Munster claims discussions with a “major TV component supplier” which had been contacted by Apple about its TV display parts lead him to believe Apple is still on track to introduce a dedicated television device in late 2012. However, there’s a caveat: Munster thinks if Apple can’t get a revolutionary new content model in place, then it won’t move on the market this year.

The analyst then goes on to suggest three possible scenarios that might constitute a unique Apple approach to the television market. Those potential solutions break down roughly as follows:

1. Changing the experience, not the service

In Munster’s first scenario, Apple would basically leave TV programming to existing operators and simply layer its own interface software on top, including menus, guides, DVRs and content discovery. Munster notes that Apple was expected by some to manage its own wireless network in the U.S. ahead of the iPhone launch, but instead partnered with AT&T and focused on UI and UX instead of content. Remember that apps came after the iPhone’s original introduction.

2. A hybrid content model

Apple could also partner with existing networks to offer live TV, and at the same time, deliver on-demand content from providers like Netflix, Hulu Plus or any other content partner willing to play via an App Store-style distribution channel, Munster suggests. It’s a “best of both worlds” type solution, and would probably still come complete with an overhauled UX, but might be trickier to negotiate than option number one, since it involves negotiating with two different types of content providers.

3. A la carte

Munster’s last option is a completely customizable, a la carte option that would see users subscribe to live TV packages from content providers. This would be the most revolutionary of the options in terms of the existing TV experience, but it would also involve a dazzling shift in the way providers make their content available, and the negotiations involved in doing so would be challenging, at best. In the end, there’s also no real guarantee that selective programming is what viewers are after, especially if existing, less flexible bundles from other sources cost less.

GigaOM’s Ryan Lawler wrote last year that Apple’s television effort was more about experience than about content, and described a likely outcome of Apple’s TV endeavors that pretty much mirrors Munster’s second scenario listed above.

Given the challenges involved in negotiating the third solution, I have to agree that a system that works with existing content sources, but also opens up the possibility of apps for different kinds of content makes the most sense as a solution that could still make big waves in the TV industry while also remaining realistically possible in the near-term. Which of Munster’s Apple TV predictions, if any, make the most sense to you?

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration
• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE

Tank Riders ($1.99 Universal, $3.99 Mac) is a good cross between a maze, puzzle and third-person shooter game that can be really fun in the right circumstances on the right devices. Thanks to well-thought-out maps, Polarbit has done an amazing job at keeping the gameplay interesting enough in single-player mode, while also making multiplayer competitive and fun.

Tank Riders has just two basic controls: one for steering your tank, and one for shooting.  As the levels progress, you’re faced more challenging level puzzles barring your way to the finish line, and more bad guys trying to stop you from getting there. Along the way, you can pick up extra health and special weapons.  But with the start of each level, you get set back to your tank’s starting configuration.

As mentioned, the maps are what make this game shine. In single player mode, crumbling walls and crates that can be destroyed make for a delightfully changeable environment.

What’s great about multiplayer mode is that you can have multiple online accounts on your iPhone, iPad and Mac to play against visiting family and friends.  So if you happen to have more than one Apple device at your disposal, you can set up a tournament in the comfort of your own home.

Tank Riders isn’t without problems. On the iPhone in particular, the screen is just too small to spot the enemy, navigate your tank, and shoot your gun turret all at the same time. I did, however, find that using the iPhone like a traditional game controller while playing the game on my HDTV through my Apple TV over AirPlay was a perfect solution to that problem.  On the iPad and Mac, you won’t have the same problem, and the Mac’s controls make the experience far easier.  So if you plan on going head-to-head with your friends in multiplayer mode, get the Mac version to gain the competitive advantage.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Siri: Say hello to the coming “invisible interface”

Sterne Agee’s Shaw Wu has one of the more conservative estimates of Apple’s performance but still increased his firm’s price target to $550 from $540, citing the possibility of an impending iPad launch as a reason to trust in the stock’s strength:

For its outlook, AAPL guided above consensus, which is rare for a company known for its vintage conservative guidance. For the March quarter, the company is looking for $32.5 billion in revenue and $8.50 in EPS vs. consensus at $32 billion and $8.03 in EPS. While AAPL does not pre-announce future products, we believe this guidance implies that there could be an iPad update in the quarter, which is consistent with what we have been seeing in our supply chain checks.

Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities was far less conservative, raising Apple’s stock price target to $666. He talks about how Apple “crushed” Ticonderoga’s previous projections with its results in a note released on Tuesday evening, and he argues that Apple has room to run:

[T]his is clearly a quarter to remember and speaks to the momentum at Apple that we believe has further room to run, ultimately driving the stock to our 12-month price target of $666.

Canaccord Genuity’s Michael Walkley also raised his target beyond the $600 mark, increasing it to $650 from $560. He anticipates that Apple’s results might prompt the company to change its policy on paying dividends (via Forbes):

We believe Apple is likely to announce a dividend during 2012, potentially next quarter when crossing $100B in cash and cash equivalents.  We view this as very bullish for investors, as we believe a new group of investors seeking dividends would invest in Apple and drive shares higher.

Deutsche Bank also raised its estimates, putting Apple’s new target price at $600. Analyst Chris Whitmore said in a note to investors (via StreetInsider) that his firm also expects additional gains from a new iPad release:

[W]e expect iPad 3 in C1Q12 followed by an iPhone 5 refresh in the Fall. In addition, we expect Macs with Ivy Bridge should support incremental share gains and Apple TV appears set to graduate from an ‘Apple hobby’ later this year.

The list is much longer, of course, and Apple’s stock performance in early trading on Wednesday reflects the general optimism: As of this writing, it was sitting at around $447 per share, up $26.60 from Tuesday’s close.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Why iPad 2 Will Lead Consumers Into the Post-PC Era
• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution

Apple initially intends to open mini-store locations, like those it currently uses at select Best Buy locations across the U.S. and Canada, in 25 Target locations in areas where a standalone Apple Store isn’t economically viable, according to the report. Target has 1,752 stores currently operating in the U.S., more than Best Buy’s roughly 1,100 locations. Apple now has store-within-a-store setups in more than 600 of those Best Buy locations.

Target stores currently offer iOS devices, including the iPod and iPad, as well as the iPhone in stores that have Target Mobile sales centers. The rumored expansion would allow the 25 pilot stores to begin offering sales of Mac computers, as well as other Apple-branded hardware and peripherals. Bringing Macs right into the stores could help capitalize on the so-called “halo effect” of iOS devices, which sees Mac sales increase in proportion to the iPhone and iPad’s success. Customers who come in to Target for an iPhone would be more likely to at least take note of and consider a Mac purchase, too, since all those products would be available for hands-on trial in one place.

This isn’t the first time people have suspected a limited retail partnership would lead to something larger. Back in December 2008, Walmart began selling iPhones, and then in 2009, Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes suggested that along with iPod sales they would be precursors to the store-within-a-store model being adopted at Walmart locations. So far, that hasn’t happened, but there’s good reason to suspect Target is a better candidate for this kind of setup.

The main reason is that Target appeals to a different demographic than Walmart. Target’s crowd tends to be closer to Apple’s core market audience, namely middle-class buyers with more cash to spend. Selling Macs, which are for the most part much pricier than iOS devices, is a good fit for Target’s customer base, especially in places Apple’s own retail shops can’t reach.

Photo: Some rights reserved by Chris Coyier

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• A clouded view of Google Music
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution

The iTV cometh

There is one very good reason that Apple might want to secure broadcast rights for live Barclays Premier League matches: its rumored upcoming dedicated smart-TV set. If Apple wants to convince customers to buy into its platform, it must provide the crucial advantages that keep people tied to traditional television content sources like cable and satellite television. Live sports is one such advantage.

Apple could easily go the route of simply allowing users to access their existing content packages from cable providers and avoid its own rights negotiations, but that won’t provide any kind of game-changing TV experience that could potentially shake up the industry. Apple’s offering discrete digital delivery channels, like it does for some U.S. sports on the current Apple TV, provides live viewing along with other perks like the ability to re-watch past games and highlights on demand that provide a more tailored experience to sports fans.

Premier League has worldwide appeal

Despite Premier League’s English roots, it appeals to football fans worldwide. In 2011, 4.7 billion people tuned in to Premier League games, in more than 212 markets worldwide. It is the most watched football league in the world, and it is growing. In the U.S., viewership for Premier League games rose from a paltry 19,000 for one match in 2008 to 1.6 million for a recent 2011 game.

A Premier League partnership would add considerably to the value perception of Apple TV, both in the UK, elsewhere abroad and, increasingly, in the U.S., too.

Cash to burn

Apple also has the money to make a bid on broadcast rights for Premier League games. Morgan Stanley’s Katy Huberty recently suggested that Apple’s cash reserves could grow to $136 billion by the end of 2012, and they were at an impressive $81.6 billion as of last quarter. Paying $2 to $3 billion seems steep, but in exchange for a better chance of locking in the sizeable audience mentioned above, it could actually be a deal.

Whether or not this pans out remains to be seen. Apple is probably involved in lots of content negotiations regarding its TV plans, especially if it is planning on introducing a dedicated set. We will have to see if Premier League is one of the things that comes out of those negotiations.

Ed.: A previous version of this article spelled the name of the company incorrectly. It has been corrected to say Premier.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user rc!

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• CES 2012: a recap and analysis
• Will cloud computing push the BRIC market to the front?
• A clouded view of Google Music

iPhone

Apple’s next iPhone is one many probably feel we’ve already seen in previews, since the rumor mill prior to the release of the iPhone 4S was focused more on the so-called iPhone 5. A lot of what was said about that device should probably come to pass when we do get a new iPhone next year, which Apple could well call the iPhone 5.

A release in fall is probably in the cards, since Apple would gain little by releasing a new iPhone in the early summer so soon after unveiling the iPhone 4S, so it’s hard to pin down anything definite about the device at this point; a lot can change in mobile in nearly a year, after all. But there are a few safe bets regarding Apple’s next smartphone.

First, expect an A6 processor, possibly quad-core, powering the device. Also, a larger screen and a new physical case design are almost guaranteed. I don’t think Apple would go the route of the Android-makers with anything gigantic, but a respectable 4-inch display seems likely. And while LTE still isn’t a guarantee, it’s a good bet for 2012. Near-field communication (NFC) is less certain to make the cut, since that tech still has a long way to go before (if) it goes mainstream.

iPod

Making predictions about Apple’s iPod line is definitely tough. The media player got virtually no changes in 2011 compared to 2010, and its impact on Apple’s overall revenue picture continues to dwindle. The iPod touch is still an important part of the lineup, but even its future might become a question sometime in the next couple of years.

In 2012, I see Apple finally putting its iPod classic to rest, and maybe the shuffle, too. The iPod touch will likely get the spec bump it missed this year, bringing it closer to the current iPhone 4S in terms of wireless radios and processing power, and possibly a physical redesign, too. The real question mark, and maybe Apple’s greatest opportunity to shake up the media player market, is the iPod nano.

Users have been looking for an update that brings Bluetooth on-board with the diminutive nano, making it compatible with wireless headphones (better when worn on the wrist) and possibly enabling a live data connection between it and the iPhone. I suspect that Apple skipped a proper update for the nano this year because it’s actually working on making the nano the perfect connected companion for the iPhone, thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 tech, but we’ll see in 2012 whether or not that’s the case.

iPad

Rumors about the iPad 3 are already swirling, since it seems on track for an early 2012 release. I think we’ll see it arrive around the same time as last year’s iPad 2, so between February and March, complete with the Retina Display users have been looking for since the iPhone 4′s release.

What else will the iPad 3 offer? That’s a good question, and one that hasn’t really been addressed all that much in early reports. Its features will be dictated largely by what the market demands, which shouldn’t be much judging by the current tablet market picture. In 2011, Apple ruled the tablet market without a real competitor in sight. In 2012, it will have low-cost alternatives nipping at its heels, but it still isn’t looking at any competitors who are truly shaking up the space.

As a result, I’d expect to see an iPad 3 that resembles its predecessor in most regards, with the aforementioned improved screen, as well as a slimmer design and maybe a longer lasting battery. Apple has the right recipe for success in other regards, and the iPad 3 isn’t really crying out for camera improvements or additional wireless tech. Adoption of Bluetooth 4.0 is probably also on tap, as well as an upgraded A6 processor, but I wouldn’t expect much else.

Instead of making dramatic changes or additions to the iPad, expect Apple to offer a low-cost option in the form of the iPad 2, likely limited to either 8 or 16 GB of onboard storage. And as much as I and Kevin admire the smaller, 7-inch form factor, I think Apple might keep that one in reserve for at least another year.

Macs

In 2012, iDevices won’t be the only devices getting big upgrades. Apple’s Mac division is still a big revenue driver for the company, and in the new year I expect them to focus on the products that will have the biggest role in the future of computing. The MacBook Air is the crucial device here, but iMacs, too, should be in for big changes.

The MacBook Air is Apple’s most forward-looking Mac, and it has plenty of room to grow. In 2011, the 11- and 13-inch form factors got even better thanks to much-needed processor upgrades and the addition of Thunderbolt tech. In 2012, I expect Apple to expand the line as it moves to push aside the MacBook Pro in terms of its importance to Apple’s notebook offerings. So a 15-inch Air is likely, as well as more substantial improvements to the 11- and 13-inch devices, aimed at shoring up their remaining weaknesses: battery life and storage. Higher resolution displays are another definite possibility.

As Apple’s strongest desktop product, expect iMacs to get significant updates in 2012, both externally and on the inside, too. The current iMac case design is getting a little long in the tooth, and is overdue for an update. Intel has new processors that will likely make their way into Macs in the works, and we should see them in the second quarter of 2012, so expect new iMacs around then, too. Other changes might include high-res displays like those that could make their way to the notebook line, and solid state storage as the default option on some models.

As to the rest of the Mac line, I’d expect to see upgrades for the Mac mini, but not necessarily any big improvements for the Mac Pro. Apple is clearly focusing on consumer products, and it could let its more powerful desktops languish again as a result.

Apple TV

It’s the last big question mark for Apple’s 2012 plans, the mythical iTV. I think we’ll see Apple make its move here, and introduce a television set late in the year, complete with a full App Store, Siri controls and iCloud support. Whether or not we’ll see its set-top Apple TV gets a similar upgrade strikes me as less certain, but since it could act as a gateway device the way the iPod touch does for the iPhone and iPad, I think we’ll see that, too.

This is the rough roadmap I see in place for Apple’s 2012 product plans. Predicting Apple’s plans is likely a fool’s game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. Let us know what you think is coming out of Cupertino in the comments.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Flash analysis: Steve Jobs
• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE

In a note issued Wednesday, Wu said Apple should enter the TV space in Sterne Agee’s opinion because it represents “the only major end market the company is not currently participating in a bigger way,” according to Wu’s note.  He  cites “several data points indicating activity from component makers to manufacturing partners,” as well as Apple’s own patents as reasons the firm expects Apple to throw-in with televisions.

Standing out in the market will depend on Apple doing two things, according to Wu. First, Apple “should produce both set-top box and integrated form factors,” something a supplier report from Tuesday suggested was indeed Apple’s planned course of action. By offering both options,  Apple stands to appeal to the broadest possible swatch of TV viewers. Set-top devices leverage existing HDTV hardware owned by consumers, while an integrated solution proves “a complete easy-to-use solution similar to an iMac, iPad and iPhone.”

I agree that such a solution makes sense for the reasons Wu gives, but Apple would also have to contend with the risk involved in offering a low-cost device with essentially the same feature set of a high-priced one, with the added challenge that its own integrated smart TV will come in a maximum size of 37-inches, if reports prove accurate. What incentive is there to opt for the Apple iTV over a set-top box in that situation? The answer, of course, may come in the form of some unreleased detail; local storage in a dedicated Apple set, for instance, or broad access to an App Store instead of a select number of hand-picked services, for instance.

Apps and content will be another crucial element to the device’s appeal, according to Wu. He echoes what we’ve been saying for a while now; an Apple TV set’s fortunes will depend heavily on what kind of content Apple can provide, and the way in which it presents that  content. Wu suggests IPTV might be one option for Apple to provide live broadcast television, but streaming app-based solutions for very specific verticals are also starting to emerge.

Finally, Wu says customized programming is something that Apple “would love” to offer its users. We’ve said before that a la carte offerings would indeed make the Apple iTV a truly disruptive device, but the challenge lies in convincing content partners that is indeed the way to go. Pick-and-choose programming is an idea that’s making inroads among cable providers, however, at least in some markets, so there’s hope we could see a high degree of content customization options in Apple’s offering, too.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• 12 tech leaders’ resolutions for 2012
• Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration

Tuesday’s report suggested that Samsung would be responsible for the chip running the iTV, which would likely be another in Apple’s A-series of in-house-designed processors based on licensed ARM designs. On Wednesday DigiTimes’ source said that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) and Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) are also in the running for Apple TV component orders. TSMC has previously been reported as a possible replacement for Samsung for the production of its next-generation A6 processor, although that report was later contradicted.

Another new element reported on Wednesday in the Apple iTV story is that it will be assembled by Foxconn, according to industry sources. That’s not surprising, given that Foxconn handles a huge chunk of Apple’s manufacturing requirements. The production standards for the TV set are expected to be finalized by the end of the second quarter of 2012, with shipping beginning at the end of the year, according to the new sources. That’s in line with Tuesday’s report, which suggested we would see the iTV hit the market sometime in the last half of 2012.

Apple television set rumors have been around for a while, mostly sparked by analyst claims that such a device was in the works. Comments made by Steve Jobs in his recently released biography lent more weight to the claims, and now supply-chain reports seem to be streaming in steadily. Roughly the same thing happened with the iPad, with rumors of an Apple tablet in development circulating for years before the actual device’s launch. We now know, of course, that the iPad was actually in development prior to the iPhone, thanks again to details revealed in Steve Jobs’ biography.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• 12 tech leaders’ resolutions for 2012
• LTE changes everything; LTE changes nothing

The new iTunes Match page not only includes a couple of paragraphs describing the service, as did the brief blurb on the iCloud page that used to cover the topic; it also includes a simple four-step procedure for getting started matching your library and a 10-question FAQ featuring most of the things I’ve been asked by confused family and friends about the service. This includes whether or not iTunes Match streams or downloads a track (it can do either on a computer running iTunes; it does both simultaneously on an iOS device; it only streams on Apple TV) and what happens if you don’t renew your subscription. (Downloaded songs on any devices remain yours, cloud access is gone.)

Also included is an iTunes Match walkthrough video, which provides exact instructions for how to find and subscribe to iTunes Match on your Mac, as well as how to turn it on your iOS 5 device and Apple TV. It’s about as straightforward as a screencast gets, and the whole thing is just over a minute long. If relatives are calling about getting iTunes Match set up on their new iPad, this is definitely the direction to point them in.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes

The sources indicate Apple’s supply partners will begin preparing the components necessary for the new “iTVs,” as they’ve been dubbed by the media, in the first quarter of 2012. Parts include Samsung chips (likely the A5 that currently powers the iPhone 4S and iPad 2, or its successor) and displays from Sharp, according to previous reports and backed up by what DigiTimes says are “media reports in Korea.”

Entering the market with 32- and 37-inch form factors would be an interesting move for Apple. The smaller-size displays might help keep costs down, and reduce the sticker shock effect on consumers, but I doubt mainstream TV shoppers in the U.S. will be smitten with those relatively small screens. According to a recent BBC report, the average size of owned televisions in the U.S. was 46 inches, and will climb to 65 inches by 2015. Screen sizes between 32 and 37 inches was the average in the U.K. according to another report — but that was nearly five years ago.

Add in that Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munsters expects Apple’s TV sets to retail for around twice the price of comparably sized alternatives from other sources, and you have to start to wonder whether small sets with big price tags can truly cause a lot of disruption in the home entertainment market. But if Apple has proven anything, it’s that counting them out based on perceived appeal of a product is a fool’s game.

The DigiTimes report also suggests Apple may continue to offer a set-top box version of the Apple TV in 2012, according to separate sources. You’d think having both products on the market would only water down interest for each, but the current Apple TV has actually been a fairly successful, albeit in an unassuming way. Maybe Apple is hoping that keeping it around will serve as a cheap introduction to the prospect of a more expensive, but more feature-full dedicated iTV.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• A clouded view of Google Music
• Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration
• Will cloud computing push the BRIC market to the front?

1. iTunes gift certificates and apps. If you have an app, TV show, or songs you’d like to share, you can quickly and easily gift them to someone right from iTunes. Generic iTunes gift certificates are available in amounts of $10 to $50 in $10 increments if you’re not sure of a person’s exact tastes.

2. Online backup. Nothing says “I love you” like the gift of preventing data loss. If someone you’re buying for hasn’t developed an onsite backup strategy, you can both give a gift and do a good deed. Both CrashPlan and Backblaze (two of my favorite online backup services) offer gift subscriptions for $50. Sure, it isn’t a very fun gift, but it’s practical, and when a recipient accidentally lose a file, they’ll hopefully remember how you helped them.

3. Audible. I’ve been an Audible fan for a very long time. Someone who has a long commute to work will appreciate the wide variety of books that they can listen to via the service. You can give an individual book (the geek on your list will love “Ready, Player One” narrated by Wil Wheaton) or give a monthly subscription that allows for multiple purchases. Three month subscriptions start at $45.

4. Pandora One. For the audiophile who loves their custom stations and playlists but winces when they hear an ad, how about a gift subscription to Pandora? No more pink cupcakes. I’d suggest Spotify, but gift subscriptions aren’t available in the U.S. yet. Coal in that company’s stocking for sure.

5. Hulu+ or Netflix. If the hard-to-shop-for person on your list loves TV or movies, a gift subscription of Hulu+ or Netflix will allow for streaming of video content to their iPad, iPhone, and desktop. Unfortunately Hulu+ doesn’t work directly on the Apple TV, so Netflix would be a better choice for users of that device. Both products have gift subscriptions that start at $7.99, and both give you a choice of attractive gift certificates to print at home.

There you have it. You didn’t procrastinate, you were simply waiting for the perfect gift, and now you have a great list. Happy holidays and next time, plan ahead!

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration

The support article includes a chart that lists countries alphabetically, and then shows in columns what kind of iTunes Store content is available for iTunes in the Cloud access. Content types include Music, Music Videos, TV Shows, Apps and Books. The entire range of media options is only available in four countries: Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. Many more countries offer everything except for TV shows, and Apps and Books are available in every case.

Apple also includes a chart indicating where iTunes Match is available worldwide. There are 17 countries currently on that list, including all those who got the service last Thursday after a slightly premature slip allowed a little bit of access the day before. Apple doesn’t include Brazil in the support document, however, even though that country also has access to iTunes Match.

If iCloud media access is a big part of your Apple device buying decision, or if you just want to see what’s available in your country laid out in black and white from the most authoritative source possible, Apple’s newest support doc should come in handy.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• A clouded view of Google Music
• Will cloud computing push the BRIC market to the front?
• Why iPad 2 Will Lead Consumers Into the Post-PC Era

The EA game, which was originally a Firemint title until that company was acquired in May, is a Mac port of a title that has already made a name for itself on the iPad by providing a two-screen gaming experience; players can use their iPads as controllers for the iOS version of the game as it streams over AirPlay to an Apple TV-connected HDTV. The new Mac version offers a similar experience, by allowing players to control steering via their iPhones or iPads, just by visiting a web address in their device’s browser, so long as the Mac and control device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

In testing with the iPad 2, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S, the control scheme worked flawlessly. The experience was terrific; even though you’re only connected via the browser, steering feels very responsive, and you can also switch camera angles, hit the brakes, and check out your rearview mirror from your controller device.

EA isn’t the first to make a Mac app you can control with your iPhone or iPad, but this is a remarkably simple and elegant implementation of a solid motion control experience on a home computer, something that gaming consoles are all competing to offer consumers. That EA is backing this kind of control scheme, and not just an independent developer, also bodes well for the future of two-screen Apple gaming. Let’s hope Apple supports and promotes developers trying out this kind of deep device integration, which would make sense since it only offers more incentive for users to stay within the Apple hardware and software ecosystem.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Envisioning future strategies for Sony’s success
• 2012: Data, spectrum and the race to LTE
• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes

Quick and easy

Using Apple’s ability to connect to Flickr, as well as its Internet Radio features, you can easily have a stunning backdrop to your holiday events in three easy steps:

1. Choose your music. On your Apple TV, from the “Internet” find the “Radio” sub-section. To find a holiday station, first try looking under the categories “Religious” or “Golden Oldies,” but it’s likely a lot of radio stations are playing holiday tracks right around now.
2. Search Flickr photos. Once music is taken care of, also under the “Internet” section of the Apple TV you’ll find “Flickr.” Perform a search on Flickr for something very descriptive like “Glass Christmas Ornaments” for best results.
3. Start the slide show. After previewing your search results, change the default settings to shuffle images and allow the slide show to repeat itself once it’s shown every image. Be sure to select the “Holiday Mobile” transition theme before starting the slide show for bonus cheer.

A more personal touch

If you’re looking to show off your own photos rather than someone else’s, and you want to play your own music,too, then there’s a little more work involved. With the Apple TV, there are two ways to access your music library: Either via Home Sharing or iTunes Match. Here’s how to use Home Sharing, which is available free to all Apple TV owners:

1. Create a holiday photo album in iPhoto. In iPhoto, create a new album by highlighting the photos you want and choose ”New Album” from the File menu.
2. Create a holiday playlist in iTunes on your Mac. To quickly create a new playlist, highlight the music you want to listen to and select “New Playlist from Selection” from the File menu in iTunes.
3. Enable Home Sharing from your Mac. From the Advanced menu in iTunes, select “Turn on Home Sharing” and enter your iTunes account information to set up Home Sharing in iTunes on your Mac.
4. Add your iPhoto library to your Mac’s Home Sharing. You also need to add your iPhoto library to your Home Share. This is also done from the Advanced menu in iTunes, by picking “Choose Photos to Share…” and selecting iPhoto.
5. Enable Home Sharing on your Apple TV. Now that everything is set up and ready to go on your Mac, you need to be able to access Home Sharing from your Apple TV. Enable Home Sharing on the Apple TV using the same iTunes account information you used to turn it on with your Mac.
6. Play your shared playlist. Navigate to the “Computer” section and select the music library shared from your Mac. Go to the “Playlist” section under “Music” to select the holiday playlist you created on your Mac.
7. Start your shared slide show. Finally from the “Computer“ section on your Apple TV, pick “Photos.” Here you can select the Photo Album you created in iPhoto.

NOTE: To use iTunes Match rather than Home Sharing on your Mac and Apple TV, you just need to enable iTunes Match. Once you sync your iTunes Match library, the holiday playlist you create on your Mac will be available.

Holiday cheer anywhere with AirPlay

This third method requires only that you’re at somewhere with an Apple TV, and have an iPhone capable of AirPlay. From Spotify, to Google Music and Pandora, you can use whatever music source you choose with this method, as well as your own on-device iTunes library.

1. Ensure AirPlay is enabled on your Apple TV. You don’t need to log into your iTunes account on the target Apple TV with this method, but you do need to make sure AirPlay is enabled. Find AirPlay options under “Settings” on your Apple TV’s main menu.
2. Choose your favorite holiday music app. Most popular music apps in the App Store support streaming music over AirPlay. Choose one, and once the music is playing, simply tap on the AirPlay icon (usually located next to playback controls), and choose the Apple TV from the menu that comes up (note that both devices have to be on the same local Wi-Fi network for it to appear).
3. Pick a holiday-themed album from your device’s Photos app. If you haven’t synced any photos from your iTunes library or you don’t have any ready to go, you could just take some around the house of any decorations or trees, create a dedicated album for them, and use that.
4. Start the slide show. From your device’s Photos app, tap the AirPlay icon and choose the same Apple TV you’re using to stream music. You can stream both music and photos from the same iOS device at the same time.

That’s three easy ways to make your Apple TV part of the festive holiday action. Got any more suggestions? Let us know in the comments.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected world: the consumer technology revolution
• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• Forecast: the future of the digital music industry

Stylish MacBook bag. No Mac owner wants to carry around their machine in the drap bags given corporate employees by the IT department. The Switch Messenger Bag from Brenthaven for around $99 online strikes a good balance between being too small to accommodate your peripherals, and too large to just grab-and-go when you’re in a hurry.

Protective iPhone case. When it comes to protecting your iOS device with style, Otterbox takes the cake. The combination of soft silicone, hard plastic and a screen protector makes the Commuter series of cases stand-outs compared to the rest of the crowd. For $35, it’s a great, cheap alternative to their somewhat bulkier and more protective Defender series.

Smart stylus. While many stylus devices for the iPhone and the iPad have mimicked the look and feel of a ballpoint pen, I’ve found that the form factor of a piece of chalk lends itself better to iOS touch screens. The Logiix Stylus Pro Jr fits the bill. And for just $20, it has a price that matches its size.

Portable iOS keyboard. More and more people are choosing to forgo desktops and even laptops entirely, in favor of the iPad.  The more real work that can be conducted on just the iPad, the more one wishes they had a portable keyboard to carry around with them to make the process even easier. For $50 on Amazon, the Verbatim Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard is exactly what’s called for.

Affordable home headset. Everyone certainly has a favorite mobile headset.  But some may want to have a second pair to leave either at the office or at home that offers both comfortable and economy. Amazon has a pair of Sennheiser HD 220 II Professional Headphones that are certainly hard to beat at a price of just $20. They’re lightweight, and provide decent isolation from surrounding noise. Most importantly, they’re comfortable even during long periods of use.

Desktop cable organizers. We all know how cumbersome a workspace can get when you have too many cables. That mess doesn’t mesh with Apple’s clean design lines. That’s where the Quirky Metal Cordies come in.  For $15, you get a means of managing your cables that matches your Mac’s design aesthetics.

Bluetooth headset. It seems like wireless headsets have dropped in popularity since they first came out, but with Siri, there may just be a renaissance of wireless headsets on the horizon. There’s no reason to settle for less than the best, since the Jawbone ERA Bluetooth Headset is on sale through Amazon for just $88.  The noise cancellation capabilities of the Jawbone are especially impressive.

AirPrint-enabled printer. Eventually, purchasing a new printer is just as cost-effective as buying more ink for your old one. And having an AirPrint capable printer on the network that does not require an intermediary solution like Printopia is always a good thing.  Amazon has several AirPlay-capable printers on sale for less than $60 like the Epson Stylus NX430 Small-In-One Inkjet Printer.

Big screen game console. One of the most understated features of iOS 5 is the ability to broadcast to an HDTV connected to an Apple TV over the air. With the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, you can now mirror everything you do on your device wirelessly.  This can really change the way you play certain iOS games.  For just $99, the Apple TV is one of the best iOS accessories you’ll ever buy.

Tabletop game cabinet. Certainly something that stands out in any game room, the iCADE is available from ThinkGeek for $80. This is no April Fool’s Joke; there are a growing number if iOS titles like Atari’s Greatest Hits that support the Bluetooth integration offered by the arcade-style game controls available on the iCADE, and they’re sure to be a hit with the gamer on your list.

Compact iPad stand. TwelveSouth makes some amazing products for your Apple devices. One is the Compass Mobile Stand for the iPad.  At $40, it isn’t one of the cheapest solutions for supporting your iPad, but it is certainly one of the most compact.  The advantage is the fold away storage size of the stand when not in use, making it is a great travel accessory.

Portable document scanner. The VuPoint Solutions MagicWand is more like a digital camera than it is a scanner. Yes you do manually drag the scanning element across the item, but you access the scanned images as you would using a digital camera — via a microSD card, which is good news for Mac and iPad owners (so long as you have an SD card adapter and the iPad camera connection kit). For $99, this scanner provides a quick and convent means of scanning documents when you’re on the go.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Connected Consumer Q2: Digital music meets the cloud; e-book growth explodes
• Mobile Q2: Smartphone growth surges; iPad’s rule continues
• How to Market Your iPhone App: A Developer’s Guide

Smart TVs slow to catch on

According to YouGov, a prominent U.K.-based research firm, only one in 10 U.K. adults currently own a TV with smart features, and only 15 percent plan to buy one in the next year. A smart TV is one with Internet access, and with connected features such as apps or media delivery services. It’s understandable then, that Macworld would suggest a TV from Apple “would struggle in this tough market with such low demands for the technology,” but I think it ultimately misses the mark.

Don’t respond to demand: create it

Apple is a company that creates products that never would have made it to market if its process relied on focus groups and too much temperature-taking of the current consumer climate. The iPad is a perfect example, and one that was likewise greeted with ample skepticism prior to and immediately following its introduction. The failure of smart TVs to light a blazing fire in consumer hearts likely isn’t seen as a problem by Apple’s engineers and design team, but instead an opportunity to succeed where others have mostly failed.

A unique approach

In launching a TV, whether it’s an improved version of its set-top box or an actual television complete with built-in display, Apple will be competing with a number of seasoned veterans, including Sony, Samsung and LG, all of which already have smart TV offerings on the market and big plans down the road, and Microsoft, which is building out its Xbox and Kinect TV chops. But Apple’s approach is unique, in that it already owns and successfully manages a massive digital content distribution system. The iTunes ecosystem is thriving and with the current Apple TV, has gradually been tweaked to be more appealing in a living room setting, through additions like streaming of purchased shows.

Additions like auto-detection and resuming of iTunes content playback across devices, Siri controls, iCloud and AirPlay integration are all elements Apple alone can leverage from its mobile efforts to give it an advantage in the television space. Because of these key differences, any offering from Apple would be considerably different from what current and future smart TVs from competitors include. The demand for the latter types of devices likely has little in common with demand for the former, as a result.

Going pro

Apple likely won’t bring a new TV to market it could quietly dismiss with the “hobby” moniker as it does with the current set-top box. That Apple TV hardware is doing well, with a projected one-third take of the streaming set-top market, but as far as markets go, it’s not a huge one. If Apple wants a bigger piece of the home entertainment pie, it won’t just evolve the market; it’ll shake it up completely.

Think about the difference between the original MacBook Air and the refresh that brought the 11-inch form factor and much cheaper price tag. I think we’ll see a similar evolution take place with the Apple TV, with steps taken to ensure it goes from being a unique, fringe device for the Apple faithful to something everyone wants to take home.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.

• Apple’s Path to the Living Room
• Connected Consumer 2012: A year of consolidation and integration
• A clouded view of Google Music