Apple Not Yet Ready to Show Major Revamp of Apple TV Hardware

apple_tv_roundup Following a Tweet last month in which he hinted at an updated Apple TV arriving sometime this month, former TechCrunch writer MG Siegler is now "pouring a small amount of water" on his own claim, suggesting that major changes to Apple's television-related hardware are not yet ready to be shown.

Well, now I feel the need to pour a little — just a little, mind you — cold water on the rumor fire. While I still haven’t heard anything concrete, the most recent whispers I have heard is that the Apple TV project has been delayed a bit.

That doesn’t mean we won’t see an Apple TV update at the event — we could see an updated unit with a spec bump or something. But the thing to be more excited about, the device with some sort of newfangled control system, doesn’t seem like it’s ready just yet.

Siegler notes that he had originally heard about a new Apple TV hardware (not a television set) targeted for a November launch, but that the information was not concrete enough to warrant a full article at the time. Given the publicity his original Tweet garnered, however, he has felt the need to address the issue now that it appears his original information is unlikely to pan out on that timetable.

Last month, 9to5Mac separately reported that Apple has been testing Xbox Kinect-like motion control for televisions, though it was unclear if that would make its way to the Apple TV set-top box or was being held for a standalone Apple television set farther in the future.

Apple will hold a media event this Tuesday, October 22 where it is expected to unveil both the fifth-generation iPad and the second-generation iPad mini, along with other Apple products such as OS X Mavericks, the new Mac Pro, and updated Retina MacBook Pros.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...

Top Rated Comments

arn Avatar
159 months ago
Seems to me that a lot of the front page speculation stories never have enough information to warrant a full article, half article, or even a mention on the front page. I know the site is MacRumors, but a little more real information, and a little less speculation would be highly appreciated.

So don't report on rumors.... got it. :)

Seriously though. It's not like rumors are published at the cost of "real" information.

arn
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
159 months ago
Maybe Tim will give us a little "One more thing" of his own on Tuesday. Apple TV is a great device that potentially can be something a lot better.

I'm hoping for a "Wait, what's this behind my ear?"
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
koban4max Avatar
159 months ago
Maybe Tim will give us a little "One more thing" of his own on Tuesday. Apple TV is a great device that potentially can be something a lot better.

there is no more "one more thing." It's more like, "Thank you folks, have a great day."
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
159 months ago
It was my friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago and he had treated himself to an Apple TV, which was sitting there in the plastic wrapping when I saw him. I had to tell him, 'You should know, an update is heavily rumoured to launch shortly'.

So he had to take his present, purchased with birthday money, back to the Apple store for a refund; and has no idea if a new one is out. It now looks like he will go back and buy it if it's not announced tomorrow, hoping it won't be updated before next year.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

If you had kept your mouth shut, your friend would have enjoyed his Apple TV for weeks and would have been quite happy and content. Because of you, he went through all the trouble going to the store, returning an item, then going back again, buying the same item, and looking like a right idiot, and all for nothing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gasu E. Avatar
159 months ago
It was my friend's birthday a couple of weeks ago and he had treated himself to an Apple TV, which was sitting there in the plastic wrapping when I saw him. I had to tell him, 'You should know, an update is heavily rumoured to launch shortly'.

So he had to take his present, purchased with birthday money, back to the Apple store for a refund; and has no idea if a new one is out. It now looks like he will go back and buy it if it's not announced tomorrow, hoping it won't be updated before next year.

Boy, I am so glad I don't have friends like you. You are a killjoy. He would have set up the Apple TV, had fun with it, and would have cared very little that a marginally better version came out a few weeks later. Now you have convinced him it is not good enough to have 99%; he should not be satisfied without that absolutely latest speed bump. Thanks to you, "he had to" make multiple trips to the Apple store, for very little if any benefit. You have added sour to the sweet. You imagine you are being thoughtful, but you lack true empathy. Your friends will be happier people if you learn when not to open your mouth and "help" them.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JoshAlfie Avatar
159 months ago
I thought the person who I quoted was saying you could actually play them on the Apple TV somehow. I don't see how it's possible.

EDIT: Whoops, posted too soon.



Oh, you use the Computers feature. Clever!

Better than that is to use Plex. No need to convert to mp4.. You can run Full HD movies (mkv) on your iDevice and AirPlay it to your TV without quality loss.

That's what I do anyway :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)