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Tim Cook: 13 million Apple TVs sold, half in the last year; 'grand vision' for TV
Speaking at AllThingsD's D11 conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook just dropped the latest sales figure for the Apple TV: 13 million (compare that to Roku's sales of 5 million in the US), with "about half" sold in the last year. Despite being prodded by interviewers Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher, Cook repeated his "area of great interest" line (again) regarding TV, only mentioning that the company does have a "grand vision" in place. Surprised by the hockey puck's popularity? You're not the only one, as Cook followed up on Steve Jobs' proclamation that" no one wants to buy a box," claiming "Frankly, the popularity of the Apple TV has become much larger than we thought it would. We aren't marketing it." Last year at the conference he reported sales of 2.7 million Apple TVs for the year, and the company noted 2 million sold in Q1 2013. He also followed his predecessor's stance that the current TV experience needs remodeling "When you look at the TV experience, it's not an experience that I think many people love... still an experience that is too much like 10 or 20 years ago." As usual however, despite the "interest," if you're looking for a hint that Apple is going to join the likes of Google and Microsoft in trying to shift the balance of the TV market, Cook -- like Jobs before him -- is keeping those details to himself. Follow along with our D11 live blog right here.
Apple CEO Tim Cook interview at D11: the liveblog
Just a year after Tim Cook sat down for his first non-financial interview as CEO of Apple, the man himself is back for yet another round. He'll be seated in Rancho Palos Verdes, California this evening at the D11 conference, taking questions from hosts Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, and we'll be liveblogging every moment of it. The interview is taking place with under a fortnight to go until Apple's WWDC, where we're expecting to see details on iOS 7, the Mac lineup and perhaps a glimpse at whatever the company is cooking up in the wearables department. If you've arrived here prior to 6PM PT on May 28th, feel free to bookmark this link and return at the time listed below. Tues May 28 06:00:00 PM PDT 2013
The Daily Roundup for 05.28.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Apple CEO Tim Cook's interview at D11 is tomorrow, get your liveblog here!
Just a year after Tim Cook sat down for his first non-financial interview as CEO of Apple, the man himself is back for yet another round. He'll be seated in Rancho Palos Verdes, California tomorrow evening at the D11 conference, taking questions from hosts Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, and we'll be liveblogging every moment of it. The interview is taking place with under a fortnight to go until Apple's WWDC, where we're expecting to see details on iOS 7, the Mac lineup and perhaps a glimpse at whatever the company is (presumably) cooking up in the wearables department. The action begins at 6PM PT (9PM ET) tomorrow, so feel free to bookmark this link and return at the time listed below. Tues May 28 06:00:00 PM PDT 2013
DirecTV 11 expected to begin serving up HD in September
Just as soon as the HD clock began ticking, now we've got something to pencil in on our 2008 calendar. According to a new release from DirecTV, the recently launched DirecTV 11 satellite isn't expected to become "operational" (read: start dishing out new HD channels to more subscribers in more locales) until sometime in September. If you'll recall, the same estimate was given last year on the DirecTV 10, though it lifted off several months later (in July) than the D11. Reportedly, D11 is set to "provide capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels," and if that doesn't get your motor running, you can also look forward to seeing another bird take flight in 2009 in order to offer up space for 200 national high-def channels. Not quite 900 or anything, but we reckon there's still a few years to go.[Via gadgetell, thanks Keith]
DirecTV 11 phones home, HD clock starts ticking
Normally, we wouldn't go out of our way to pass along news that a recently launched satellite had phoned home, but given the nervousness felt by many after DISH Network's AMC-14 failed to reach its intended orbit, we figured we'd toss out some extra reassurance. As of early this morning, the D11 satellite made contact with a ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, signaling that it was "healthy and operating normally." Of course, there's no way to tell exactly what day the sat will begin dishing out more HD to more subscribers, but we reckon the conjecturing can officially begin. Psst... it took 81 days before DirecTV 10 began serving up HD.[Thanks, K Shoup and syphix]
DirecTV 11 satellite launch deemed a success
Unlike the AMC-14 launch that went awry just days ago, the DirecTV 11 launch went off sans a hitch. According to a new release on Sea Launch's website, D11 was "successfully delivered into orbit" after lifting off right on schedule, and all systems were said to have "performed nominally throughout the flight." Currently, the crew is awaiting acquisition of the spacecraft's first signals from outer space, which should occur within the next few hours. So far, so good -- the countdown to more HD for more DTV subscribers starts now.
Watch DirecTV 11 liftoff at 6:30PM EDT today
Unfortunately, the recently rescheduled launch of the DirecTV 11 won't make our list of things to watch in HD tonight, but for those anxious to see the sat provider's next bird take flight, here's the skinny. Today at around 6:30PM EDT (3:30PM for those of you on the left coast), live coverage is slated to start on DirecTV channel 573. For those operating sans DTV (or simply not near your television), you can click here to view the launch online. T-minus four hours and counting 'til liftoff -- consider our fingers crossed that things go smoother than they did for the AMC-14.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
DirecTV 11 satellite launch rescheduled for March 19th?
We aren't booking this one as fact just yet, but according to a database of upcoming launches, the recently delayed DirecTV 11 is now set for a March 19th liftoff. Based on Earl Bonovich's own snooping, he found that the setback was less of a disaster and more of a last minute checkup, so all that jives as well. Nevertheless, we -- along with every other DirecTV subscriber out there -- will be counting down the hours and hoping for the best.[Thanks, Dante]
DirecTV 11 satellite launch officially delayed
Say it ain't so! Just hours after DISH Network's AMC-14 launch went awry, along comes word that the looming DirecTV 11 launch has officially been delayed (again, sort of). According to a blurb on Sea Launch's own website, the "mission is now on hold." Further reports clarify that an undisclosed "issue" is causing the holdup, and Sea Launch will be updating with information as its team investigates. Unfortunately, your guess is as good as ours as to when this bird will finally get airborne.[Thanks, Tig]Read - Sea Launch postpones DirecTV 11 satellite launchRead - Sea Launch's statement
DirecTV 11 gears up for March 17th launch
It's nearly time, folks. We've been counting down to March for some time now, and while we knew the DirecTV 11 satellite was undergoing final preparations for launch, we still had no idea exactly what day it was set to blast off -- until now. Reportedly, the "Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Sea Launch Home Port for the equatorial Pacific," and the liftoff is expected to occur within a 58-minute window at 3:49PM PT on Monday, March 17th. Best of all, live coverage of the mission will be available as of 3:30PM on the same day, so those with nothing better to do can check this thing out as it goes down just weeks from now.
DirecTV 11 undergoes mission preparation, gets pictured
Considering that DirecTV 11 was actually delayed until Q1 of 2008, we're a bit antsy to see it actually lift off this go 'round. Needless to say, the half dozen images of the rocket being rolled onto the launch deck and erected on the launch pad during final testing is a pretty good sign that things are going to plan. No word yet on exactly when this thing will head for space, but judging by the shots in the read link, we're guessing it'll be sooner rather than later.[Thanks, Vanbrothers]
Sea Launch officially preparing for DirecTV 11 launch in March
We had a hunch DirecTV's next bird would be departing from our sight sometime in March, and sure enough, a new note on the Sea Launch website confirms that preparations are being made to blast D11 off into orbit next month. As if that wasn't proof enough, the "Current Launch" section of the site details the entire mission and provides a link to tune in via streaming video once the trip is underway. Hang tight, DTV subscribers -- it seems that even more HD will be on the way sooner rather than later.[Thanks, Jeremy K.]
DirecTV 11 satellite set to launch in March?
If the successful launch of the Thuraya-3 mobile communications satellite -- combined with Earl Bonovich's expertise -- is any indication of the future, we'd say the DirecTV 11 has a decent shot of lifting off in March. Apparently, the aforementioned bird was the only one left to be launched before the D11 was given its turn, and sure enough, Sea Launch has just recently issued a release confirming that the Thuraya-3 has found its way into orbit. Of course, we won't see any new channels for awhile even after it goes galactic, but folks over at DBSTalk are already placing wagers as to the when D11 will head for the stars. Gear up, DirecTV users -- it seems that even more programming (or at least broader coverage) is coming soon(ish).Read - DBSTalk: Q1 D11 launchRead - Sea Launch Delivers Thuraya-3 Satellite to Orbit
