Ahead of the launch of the much-anticipated Apple’s online TV service, Comcast announced a beta test of its new streaming cable service called Stream. The new service requires no extra device or additional equipment… or even a TV.

With Stream, Xfinity internet customers can watch live TV or on demand content from about a dozen networks – including all the major broadcast nets and HBO – on laptops, tablets and phones in their home.

It includes thousands of on demand movies and shows to watch home or away and even comes with access to TV Everywhere and a cloud DVR so you can record all your favorites and watch them later.

Stream will be available to Xfinity Internet customers for $15 per month. Comcast is launching the service in Boston at the end of the summer and they will take it to Chicago and Seattle next, with plans to make it available everywhere in their footprint by early 2016.

The Wall Street Journal reported back in March that Apple was planning to launch its own online television service that would include about 25 channels from broadcasters such as ABC, CBS and Fox and would be available on Apple TV as well as on iPhone and iPad.

Apple Web TV service is expected to be priced at $30/$40 per month and it’s reportedly scheduled to be launched in September.

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It is almost certain now that the Apple TV 4 will be launched on June 8th at the WWDC 2015. Among many other details leaked, it was rumoured that the next Apple TV could ship with Apple’s own video streaming service. But “several people with knowledge of the situation” have told Re/Code otherwise:

The Cupertino technology company has told network executives the planned unveiling will be postponed because Apple has yet to finalize the licensing deals. 

Technology and money issues remain sticking points.

We reported a few days back that Apple is looking to include local US channels to the TV service, which would enable complete cord cutting and lure in cable subscribers. According to today’s report, Apple hasn’t been able to reach a financial agreement with the channels and they also currently lack the technology that could broadcast these local stations to the streaming service.

These reasons are forcing Apple to launch the Apple TV 4 without the TV streaming service. The sources now expect the service to be launched later this year, or early 2016.

The rumoured TV service, charging $30-$40/month, is expected to bring over 25 channels to the Apple TV, including CBS, ESPN and FX .

According to The New York Times, the next Apple TV is scheduled to be launched on Monday, with a slimmer profile, new operating system and interface, support for Siri and its own App Store.

If you are as curious as we are, you can catch the live stream of the WWDC 2015 keaynote right on your Apple TV via the updated Events channel, at 10 am PT on Monday.

We will surely keep you updated as well.

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The New York Times reports that the new Apple TV is expected to be announced this June during WWDC 2015. Citing an anonymous Apple employee “briefed on the product”, NYT claims the 4th gen. Apple TV will get a new, “slightly thicker” remote with a touchpad and will offer a web-based TV service.

When Apple introduces its new TV box this summer, the remote control will gain a touch pad and also be slightly thicker than the current version, according to an employee briefed on the product, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the device was confidential.

The touch pad can be used for scrolling around and there will also be two physical buttons, the person said. The remote’s thicker size is comparable to the remote control for Amazon’s wireless speaker, the Echo, the person added.

The new Apple TV is expected to be introduced this June during Apple’s annual conference for software developers, according to the employee briefed on the remote.

Apple has held talks with a number of leading television groups to offer an Internet-based TV service this year for its Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, according to people briefed on the company’s plans.

The service will offer a bundle of channels that is smaller and cheaper than the broad catalog of offerings in a typical cable subscription, according to these people.

Back in March, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is planning to launch a $30-$40/month online TV service in September.

According to BuzzFeed’s John Paczkowski the new Apple TV will also get Siri and its own App Store.

More on Apple TV 4:

• HomeKit devices are coming soon and so is the Apple TV refresh
• Apple finishing up work on a new, slimmer Apple TV with App Store
• Forbes: Apple TV will be the center of Apple’s smart home

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

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