New Apple TV to bring Wii-like controls, report says

A possible design for Apple TV? Earlier this month, Bloomberg said Apple had not yet secured deals with content providers to launch a service that could replace traditional cable TV set-top boxes. The A8 chip, now inside the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, has the probability of making its way to the new streaming box as well. Not just with HomeKit devices, but also for media, TV and games. Rumors suggest the new Apple TV’s signature features will be a refreshed user interface, an App Store to let developers create apps specially for the device and interface, the addition of Siri for searching and navigating, and an all new remote control with touchpad and gesture controls. As such, Apple will release a software update enabling its TV streaming service for the third-generation Apple TV, though this device “will not receive support for the upcoming App Store, nor will it be directly controllable by Siri”, 9to5mac adds. The company is reportedly preparing to launch the next generation of the Fire TV to counter whatever Apple has to offer. The pricing, however, could possibly be attributed to the famed “Apple Tax”.

Apple may sell the new Apple TV for $149 or for $199, 9to5Mac says. The same thing happened before the original iPad was announced in 2010.

The existing Apple TV was initially priced $99 before Apple reduced its price a few months back since it was technically selling old hardware while rivals like Amazon Fire TV were offering better specifications for about the same price.