Next-Generation Apple TV Said to Launch in October for $149 or $199

[appleish19]

I for one cannot wait for the new Apple TV. My ATV3 has been good but I can't wait for the new interface, App Store and new way of interacting with everything with Siri. The price in my opinion will be worth it for me.

 

[tkukoc]

Not seeing what the price is going to include to make me jump at it. It has to really be changed for me to spend that kind of money on it. The interface had better be completely redone not just icon colors Apple!

 

[nealh]

Why spend 90 dollars on a Roku when there's a stream of posters claiming that chromecast is fantastic and that's available for a little over $20 at times?

Other posters pointed out that you can buy box sets of DVDs - no reason for an ATV. Or record over the air broadcasts with a DVR - no reason for an ATV.

The thumb drive version have looked good but I have seen posts of issues with streaming since they all do not use a LAN connection.

I have had my Roku 3 from when it was first launched. Runs smooth as silk and option to plug my headphone into the remotes is an awesome feature.

I hope I am wrong and the new AppleTV offers a lot(I am not optimistic given Apple Music). If Siri works well, it will make searching easier as I find the lack of physical kB with the streaming devices aggravating.

I realize the potential for apps and home integration is intriguing.

 

[Juicy Box]

Not true at all. The Chromecast pulls the content from the Internet. It isn't using anything from the device at all...unless you're casting a Chrome tab.

Ex. You fire up the Netflix app, find the movie you want to watch, hit the cast icon then the Chromecast grabs that content from the Internet. You can close the app on the device, turn it off even if you want, but the content still plays.

I might try this.
But it stills requires a device to play something. Unless things have change recently.

What do you do if you want to pause the movie. You are forced to use a device for this, correct?

 

[Abazigal]

Who would buy a device released three-and-a-half years ago knowing that it will most likely lose support next year? They should just discontinue the device now before those who buy it complain that it's not compatible with the next upgrade.

I got one for the peer-to-peer airplay capabilities (before the price drop though). I feel it is worth it for that feature alone, as I use it extensively in the classroom as a teacher. The other streaming capabilities would be quite redundant to me in this regard.

I might pick up the new Apple TV for my living room though, depending on its features and the availability of channels. The caveat is that I live in Singapore, so I don't expect much content to be made available to me anytime soon.

 

[jayiw]

$199 no, just no. $149 I'd bite if it had UHD 4k capabilities for app store games/apps and app store videos, as well as 3rd partly video services that support 4k.

 

[jinnj]

Who would buy a device released three-and-a-half years ago knowing that it will most likely lose support next year? They should just discontinue the device now before those who buy it complain that it's not compatible with the next upgrade.

Your statements don't make sense Apple just discontinued support for the very first Apple TV. Based on Apple's iOS track record there are 2 years of support past the last time it was sold. The current Apple TV will be able to stream from Apple's new service. It just won't have certain features. Just like my iPhone 5S had TouchID but not ApplePay because it did not get the NFC tech for it.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Your statements don't make sense Apple just discontinued support for the very first Apple TV. Based on Apple's iOS track record there are 2 years of support past the last time it was sold. The current Apple TV will be able to stream from Apple's new service. It just won't have certain features. Just like my iPhone 5S had TouchID but not ApplePay because it did not get the NFC tech for it.

I should clarify that there is a difference between discontinuing a product, discontinuing OS support for a product, and classifying a product as vintage or obsolete. The last of the three just happened to the Apple TV 1st generation, the first will likely happen sometime next year, and there is a good change of the second happening next year as well.

 

[WordsmithMR]

There really needs to be some sort of storage for those prices. I really don't care for the other "lower cost" features like voice commands from my couch. No idea what kind of apps need all that extra fodder in the remote... At best there will be one or two tech demo apps/games that use those features and it will then collect dust. HomeKit seems to be a joke as of late, unfortunate but true.

Also, do we have any sort of indication on what channels could/will be included for $40/month?

 

[AppleScruff1]

Hopefully it's $199 so Apple makes more profit.

 

[BJMRamage]

Well, at that price I guess my current AppleTV is just fine.

I get it though. Price it high and explain the new stuff and you'll still have plenty of folks buying it just because.

UNLESS, the idea is leak the 150-200 price points and instead offer 99-150 and everyone goes BuckWild!!!??!


Now, I know some will say "but it will have an App Store and so much more" maybe. But every year the iPhones get better and keep the same price points too.

I'll wait and see. But at these prices I have to think, upgrade my iPad 2 or my iMac or the AppleTV. I think the iMac may come first. Sorry Apple my wallet only has so much money in it.

 

[Rogifan]

Hopefully it's $199 so Apple makes more profit.

When is the last time Apple raised the price on one of their existing products? The only one I can think of is the iPad mini when it went retina. If the new AppleTV is going to be more expensive then that means it's a significantly different product than what we have today.

 

[skinned66]

I'll reserve judgement on price when I hear what it is and have a solid understanding of what the new unit brings to the table.

If the price is going to double there had better be a damn good reason for it though.

 

[markrath]

All I can say is please please please apple - release the bigger iPad and new apple TV or adamantly deny there will ever be one! Over a year of Mac Rumors "Our sources have confirmed....... (iPad pro, apple tv, streaming tv)" 3-4 events and no mention of either one. and before anyone points out that this is a RUMORS site just take a deep breath and take the post tongue in cheek

Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV will be released in October with a starting price of $149 or $199, according to 9to5Mac. The report claims that Apple will also continue selling the third-generation Apple TV for $69 as an entry-level device, although the set-top box is not expected to have support for an App Store or Siri.

The report adds that Apple's much-rumored streaming TV service will be available "as soon as next year" through a software update for both the third-generation and fourth-generation Apple TV. The web-based TV service is expected to deliver a lightweight package of about 25 channels for around $40 per month.

The new Apple TV is rumored to feature a dual-core A8 processor, an App Store with a native SDK for developers, Siri voice control, HomeKit integration, a new user interface and a redesigned remote control with motion sensors, a touchpad on the top, physical buttons on the bottom and a microphone.

Apple is expected to announce the new Apple TV at its September 9th media event.

Article Link: Next-Generation Apple TV Said to Launch in October for $149 or $199

 

[Cayden]

I'd buy one for sure. I'd love to be able to have an App Store on the Apple TV so that we could get real versions of YouTube and Netflix with their desired UI. It'll also be great with Apple Music. Maybe they'll allow for offline playback if they upgrade the storage size. Hopefully we get 802.11ac wifi along with the other updates and I'd be happy with a $145 price tag

 

[Studioman]

I was going to bring up the 1st gen Apple TV too. Can't believe I paid $299 for it, but it was a new category at the time.

It had a hard-drive

 

[Juicy Box]

When is the last time Apple raised the price on one of their existing products? The only one I can think of is the iPad mini when it went retina. If the new AppleTV is going to be more expensive then that means it's a significantly different product than what we have today.

I was thinking of the same thing, it rarely happens.

The one example I came up with was the price of Mac Minis when hey switched from PPC to Intel, They all went up $100, while all the other Mac line ups stayed the PPC price.

 

[akfgpuppet]

I think $150 is an okay price for it. If it has more internal memory then I'd pay the $200.

But I'm going to wait for Black Friday so maybe I can get a gift card or something

 

[akfgpuppet]

When is the last time Apple raised the price on one of their existing products? The only one I can think of is the iPad mini when it went retina. If the new AppleTV is going to be more expensive then that means it's a significantly different product than what we have today.

Well it is going to have a much better remote, rumored to have a touch screen and gaming capabilities. Which is a much stronger machine already.

 

[V.K.]

Isn't it a bit concerning that according to this rumor Apple hasn't settled on a price yet? that leaves me the impression that there is/was an internal debate inside the company over what to charge, i.e. what's the most we can get away with.

This might be related to whether or not that subscription Apple TV service materializes on the new ATV launch. This really changes what this device can do and might therefore affect pricing.
However, I don't really care. Even without such service (which won't be coming to Canada any time soon anyway) the rumored ATV improvements (if they are true) are more than enough to justify a 200$ ATV4 for me. I find the arguments about 100$ vs 150$ vs 200$ pretty strange. This is a device with long upgrade cycle. You won't be buying a new one every year or every 2 years. Plus it's shared with a family and not just for one person. And if it has significantly expanded capabilities such as an App store (which might be good for a lot of things and not just gaming btw) and a well designed new interface with integrated global search and well-done voice control 200$ looks like a bargain to me.

 

[unplugme71]

Almost everyone has data caps these days, whether they know it or not. Unless your cap is super low, I can't see why streaming wouldn't work.

I have no caps. If I did I'd burn through it quickly being on gigabit fiber speeds. Some days I've blown 120GB down and 70GB up. All depends on how much I stream and backup.

 

[Jimmy James]

I find it humorous that so many people are expecting an iPhone in a bigger box and think $199 is an outrageous price. I wouldn't be surprised if the price is even higher.

 

[xaqt93]

Not really going off anyones comments, but I personally am very excited for the ATV4. I love gaming on iOS and It is going to get much better with the ATV4. I would pay the $199 but at the same time, in order for me to do that, it would have to be very upgraded. Meaning I could easily say, "Hey Siri, turn on my Apple TV" and it would work. Or even, "Hey Siri, search for, "Wilfred" on Netflix. Siri would really need to work well in order for me to pay up.

 

[simonmet]

Anyone wondering why couldn't have done this 2 or 3 years ago? Given us the SDK then?

 

[StoneJack]

I think Apple is very good in releasing universal multifunction devices.
Think iPhones: browser, mail client, PDA and phone.
iPod: mp3 player, browser, mail client, PDA
iPad: everything as well.
AppleWatch: medical sensors, email client, watch.

AppleTV was a kind of unifunction device, mostly for streaming TV signals, not being very good at other things.

However, they finally cracked it:

A new AppleTV is:

A home game station ala PS3 (rumored to have similar abilities). With Metal API, it can exceed PS3 in visual graphics (new).
A home entertainment center with AppleMusic (new).
A home energy management center with HomeKit (new).
A home family activities management center (I am thinking of apps for home such as Family Notes, Family Scheduler, Family Calendar),
A TV streamer (as before).
operated through voice and gesture commands (new, Siri and sensor-equipped remote nunchaks).
A home health center (through synergies with Apple Watch) can present number of sports games, and measure physical activities for family members).
A home health information center: some remotes (not sure about new AppleTv remote) can sensor movement in rooms and keep doctors updated about patients movements; with applewatch, doctors through the AppleTV can also receive information package about main health parameters
A home security center: obviously connected with door smart lock, having a possible connection to remote surveillance cameras, sensors on doors and windows, rooms, can inform about possible intrusion and mail or call homeowner about the intercepted movements.
A home security center: with a possible storage backup think Apple Capsule, can record door and windows information and store for 72 hours.
Finally, a home fun place. With big screen, remotes and sensors, Apple developers can create all kinds of engaging and fun games.

If this all costs 149-199 dollars, you can forget about PS or Xbox. Every kid will want AppleTV for Christmas so they can have an online fight of Angry Birds 3 with remote movements! Or races. Or football game. Or fighting with swords online.
Possibilities are endless.