Apple Inc. TV May Boast Universal Search Feature

When it comes to streaming boxes, all eyes are now on Apple, which is expected to announce the long-awaited fourth generation of the Apple TV in less than two weeks.

More details about the new Apple TV 4 have surfaced ahead of the September 9 event.

It would be a much-needed addition to Apple TV, especially because Roku has offered universal search since as far back as 2012. It’ll have a long list of new features, including more powerful specs, a new remote with touch-pad input that also doubles as a game controller, its own app store, Siri integration for voice control, and lo and behold – universal voice search.

Previously, you had to search video services one by one for a program.

Buzzfeed reports today that the new Apple TV is going to feature universal search which will basically allow the user to search for TV shows or movies once and see all of the relevant results from a variety of sources. It will also cost $149 rather than $200, the report says. The current Apple TV for $69 will continue to be sold as an entry-level product.

According to reports coming from 9to5Mac, Apple is planning to increase significantly the price of its Apple TV set-top box that will be launched on the market in October. There’s also a distinct possibility that Apple will release a single 16GB box for $149, which still doesn’t sound like much storage, but keep in mind that everything but apps will stream to the device. Apple is seeking new pathways to profit and the TV set-box could help the company to establish a larger market share in consumers’ living rooms.

Even though the new iPhones are expected to shoot in ultra high-resolution, the Apple TV is sticking to 1080p.