Thoughts: FaceTime on the New Apple TV?

As far as Apple products are concerned, it would seem that FaceTime and the Apple TV have nothing to do with one another, and that's true, at least for now. However with some imagination, and parsing of both words and rumors, FaceTime on the Apple TV may not be so far fetched.

Let us first look at the rumor of the new Apple TV. For quite a few months now, it has been rumored the new Apple TV will be a lower cost device that runs a version of iOS. While this is merely a rumor at this point, it seems logical that Apple would like to incorporate yet another device into their App Store ecosystem and provide a unified experience between devices. Assuming the information I just mentioned is correct, it's possible that FaceTime on the Apple TV is not far off.

When FaceTime was introduced along side the iPhone 4, Steve Jobs made a point to say there will be 10 million FaceTime devices by the end of 2010. As great as the iPhone 4 is, there is no way Apple is expecting to move 10 million iPhone 4's in 6 months. That fact aside, it would make sense for Apple to bring FaceTime to as many devices as possible.

From a technological perspective bringing FaceTime to the Apple TV would not be a difficult process. Operating under the assumption that iOS will be the new UI for the Apple TV, it then becomes a matter of the new hardware having enough power to run FaceTime and a camera to enable video calls. It would not be atypical for Apple to build a camera accessory that is optimized for your television. In fact, this concept is already in practice. Earlier this year Skype partnered  with both Samsung and Panasonic to bring Skype to your TV. Both hardware manufacturers have proprietary  camera accessories to enable Skype calls.

If Apple chose to implement FaceTime into the Apple TV, they have the potential to appeal to users who have no interest in the iPhone, and provide a unique way of communicating with friends and love ones from your TV. Not only would this expand the install base of FaceTime, it would also serve as a form of competition for Skype, who clearly feels large screen video interaction is the way of the future.

Do you think we could see FaceTime come to the Apple TV?

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Comments

[Oday Yousif]

I think it is very possible. But when Jobs said that about 10 million face time devices I would assume he is talking about the much anticipated camera on the iPod Touch