We told you on Friday that Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, visited Valve's headquarters, producer of extremely popular games such as: Half Life, Counter Strike, Team Fortress, Portal, etc. No one knows for sure what Tim Cook discussed with the company's representatives, but those from Cult of Mac they claim that they have information from a representative of Valve who states that both companies would develop a new console model similar to XBOX 360 but which would have implemented a sensor similar to the Kinect sensor developed by Microsoft. However, this is not all because Apple is working on a new TV, which we have already heard about, but this TV would have an interface built on the basis of iTunes and it would be controlled by a remote control developed with multitouch technology and commands in mind Siri vowels. Practically, the TV will be able to be controlled by touch and voice commands, but this is where the sensor of the new console comes in, which would also allow control by gestures.
According to Cult of Mac sources, Apple is working on a television set with an iTunes-integrated touch screen remote and Siri-like voice command technology. The TV set will be coming before the end of 2012. Rumors and patents have said as much for the past year, so that's nothing new. But that's not all we've heard. Our sources also say that Apple's television set will come with an Apple-branded, Kinect-like video game console. The interface will rely heavily on motion and touch controls.
It seems that the developers from Valve have a project called SteamBox which would theoretically be a new generation console that should be much better than any other similar product available on the market. Those from Valve do not want to join the ranks of Microsoft or Sony companies, but want to introduce a standard regarding the technology used in consoles and want to license that standard to other manufacturers. Well, this is where Apple intervenes, which would be interested in buying the project and selling it together with its new television, which it seems would be officially launched by the end of this year.
An Apple TV with an integrated/separately available console would generate a tremendous amount of attention and would likely sell extremely well if everything was as well built as the company's other products. If we will be able to play games from the App Store or other titles specially designed for the kinect sensor, then the console would be great, but it remains to be seen what will be the result of the possible collaboration between the two companies. I don't know how many Romanians would be willing to buy such a well-equipped Apple TV considering that it won't be cheap and won't offer access to all of iTunes, but in the US and other EU countries I think the product will be very successful.
