Apple TV Rumors: New Hardware Product May Be Released In October

Hot on the heels of recent reports speculating that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) could release its new TV software on Sept. 18 alongside the launch of the iOS 7, the latest round of rumors suggest that the company may also follow up with the release of a hardware upgrade next month.

MG Siegler of TechCrunch took to his Twitter page on Wednesday to claim that Apple is currently preparing to launch a new TV hardware product sometime in October, around the same time the next-generation iPads -- the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 with retina display -- are due.

So, it should not be a surprise if the company decides to unveil both the new iPads and the new Apple TV hardware at the same media event next month.

While specific details about the device are scarce, according to Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, Apple is working on a full-fledged television set, which, he said, “is going to be out in 2014.”

However, Siegler disagreed with Munster’s prediction and said that the analyst “will likely be disappointed that he's wrong again on two counts.”

Siegler’s claim corresponds to a recent report from GigaOM, which claimed that Apple was working on television sets, based on leaked shipping records labeled “Set Top Boxes” from a top Chinese supplier.

In addition, 9to5Mac has reported that Apple is developing “both a full-fledged TV set and a revamped set-top-box that is similar in form-factor to the current model.” The report also stated that the company is testing Xbox Kinect-like motion sensors for future TV-related products. However, a possible release time-frame for motion-controlled TVs is still unknown.

AllThingsD reported on Wednesday that Apple will roll out a new Apple TV firmware on Sept. 18, with a tweak to its AirPlay system, allowing users to play content purchased on the iTunes Store on other people’s TV sets.