Apple's (AAPL) iTV Might Include 3D Imaging and Remote, Siri Integration, and More...
Earlier in the session, Morgan Stanley painted a positive picture for Apple's "iTV" set, saying the market is ripe and robust for such an offering. The analysts at Morgan Stanley saw a $13 billion market in the U.S. and about $39 billion for the rest of the globe.
The analysts, Katy Huberty and Jerry Liu, also listed off some of the features iTV might encapsulate given recent patent approvals:
- Enhancing media system metadata - filed Oct. 2006, granted January 2011. This invention "includes a search engine interface to search content across various libraries such as iTunes, imdb.com, amazon.com, netflix.com, and social networking sites, as well as advertising content."
- Personal items network, and associated methods - filed Dec. 2006, granted June 2009. Could "redefine" sports by placing sensors on the athletes and transferring metrics like heart rate, speed, body temp all in real time to the display.
- Context-aware unit selection - filed November 2007, granted N/A. The application would allow for the integration of Siri, a key driver for Apple moving forward.
- GUI applications for use with 3D remote controller - filed May 2008, granted N/A. A 3-D remote control application which would allow for a cursor to be displayed on the screen "by the position and orientation at which it is held."
- Three-dimensional imaging and display system - filed October 2005, granted September 2011. "The invention involves a groundbreaking 3D imaging and display system that optically detects human positions and motions, projects virtual objects onto a display area, and provides audio and visual feedback," according to the analysts.
- Common bus design for a TFT-LCD display - filed Dec. 2008, granted March 2012. Relates to a higher refresh rate FFS TFT LCD technology, which would provide a clearer picture and allow for less viewer fatigue.