14 DAY TRIAL // Ahead of a rumored refresh, Apple TV is now being sold with a $25 (€18) iTunes Gift Card in what looks like an effort on behalf of Apple to deplete existing stock. The upcoming new version is said to include gaming capabilities, a built-in AirPort base station, and even a tuner.
The Cupertino giant is now officially announcing the offer (which was previously confirmed in hidden documentation), stating, “Buy Apple TV and get a $25 [€18] iTunes Gift Card. Perfect for watching Oscar-nominated movies and more.”
The deal is available only to United States residents, and only five boxes per household may be purchased, according to the terms and conditions of the offer.
Apple markets the $99 (€109) box saying that “Apple TV gives you access to the best 1080p HD content — including blockbuster movies, hit TV shows, live sports, your music, photos, videos, and more — right on your widescreen TV.”
“You can even play content from your iOS device or Mac on your TV using AirPlay. Apple TV requires an HDMI cable (sold separately).”
Soon enough, an upgraded version of the box will reportedly no longer require the presence of an iPhone or iPad to play your favorite App Store games on the big screen.
Thanks to newer hardware and updated software, the next-generation Apple TV box is said to offer support for third-party game controllers, access to the App Store’s 1 million+ titles, built-in AirPort functionality, and a TV tuner (like other set-top boxes that compete with the Apple TV).
At the latest shareholder meeting, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company’s Apple TV product was no longer considered a hobby. Currently a $1 billion (€728 million) business, the Apple TV is finally blossoming.
At the moment, users of an Apple TV can buy or rent the HD movies, see the most popular TV on the likes of Netflix and Hulu Plus, and download all the media available in the iTunes Store.
“AirPlay lets you wirelessly stream what’s on your Mac or iOS device to your HDTV and speakers via Apple TV. Or mirror exactly what’s on your device's display to the big screen,” Apple says on the marketing page of Apple TV.
iTunes Radio is also available on the box, and numerous new channels have been added in the past year. The latest of those is WWE Network. A full list of available channels can be found on Apple’s site.