Apple fanboys can expect a better TV viewing experience as the iPhone and iPad manufacturer is rumored to release a new iteration of its Apple TV set-top box come mid-2014. Reports indicate that the new set-top box will be rolled out with a new iOS-based software.
While software updates for the Apple TV are released from time to time, hardware updates for the said device have been few, such as the CPU upgrade last year along with a very small trimming of its dimensions done January last year.
"We've learned that Apple is making progress on its development of a successor to the current Apple TV and that the device is well into testing. We are led to believe that the new device, which is said to be a set-top box rather than a full-fledged TV set," reported Apple-centric blog 9to5Mac. "Of course, release timeframes with these type of products can quickly change due to the content partners that are involved in such products..."
According to earlier reports, Apple is also testing other input methods that might give fruition to new user interfaces that will allow its pairing or integration of motion control devices plus other TV products in the future. However, there are no indications that this will be included in this year's release of Apple TV.
Phil Dzikiy of tech blog iLounge cited reliable source as saying that the Apple TV will be getting some kind of game support.
"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," wrote Dzikiy.
"One developer has suggested that game support could be backward-compatible with the current-generation Apple TV. However, it's unknown what current Apple TVs would use for storage - it's possible iCloud could be part of a solution. This update would effectively put Apple TV on par with the latest Roku devices, which have already had their own app stores for some time. An Apple TV App Store has been awaited for years," he added.
Roku unveiled its smart TV platform during the International CES 2014 earlier this month. It partnered with manufacturers such as TCL and Hisense to offer consumers over 1,000 apps and tens of thousands of movies.
Apple is also looking to compete with Google's Chromecast as Google Play Movies and TV app jumped to the iOS AppStore.
Details about the new set-top box are very limited and, as usual, Apple is still mum about it.
Owners of the current generation Apple TV hope that their sets can also get whatever upgrade the manufacturer will roll out. If games will be coming to the device, storage might be an issue but there is always the iCloud to rely on.
