Leaked iOS 6 update hints at Apple TV apps

A video recently leaked on the Internet suggests an App Store for Apple Inc.'s Apple TV platform may be on the way, tech sites reported Thursday.

 

CNET and MacRumors cited a new beta version of iOS for Apple's TV box posted by Brazil-based Apple-oriented site MacMagazine showing an Apple TV running iOS 6.

 

The iOS run by the Apple TV set-top box appeared to be a developer beta version.

 

"While seemingly unchanged from the current release, which is based on Apple's iOS 5, there is one new feature that's got heads turning. When holding down the select button on any icon for a few seconds, the icons for each of the included apps begins to jiggle, a sign that users can move them around, reorder them and group them," CNET said.  

It said Apple introduced a similar feature in iOS, then known as iPhone software in 2008, just ahead of an SDK that let developers build their own apps.

 

"So is all this a smoking gun an App Store for TV-centric apps is just around the corner? Not necessarily. It is, however, a very handy way to move together some of the most used features," CNET said.

 

CNET added Apple's iOS 6 Apple TV update is expected to be released in step with iOS 6 for iPhones, iPods, and iPads this fall.

 

A separate article on MacRumors.com noted that on the current Apple TV software, holding the Select button for several seconds puts the device to sleep.

 

"(I)t is unclear whether this functionality is being discontinued or reassigned to a different remote shortcut," it said. — TJD, GMA News