Apples iTV: Netflixs Friend or Foe?
If the rumors are true, Apple is readying a video-streaming device that would replace its much-maligned Apple TV, a decent if somewhat limited set-top box. The new model, possibly named iTV, could debut as early as next month, although the box itself might not ship until later this year. One of iTV’s most compelling (alleged) features is that it would run iOS, the same Apple operating system that powers the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This means that iTV users could run smartphone-like apps on their big-screen HDTVs. If true, iTV would represent a major break from Apple TV, which is tightly locked into iTunes. Netflix might very well offer one of the first iTV apps. After all, the video service already provides free applets for the iPad and iPhone/iPod touch. Netflix subscribers pay as little as $9 a month to stream an unlimited number of movies and television shows to their TVs and mobile devices. A first glance, Netflix and iTV seem like an odd pair, particularly if reports of Appl
