Apple Introduces New Apple TV Set-Top Box with 1080p Video and Updated Interface - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Apple Introduces New Apple TV Set-Top Box with 1080p Video and Updated Interface

As expected, Apple today introduced an updated Apple TV offering support for 1080p video, which is now also available through the iTunes Store. The company is also rolling out an updated interface for the set-top box, with icon-based category buttons and large billboard-style artwork for content.

apple tv 2012
The new Apple TV maintains the same $99 price tag as its predecessor and is available for pre-order today. It launches on March 16th.

“People are going to love streaming movies and TV shows in 1080p with the new Apple TV, and photos look beautiful displayed at the maximum resolution of your TV,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Apple TV is easier than ever to use with its new icon-based interface and the ability to access your purchased movies, TV shows and music right from iCloud.”

Apple's iCloud services have also been updated to support 1080p video, allowing users to stream their content to any linked device including the new Apple TV. AllThingsD notes, however, that not all studios are participating in the iCloud video streaming, with Fox and Universal having to hold out due to agreements with HBO.

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

Popular Stories

tvOS 27 Feature

Apple Seeds tvOS 27 Beta 2 to Developers

Monday June 22, 2026 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the second beta of tvOS 27 to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming two weeks after Apple released the first beta following the WWDC keynote. The beta can be downloaded and installed through the Settings app on the Apple TV. A free developer account is required. tvOS 27 has few new features compared to the other 27 software updates, but it does add a...
General visionOS watchOS and tvOS Betas Feature Redux

Apple Releases Third watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6 and visionOS 26.6 Betas

Monday June 29, 2026 10:08 am PDT by
Apple today provided developers with the third betas of upcoming watchOS 26.6, tvOS 26.6, and visionOS 26.6 betas for testing purposes. The software comes two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. There's no word on what's in the...
Apple TV 2025 Thumb 2 Sans Text

iOS 27 Lets You Update Your Apple TV Using Your iPhone

Tuesday June 23, 2026 9:09 am PDT by
If the idea of digging out your Siri Remote to install a tvOS update on your Apple TV sounds like too much effort, Apple's upcoming iOS 27 software will have a new feature you'll surely welcome. Based on the latest iOS 27 beta 2, you can push Apple TV software updates straight from your iPhone, and you don't even need to turn the Apple TV on first. Apple's set-top box now appears in the...

Top Rated Comments

188 months ago
To bad a new version of Handbrake was released one week ago. Now have to wait another year for an ATV3 preset.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
If an A5 chip and 1080p are the only new features, and the new UI is available to me, I'll hang onto my 2nd gen Apple TV for a little bit longer.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blasterzilla Avatar
188 months ago
Original Apple released in 2007

After all these 2 years?

Original Apple TV was released January 9th 2007 - according to Wikipedia.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
So can we upgrade the older iTV version 2 system to run this new interface? Is the only difference the 1080P?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
PS3 + 1TB internal stacked with video + PMS software + Mac > ATV... still.

Unless Apple has something in that thing which they didn't reveal, it's still not besting the PS3. Pity, but then the PS3 with Playstation Media Server is superb.

Really??

Hmmm

250ish for PS3
100ish for 1TB HD ... Unless the prices have dropped back to the proper levels.
300 or more for a used Mac capable of running windows virtually

SO!

A $650 investment outdoes a $99 box.. Shocking! :eek:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CmdrLaForge Avatar
188 months ago
Now I buy one. Finally after all those years.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)