Apple in Talks to Offer Set-Top Box for U.S. Cable TV?

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Posted August 16, 2012 at 1:25am by iClarified

Apple is in talks with some U.S. cable operators to offer a set-top box for live television, reports the WSJ.

The talks represent Apple's most ambitious crack at infiltrating the living room after years of trying. Apple doesn't appear to have reached a deal with any cable operators. One obstacle may be the reluctance of operators to let Apple establish a foothold in the television business.

If the report is accurate, Apple may have decided to seek a less radical approach for television. Previously, Apple was thought to be trying to license content in an attempt to directly compete with cable.

Notably, Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable Inc., at the Sun Valley media conference last month. The Journal's source says Time Warner Cable is one of the operators talking to Apple.

Whether Apple would update the Apple TV to offer set-top box functionality or release a new device is unclear. It's also said that the technology could make its way to the rumored Apple Television.

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Apple in Talks to Offer Set-Top Box for U.S. Cable TV?

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tdtran1025 - August 16, 2012 at 2:16am

To fear Apple cutting in on their biz is a futile act. Networks have no technology to penetrate the circle of viewers other than Hulu, which I think is going out. They benefit more from using Apple technology( or other manufacturers) as a vehicle that delivers contents to intended audiences. Such methodology could in theory broadcast much more advertising in various guises than current commercial breaks. These CEOs need a crash course in future tech topology.

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