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New Apple TV to Start at $149, Feature Universal Search With Siri

Wednesday September 2, 2015 7:52 am PDT by Mitchel Broussard
Apple is set to introduce the next iteration of its Apple TV lineup at next week's September 9 media event, alongside the expected announcement of new iPhones, and a previously rumored feature is gaining additional traction today with a report from BuzzFeed claiming the new Apple TV will have universal search functionality, letting users search once and get hits from multiple sources, not just iTunes.

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Universal search feature will reportedly be a "cornerstone" of the new Apple TV, allowing users to, for example, search for one movie across services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and iTunes, among others. The ability to search for actors and directors will also be included in the search options, and won't limit users to just movie or television show titles.
Sources familiar with Apple’s plans say that a cornerstone of the the company’s new set-top box is a universal search feature that will enable searches across multiple streaming video services as well as Apple’s iTunes Store. Instead of searching the catalogs of multiple video services one-at-a-time for a particular movie, you’ll now be able to search all — or most of them — at once and then choose the service on which you’d like to watch it. You’ll also be able to search for actors and directors, and run other more targeted searches as well — all with Siri.
The report also claims that the new Apple TV will "start" at a price point of $149, hinting that there could be more expensive models with perhaps the possibility of expanded storage capacities. The $149 retail price does line up with previous rumors that pegged the Apple TV of launching with either a $149 or $199 price tag. The company has been said to be keeping the third-generation Apple TV, currently priced at $69, as an entry-level option.

Along with Siri integration, the next-generation Apple TV is rumored to feature an A8 processor, a touch-pad remote, and an App Store with an SDK available for developers to create apps. The new box will be aimed at more than just video consumption, with recent rumors hinting that the newly designed remote control will include motion sensors to support "casual" gaming experiences.

Update 8:52 AM: According to a follow-up report by 9to5Mac, the new Apple TV's onboard storage will be in the 8–16 GB range, and the touchpad remote included with the box will be black rather than the silver seen on the current Apple TV remote.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12, tvOS 13
Tags: buzzfeed.com, Apple TV Guide
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
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ckelley
52 months ago

Amazon Prime Video


So, is Prime video coming to the Apple TV? Because that would be awesome.
Rating: 26 Votes
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markfc
52 months ago
So we can stream Amazon on this?
Rating: 22 Votes
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mKizzo
52 months ago

In before the "OMG, $149 is too much! The competitors are much cheaper."


Well it would be too much if its simply an ATV3 with siri and a fancy remote...
Rating: 17 Votes
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nfl46
52 months ago
In before the "OMG, $149 is too much! The competitors are much cheaper."
Rating: 15 Votes
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BJMRamage
52 months ago
the search isn't something i am SUPER EXCITED about...this is something that could have been done with typing years ago.

I hope this isn't a KEY FEATURE
Rating: 13 Votes
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doelcm82
52 months ago
Apple needs to support 4K on this.

Also Apple needs to solve world hunger, and build an underground hyperloop tunnel between Fort Myers and Orlando.
Rating: 11 Votes
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ckelley
52 months ago

I'd be surprised I mean if Apple want to move on and do there own version of Prime/Netflix it seems a bit odd for them to advertise another company on there own device would it not?

If they open the Apple TV up to app developers, I don't know what would be stopping Amazon from making a Prime Video app for the platform. Well, besides Apple's App Review team.
Rating: 9 Votes
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justperry
52 months ago
More content/Apps for Europe please.
Rating: 9 Votes
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GizmoDVD
52 months ago
I'll be dumping my FireTV Pretty quick....
Rating: 9 Votes
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Ludatyk
52 months ago
I'm hoping when Plex is added as an app.. That Plex library shows up in search results. I think that would be awesome!
Rating: 8 Votes

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