14 DAY TRIAL // The next-generation TV box from Apple is coming in April, according to a report from Bloomberg. The Cupertino giant is seeking to secure content deals with the likes of Time Warner and wants to make the box available in time for Christmas.
The report in question pretty much reiterates all the latest rumors, stating that “Apple Inc. is planning to introduce a new Apple TV set-top box and is negotiating with Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) and other potential partners to add video content, according to people with knowledge of the matter.”
Citing the same knowledgeable sources, the news agency says Apple wants to unveil the product no later than April, but it won’t make it available until later this year. The goal is to have it in people’s hands by Christmas, the report says.
“Apple is aiming to unveil the device by April and have it available for sale by the Christmas holidays, though the release date could change because the company is still in the process of securing new agreements with programming and distribution partners, said two people, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.”
Another thing that caught our eye was a paragraph where some technical specifications were being dished out.
Apparently, the box will sport a speedier processor and “an upgraded interface to make it easier for customers to navigate between TV shows, movies and other online content,” according to one of the sources.
This bodes well with rumors about Apple turning its TV hobby into a full-fledged media center, complete with gaming capabilities through the iOS controller framework.
We’ve long stressed that Apple has an untapped gold mine in the App Store’s endless list of games and no way to play them like you would on a gaming console like the PS4 and the Xbox One. However, this could all change in 2014.