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Apple TV shipping times slip to 1-2 weeks ahead of refresh rumored for WWDC

Apple-TV

Ahead of Apple’s WWDC in June and an expected Apple TV refresh, shipping times for its current generation Apple TV have just slipped from in stock to 1-2 weeks. Apple’s estimates for shipping Apple TV from its online store often jump between being “in stock” and “1 day”, but a longer delay in shipping could signal Apple’s intent to introduce a refreshed Apple TV in the near future.

We reported earlier this year that Apple’s work on a next-generation Apple TV product continued including slimmer hardware, a new tactile remote, and a redesigned operating system with App Store-like functionality. Others followed up with reports claiming that Apple will unveil the new Apple TV at its WWDC developer conference in June — Apple confirmed earlier this month that WWDC 2015 would take place from June 8-12 and focus on the future of iOS and OS X — although some read into the graphics on its invite as a possible clue at new Apple TV announcements:

WWDC 2015

It’s possible Apple’s delayed shipping times for the current generation Apple TV could be related to regular supply fluctuations, but it’s been quite some time — around the time the product first launched — since it wasn’t shipping immediately or within a day from Apple.

Apple last refreshed its third-gen Apple TV quietly in March 2013 with upgraded internals, but apart from a few iOS 8 features it has remained the same as the previous model released in March 2012.

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Comments

  1. Iven Tenz (@ivenalot) - 9 years ago

    I hardly remember when the last time was that a product became to a longer delay in shipping and as a result it was upgraded or changed to a newer model. Apple happens to be more spontaneous and instantly changes it, instead of have it let run out.

    So I doubt it’s meaning anything.

    • jakexb - 9 years ago

      I feel like it’s pretty common when it comes to upgrades where they’re planning on not continuing the previous model. You see it most often in the MacBooks and iMacs where they don’t keep selling last year’s model as a cheaper option. With iPhones and iPads, they usually keep selling last year’s with a lower price.

  2. carmenia83 - 9 years ago

    I don’t know that the invitation art has to do with Apple TV. It looks to me like the shape of app icons in both iOS and Watch OS. Although I would LOVE to see some upgraded Apple TV hardware.

  3. Mosha - 9 years ago

    If anything the price drop was indicative of something new on the horizon.

  4. Jason Long - 9 years ago

    <>

    As much as I would love to see a revamp of AppleTV, I tend to think this is a more likely answer. You’ve got cord cutters looking for HBO and now Apple is supporting it.

  5. blockbusterbuzz - 9 years ago

    This is the Apple product I am most excited about. Really want an update for this.

  6. friarnurgle - 9 years ago

    They keep the price under $100 and add new features like an App store, Siri, Facetime and I’ll upgrade.

    • o0smoothies0o - 9 years ago

      That’s not happening. Maybe, if the lowest tier is 16GB. These will have storage tiers, and it’s highly likely that they will be more expensive than the traditional $99 Apple TV. $99 is too cheap to declare this a device that takes TV into the future. I don’t want a $99 device, I want a device that is at least $199 so it actually has great new functionality, and not merely the expected minute upgrade. An App Store on this device will mostly be for games, as someone would have to explain to me what kinds of apps they would want to bring up on their TV that wouldnt be faster or more easily controlled on their iPhone. I think the TV, much like the watch, has to be considered what a user wants to do on it. A watch is relatively quick glances, and I think an app on a TV would be similar, very quick, not a lot of control needing to be done. I think complications much like on the watch, or contextual glances would be the thing to do. You may want to see the current weather pop up in a corner, or a notification pop up on the top (have the notification banner no wider than typical black bars when watching movies, thus the content isn’t obstructed much if at all.

  7. Oflife (@oflife) - 9 years ago

    And the Mac Mini is no longer on display in our local Apple dealer. Plus, the prices are dropping on Amazon.

    I’ve always wondered if Apple would blend the Mini with the TV and create a multi-purpose box – proper OS X apps an iOS. What a good way to try the concept before doing to something more professional such as a laptop, iMac or larger iPad. The new MacBook is almost an iPad – I tried one, and it’s 70% there. Touch screen and folder back keyboard, and it would be there.

    • Oflife (@oflife) - 9 years ago

      I will try that again minus typos!…

      And the Mac Mini is no longer on display in our local Apple dealer. Plus, the prices are dropping on Amazon.

      I’ve always wondered if Apple would blend the Mini with the TV and create a multi-purpose box – proper OS X apps + iOS. What a good way to try the concept before implementing the concept on something more professional such as a laptop, ‘iMac’ or larger ‘iPad’. The new MacBook is almost an iPad – I tried one, and it’s 70% there. Touch screen and fold back keyboard, and it would be like the superb Lenovo Yoga machines.

  8. Kevin Stuckey - 9 years ago

    When I checked on apple.com, the Apple TV says it’s currently in stock and doesn’t indicate any delayed shipping times.

  9. Matt Mitchell - 9 years ago

    Or it could have just been a fluke. It’s now showing IN STOCK on the website. I guess we can still keep hoping for that new  TV though!

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.