As expected, Apple has toady announced the next generation Apple TV with big focus on apps and gaming. It runs the all-new tvOS operating system, based on Apple’s iOS, enabling iOS developers to create new apps and games specifically for Apple TV. Users will be able to download apps directly through the new Apple TV App Store.

The 4th gen. Apple TV features Apple’s 64-bit A8 chip and supports Bluetooth 4.0 and fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi..

It comes with a completely redesigned Bluetooth “Siri Remote” that lets you navigate through your content by using Siri or a glass touchpad. It also sports built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and a Lightning port.

You can search with your voice for TV shows and movies across multiple content providers simultaneously. Siri allows you to search TV shows and movies by title, genre, cast, crew, rating or popularity. Apple TV will search iTunes and apps from Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Showtime.

Siri also offers playback control and on-screen navigation, as well as quick access to sports, stock and weather information.

The new operating system – tvOS, supports key iOS technologies including Metal, for detailed graphics, complex visual effects and Game Center.

Crossy Road and Beat Sports are among the first games that we will see on the new Apple TV.

The revamped Apple TV will be available at the end of October starting at $149 for a 32GB model and $199 for a 64GB model.

A new Xcode beta that includes the tvOS SDK is available for developers today at developer.apple.com/xcode/downloads.

Developers can also request an Apple TV developer kit at developer.apple.com/tvos/.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

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So, if you want to get your hands on the Apple’s brand new set-top box without spending a buck, check out the following rules on how to enter our giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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At the event held today in San Francisco, Apple announced the new, third-generation Apple TV. It supports full 1080p video playback, comes with a simpler, redesigned, icon-based user interface and runs on Apple single-core A5 chip (as opposed to A4 in Apple TV 2 and A5X in iPad 3).

The updated Apple TV features 1080p programming including iTunes movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and live sports from MLB, NBA and NHL in HD. Apple has expanded its iTunes in the Cloud functionality in iCloud, giving users the ability to access purchased movies and TV shows right from iCloud on the Apple TV. With iCloud, you can now buy movies and TV shows on Apple TV and watch them on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC.

Apple also announced that second generation Apple TV users can install the new Apple TV user interface via a free software update, available today. Still, third generation Apple TV is required to play 1080p video.

Following the new Apple TV unveiling, Netflix has announced that, starting today, users can sign-up for Netflix directly on the Apple TV and pay via an iTunes account. Also, with the new third generation Apple TV, users will be able to watch movies and television streaming on Netflix in 1080p high definition and with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

The new Apple TV will be available next week (Friday, March 16th) for $99. Pre-orders start today.

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While the whole world is already waiting for a long-rumored Apple TV set, and while the Cupertino-based company is struggling to cut content-delivery deals with media companies, tomorrow Apple will probably only reveal an updated, third-generation Apple TV set-top box – just a foretaste of what Apple’s reinvented TV will be like.

The new Apple TV (Apple TV 3?) is said to include Bluetooth 4.0 capability and a faster processor required to stream rumored upcoming 1080p iTunes content. But hey, you won’t revolutionize the TV with Bluetooth and a faster chip! So, what are the game-changing features Apple has added to its updated set-top box to conquer the TV market?

Here is a full list of what we can expect from the new Apple TV:

• It will be controlled by iPad 3: Forbes’ contributor Anthony Wing Kosner thinks the iPad3 could be the “World’s Greatest Remote Control” for the Apple TV, with features like multi-channel previewing, multi-angle selection, unified media viewing and social media integration;
• It will include Bluetooth 4.0 technology: 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman speculates that low-power Bluetooth 4.0 technology could bring a bunch of new input devices to Apple TV: Bluetooth remote with a built-in noise-canceling microphone to take Siri commands or some sort of touchscreen game controller – like a standalone version of the iOS Remote app. With the FM Radio chip in the new Apple TV, Apple could theoretically include radio streaming support;
• It will include faster processor: possibly a variation of the dual-core A5 chip;
• It will run the Hulu Plus app natively: 9to5mac has gotten word that “inside Apple there are Apple TVs running the Hulu Plus app natively. The app is feature complete and ready to roll out to Apple TV users on current builds”;
• It will integrate Siri: According to Globe and Mail, Rogers and Bell, Canada’s largest telecommunications companies, already have the product in their labs: it reportedly integrates Siri, Apple’s voice-recognition software, to help viewers make programming choices;
• It will be controlled by hand gestures: the same sources claim the new Apple TV can be controlled by hand gestures;
• It will have apps (channels-as-apps): The Guardian’s Jean-Louis Gassée believes that “to gain acceptance, the Apple TV ecosystem will have to offer a library of entertainment apps tailored for TV”, just like MLB.tv app for Apple TV;
• It will become a game console: Developer Michael Gile predicts that “Apple TV will be the most successful game console in history.” He revealed that he’s working on porting Wolfenstein 3D and Quake over to the Apple TV’s system;
• It will support iCloud: According to WSJ, it’s possible Apple will allow you to record live TV and save the shows to iCloud;
• It will be available on March 7^th or 8^th: Today, MacRumor discovered that the current model is not available in 98 percent of Apple stores in the US. While trying to order Apple TV 2, MacTrust discovered that the earliest shipping date for the stock was 8 March 2012. According to The Verge, at all of the stores where the device is out of stock, availability is listed as starting on or after March 7^th.

The Verge has more news on the forthcoming Apple TV:

We’re told that it will have 1080p capabilities, and will work in conjunction with the iPad and other Apple devices to deliver new video streaming / mirroring functionality (which will also fall inline with new Mountain Lion features).

Apple will update both the new Apple TV and the iPad 3 not with the rumored, quad-core A6 system-on-a-chip, but rather the A5X, a dual-core SoC said to have a more powerful GPU. From what we’re hearing, it’s basically an A5 on steroids.

Update #2: 9to5Mac reports they’ve gotten some pricing information on the new Apple TV model:

The Apple TV J33 model, MD199LL/A – J33 BEST -USA, will come in at the same $99 price point (and similar prices globally).

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The post All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV (updated) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

9to5Mac is citing „reliable sources familiar with Apple’s upcoming product release” that claim Apple is launching a new Apple TV alongside the iPad 3 on March 7. This is not a long-rumored Apple TV set but an updated Apple TV set-top box.

9to5Mac’s source says the new Apple TV will include Bluetooth 4.0 capability and a faster processor, possibly “a variation of the dual-core A5 chip”, required to stream rumored upcoming 1080p iTunes content.

9to5Mac also reports that they’ve been hearing of a “mystery accessory” that will launch alongside the new iPads and Apple TV. “We’re not sure what it is, but it’s called “B82″ internally. The product is likely some accessory, probably ranging from either a cable, cover, or new audio remote,” according to 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman. He believes it could be an “improved remote” that would take advantage of a new Bluetooth protocol.

[image: The Verge]

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