Report: Apple TV could get update Tuesday

With September's retooling of the iPod Nano out of the way, the blogosphere's attention is turning to the possibility of an Apple TV announcement in the coming days.

The Apple TV device.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Christina Warren of The Unofficial Apple Weblog wrote Saturday that TUAW.com had received an e-mail from an unnamed Apple reseller. The message: The reseller had been instructed by Apple

to remove all Apple TV displays and literature and to destroy them (which I assume means throw away the literature, send back the Apple TVs) by September 30, 2008 at 5 PM. Additionally, the e-mail says that there will be a webcast "kick off" on September 30.

It may simply be, Warren wrote in an update, that the reported instructions have to do with the expiration of licensing for the shows and images seen in the literature "and that the actual physical units may not be disappearing."

Still, the issue remains open: Is there something afoot with the Apple TV itself? "Could this potentially be the introduction of the Mini/Apple TV hybrid we've all been begging for?" Warren asks. "Is this related to the rumors of 'The Brick?'" (The Brick being a rumored gadget suspected of being scheduled for an October release.)

Version 2.0 of the Apple TV firmware came out in early 2008.

The folks at MacBlogz concur that an Apple TV shakeup is a possibility, but they seem to be putting their money on an HDTV-related upgrade.

All that remains now is to see what actually comes of the anticipated Apple Webcast on Tuesday.

[iertry]

your really behind on this as the news broke yesterday and was debunked yesterday. As you say in the article the rights have just run out for the promotional materials. Simple. Any announcement would be left until the macbook/pro announcement rumored for Oct 14th. Apple wouldn't release a mini/aTV hybrid just online. They would have a press event as that is big news (the fusion of two of their products). Sept 30th is in two days so there is not enough time to notify the press.

[pateapete]

Look forward to the new Apple TV news. Whoever can come up with a simple means of transferring Computer data and pics to any TV in the house is on a winner. Similarly whoever does it so that one main tv in the house can be linked wirel;essly with screens in other rooms has it made.
[e-mail]

[Kwasiowusu]

Apple TV has been a massive failure.
The XBOX 360 can do everything that Apple TV can do(but in glorious HD), as well as act as a Media Center extender, plus its the best next gen games console around, with the best games line up, and will play super games like Gears of War, COD4, Bioshock, Orange BOX and Madden. At just $200, buying one is a no brainer.

[dude7895]

People actually use apple TV?

[SpiritWater]

The Apple TV is indeed not as successful as Apple hoped it would be. Three things can fix that.

1) Apple buys Elgato and integrates their PVR tech into the next gen Apple TV
2) Apple TV turns into an extender for the iPhone applications (i.e. Games!) and the iPhone stays the controller.
3) The price is dropped to $129 per unit while the hardware is updated with the latest integrated graphics.

I would buy one after those three additions.

[Vegaman_Dan]

It's highly unlikely that Apple would put in a tuner or DVR capabilities into the device. Not unless they can com up with a way to add DRM to all recordings. It's just too much of a danger to their iTunes business. Why introduce a device that would let people record television shows in high def which would then directly compete with the same offerings from the iTunes Store.

[joetesta70]

All 3 people using Apple TV will be really thrilled!

[MaggieRed]

I like my ?TV just fine. Brings all my moves from my iMac to 60" HDTV, and the music as well as photos. It works great for renting movies (haven't been to blockbuster since) although they do need to accelerate getting more movies available but it's coming along.

I didn't buy it to compete against a gaming console, so I'm very pleased with mine.

[burningbird]

I could see a price drop on the AppleTV, and a major upgrade in the software -- not only to allow purchase of HD TV shows directly on the machine, but probably other bells and whistles. If a new box were coming, there would be more noise, and probably a show. Apple doesn't roll out new machines in a web cast.

[tappy727]

Funny how even Apple never really say anything about the AppleTV? We sold x number of iPods, x number of videos, and oh yeah there is that AppleTV thing in the back corner of the Apple store.

[SMB-IL]

Apple TV is a DVD killer in my house. The streaming is flawless, it supports 5.1 and something close to HD. It's certainly not for the HOME THEATRE crowd (you know, those that are obsessively looking for non-existent DVD authoring artifacts), but for the casual viewer and renter, it's a great little machine.

[Countof9]

Interesting how people who think the ATV is so lame are spending their time in an ATV news thread. I dunno.... I have one, it works awesome, I agree with SMB-IL, it is a DVD killer. All my favorites are stored online and I access them through my ipod touch with the free program "Remote". Sure it's an infant in a new field, but its the future of AV distribution. It also acts as another itunes link to my stereo (airport express) and I have no complaints.