Some U.S. Pre-Orders of New Apple TV Arriving a Day Early

While shipping notices for pre-orders of the iPad began going out over the weekend, those notices have been accompanied by "future delivery requested" notes indicating that Apple is working with delivery companies to coordinate the launch for this Friday, March 16. But the new 1080p-capable Apple TV set-top box is also set to debut at that same time, and at least some U.S. pre-order customers are receiving notifications that their packages are already out for delivery today.

apple tv 3 15 delivery
The first hint of potential early delivery for Apple TV pre-orders surfaced yesterday when they began appearing in FedEx shipping notices with overnight shipping and estimated deliveries of today. But the initial shipping estimates appeared to be based only on the fact that shipping information had been received by FedEx, with the actual packages not yet showing up in the system.

But the packages themselves did start registering in FedEx's tracking system during the overnight hours and have moved quickly to their final distribution points, and a number of MacRumors readers have reported that the packages are out for delivery.

Early delivery of the Apple TV would be a welcome surprise for a number of customers waiting to stream the higher-resolution content to their televisions, and would not be unheard for Apple. While the focus is on coordinating an iPad launch for Friday with in-store launches occurring on the same day, the Apple TV is much less of a priority and thus Apple is likely unconcerned about the shipments of the new device coming in a day early. On the contrary, getting some of the Apple TV orders delivered today could be part of the plan to help ease the load on delivery companies for tomorrow's busy iPad launch.

Update: Deliveries of the new Apple TV are indeed being made today:

apple tv 2012 delivered
(Thanks, Nan Zi!)

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Top Rated Comments

mrblack927 Avatar
177 months ago
I don't see why this is news.

I feel like this comment is automatically added by a bot or something the moment a new article is posted.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ECUpirate44 Avatar
177 months ago
Shipping companies to apple: "okay you know we're going to screw one up, do you want it to be the iPad or apple tv?

Apple: umm err Apple tv!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TroyBoy30 Avatar
177 months ago
mine just showed up! :D
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WannaGoMac Avatar
177 months ago
Sigh if they added apps I would love to have purchased this to replace my HTPC
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafterman Avatar
177 months ago
I feel like this comment is automatically added by a bot or something the moment a new article is posted.

Agreed. I am tired of seeing that ridiculous comment. This isn't CNN, its a Mac enthusiast site. Its pertinent as people are waiting to see these new products.

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Right...you "got a call" from FedEx.

Yes, they probably did. The vendor can tell Fedex to send a robot call to the recipient to make sure they are home to sign for it. I've gotten Fedex calls when ordering from B&H Photo.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacD Avatar
177 months ago
I got a call from FedEx it was coming today and shows it's at the local facility this morning. I imagine, they did this to easy the burden on Friday's iPad deliveries.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)