Redesigned Apple TV Not Ready for WWDC Debut

Despite early rumors suggesting Apple would introduce a redesigned Apple TV set-top box at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, it appears the device will not be ready to debut at that time. In a report covering what to expect at WWDC, The New York Times' Brian X. Chen writes that Apple has postponed its plans because the product is "not ready for prime time."

Yet one much ballyhooed device will be absent from the conference: a new Apple TV, Apple's set-top box for televisions. The company planned as recently as mid-May to use the event to spotlight new Apple TV hardware, along with an improved remote control and a tool kit for developers to make apps for the entertainment device. But those plans were postponed partly because the product was not ready for prime time, according to two people briefed on the product.

Apple has not introduced a revamped version of its Apple TV since 2012, leading to years of rumors and speculation about the company's plans for the device. Since 2013, nearly every Apple event has been targeted as the venue where we'll see a new version of the Apple TV, but no product has materialized as of yet.

appletv
According to the most recent rumors, Apple is currently working on a new version of the Apple TV that will include ambitious additions like a full App Store that supports apps and games, Siri support, and an SDK for developers. It is also said to include an A8 chip, an increase in internal storage, and a touch-based remote.

There is no word on when the Apple TV might debut, but it's possible that it could be introduced later this year alongside Apple's rumored subscription television service. Apple was said to be targeting a WWDC launch for its TV service, but those plans were also delayed as the necessary deals are not yet in place.

With its subscription television service and set-top box off the table for the Worldwide Developers Conference, the event will focus on iOS 9, OS X 10.11, and the company's new Beats-based streaming music service. The Apple Watch will also be a major focus, with Apple planning to debut native Apple Watch apps as shared by Jeff Williams last week.

Update: Re/code is also reporting that the Apple TV will not be introduced at WWDC.

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

Popular Stories

iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
watchOS 11 Thumb 2 1

Apple Releases watchOS 11.4 With Sleep Alarm Update

Tuesday April 1, 2025 10:34 am PDT by
Apple today released watchOS 11.4, the fourth major update to the operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 11.4 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later, all Apple Watch Ultra models, and the Apple Watch SE 2. watchOS 11.4 can be downloaded on a connected iPhone by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Visa and American Express Vying to Win Apple Card Deal in 'Fierce' Fight

Tuesday April 1, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Visa wants to pay Apple approximately $100 million to be the new payment network for the Apple Card, reports The Wall Street Journal. As of right now, the Apple Card is on the Mastercard payment network, but that is set to change because Apple is ending its partnership with Goldman Sachs. Both American Express and Visa are vying to replace Mastercard as Apple's card services provider, while...

Top Rated Comments

TreyCox Avatar
128 months ago
I was looking forward to the new :apple:TV more than anything. This is disappointing. :(
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
freediverx Avatar
128 months ago
Ouch, feel sorry for those who were excited to see it on Monday. But hey, more time for polishing the hardware, software and services.
They've had three frickin' years.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
philfry Avatar
128 months ago
Seriously Apple!?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kmj2318 Avatar
128 months ago
B-but there's an Apple TV in the WWDC icon :rolleyes:
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeaz Avatar
128 months ago
This is awful news. Was the main thing I was looking forward to with WWDC.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hog Milanese Avatar
128 months ago
So WWDC is already DOA. Great.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)