I am not sure even if it was going to be announced that they would dedicate too much time to it. Either I am really inside the box and have no imagination or there really is not that much (other than spec improvements, more homkit stuff and more content) you could really do with it? I am however looking forward to whatever is going to be announced whatever that may be!
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Redesigned Apple TV Not Ready for WWDC Debut
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But this is Apple we're talking about, the company that controls the software and the hardware. WWDC isn't just software ( and wasn't the Mac Pro announced at WWDC? ).
I think that low key is the way to go. The "look at our company and aren't we great" bit has been done to death, it's brash dated and somewhat tacky.
From a British point of view and I suspect mainland Europe "understated" is much better and better received. It may be great for the Apple home market but the rest of us just sit there cringing.
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8 GB flash storage sounds a bit "too less" to me, though I can't image the current model will use more than 1-2 GB. On the other hand, Amazon's FireTV also has 8 GB... but you can add external storage via its USB connector.
On the other hand, Apple had years to design a new model. The TV subscription is US-only anyways, so just release the thing. The Netflix support is the main reason I'm using an Apple TV now.
Apple has got to get the hardware right. If the new Apple TV hardware didn't support 4K and HDMI 2.0 with HDMI 2.0a upgradability, as rumored, then it wasn't ready for prime time. Without 4K and HDMI 2.0a upgradability, Apple TV will not be competitive with other streaming devices and services in 2H 2015. Without these hardware capabilities, Apple and its partners will be unable to offer premium quality (upsellable) content on the platform.
The next big thing in television is 4K HDR, and especially HDR (potentially including 10-bit 1080p HDR), and, given where we are now, releasing hardware that is incompatible with one or both standards would be almost as bad as releasing hardware that is incompatible with 1080p HDTV. 4K Blu-Ray with HDR is expected this fall, and Amazon, Netflix, and Vudu all plan to launch 4K HDR service in 2H 2015; all of these services will require hardware with HDMI 2.0a.
More information on HDMI 2.0a below.
http://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-hdmi-2-0a/
As much as we hear about cord cutting, cord cutters still account for a small percentage of consumers. Most potential customers for an Apple TV already have cable or satellite service with a commercial-skipping HDTV DVR. Apple has got to give these consumers a reason to purchase an Apple TV. A superior interface for the same content is not sufficient to sell a set-top box in volume, as evidenced by lackluster sales of the current Apple TV and the HDTV TiVo.
Most consumers will stick with their existing cable and satellite HDTV DVRs unless they are given a compelling reason to switch. Apple has got to offer television content that is either cheaper or better in some way. Since content providers aren't likely to go for the cheaper option, Apple will likely have to improve the content and access to the content. Apple could offer content without commercials and/or in 4K HDR (for an added cost). Bottom line, for Apple TV to be successful, Apple must offer customers something they don't already have and/or can't get with their existing service.
Additionally, to make a streaming TV service profitable, Apple must upsell content. Apple has got to offer the basic channels that everyone desires --if they intend to replace cable television service -- but Apple is not likely to make money on that content. Apple will make money by upselling premium content to consumers (e.g., offer 720p or 1080p content with commercials for one price, 4k HD content with commercials for a higher price, and 4k content without commercials for the highest price). The best way to upsell premium content to cable subscribers is to offer them something they can't get on cable.
The next big thing in television is 4K HDR, and especially HDR (potentially including 10-bit 1080p HDR), and, given where we are now, releasing hardware that is incompatible with one or both standards would be almost as bad as releasing hardware that is incompatible with 1080p HDTV. 4K Blu-Ray with HDR is expected this fall, and Amazon, Netflix, and Vudu all plan to launch 4K HDR service in 2H 2015; all of these services will require hardware with HDMI 2.0a.
More information on HDMI 2.0a below.
http://www.cnet.com/news/what-is-hdmi-2-0a/
As much as we hear about cord cutting, cord cutters still account for a small percentage of consumers. Most potential customers for an Apple TV already have cable or satellite service with a commercial-skipping HDTV DVR. Apple has got to give these consumers a reason to purchase an Apple TV. A superior interface for the same content is not sufficient to sell a set-top box in volume, as evidenced by lackluster sales of the current Apple TV and the HDTV TiVo.
Most consumers will stick with their existing cable and satellite HDTV DVRs unless they are given a compelling reason to switch. Apple has got to offer television content that is either cheaper or better in some way. Since content providers aren't likely to go for the cheaper option, Apple will likely have to improve the content and access to the content. Apple could offer content without commercials and/or in 4K HDR (for an added cost). Bottom line, for Apple TV to be successful, Apple must offer customers something they don't already have and/or can't get with their existing service.
Additionally, to make a streaming TV service profitable, Apple must upsell content. Apple has got to offer the basic channels that everyone desires --if they intend to replace cable television service -- but Apple is not likely to make money on that content. Apple will make money by upselling premium content to consumers (e.g., offer 720p or 1080p content with commercials for one price, 4k HD content with commercials for a higher price, and 4k content without commercials for the highest price). The best way to upsell premium content to cable subscribers is to offer them something they can't get on cable.
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Ahhhh that was my main reason for watching this years WWDC! Surely this will affect the way they talk about Homekit too. Im not expecting much from iOS9 or MacOSX this year. No matter, it will save me spending money I guess.
Maybe they will show the next version of Watch OS with new features etc, now that would be interesting
Maybe they will show the next version of Watch OS with new features etc, now that would be interesting
See im not convinced it will be a 4k box. As much as I agree it should be future (now?) ready you know what Apple can be like. Also here in the UK, 4k hasn't really taken off. Current 4k TV's have the older HDMI spec and there is absolutely no content for them outside of the fancy demo video showing flowers, cityscapes, and a nice asian lady eating fruit :/
I'm afraid we won't get 4K support this year and Apple will save it for a future TV upgrade.
I don't know why they are waiting for a content deal with those parasites. It's time for the pirate flag to rise again above Cupertino! Arrgh!
I hope this rumour will be proven false. The Apple TV hardware is lagging behind everything else on the market and there are some limitations on the current model that I hope a refresh would address; namely, the lag in mirroring even from a wired connection and the limited on-board storage. App support would be amazing for many of the games currently available for iOS devices.
Most years WWDC is just software: that's what it is intended for. They schedule announcements for new hardware outside the WWDC. Look at the Apple Watch - it had two of them for a single release, neither one of them at WWDC.
This can't be true.. Since this wwdc it's mainly about Apple TV more than anything.. I'm sure this is just ******** talk.. Apple TV it's been ready and I'm sure it will be the star of June 8
Despite early rumors suggesting Apple would introduce a redesigned Apple TV set-top box at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, it appears the device will not be ready to debut at that time. In a report covering what to expect at WWDC, The New York Times' Brian X. Chen writes that Apple has postponed its plans because the product is "not ready for prime time."Apple has not introduced a revamped version of its Apple TV since 2012, leading to years of rumors and speculation about the company's plans for the device. Since 2013, nearly every Apple event has been targeted as the venue where we'll see a new version of the Apple TV, but no product has materialized as of yet.
According to the most recent rumors, Apple is currently working on a new version of the Apple TV that will include ambitious additions like a full App Store that supports apps and games, Siri support, and an SDK for developers. It is also said to include an A8 chip, an increase in internal storage, and a touch-based remote.
There is no word on when the Apple TV might debut, but it's possible that it could be introduced later this year alongside Apple's rumored subscription television service. Apple was said to be targeting a WWDC launch for its TV service, but those plans were also delayed as the necessary deals are not yet in place.
With its subscription television service and set-top box off the table for the Worldwide Developers Conference, the event will focus on iOS 9, OS X 10.11, and the company's new Beats-based streaming music service. The Apple Watch will also be a major focus, with Apple planning to debut native Apple Watch apps as shared by Jeff Williams last week.
Update: Re/code is also reporting that the Apple TV will not be introduced at WWDC.
Article Link: Redesigned Apple TV Not Ready for WWDC Debut
Keep in mind that the Apple TV is not a high margin product like the iPhone or Apple Watch. Apple doesn't make money on the sale of the Apple TV hardware; they make the money on the sale of the video content. It is in Apple's best interest to offer hardware that allows it (and its partners, where Apple receives a % of sales) to sell 4K content for an an extra fee.
Currently, Apple offers SD content for one price and HD content for a higher price. In the near future, HD content -- which is now standard on cable -- will be one price and 4K HDR will be a higher price. It no longer makes sense to offer content in SD.
A new TV is that big of a deal that without it WWDC will suck?
It's very true, but still traditionally it's a more software focussed event, so the complaints still amuse me a little.
Personally pleased that Apple is still prepared to postpone products and forgoe profits today, just to get them right
There's tons of content in iTunes that was only made in SD, so I don't think they would want to stop selling it.
I think they should make SD and HD one price, regardless. It always seems petty of Apple when I see the two prices. SD is fine for me, so I've never bought HD unless it's the same price as SD.
