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No New Apple TV Coming Next Week, But Apple Will Upgrade Software

Friday September 6, 2013 3:39 pm PDT by Juli Clover
appletv.jpgApple will not be debuting a new version of its Apple TV at next week's iPhone event, reports AllThingsD. Earlier this week, a "mysterious" set top box shipment from a new supplier suggested Apple could be planning to introduce an upgraded Apple TV, but it appears that the shipment likely consisted of existing hardware rather than a new product.
Despite speculation about new Apple TV hardware on the way, Apple won't be unveiling any new boxes next week, according to people familiar with the company's plans.

That said, the company will be tweaking the software inside its Web TV box. Apple has already said that it will be bringing its new iTunes Radio service to Apple TV. And it has been adding new content partners, including Disney and HBO, throughout the summer.
While testing beta versions of Mavericks and iOS 7, Apple has also been testing new Apple TV software. The 5.4 Apple TV update includes support for iTunes Radio and it also allows users to purchase music from the iTunes Store on the Apple TV. In addition, it includes a "Conference Room Mode" for business and academic settings, easier setup options, and multi-display support.

AllThingsD suggests that other software changes will be introduced as well, including a new AirPlay feature.
Sources say that one new feature in the works will let people who’ve bought content from Apple play that stuff on other users' Apple TVs, via Apple’s Airplay system. So if you’ve bought a TV show or movie from Apple’s iTunes store, you could watch it at a friend’s house, by calling it up on your iPhone, and telling your friend’s Apple TV to start streaming it.
Over the past several months, Apple has been working to fortify its Apple TV offerings and has introduced a number of new channels. WatchESPN, HBO GO, Sky News, Crunchyroll and Quello were added in June, and in August, Apple debuted new channels for Vevo, the Smithsonian, and Disney. Deals with TWC and The CW are also said to be in the works.

Apple's Apple TV update will likely debut alongside iOS 7, which is expected to be released to the public sometime after the September 10 iPhone event.

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Tag: Apple TV Guide
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[ 206 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

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Avatar
najkee
79 months ago
Third party apps

I think Apple should open up the ATV for the app store... developers would help make that a revolutionary feature, like it was with the iPhone...
Rating: 26 Votes
Avatar
CrazyForApple
79 months ago
This was expected because we didn't see any blurry photos of any new apple TVs
Rating: 22 Votes
Avatar
nosnhojm
79 months ago

And here I was hoping Apple will release an apple TV 4 with:
A6 or A7 dual core
gigabit ethernet port
802.11ac
16GB inbuilt ssd for new app store
usb 3.0 port for external hdd


Not a single thing on your list would affect ATV performance whatsoever.

A6/A7 would allow you to...move your selector faster?
gigabit ethernet / 802.11ac would improve...nothing. Your broadband internet is the bottle neck (at roughly 5-50 Mbps)
more flash storage would...let you buffer more video in case your internet suddenly dies?
usb 3.0 would let you...do nothing that AirPlay can't already do.
Rating: 20 Votes
Avatar
stigzy
79 months ago
Really understand that Apple doesnt need to upgrade the Apple TV. There really is no competition that can compare to how easy and good it works. All it need is just some software upgrade, and I'm happy!
Rating: 14 Votes
Avatar
Steve J0bs
79 months ago
me wanty a new producty.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Sol
79 months ago

I have friends that have Roku's and they suck.


Some friend you are :)
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
Orlandoech
79 months ago

Really understand that Apple doesnt need to upgrade the Apple TV. There really is no competition that can compare to how easy and good it works. All it need is just some software upgrade, and I'm happy!


Really? The Roku is huge competitor.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
NewbieCanada
79 months ago

Any new watches?


Strap an Apple TV on your wrist - it’s not much bigger than Samsung’s smart phone. It won’t actually do anything, but neither will Samsung’s unless you have one specific phone.
Rating: 7 Votes
Avatar
Rogifan
79 months ago
I hope that tweak includes an updated UI but my guess is we're stuck with the screen of glossy icons for a while. Sigh.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Count Blah
79 months ago

I have friends that have Roku's and they suck.

well that settles it. I expect to hear that Roku is shuttering the business tomorrow based on this news.
Rating: 5 Votes

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