive.
Presumably it would all depend on whether Apple demanded a 30% cut, like the App Store… will be interesting to see, but probably unlikely…?
Rituparno
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 6:18 PMRead some awesome reviews on Telstra T-Box vs Apple TV – http://liveoncampus.com/wire/show/3114154?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Seeding&utm_campaign=Ritu
Steve
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 7:50 PMSounds implausible. As mentioned, it would be insane of them to start throwing in a product that so closely overlaps with their T-box. Telstra is going to fight tooth and nail to retain their streaming service position.