Apple TV to Gain Game Support With Bluetooth Controllers By March

Thursday January 23, 2014 9:53 am PST by Jordan Golson
The Apple TV could be getting long-awaited game support in an upcoming software update, according to a report from iLounge. It could include Bluetooth controller support and an Apple TV-based App Store.

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iLounge has heard from reliable industry sources that Apple TV will soon be getting proper game support in an update, likely to come in March or earlier. We’ve heard that developers are currently working on Bluetooth controller options, and it’s expected that games could be downloaded directly to the Apple TV rather than relying on another iOS device as an intermediary.
Turning the Apple TV into a game console-type device with an App Store has long been expected, with rumors dating back years suggesting that such a feature was in the works. MG Siegler wrote last year that Apple appeared to be moving closer to leveraging the Apple TV for television gaming.

Steve Jobs himself said an App Store for the Apple TV was a possibility "when the time is right" in an interview in 2010. Apple and third-party hardware makers recently began shipping iOS 7 game controllers for iPhones, but they have been poorly received because of build quality issues and high price tags.

iLounge has shared fairly accurate information on Apple's product plans several times in the past, suggesting it does indeed have reliable sources with access to Apple's supply chain.

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AngerDanger
77 months ago
Personally, I'm excited for the dozen new incarnations of Angry Birds we'll see. :p
Rating: 9 Votes
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Jared Strike
77 months ago
This would call for an Apple Media event no doubt. With new information available for developers at WWDC.

Genius move. Make the hardware developers create the controllers and the app developers create the games while Apple reaps the benefits. It's actually a win win for everyone; consumers, developers and Apple!
Rating: 8 Votes
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KylePowers
77 months ago
Doesn't the current AppleTV only have like 8GB of storage?

I'd first like to see a 4th gen with 16GB+ of storage with access to an expansive App Store before being concerned with bluetooth controller support.

And, uh, native Plex app of course. I need that in my life.

//yes I know about PlexConnect
Rating: 8 Votes
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outphase
77 months ago
Hopefully, 3rd-party apps will come with it (e.g., Plex).
Rating: 8 Votes
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mistafro
77 months ago
New hardware for this for sure but are they really going to break the $99 price model to have models with different storage options? hmmm...

Game streaming idea sounds like a promising alternative.

No storage issues to worry about, just purchase and play from the cloud, the game could be loaded into the internal memory on the fly while you play as the Xbox One does.
Rating: 7 Votes
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Sky Blue
77 months ago
I only really buy the rumor if there's a new Apple TV model. Can't see it happening on the current version, not enough space, A5 processor.
Rating: 7 Votes
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peterdevries
77 months ago

You get what you pay for.

At freemium to $5 app pricepoints, you're never gonna see the Last of Us or GTA 5 on an Apple TV no matter how premium the hardware is. Not until 10 years later as a retro port.


Nonsense: Real Racing 3 and there are several other examples of that.
Rating: 4 Votes
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FlyersPh9
77 months ago
Let me use my PS3 controller with my Apple TV and I'll be so extremely happy!
Rating: 4 Votes
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Sylvan
77 months ago
Very exciting rumor! This could be huge news.
Rating: 4 Votes
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GeekLawyer
77 months ago
Long-awaited good news. Please let this rumor finally pan out!

I see all these new game controllers for iOS devices and shake my head. But for a big-screen gaming experience, they make a lot more sense.
Rating: 4 Votes

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