Apple TV Software Update to Arrive Alongside iOS 7 on September 18

apple_tv_buy_99As noted late last week, Apple will indeed be releasing a major software update for the Apple TV in the near future. While that update was not mentioned at yesterday's media event, it will be arriving next week on September 18, the same day Apple is scheduled to release iOS 7 to the public, reports AllThingsD.

The new report repeats the previous observation that a notable new feature in the software update will be a change to allow purchased content from the iTunes Store to be played directly on Apple TVs that do not own the content. This is a change from the current system which requires users to load the content onto mobile devices for playback on an Apple TV via AirPlay.

The one new feature I’m aware of is a tweak to Apple’s Airplay system. I didn’t do a great job of explaining this before, so here’s another stab: The new software will allow people who have purchased content from Apple’s iTunes store to play that stuff on other people’s TVs, via its Airplay system.

The key part is that they will be able to tell an Apple TV box they don’t own to stream the media they do own, directly from the cloud. That’s a change from the current system, which requires users to download stuff to their iPhones and iPads and fling it to the TV from there. It also echoes the way Google’s new Chromecast device works.

While Apple did not debut a new model of the Apple TV at yesterday’s iPhone media event, the company has made numerous updates to the device, including the recent addition of new apps for Vevo, The Weather Channel, the Disney Channel, the Smithsonian Channel, and more. Currently, the Apple TV retails for $99 and is sold through Apple’s online and traditional retail stores.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

Apollo 13 Avatar
162 months ago
Here are some rather interesting concept images regarding the new UI of the :apple: TV which is could get on the new update. Source: http://www.amongtech.com/apple-tv-software-getting-complete-redesign-available-september-18/

Image (http://www.amongtech.com/wp-content/uploads/apple_tv_ios_7_look_menu.jpg)
Image (http://www.amongtech.com/wp-content/uploads/apple_tv_ios_7_look_settings.jpg)
Image (http://www.amongtech.com/wp-content/uploads/Apple-TV-redesign.jpg)

Looks amazing :D:D

no it doesn't...looks like a Christmas theme.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
162 months ago
I want to play my games through Apple TV with no lag!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aardwolf Avatar
162 months ago
"OK… nobody look at the screen while I enter my password!"
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
162 months ago
Just sold my Apple TV 2 this week for $249 on eBay. Idiots will pay a mint for those things since they can be jailbroken. Perfectly happy taking that money and buying a 3.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonw76 Avatar
162 months ago
when will we be able to subscribe to the WatchESPN, HBOgo and Disney channels with out a cable subscription.

Why doesn't apple get in to the cable market with the existing Apple TV. I don't want a TV set by apple but just content. This will be the next big game changer like the itunes store was for music.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
162 months ago
"OK… nobody look at the screen while I enter my password!"

That's where TouchID comes handy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)