We all know well that the cause of delay in the launch of next Apple TV is the fact that Apple wants to bring both online media as well as cable content to the set top box, and the talks of partnerships in this regard weren’t reaching anywhere.

Many believe, the merging of cable programs into online streams is what Steve Jobs meant when he said that he “finally cracked” the code for the ultimate television experience. Though we, cord cutting fans, would love such a set up on Apple TV, this seems to be almost impossible to achieve, as cable providers refuse to give up their monopoly over television screens.

But this may change soon.

FCC chairman, Tom Wheeler proposed a rule change by which cable companies would be mandated to open their content for sale and share it with any company that wants to be a TV provider. Wheeler says that a similar action in 1992 is what lead to the flourish of satellite providers and that the current situation demand such a rule change.

This would make all the contents available to every provider, resulting in more competitive rates and services. Also this, Wheeler hopes, would result in internet services offering small bundles of content (instead of a fixed subscription charge), so that users can view and pay for only the channels they like.

However, simple it might sound, getting this rule approved is a huge hurdle before Wheeler. It is too early to smile as this proposition is bound to attract strong opposition from cable providers.

Anyway, if such a law comes into being, users will no longer need multiple subscriptions and cumbersome login procedures to enjoy the content they love.

Besides, this will be the nitrous for internet streaming devices like Apple TV, which would be able to boast all your favorite shows ready to be streamed with just a click.

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It would seem that Apple is playing friendly with the folks at The Verge and granted them some unique information pertaining to the new Apple TV that has shown up in the latest FCC filings. According to their team, Apple has clarified issues pertaining to the new Apple TV, model A1469, stating that Apple Inc. will not be releasing a smaller Apple TV. They are actually releasing an device that only contains “minor component changes.” One item that seems of interest is that these FCC filings seem to reveal that there may be an upgrade to the new A5x processor, but The Verge was unable to confirm this information.

As of now, it would seem there is no difference between the new model and the current iteration of the Apple TV 3. Apple claims the difference will only be noticeable to those who pay attention to the model number. Though, we do believe there is more to the story than Apple is sharing, but it is unclear what it could be. For now, we will wait, watch and report back to all of you as soon as there is news to share.

Apple’s statement:

We sometimes make component changes which require an updated model number for regulatory approval. The component changes we made don’t affect product features and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience.

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This box, alone, does not reveal much regarding Apples plans for what is to come next other than the fact that, in true Apple fashion, this device is half centimeter smaller than its predecessor and that it will be powered by Apple’s A5X processor and will use the same Broadcom WLAN+Bluetooth antenna/chip that the iPhone 5 uses. As of now, the largest change Apple made between its last  two “hobby” devices is the fact that one supports 720p and the other supports true 1080p. Could the next iteration be a similar jump? I foe one am hoping not! I am sure we can all agree that Apple needs to get back to innovating and get away from simply resizing.

To add a bit more fuel to the curiosity flame, 9to5Mac revealed that the latest Apple TV firmware (5.2), released this week, seems to include mention of a mystery Apple TV, named “3,2.” Our current Apple TV 3’s are known as “3,1.” It would seem that Apple has something coming quite soon. The question is if this a completely new box with some cool new capabilities, a peek at what Apple has in store next, or perhaps a simple rearrangement of internal hardware, now that parts are a bit cheaper?

What do you think? Let us know below.

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