Apple TV Hardware Update MIA At WWDC, Just As Android TV Racks Up 600 Apps

With reports coming out in the last couple of days that Apple has postponed plans to introduce a redesigned Apple TV set-top box at its Worldwide Developers Conference next week, Google is making hay with its Android TV product.

Android TV now boasts over 600 apps after Google launched a new version of the Google Play store this week. This allows users to browse all apps, or explore selections in over 20 curated collections. Apple TV, on the other hand, offers consumers less than 70 apps from invited publishers. It has not opened up the platform to other developers yet.

Apple was reportedly planning as recently as mid-May to launch new Apple TV hardware, plus a new remote control and a tool kit for developers to make apps for the platform. Now, there will be no Apple TV headlines this week.

The next version of Android will give app makers the ability to program linear TV channels, giving Android users a new way to access content on Android TV. It means Android TV shows will be available alongside broadcast TV stations.

Apple TV has not been revised since 2012, leaving the platform spinning in the wind as Google and Amazon, with it’s Fire TV platform, make all the running in new developments.

Apple is rumored to be working on an A8 chip-powered Apple TV which could contain a full App Store sporting apps, games, Siri,
subscription television and an SDK for developers — plus a touch-based remote. But for now those just remain rumors.

So far it looks like WWDC will just focus on iOS 9, OS X 10.11, and the Beats-based streaming music service it acquired. The Apple Watch will also be a major focus, with native Apple Watch apps debuting.

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