Apple TV 4 Release Date Rumors: What We Know So Far

The Apple TV 4 has been heavily rumored over the last several months, and it’s likely that it will be announced during next week’s iPhone 6s event. Here’s what we know so far about the Apple TV 4 release date.

As you may know by now, the Apple TV 4 is expected to be a huge overhaul over the current model, arriving with new features and an all-new remote that is said to come with a touchpad. Just recently, reports have also suggested that the remote will come with motion sensors that will allow you to use it like a Nintendo Wii remote.

The new set-top box is also rumored to come with its own app store, where developers will be able to submit their own Apple TV apps. Currently, Apple only allows a handful of broadcasters and streaming companies to have apps on the Apple TV, such as Netflix, Hulu, FOX, CBS, HBO, etc. This could change, though, once the Apple TV 4 releases and it gets its own app store.

All of these new rumored features sound great, and it seems like the Apple TV 4 will be a huge upgrade over the current third-generation Apple TV, but one big question that still remains is when will the Apple TV 4 release? After all, you can’t buy the device until it’s released to the public.

Luckily, there are several reports floating around that have an idea of when the new set-top box could release. The latest report comes from 9to5Mac, which suggests that the Apple TV 4 release date will be at some point in October, the same month that new iPads will most likely be announced, as well as the release of OS X El Capitan.

That same report also suggests that the price for the new Apple TV 4 will be at least $149, but shouldn’t be more than $199. Apple is said to still be finalizing the price point for the new device and are debating between these two options. However, both prices are well over the current Apple TV’s price of $69.

However, Apple is planning to keep the third-generation model available to purchase at that lower price point. In any case, the newer Apple TV 4 will be much more expensive than the competition, with most streaming boxes selling for $99 or less, and when the Apple TV 3 first launched in 2012, it was priced at $99.

It’s not said why Apple is giving the new Apple TV 4 such a higher price this time around, but it’s likely that the streaming box will come with a ton of features that other streaming boxes won’t be able to compete with. Thus the reason for the higher price tag.

In any case, it’s certainly something that we’ll just have to wait and see about, and then decide if the Apple TV 4 is really worth buying at the price that it will be listed at.

The Apple TV is in serious need of a refresh, with the last time being 2012 that the set-top box received an update. Furthermore, the included remote has remained unchanged since 2007, and while it’s still a clever design and one of the most unique remotes on the market, it’s definitely time for an upgrade and it looks like it will be getting that and more.

A touchpad on the Apple TV 4 remote would make it way easier to navigate through menus and even type out search terms when searching for a movie or TV show. Furthermore, Wii-like capabilities would allow for a ton of cool stuff to be done, including playing games if the Apple TV ever gets gaming support, which it very likely could at some point.