Tim Cook shed some light on the phenomenal growth of Apple TV at the stockholders meeting held last Friday. According to the stats provided by him, Apple grossed over $1 billion last year just from the set-top box sales and with our superior math skills, that turns out to be 10 million devices. That is double the sales in 2012 and quadruple that in 2011. And talking about a device showing such a geometric growth, Tim Cook has accurately said, ‘It is getting more difficult to call it a hobby these days’.

What is more exiting is that all new purchases of the Apple TV 3 will fetch you a free $25 iTunes gift card. If past is any guide, this offer could be considered similar to Apple starting the sales of refurbished pieces of Macs and iOS devices before a refresh. Analysts are confident that Apple is trying to clear off the shelves to make way for the next Apple TV.

Recent rumors suggest that the Apple TV 4 could be announced anytime now and in no way will it be stretched later than April. However, the availability for purchase will be much delayed and we won’t have our hands on it until Christmas. It is speculated that the box will come with a fresh iOS-based firmware with support for games and third-party controllers. A public SDK for developers and an associated Apple TV App Store is also said to be in works. You can read everything about Apple TV 4 here.

[UPDATE]
The Loop’s Jim Dalrymple denied the possibility of an imminent Apple TV launch. He has a great track record in exposing Apple’s plans and is said to have strong connections within the Apple backbone. However he keeps mum on the other rumours we’ve heard, which does restore some hope.

More on Apple TV 4:

• Bloomberg: Apple to introduce new Apple TV in April
• Apple TV 4 references spotted in iOS 7 builds
• New rumors on Apple TV 4 surface as Apple TV gains special profile at Apple official website
• Opinion: Where is Apple taking the TV in 2014?
• Native gaming on Apple TV could soon become a reality as a new Apple TV with its own App Store is on the way, sources say

Stick around here at Apple TV Hacks (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) for more coverage on the new Apple TV.

The post Apple TV purchases to come with $25 iTunes card as Tim Cook says Apple TV is no longer a hobby [updated] appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Tim Cook took the stage at the D10 conference this year to discuss Apple Inc., iOS, Samsung, lawsuits, patents, Steve Jobs, and the almighty Apple TV. The new head of Apple made one thing abundantly clear; the Apple TV is no longer a “hobby” project: “This is an area of intense interest for us,” Cook said, referring to the TV business. We’re going to keep pulling this string and see where it takes us.”

While on stage, he through out some amazing numbers that go a long way in expressing the growth in this arena, such as:

• 2.8 million Apple TV’s sold in 2011
• 2.7 million Apple TV’s sold already this year

With numbers like this it is obvious that Apple is going to continue to develop their products in this area. Cook made a point to say that Apple does not “toy around” with anything. Everything they work on is with great intention. We were given a clear image that there are great innovations to come, on the horizon, in the area of the Apple TV line of products.

Though the sales numbers are nothing in comparison to the other product lines Apple currently dominates in, Cook was quick to say that the ATV is nota third wheel. The Apple TV is here for good and it is only going to get better. Perhaps my favorite quote from the Tim Cooks interview is where he attempts to express that they are just as dedicated to the Apple TV as they are iOS, iMac, and iTunes:

“…Our tendency is to put all of our wood behind very few arrows!”

The question has become a simple one: when Tim, when?!

See more of Tim Cook discussing the Apple TV at D10:

umOuch (Andrew Brasher)

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ for the latest updates on the rumored Apple TV set.

The post Tim Cook talks Apple TV at D10, sees TV as area of “intense interest” appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Apple has sold record 1.4 million Apple TVs during the last holiday quarter but, interestingly, the company didn’t reveal this figures in yesterday’s press release in which it proudly details record-breaking sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs. The record figures for Apple TV were revealed during the Q1 2012 earnings live call: asked about Apple’s strategy for the living room, Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said “the Apple TV product is dealing very well,” and he gave the numbers: in the last fiscal year – ended in September 2011 – Apple sold 2.8 mln Apple TVs, and in December quarter – record 1.4 mln units.

However, Cook added that “if you dollarize it… we still classify it as a hobby,” but he also said that Apple continues to “add things to it.”

Apple’s CEO also admitted that he “couldn’t live without the Apple TV” and said:  “We continue to pull the strings to see where it takes us.”

Since the Apple TV 2 launch in September 2010, Apple has sold over 4.2 million of the set top boxes.

Apple has been long rumored to be working on an Apple TV set that, according to Gene Munster, could be introduced around WWDC 2012.

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The post Will record 1.4 mln Apple TV sales take Apple to iTV? appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.