Big changes to Apple TV might not happen as soon as the rumor mill expected.
A new Apple TV box was first rumored for last fall by former TechCrunch reporter MG Siegler. When that didn’t pan out, 9to5Mac reported that we’d see new hardware in the first half of the year.
But now, sources are saying not to expect a new Apple TV anytime soon. 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman says the hardware “seems to have been pushed back,” while Re/code’s John Paczkowski says Apple won’t show any new TV hardware or software at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Gurman also said the revamped Apple TV software could be tied to iOS 8.1, which may not arrive until late this year or early next year.
It’s unclear exactly what the next version of Apple TV might include, but there have been murmurs of a proper App Store, a gaming component and Siri integration for years. Last November, Apple also acquired PrimeSense, whose technology helped power Microsoft’s Kinect motion controller, so gesture control seems like a possibility.
Eventually, Apple may also want to launch a broader TV service, in conjunction with pay TV providers and networks, but those negotiations have been slow-going.
In the meantime, Apple has been adding new TV apps such as Crackle, WatchABC, Vevo and MLS Soccer, so the $99 box continues to get more useful even without a major software update.
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