14 DAY TRIAL // Around the same time iOS 6 customers reported a FaceTime downtime, owners of 1st-generation Apple TV set-top boxes started acknowledging a similar outage while trying to connect to iTunes. Several days later, the issue is confirmed as widespread.
A thread on Apple Support Communities titled “apple tv does not access iTunes – 4/17/2014” has garnered over 21,000 views and over 450 replies across 31 pages, all filled with complaints from customers who say they are unable to access the iTunes Store to buy / rent / download content.
1st-generation device models seem to be particularly affected, and while the issue may appear to exclusively hit only these device models, there is at least one similar report coming from the owner of a third-generation model (the actual thread starter). Apple's System Status page makes no reference to the downtime.
The problem, emerged on April 17, strangely coincides with a FaceTime outage reported by customers with iOS 6 iPhones and iPads. In a similar manner, only a handful of iOS 7 customers were reportedly affected by the downtime. Apple’s servers seem to be having problems supporting old firmware as of late.
These issues could be indicative of Apple testing all-new underlying software for the iDevice lineup as well as the Apple TV business, perhaps as early as June 2 (WWDC). If rumors of the company refreshing its TV box are any indication, we could assume that FaceTime is being tested across these two device categories for cross-compatibility.
The iTV refresh reportedly also includes an all-new interface with a new way of navigating menus and one’s contents (movies, music, photos, the iTunes Store, etc.), as well as access to a specialized game store, or the very same App Stores we’ve all come to embrace.
As far as the iPhone and the iPad are concerned, the all-new iOS 8 is said to include a Healthbook application that tracks the user’s health signs and gives accurate readings, allowing users to take specific action, such as reduce the sugar in their diet, sleep more, drink more water, etc.
The app could also be aided by the upcoming iWatch, which is also rumored to sport a bevy of sensors that can interpret bodily functions.
Neither of these two products has been confirmed by Apple, though analysts are convinced that at least one of them is coming in 2014. In addition to WWDC in June, the company will have at least another event planned for the fall period. According to KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, that event will be packed with all-new product announcements and upgrades.