“Sources familiar with Apple’s plans tell BuzzFeed News that the company intends to announce its next-generation Apple TV in September, at the same event at which it typically unveils its new iPhones,” John Paczkowski reports for BuzzFeed News.
“Expect a refreshed and slimmer chassis and new innards; Apple’s A8 system on chip; a new remote that sources say has been ‘drastically improved’ by a touch-pad input; an increase in on-board storage; and an improved operating system that will support Siri voice control,” Paczkowski reports. “Crucially, the new Apple TV will debut alongside a long-awaited App Store and the software development kit developers need to populate it.”
“While that service is most certainly in the offing, sources tell BuzzFeed News that Apple does not currently plan to announce it alongside the new Apple TV,” Paczkowski reports. “‘Late this year — maybe, but more likely next year,’ said one, seconding a June report by Re/code.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: It’s 2015 and we still don’t have a credible Internet TV service from anyone, much less Apple. Sigh.
SEE ALSO:
Apple TV delay crushes Akamai stock – July 28, 2015
US judge delivers potential landmark ruling, says Internet TV should be treated like cable – July 17, 2015
Apple Internet TV potentially worth billions to the bottom line – July 15, 2015
CBS CEO: We’re still in negotiations with Apple over new Internet TV service – May 27, 2015
Time Warner CEO ‘pretty confident’ Apple will launch Internet TV service soon – April 29, 2015
Disney presses Apple to carry more channels on forthcoming Internet TV service – April 8, 2015
Apple asks TV programmers to supply their own streams for proposed Internet TV service – April 1, 2015
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “David E.” and “Bill” for the heads up.]
Are they going to reuse those epicenter of change invites?
I don’t think there’s going to be a separate diverse “ecosystem” of apps that are just for Apple TV, like apps for Mac and other iOS devices. Apps already exist for Apple TV. Each one of those existing content choices on the Apple TV main screen are really “apps.” The HBO app, the Netflix app, the ESPN app, the Movies app, etc… They are not identical in operation; each one functions somewhat differently in how they interact and present content choices, like similar but different “content apps” for iPhone and iPad. When I run the Netflix app on my iPhone, it’s essentially the same as selecting Netflix on Apple TV.
There are so many Apple TV content choices already that scrolling through them to find one of the less popular content choices toward the bottom is getting to be a bit annoying. So, I think there will be a new method to add even more content sources (as “apps”) to customize Apple TV for each user. Developers can provide even the most obscure (limited audience) content sources as “apps” for Apple TV, and Apple TV users can add them to their Apple TV. In effect, Apple TV becomes more like a web browser for web-based content sources that runs as the new interface for Apple TV. And that new interface needs to be able to handle the user picking from MANY more choices, which is where the new remote control and Siri come into play.
A few things I think about what could happen:
– 4K support, including upgraded 4K iTunes content and streaming.
– Apps would continue to be reserved for TV networks as they are today.
– If they do open it to everyone, it would likely be just for content from a single Apple app similar to what YouTube is.
– Or perhaps it would have its own App Store. Imagine playing a game on Apple TV where your iOS device is a custom remote control. Also means you wouldn’t need to buy extra controllers for multiplayer games, because all your friends will bring their own iPhone.
– Or maybe Apple will just say screw it and never update Apple TV and milk it for as long as people will buy it. Just think, with those hundreds of billions of dollars, they could have already shipped the perfect Apple TV. Apple has enough money to bring us more futuristic devices, yet they seem to just offer the expected and nothing extraordinary. And don’t say “well Apple Watch this and that” because yes I have one and love it, but we’ve been talking about the potential Apple Watch for several years now to the point where when it did finally get announced our response was not so much “wow, unbelievable” but instead it was “finally, what took so long, I’ve only been wanting one for 3 years” followed by “damn, we have to wait 6 more months!?”.
Ah, great idea, but not just a browser for web content, instead how about “the Internet, reimagined for video content”. We get every type of content through a desktop web browser. For mobile, Apple discovered the best delivery method was apps. Perhaps they’ve nailed video content as well with apps or perhaps something even better that we haven’t imagined yet.
Also, you can already remove apps and rearrange them. Just hold down the center select button. I deleted all the sports apps and moved the ones I do use to the top.
Sure would have been nice if Apple had decided to tell someone about features like this.
> a new remote that sources say has been ‘drastically improved’ by a touch-pad input
I think it would be cool if this new remote control used the click-wheel (like on old iPods). If you think about it, the click-wheel is used to select media items (such as songs and videos) from a list shown on a non-touch display. And it controls playback of the selected media item. That’s precisely what a remote control for Apple TV needs to do. The only differences (between an iPod and Apple TV) are that the display is huge and not physically connected to the click-wheel. Compared to the current remote control, which is like using an iPod shuffle’s controls, a click-wheel remote control allows the Apple TV interface to be far more efficient and dynamic.
The click-wheel is one of Apple’s great user interface inventions. I was sad when the last Apple device that used it was cancelled. It would be ideal for a rebirth with Apple TV, because it can be used “by feel” so the user does not need to take eyes off of the screen. And it is highly efficient in sending user input. The signal could probably be sent over IR, like the current remote, unlike using a device like iPhone or iPad as the remote control (which requires a WiFi connection). That means Apple could sell the new remote separately for use with the existing A5 Apple TV (after installing a software update).
Shut up and take my money.
Yes please.
But I believe it when I see it. This rumor is similar to the PowerBook G5 rumors.
Dejavu reports…