Mikey Campbell
Contrary to recent rumors and speculation, Apple will not be introducing a new Apple TV set top box at its media event next week, says one report, but will instead continue to upgrade the current model's software with additional channels, content and functionality.
People familiar with Apple's plans said the company is not planning to debut a new version of the Apple TV at next week's special media event, reports AllThingsD. Speculation of a new product was sparked earlier this week when it was discovered that Apple had received shipments of "Set Top Boxes" from partner manufacturer BYD in China.
Instead of a hardware refresh, sources say Apple is focusing on broadening the existing device's capabilities through software. One such feature being worked on will allow customers to playback owned content to other users' Apple TVs without forcing them to log out. The process would require an iOS device, like an iPhone, to authenticate the purchase via AirPlay before streaming.
Apple has been aggressively pushing out new software for its set-top streamer, including dedicated channels for Vevo, Disney, Weather and Smithsonian. There are also rumors of negotiations with Time Warner and other cable providers for content rights, though recent rumors suggest Apple is looking to bypass the companies by engaging directly with content owners.
In addition to content, future Apple TV software may have so-called second screen capabilities baked in, based on tech Apple acquired from the purchase of content aggregation service and app Matcha.tv.
Sources have little information regarding the upcoming software updates, but said some of the new features are slated to roll out in the coming weeks.
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42 Comments
[quote name="AppleInsider" url="/t/159393/new-apple-tv-not-expected-to-debut-at-iphone-event-software-updates-coming-instead#post_2391282"]Instead of a hardware refresh, sources say Apple is focusing on broadening the existing device's capabilities through software. One such feature being worked on will allow customers to playback owned content to other users' Apple TVs without forcing them to log out. The process would require an iOS device, like an iPhone, to authenticate the purchase via AirPlay before streaming. .[/quote] That doesn't sound terribly useful. How often do you have someone else's Apple TV on the same network as yours and want to share content? I could see having two Apple TVs in a home, for example, but they would typically be set up with the same user.
[quote name="jragosta" url="/t/159393/new-apple-tv-not-expected-to-debut-at-iphone-event-software-updates-coming-instead#post_2391289"] That doesn't sound terribly useful. How often do you have someone else's Apple TV on the same network as yours and want to share content? I could see having two Apple TVs in a home, for example, but they would typically be set up with the same user.[/quote] Not every family shares an account; also, it's pretty common now for multiple families to share a dwelling.
jragosta: "That doesn't sound terribly useful. How often do you have someone else's Apple TV on the same network as yours and want to share content?" First thing that popped into my head%u2026%u2026 Movie nights at a friends house.
The article is written in a funny way. It's not sharing between AppleTvs necessarily, it's sharing between itunes accounts. It's super useful at my apartment. 3 roommates with 3 itunes accounts, 1 appletv Heck, I imagine in most families, each person might have their own itunes account. An aside, I hope they disallow content providers from using the word "watch" on their icons. It adds a super cheesy tone to the whole thing. Check out the new Disney icons (and ESPN, though to a lesser extent) http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/08/27/apple-tv-update-adds-channels-for-vevo-disney-weather-smithsonian
True but why the need for an iOS device? And why would AirPlay need to be involved at all?
Currently the AppleTV looks over the network for libraries authorized to play content by whatever account you enter under the iTunes Store setting... Which would still be the main account for renting and purchasing from that AppleTV. However, adding a feature that would allow playback from multiple libraries would be fairly trivial...
In the Computers setting, include an option to add other iTunes accounts; for each, enter the account and password. The AppleTV will then scan the network for all iTunes libraries with Home Sharing turned on using that account.
That library will appear in the main "Computers" app on the home screen, just as multiple libraries always have.
The method mentioned in the article seems convoluted and unnecessary. I'm guessing the author has never actually used an AppleTV before?