Apple introduces new Apple TV, supporting apps

Cuppertino-based technology giant Apple has launched a new enhanced version of the Apple TV, a live streaming set-top box along with a new operating system called TV OS based on Apple’s proprietary iOS.

Like the swipe down on the remote, Siri will answer questions and show you things like sports scores up from the bottom-again, without completely interrupting what you’re watching. Netflix, Hulu and HBO are among the TV partners that have built fresh UIs/apps for new Apple TV platform.

The Apple TV Bluetooth enabled remote can run for up to three months on a single charge and also comes with the personal assistant Siri, which helps users to search and filter the results using voice commands.

In other words, iOS developers out there can create innovative new apps and games specifically for Apple TV in a jiffy, while making sure they are delivered straight to users through the new Apple TV App Store.

The company spent a lot of time featuring Apple TV’s gaming abilities.

The new Apple TV is expected to become available this October, with a $149 price tag. “We believe the future of TV is apps”, Cook said. It has a new operating system to drive apps – TVOS. The redesigned media player includes a reworked user interface, 64-bit processing, and a newly designed remote with touch screen and voice control.

Speaking of games, the app store will be full of games that take advantage of the touch-sensitive controller: hold it like a gamepad and it works like one.

As far as aesthetics of the hardware go though, the Apple TV largely looks the same.

Apple upgraded the Apple TV in 2012 to support 1080p video output, and since there was no word of a 4K upgrade today we can only assume it’s not happening yet.

So, we’d imagine popular on-demand apps like WatchESPN, YouTube, Vimeo, NBAand MLBmight be included in due course.