According to their official web store, Apple has slashed the price of their 160GB model Apple TV while at the same time killing the lower capacity 40GB model.
The 160GB model now sells for $229, what the 40GB model was selling for, and will be the only model available for the time being.
The price drop follows recent predictions by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, which reported in a note to clients that the 40GB model looked to be phasing out, and that he believed a price cut was coming in the 160GB, most likely at the ‘Rock and Roll’ live event. It happened less then a week later.
Munster also said a major interface upgrade should be coming soon, most likely based on an iTunes subscription service. The analyst also believes a new Apple TV hardware is in the works, with no set timetable, that will include DVR capabilities.
Adds Munster, originally via Apple Insider, “Apple could leverage its deep library of content with many network and cable channel content owners to provide unlimited access to a sub-library of its TV shows for a standard monthly fee ($30 or $40 per month). Such a product would effectively replace a consumer’s monthly cable bill (~$85/month) and offer access to current and older episodes of select shows on select channels.”
You can check the new price cut here: Apple TV 160GB model
Result for: content owners
According to a new Piper Jaffray note this week, analyst Gene Munster says he expects Apple to eventually get into the HDTV market providing a full home entertainment system alongside the Apple TV media device.
Additionally, Munster says that a new, updated Apple TV is coming before Christmas, including DVR and a monthly sub to iTunes TV shows.
“We believe Apple is exploring a subscription-based offering for its TV content in iTunes,” says Munster, via The Street. “Apple could leverage its deep library of content with many network and cable channel content owners to provide unlimited access to a sub-library of its TV shows for a standard monthly fee.”
Adds Apple COO Tim Cook of the Apple TV:
“It is clear that the movie rental business has really helped Apple TV and there are more and more customers that want to try it,” he says, noting that sales were up 300 percent year-on-year. “We’re going to continue to invest in it, because we fundamentally believe there is something there for us in the future.”
As for the HDTV, Munster expects a 2011 debut, and the completion of a full Apple home entertainment center.
“The device would push Apple further into the digital living room with interactive TV, music, movie, and gaming features,” he added. “Such a device would command a premium among a competitive field of budget TVs.”
Result for: content owners
Ten major movie studios have joined the Swedish legal-threat frenzy and have sued The Pirate Bay. The studios, including Disney, Warner Bros, Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures have demanded a court order in Stockholm, Sweden for TPB to cease and desist helping its users to share movies whose copyrights are owned by the studios in question.
“We’ve been forced to seek a court order demanding that they stop the spreading of these roughly 100 films and television programmes”, the studios’ attorney in Sweden told to The Local, Swedish online news service. Studios’ request for injuction involves TV shows such as House and Grey’s Anatomy and movies including Matrix and Harry Potter series.
Studios name the TPB admins as the defendants, including Fredrik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg and Peter Sunde, as well Black Internet AB.
“They’ve been sentenced to prison for criminal activities but haven’t stopped carrying out those activities”, studios’ attorney told in an interview.
Studios join a legion of other content owners who have previously sued the company.
