Greg Godin thinks the idea for Apple's new product is a dud.
Godin, a DirecTV representative, along with several other experts, has mixed opinions on Apple's upcoming venture into the TV market.
According to an article on DailyTech, Apple has plans to enter the television business. An anonymous former executive said the multinational corporation might unveil an Apple-branded TV later this year.
The release of such a product has been rumored for a while, but this is the first time a present or former executive has confirmed the launch, DailyTech said.
After analyzing customer habits among TV shoppers, Godin determined that people come in to play with the newer TVs, but they don't like to buy them. In his opinion, the time might not be the right for a TV that bundles services.
Richard Lutz, a UF marketing professor, admires Apple's marketing skills and believes the company would not go into the sector without doing its research. Succes will come with how the company markets the product.
"To be honest, I thought the iPad was a total loser when they introduced it, but I was wrong," Lutz said.
The suggested plans for the new product are to bundle Apple TV, released in May of 2007, and iTunes together in a physical TV set.
One marketing strategy that a television does not have is portability. Now more than ever, people don't want to be tied to their devices.
Investing in a non-portable product might seem contrary to Apple's normal plan, with most of their products offering maximum portability. But according to International Business Times, the move would make sense because it would allow Apple to compete with Netflix.
For a company that relies on a few highly sought-after products, an Apple television could provide another marquee product with which to fascinate the masses.
According to Lutz, even portable devices are replaced at such a fast pace that the idea of an Apple television taking off seems uncertain.
"Technology is moving so rapidly," Lutz said, "that it makes the whole device obsolete before its time."
Best Buy employee Kevin Swarm does not indulge in Apple products himself, but believes an Apple TV would see some success.
"[People will] just flock to it because they're all sheep when it comes to Apple."
