AppleInsider Staff
Apple sent out emails late Friday notifying developers that a second batch of Apple TV dev kits are being sent out to meet overwhelming demand.
According to the note, a copy of which was obtained by AppleInsider, Apple is making an unknown number of Apple TV dev kits available to developers who applied to the program when signups went live in September. The first wave of units shipped out less than a week later.
The same stipulations apply to the second wave of developers, who must accept terms and conditions through by Oct. 9 in order to participate. The date suggests public availability will come in the second half of October. Apple is charging the same $1 for dev kits, with shipments going out within one to three business days.
Apple's new Apple TV features a similar design to third-generation units, but is a quite a bit taller to accommodate powerful components like an overclocked A8 SoC and 802.11ac wireless communications package. Faster hardware is required to run Apple's new tvOS operating system that features a dedicated App Store and advanced Siri-based search functions. The early dev kits are going out in hopes of filling said App Store prior to launch.
The fourth-gen device also comes with an all-new remote control with Siri integration, glass-covered touchpad and motion sensors. Aptly dubbed Siri Remote, the accessory communicates with Apple TV via Bluetooth, meaning viewers are not restricted to line-of-sight use.
Apple's fourth-generation Apple TV is scheduled to launch later this month with a starting price of $149 for an entry-level 32GB model, and $199 for a 64GB version.
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Marko Zivkovic
15 Comments
All the cable providers better have their apps ready or else. I hope they offer deals where you can get internet service from one cable company and get the TV service from another. Looking forward to Apple's skinny bundle.
Has an availability date been announced yet? Or is it still an unknown date in October?
Has an availability date been announced yet? Or is it still an unknown date in October?
No announcement, but I'll be surprised if any shipments actually arrive in consumers hands in October. Remember the "early 2015" AW dates?
Fairly, this is hard to do. Making millions of anything is a huge undertaking.
No announcement, but I'll be surprised if any shipments actually arrive in consumers hands in October. Remember the "early 2015" AW dates?
Fairly, this is hard to do. Making millions of anything is a huge undertaking.
Of course tons of AppleTVs will arrive in consumer hands this month. Apple is very honest and accurate with their availability dates. There hasn't been a delay since the Mac Pro a few years back.
As for your "early 2015" selective memory silliness, Tim Cook specifically defined "early" as Jan - April in multiple media interviews last fall (mid being May - August and late being Sept - December). Apple most certainly did ship quite a few Apple Watches in early 2015 exactly as he said. Obvious supply demand equilibrium didn't happen until July, but he never promised that would be earlier.
The new AppleTV looks absolutely fantastic. This might be a big hit for Apple. It's affordable, highly capable, and should integrate seamlessly with Apples growing number of mobile devices.