Apple is widely expected to unveil a new Apple TV device at a Wednesday event in San Francisco, California, among other products.
The Apple TV is not a full-blown television. Instead, it’s a set-top box that connects to a TV and delivers content like movies and television shows from sources like iTunes and Netflix, similar to a Roku or Amazon Fire TV. Apple first introduced the Apple TV back in 2007; its latest notable upgrade came two years ago.
While official details won’t come until Wednesday, here’s what the Apple rumor mill is saying about the new Apple TV:
- It will fully embrace third-party apps, finally getting a full-blown App Store of its own.
- Siri is coming to the device, potentially making it a way for Apple to expand its footprint in the Smart Home/Internet of Things category.
- It will feature ‘Universal Search.’ That means you’ll be able to type in the name of a TV show — say, Doctor Who, and get results from across the services to which you subscribe without having to hop from app to app.
- Gaming will be a centerpoint of the Apple TV, which will feature a new remote that could be used as a controller.
- The Apple TV will be available with either 8GB and 16GB storage options, or just the 16GB storage option.
- It will start at $149.99, compared to the current device’s $69.99.
Apple has also been said to be working on a television subscription service of its own, but the launch may have been pushed back as the company works to cut deals with television networks.
Expect plenty more details to arrive Wednesday by way of Apple’s official event.
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