Apple is set to jump on the content streaming bandwagon with a brand new Apple TV Box however Australians will not get access to premium content such as Game of Thrones.
Currently Apple is discounting their Apple TV Box in the USA and the UK for US $69 ($A88) while Australian consumers are being asked to pay $109, Apple Australia has not explained why consumers are not getting the same discounts being offered in the USA.
The new Apple TV set-top box which is tipped to be announced at the Apple worldwide Developer Conference is tipped to be launched later this year after being shown at the June event.
The device with have its own App Store and Siri, its virtual personal assistant built in. It’s also expected to feature a new design and updated operating system to support the Siri voice control and Homekit, which enables users to turn their house’s lights on and off and change heating levels via an app. It could also come with a new remote control.
The latest version of Apple TV will in the US have an online television service however it is not known whether the free to air TV networks will facilitate the same service in Australia.
The new US service allows owners to stream video content from around 25 channels on their iPhones, iPads and set-top boxes.
Apple’s new online TV service will be accessed via a subscription, costing between $30 and $40 per month.
The new service could be announced in June and launched in September. Apple refused to comment on the report.
Apple announced last week that it had secured exclusive early access to the forthcoming HBO Now streaming service but according to Apple Australia executives Australians will not get access to the new service due to Foxtel holding the rights in Australia.
Apple sold more than $1bn of TV set-top boxes in 2013, with Mr Cook saying last year that this area of the business is now too big to be called a hobby.
