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macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,194
30,135



During Apple's annual stockholders meeting in Cupertino today, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that Apple sold more than $1 billion worth of its Apple TV set-top box in 2013, putting sales at close to 10 million units for the year.

This is a roughly double the 5 million it sold in fiscal 2012, which was double its Apple TV sales in 2011. Cook has traditionally called the Apple TV a "hobby", but said today that "it's a little more difficult to call it a hobby these days". Horace Dediu created a chart showing the impressive growth of Apple TV sales over the past several years, making it the fastest growing device in Apple's hardware lineup.

apple_tv_2012_interface.jpg
It has been repeatedly rumored that Apple is working on an improved set-top box and also a full-fledged television set. A new set-top box is expected to be introduced in the next couple of months, though it's unclear when the device itself would go on sale. A recent report said Apple would be introducing an SDK for Apple TV application development with an accompanying App Store launching to the public later in 2014.

Apple also launched a sale on the Apple TV at the company's online and retail outlets in the U.S., giving out a $25 iTunes Gift Card with purchase of the $99 device -- an unusual move for the company which only rarely offers sales on its devices.

Update 11:21AM: Re/code's Peter Kafka says the $1 billion number includes content sales on the Apple TV box, including movie rentals and TV show purchases.

Article Link: Apple TV Business Generated $1 Billion in 2013, Cook Says 'Difficult to Call It a Hobby'
 

bpeeps

Suspended
May 6, 2011
3,678
4,629
I am pretty much just dying for a real Apple TV at this point. I need somebody to slay Time Comcast.
 

rjtyork

macrumors regular
Jun 10, 2009
197
323
Huh? 5 million is not half of 1 billion. Or was that meant to say 500 million?
 

clcnyc

macrumors 6502
Jan 6, 2004
285
244
NYC
Omg

Enough already!!! Just release it!! I'm tired of getting c*ck-teased with these headlines, only to find it being another speculation or quote from an analyst!
I know...first world problems. :rolleyes:
 

addictive

macrumors 6502
Jul 6, 2008
369
356
Something is coming soon

Would the CEO talk on the Apple TV and talk it up (a $1 billion business on it own) if it wasn't leading somewhere soon?

Most of us will be disappointed in whatever Apple releases as the next version because many Macrumours fans believe it to be a magic box full of potential. However, Apples hands are tied due to content restrictions and cable companies.

I'd like to see the Apple TV have a 32GB SSD and a router combined - I'd like it to be able to run iOS games and a UI overhaul. At WWDC I'd like the company to open up the Apple TV to developers. I can't think it there would be huge amounts of apps worth downloading like on the iPhone and iPad but I do think some developers could make some extraordinary apps.

The WWE channel is very much a sign of things to come in the future.

Clearly "content is king" remains the mantra for all of broadcasting.
 

macgabe

macrumors 6502
Dec 29, 2012
341
296
I'm getting close to getting one - if we had Netflix here that would probably clinch it.
 

SethBoy

macrumors regular
Jun 23, 2007
217
632
It’s a very good selling point for iOS devices. Most people I show off the Apple TV to are generally impressed by the synergy between the Apple TV and an iPad/iPhone. Existing iOS device owners would buy one, especially considering the affordable price, and Android users bemoan the fact there’s nothing quite like it for their devices.

Too bad it’s not something easily demonstrable since it isn’t a mobile device.
 

laurim

macrumors 68000
Sep 19, 2003
1,985
970
Minnesota USA
Enough already!!! Just release it!! I'm tired of getting c*ck-teased with these headlines, only to find it being another speculation or quote from an analyst!
I know...first world problems. :rolleyes:

What's the name of this site again?

I'm trying to figure out of I should sell my ATV v2 before this new one comes out… but if I do, I'll have to buy the current one in the meantime or try to go without for who knows how long, lol. Actual first world problems.
 

LordVic

Cancelled
Sep 7, 2011
5,938
12,458
I'd like to see it be a little more "open" before purchasing.

official support for Plex. More wide open acceptance of formats.

Tying me into iTunes for my content doesn't fly for me. I ended up going Roku, though I'm not overly impressed by it, it at least has support for standard DLNA and Plex on top of it's own channels.

But If i could have an AppleTV, I would preffer it, Especially for Airplay.

I for one, do not want to seee Apple make a TV set.
Tv's generally are not something people buy every year. An Apple TV would likely be a silly product with relatively low sales. Especially when people are paying thousands for TV's.
However, A $99 addon box to make Any TV an apple TV is great. you can upgrade it without replacing your TV.
 

TallManNY

macrumors 601
Nov 5, 2007
4,725
1,579
It is time. Bring out something in the $200 price range with storage and better connection options. Release the SDK. Release the bluetooth api for controllers, and allow the Apple gaming casual revolution to blossom.

I want to play Flappy Bird on my big a$$$ projection screen!

(Side note, actually I do want to do that. Flappy Bird is actually much easier on a larger screen. I find it nearly impossible on my iPhone, doable on my iPad mini, and actually something I can play for a bit on my iPad 3. I wonder if I can airplay it to my projector?)
 

nazaar

macrumors 6502a
Oct 28, 2008
577
298
doh!
You know it's not a hobby, stop trying to play it down. Now hows about opening it up to developers and fixing the interface!
 

flux73

macrumors 65816
May 29, 2009
1,019
134
"Difficult to call it a hobby..."

Tim is practically drooling to show everyone what they've got cooking in the labs.
 

SuperMatt

Suspended
Mar 28, 2002
1,569
8,281
Deal ends March 5

The $25 gift card deal for Apple TV ends March 5. While not certain, this seems like a pretty good indicator that something big is coming to Apple TV next week.
 
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