New, polished Apple TV interface said to 'blow away' existing smart TVs

The launch of new Apple TV hardware may have been delayed from WWDC to Apple's Sept. 9 event to allow the company more time to polish its interface, one that will allegedly "blow away" current, "junky" smart TV interfaces. In a preview of Apple's upcoming event, Matthew Panzarino of TechCrunch revealed some interesting tidbits he's heard from sources about the anticipated hardware refresh. Specifically, he said the interface on the new device has been heavily refined by the company, particularly in the final touches put in place. Panzarino went as far as to say that the new iteration of the set-top box will be the "first real Apple TV product" from the Cupertino, Calif., company. He believes that by including an App Store that will allow content to be delivered directly to consumers, Apple will gain leverage in negotiations with traditional media companies. Those talks for a subscription streaming TV service have allegedly been held up over issues of pricing. "A mid-market breakout box offering is one thing, but a huge, rumbling platform with an upward trajectory of living-room dominating apps and third-party content is another beast," Panzarino wrote. "If, obviously if, Apple is successful with the Apple TV, it could be in a position to dominate content in a way that no other 'smart' TV platform has before it." The report also reaffirmed that the new Apple TV is expected to boast the same A8 processor found in the current iPhone 6 series. But sources indicated that Apple will be able to push the chip even farther with a new dual-core configuration that is constantly plugged into the wall, with no need to worry about battery conservation as in an iPhone. Earlier reports estimated the A8's PowerVR graphics that are estimated to be about on par with a Sony PlayStation 3. Panzarino also revealed that Siri support on the new Apple TV is said to be possible through a microphone on the device's new touchpad controller. He expects the revamped controller will also include motion sensors that could put it on par with Nintendo's Wii remote, and offer similar style gaming functionality. All will be revealed at Apple's media event on Sept. 9, where it is also expected to take the wraps off of its next-generation "iPhone 6s" series. AppleInsider will have full, live coverage from San Francisco.

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