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More claims of Wii-like motion-sensing Apple TV remote appear ahead of refresh next month

With Apple set to reveal its next set-top box on September 9th, additional details about what the device may be capable of have started to leak out of Apple. As reported in 2013, the company has been developing a new version of the Apple TV that includes motion-sensing technology to aid in controlling the interface. That rumor was bolstered by the revelation that Apple had acquired PrimeSense, the company responsible for the creation of Microsoft’s first-generation Kinect.

Now, a new report from TechCrunch has made additional claims about what could be possible with the new Apple TV, providing support to the idea that a motion-controlled UI is just around the corner.

The TechCrunch article starts out by reiterating previous claims that the new Apple TV will serve as a platform for new types of software, allowing developers to create apps focused on the living room. As reported by 9to5Mac earlier this month, the new system will include an App Store and a development kit for just that purpose.

That new software will run on Apple’s A8 processor, TechCrunch says, once again lending credence to the earlier report that a faster chip and increased storage will be necessary to create a true software platform. 9to5Mac noted this month that this will enable the device to run Siri, complementing the motion control scheme with voice control and allowing for easier searching.

Siri will be accessible through the system’s new remote control, which will feature a combination of physical buttons and a touchpad. TechCrunch takes this new remote rumor a bit further, indicating that it will include Wii-like motion sensing to augment the gesture-driven interface.

Unfortunately, all signs still seem to be pointing to the fact that Apple will not be releasing its streaming TV subscription service along with this new device, as discussions between the tech company and content producers are still stalled.

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Comments

  1. taoprophet420 - 9 years ago

    A wide skinny box box with built in motion sensing still what is in the cards?

    The $40 a month price is still the hold up. Seems like they could do 2 price tiers one getting all of Apple wants and another bundling all the channels Disney and the other companies want.

    On the subscription service besides building its own content distribution network I still see deals with Internet providers to offer deals for the service not to count against data caps as a magor hurdle.

    • chrisl84 - 9 years ago

      Disney would likely not agree to being part of a higher priced package that most would not join. Disney is out negotiating Apple and its pretty clear.

  2. rogifan - 9 years ago

    If the part about the UI is accurate then these 9to5Mac renders have to be way off base. The image in this story wouldn’t blow anything away.

  3. michaelg379 - 9 years ago

    When I read this article it makes me think of this: http://9to5mac.com/2014/04/04/steve-jobs-in-2010-on-apple-tvs-future-magic-wand-apps-web-browser/ particularly the “magic wand” part

  4. Since Apple never has been one to really raise the price on an existing product from one generation to another on the same line, do we think this will still be $99.99 or will this be their first price increase?

    • Jamie Gilder - 9 years ago

      It’d be awesome if Apple introduce this Apple TV at this price. But remember when the Apple.com Apple TV page had “Starting at $99” button? Maybe 3rd Gen will stay at it’s current price, and they add this new TV at $199 perhaps?

      Who knows? Depends on how much Apple want to dent to set-up box industry. Because the more of these they sell before the distribution/channel content comes, the more potential users will get it when it comes out.

      • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

        What are you talking about? I hope it’s at least $199, I’d be happier with $299 starting price. I’m not being sarcastic either. I don’t know where people get off thinking that this device should remain cheap, at $99. It’s really sad. Apparently no one wants this device to be truly amazing, they just want a small upgrade. I’m sorry to burst bubbles, but this Apple TV will be no less than $199 based on rumors. The remote alone is likely worth $99 this time around.

        Everyone needs to start praying it is more than $99 if they want this thing to be any good.

      • Robert Dupuy - 9 years ago

        I think it’s time for another Apple Lisa, I am hoping the price is 10 grand

      • Well, with all the other competitors out there under $100.00, they cant go too much more. Anything more than $150 and no one will buy it, unless its got some truly remarkable additions. Just because it has a touch screen remote, is not worth it, unless its got some major major bells and whistles. Even there, I cant imagine what they could be to entice more than $150.00. Only thing I can imagine is app support for playing games on the TV with some type of controller, but theres a huge problem with that: Any real gamer already has a PS4 or XB1.

  5. RP - 9 years ago

    There is so much potential in this space. Far bigger than the current App Store ecosystem.
    Streaming and games are just the tip of the iceberg. With the death of traditional television, a framework can supplant it and open it up to so many possibilities and new blood.
    If Apple can’t pull it off, someone else will.

    • RP - 9 years ago

      ….not to mention Google-like advertising revenues.

      • borntofeel - 9 years ago

        Fuck Google and their ads.

  6. Charles Nagel Jr. - 9 years ago

    I’m going to start off with a quote from Steve Jobs famous speech, “Again, you can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Now maybe we can connect the dots from here back a few years. You have a product, the iPhone, thats 8 years old and still selling strong. Question, How do you keep it selling just as strong or even stronger? You have the iPad which todays technology has not meet up with the potential of this idea, the only solution is evolution for now. The Apple TV was a hobby but as you look at these kind of figures for iOS, Active apps: 1,446,975, Active games: 411,466, Monthly submitted apps 36,237, Monthly submitted games 13,520. Every time four apps are submitted one of those are a game. Apple has always aimed to make products that we don’t even know we need until we need them and what happens if there is a untapped market, like a gaming console that offers games for pennies on the dollar to whats being charged now. What about the iPhone as the remote, force touch and haptic feedback, sounds like one to me. The 4.7 and 5.5 inch screens are an amazing opportunity for developers, custom controllers with special upgrades to them or maybe even just develop controllers and sell those. The Apple Watch for activating Siri or use with gestures. So back to my question, How do you keep the iPhone selling just as strong or even stronger then the present? You let it evolve but you also give it a new identity, phone, email, web browser, camera, messages, calendar, etc., were the old ones! Now there is a wallet that’s protected by my finger print. Soon my state ID, passport and bus pass. A gaming platform with a console that cost a fourth the price of a regular one, 64 bit processor, state of the art controller, that we never misplace because its in our pockets, if that is not a game changer I don’t know what is. Lets imagine being in our living room we turn on our TV just by walking in the room, it just awakens, not a full turn on noise pollution but a simple waiting to see what we are going to do. We sit down your phone taps you and you pull it out of your pocket. Its your remote with a question on the screen, Would you like to watch TV? Now fast forward awhile and some friends come over to hangout again your phone taps you with a question saying, would you like to play a game. Yes you would, so your friends phones get tapped and they all accept a challenge to play and of course get beat with your upgraded custom controller. I think it will happen, what do you think?

  7. jimr450 - 9 years ago

    They REALLY need to update the UI on AppleTV to highlight the selected app better. I can often barely see that thin outline and move the wrong way to make my selection…extremely annoying! Who ever though that a tiny super thin outline was enough to highlight a selected app? Surprisingly bad UI design for Apple.