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Apple go to war with Netflix with its new Apple TV

Apple go to war with Netflix with its new Apple TV

Danielle de Wolfe
01 September 2015

You know someone with an iPhone. You almost certainly know someone with an iPad. Maybe a couple of your techier friends have even got an Apple Watch. But do you know anyone with an Apple TV? Thought not.

The Californian tech giant has never been able to capture the same level of success with its set-top TV box as it has with the majority of its other gadgets - but that could all be set to change next week, with the unveiling of a bigger, more expensive Apple TV model and streaming service.

The new TV will have a different remote to the third generation

Word comes from 9to5Mac that the fourth generation Apple TV will share the stage with the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus at Apple's launch event on 9 September. The new, sleek black TV box will feature Siri support - allowing you to change, record and search programmes with Apples virtual assistant - a new remote control and access to the App Store, letting you play all your iOS game apps on your telly screen.

However, the new, larger box isn't the most significant aspect of Apple's TV ambitions. Alongside the new model, Apple will finally unveil its plans for a Netflix-like TV and film streaming service, that offers various entertainment bundles for around $40 (£26) per month. 

In a similar manner to the launch of their new Music service, we're imagining that Apple will be offering a package of tempting exclusives: should their TV service take off, they could start competing with the likes of Netflix and Amazon in commissioning their own unique TV shows.

Set to cost around $200 (£130) when it launches in October, we could all soon be slaves to the Apple TV, phone, tablet and watch, before their car arrives in a few years to round off the full package.