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Apple's Event Next Week: Maybe An AppleTV Update Too?

Posted by: Arik Hesseldahl on September 01, 2009

PiperJaffray analyst Gene Munster in research note issued about an hour ago, raises what he describes as a wildcard possibility around Apple’s Sept. 9 event: That it may include an update or refresh to AppleTV.

He notices that lead times are extending for one version of the device,the 40-GB, $229 version, but unchanged for the higher-capacity 160-GB model. “We now have reason to believe” that an AppleTV update may be part of next week’s news, he writes.

Apple may simply be phasing out the lower-capacity model he says, or it may be selling out the remaining stock of the lower-end model in anticipation of a refresh. The hardware has been essentially unchaged more for more than two years, which I would note means those first units sold are now outside their two-year economic lifespan, for the purposes of Apple’s subscription accounting.

Having raised the possibility, he then goes on to say why AppleTV may not be part of the event next week. “We believe a new model will launch alongside new content offerings, and it is unlikely that the negotiations for new content are finished.” In time he expects Apple to launch a model that includes a monthly subscription to TV shows and DVR-like TV-recording. But further out, two to five years out, he expects Apple to launch a network-connected TV set.

Since AppleTV is an iTunes device, and iTunes will probably figure heavily into next Tuesday’s news, I think its certainly possible that a new AppleTV device might appear, but on the sliding scale of what’s likely, I’d put this one a little more toward “unlikely.”

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Reader Comments

kofi

September 1, 2009 09:36 PM

Apple entry into TV's is due. Foxconn or Honhai in China will do nothing till Apple tells them. They build the MAcs, Ipod and Iphones. They just bought the Sony TV plant in Mexico. This is important if Apple wants to sell TV's in North America (NAFTA) without duty. Foxconn once bought multi million dollar sonic welding machine just to land the Ipod business.

deedis

September 1, 2009 11:56 PM

hey that's cool!

HJ

September 1, 2009 11:56 PM

Its too bad because I don't listen to much music but I watch a lot of tv and I wish Apple could do to tv what it did for the MP3 player. I think DVR's nowadays are a joke, its a nightmare to buy one due to all the choices and TIVO charges a subscription, A SUBSCRIPTION!

Also what Apple and everyone else seems to be missing is that consumers want to replicate the experience of channel surfing. Because tv is not like music where you listen a song then you listen to another song. Part of the appeal of tv is being suprised, just flipping through and watching something you would ordinary not watch. So just creating a playlist where you predetermine what you're going to watch won't work. You're missing the spontaneity of television.

Brad

September 2, 2009 12:45 AM

As an Apple fanboy and existing AppleTV owner, I'm excited for a more functional AppleTV. I'm also skeptical and fearful that Apple wants into new revenue streams. Apple's lack of openness and close connection to the music and movie studios (least we forget, Steve sold Pixar to Disney) have the potential for greatness and putting their hands deeper into my pockets.

Sven

September 2, 2009 01:25 AM

There will be a new AppleTV: An iphone App plus a dock-to-HDMI cable. Will work w/ 720p.

Joe

September 2, 2009 07:42 PM

I bet there will be some way of making an iPod work like AppleTV.

Siddif

September 3, 2009 10:03 PM

Possibly some use for the USB port. Like Joe above me said it could sync with iPhone/iPod to TV

Jemmy

December 29, 2009 02:35 AM

I hope Apple TV will produce and mange the all programs like music, discussions and different entertainment programs.I do not want to see a one program.Here i want to mention that USA is importing all welding equipment like Plasma Cutters, Tig Welders from China instead of it she does not like China.

Jemmy

December 29, 2009 02:36 AM

I hope Apple TV will produce and mange the all programs like music, discussions and different entertainment programs.I do not want to see a one program.Here i want to mention that USA is importing all welding equipment like Plasma Cutters, Tig Welders from China instead of it she does not like China.

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A blog on the daily doings of Apple and the many companies in its orbit, with insight and analysis by two longtime Apple-watchers BusinessWeek Senior Writer Peter Burrows and BusinessWeek.com Senior Technology Writer Arik Hesseldahl.

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