Apple Planning March Special Event to Introduce Developer Tools for TV?

Citing "channel checks", Jefferies analyst Peter Misek today reported in a research note that Apple appears to be preparing for a television-related product event next month. While Misek does not believe that Apple's rumored television set will be making an appearance at the event, he does suggest that Apple might begin setting the stage for the future product by launching developer tools that would presumably also allow the current Apple TV set-top box to gain third-party apps.

Channel checks indicate Apple has a product event in March that is Apple-TV related (possibly an iTV SDK introduction). We think a Sep/Oct iTV launch is being targeted.

Misek anticipates that Apple will launch its television set in the 42"-55" size range with prices starting around $1500.

Rumors about Apple's television set plans have slowed down in recent months after a flurry of reports at the end of 2012, but just today fresh rumors of a potential Apple acquisition of German television maker Loewe have brought renewed focus.

apple_tv_black
Apple has also gained regulatory approval for a tweaked Apple TV box, although the company claims that the update incorporates only minor internal changes and will be invisible to users.

With the Apple TV software being based on iOS, Steve Jobs noted at the time of the launch of the revamped box in late 2010 that an App Store for Apple TV could launch when the time is right, indicating that the company has indeed been looking at opening up the platform to third-party developers.

Update: The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has refuted Misek's claim of an event scheduled for next month.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)

Top Rated Comments

Porco Avatar
145 months ago
55 inches is not big enough, Samsung do screens that go up to 85 inches. ;)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cbw87 Avatar
145 months ago
Cool. But still not sure type of apps I would use on an apple tv.

Don't constrain your thinking to "apps" in the iPhone / iPad sense.

Think of apps as interactive TV channels. Each content provider / network would have an app that can be purchased a-la-carte or be free with a subscription model, that lives on your Apple TV homescreen and is akin to selecting a channel on your live TV (in fact many would have a 'live' mode as well as a stored content / catchup mode). Apple would force them to "hook" their content into a centralised search / guide system so that you could search all past (catch-up) and present / future (live-streamed) programmes in one centralised, seamless, Apple-designed interface and access it from there (rather than through the app).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Peace Avatar
145 months ago
I can't see an event just to show new developer tools. That's what WWDC is for.

Something else will be shown. If there is an event.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlieegan3 Avatar
145 months ago
55 inches is not big enough, Samsung do screens that go up to 85 inches. ;)


Some, not me, would argue samsung products are too big. (note 2)

----------

This should have been long ago. I hope it helps the product really take off like it should have done earlier.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AlphaDogg Avatar
145 months ago
The Apple television needs to happen already.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cmChimera Avatar
145 months ago
Next month is definitely only refreshed Apple TV with A5X ...
I'm thinking this (as in developer tools. The Apple TV will be silent update.), plus a preview of 10.9, maybe a showing of iOS 7, possibly even the iWatch announced in March.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...