Apple brings iOS 7-style iconography to Apple TV in newest beta

Each of the default icons has been reworked with a more modern veneer, eschewing the now-defunct iOS "gloss" effects for a matte appearance. The background starburst effect has also given way to gradients that match those found in iOS 7.

The pictographs themselves have also been made more sleek. The "Settings" icon underwent the most radical change, gaining the same nested gears icon found in Apple's newest mobile and desktop operating systems.

In addition, the weight of the typeface is slightly thinner and icons no longer cast reflections. Finally, the "glow" surrounding the currently-selected icon has been tightened up to include a more defined white ring offset by a small black margin.

Overall, however, the Apple TV user interface paradigm remains largely unchanged from its debut in 2007. Rumors of an all-new Apple TV have been circulating for years, and picked up steam in 2011 following the publication of Steve Jobs's autobiography in which the late Apple CEO was quoted as saying he had "finally cracked" the television problem.

Those rumors came to a head in early 2014, as numerous media outlets suggested that a refresh was imminent, though none materialized. More recent reports have signaled that Apple's new set-top solution has been stalled as negotiations with content providers drag on.