Rogers and BCE Already Have the Apple iTV in Their Labs, Controlled with Voice and Hand Gestures

apple tv favorite tv showsThe Globe and Mail reports that Apple is actively seeking launch partnerships with Canada's Rogers Communications and BCE Inc. to offer their upcoming Apple TV.

“They’re not closed to doing it with one [company] or doing it with two,” said one source who is familiar with the talks. “They’re looking for a partner. They’re looking for someone with wireless and broadband capabilities.”

According to the newspaper, these companies already have the Apple iTV in their labs.

Siri voice control is reportedly integrated into Apple's new television to help viewers make programming choices. Viewers can then control the TV with voice or hand gestures. Even an on-screen keyboard can be invoked without any special hardware (emphasis ours):

An on-screen keyboard, meanwhile, can also be activated in a similar manner, allowing viewers to surf the web, conduct video chats and use social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook – all without any physical interface.

The paper isn't clear about the sourcing of the details for the hand gesture control, and later cites an analyst for some other details. They do seem to specifically have a source with knowledge of the matter.

The Globe and Mail is Canada's largest-circulation national newspaper.

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Top Rated Comments

basesloaded190 Avatar
172 months ago
They can't be that dumb can they? Releasing this information when Apple obviously would not let them and most likely having signed a NDA. Apple would go ballistic if true information about this was revealed.

I don't believe this report.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iEdd Avatar
172 months ago
I think this is a good solution to many problems people have. For example, a remote control is not only too precise and predictable in operation, but it also responds too quickly with minimal lag.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
172 months ago
If Siri doesn't work without an Internet connection then it's already failed.

If you are partnered with a cable provider, you don't need a specific internet connection. Set top boxes communicate back to the server without subscribing to full internet service. It's just part of the TV service.

arn
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MBHockey Avatar
172 months ago
If Siri doesn't work without an Internet connection then it's already failed.
Yeah, because it would be impossible to include a wifi chip in an Apple television set.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gorskiegangsta Avatar
172 months ago
An onscreen keyboard controlled with hand gestures? I am very interested in seeing how Apple makes it work.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drwatz0n Avatar
172 months ago
So... Kinect? Not bashing Apple here, but a lot of this already exists on the Xbox 360 with Kinect, so I'm interested if this is in any way more advanced, and, if so, how well it will appeal to people buying a new TV set.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)