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New Apple TV set-top box coming in first half of 2014, report says

It's not the long-anticipated, full-fledged TV set, but the new box could include a version of an App Store or Game Center, according to 9to5Mac.

Richard Nieva Former senior reporter
Richard Nieva was a senior reporter for CNET News, focusing on Google and Yahoo. He previously worked for PandoDaily and Fortune Magazine, and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, on CNNMoney.com and on CJR.org.
Richard Nieva
Apple

Apple is getting set to release an updated version of the TV set-top box it already has on the market, according to a report by 9to5Mac. The report says the product is well into testing, and could be out by the first half of this year.

The report may come as a disappointment for those hoping the company would finally come out with an actual Apple TV set, a long-rumored product that has become something of a white whale for the company. Apple declined to comment.

The new version of the set-top box is said to include a "revamped operating system," based more closely on iOS. The product will also include new types of content, the report said, citing anonymous sources. In what could be a turnaround from previous thinking at the company, the box's software could include a version of the App Store to house content from third-party developers.

A report from iLounge earlier today also said that Apple TV would be updating its gaming support, allowing for games to be directly downloaded to the set, rather than having to go through an iOS device.

Both reports suggest that the software revamps could be compatible with current generations of the set-top box, through upcoming software updates.

Update, 12:29 p.m. PT: States that Apple declined to comment.