Rumor: Apple launching feature-complete Apple TV software for iTV at WWDC

According to a new report, Apple is readying a much more feature-complete version of the operating system that drives its Apple TV set-top box.

Sources tell it’s also bound to power that rumored HD TV set. It wasn’t immediately clear from the report whether the enhanced OS will also support the $99 hockey puck and how it might tie with iOS 6.

The company will allegedly launch it at the upcoming WWDC developers conference in San Francisco which begins with a keynote on June 11 at 10am PST…

Boy Genius Report has the story:

We’ve heard Apple is actively trying to court manufacturers to use a new “control out” API in order for third-party manufacturers to make accessories that are compatible with the new Apple TV OS and the upcoming “iTV.”

It’s said that by using the API, it will be possible to control any connected components all from the Apple remote (and the Apple remote iOS app as well, we’re assuming).

Author and editor Jonathan Geller stopped short of naming this “trusted source” in his story. My own sources were unable to corroborate Geller’s report.

So in a nutshell, this API would let third-parties build accessories allowing your iTV to control various devices, similar to the accessories control APIs in iOS.

I like the idea of bringing order to the mess that is my living room, with so many confusing remotes to control various boxes.

The control out API is said to work with all aspects of various popular components, even allowing control over things like program guides on a cable operators’ set top boxes and other hardware components.

Theoretically speaking, an updated iOS Remote app should let us control “various popular components” via our iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

It’s unclear how Apple’s current infrared remote would lend itself to the API.

Perhaps a brand new Apple Remote hardware is in the works?

I was kinda hoping that an HD TV from Apple would run iOS 6.

The rumor makes sense to the extent that Apple would want to provide developers with a working build of a new Apple TV software so they have time to write apps in time for a rumored December introduction of an HD TV set.

Tim Cook yesterday said that the Apple TV set-top box remains “an experiment”, but also revealed a twofold increase in annualized sales this year as the company moved 2.7 million units in 2012 so far, nearly matching the 2.8 million units sold throughout last year.

He also said Apple will “pulling the string” to see where the Apple TV goes.

What do you guys think?