The same reporter, who has leaked other details about the new Apple TV box, claims to know that gaming will be a major focus. The box will take on existing consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation. Another report says that Apple is considering producing original TV content, and that they were part of the bidding war for the new “Top Gear” show.

Gaming on Apple TV
The report comes from Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac. He says that new hardware, software and support for bluetooth game controllers will make the new Apple TV a game console. Games will be available to buy from the App Store, just like on iPhone and iPad.

Gurman calls it ”Apple’s largest-ever effort to lure players from traditional consoles”. The bundled remote will feature a touch screen and have sensors built-in, making motion control possible. This also means that Apple will shift from infrared to Bluetooth 4.2. It will be possible to connect third-party game controllers via bluetooth.

He adds that Siri will play a larger role for apps and games than many realize; “you can navigate  on the new Apple TV  using the new Siri button.”.


But how powerful is it?
If we are to believe the rumor that Apple intends to use last year’s A8 processor, the new Apple TV will not be nearly as powerful as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The A8X chip in iPad Air can operate at 230 Gflops, which is more or less equivalent to the performance of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles.

Apple TV, however, will be connected to a wall power outlet, unlike the iPad 2, making it possible to juice up the chip quite a bit. In addition, Apple recently introduced Metal, which is a core-level technology that significantly optimizes gaming performance in iOS.

Either way, it seems odd that Apple would not include the latest A9 chip, which will likely be introduced also alongside the new iPhones at the same event. We will know if the rumors are true on September 9.

Will Apple produce original TV content?
Variety reports that Apple has been making the rounds at Hollywood, showing interest in producing original TV content. They could decide to take on Netflix, Amazon and others.

- ”The scale of Apple’s ambitions vary depending on whom is asked, but one high-level executive who talked with the company said the goal is to create development and production divisions that would churn out long-form content to stream in a bid to compete with Netflix. Apple is hoping to put a headhunting firm on those hires in the coming months, according to source, with the goal of being in operation next year. Unknown is whether the focus is on TV series, movies — or both.”

Variety believes that Apple participated in the bidding war for the new “Top Gear” series, which was picked up by Amazon. Apple started producing media content with the launch Apple Music. Beats1 is a radio station run by Apple and several new music videos are said to be produced with help from Apple. Apple’s music guy, Jimmy Iovine, recently said that he believes that Apple Music's curating can work for TV. Apple is also rumored to be working on a TV service.

Apple will take the stage on September 9. It seems likely that the company will unveil the new Apple TV. However, we will have to wait longer for the new TV service.

- Source: 9to5Mac & Variety