It looks like it’s the end of the line for the third-generation Apple TV

By Kris Wouk Published October 5, 2016

Apple TV — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since the launch of the fourth-generation Apple TV, there has been little reason to buy the previous model aside from its lower price. The new tvOS-powered model boasts improved functionality, has more available apps, and is fairly regularly updated. Since the launch of its latest streaming box, Apple has continued to sell the third-generation model, but now the aging streamer has finally been discontinued.

While Apple hasn’t yet officially announced the end of the third-generation Apple TV, its days seem to be numbered. The company notified both its employees and education partners in an email obtained by 9to5Mac.

Recommended Videos

“Effective immediately, Apple TV (third-generation), MD/199LL/A, has reached end of life and is now discontinued,” the email reads “The Apple Supply team is going to fulfill all shipable backlog.”

Those who keep a close eye on Apple have probably assumed this was coming, as not only is the older model outclassed by the newer tvOS-powered model, but the third-generation Apple TV has been slowly getting harder to find. Retailers have been removing the device from store shelves, while it has been made increasingly difficult to find the product on the Apple website.

Usually when Apple discontinues a product, it makes an official announcement to notify customers, which hasn’t happened yet, but this likely isn’t far off. If you’re looking to pick one up before it officially disappears, refurbished models can be found via Apple’s online store, but stock is likely very limited.

If you’re looking to replace your aging Apple TV but don’t want to pay $150 for a new model, a number of new Roku models were released last week, many of which feature 4K support and some of which offer HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, priced from $30 and $130. At its “Made by Google” event on Tuesday, Google unveiled its new 4K, HDR-capable Chromecast, which is priced at $70.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Audio / Video

What is Apple TV? Price, hardware, software, and more

Apple TV's Insight feature showing character and music information on screen.

We know that sometimes the way companies name their products and services can be a tad confusing, and Apple TV is a perfect example. The company's home entertainment nerve center isn't just a streaming device or an app -- it's an entire ecosystem encompassing hardware, software, and even a premium streaming service.

Apple TV -- the hardware -- is a small streaming device you put in your living room, bedroom, or wherever. The Apple TV app is usable on your mobile device or smart TV and gives you access to much of the same content you’d find on the physical Apple TV box.

Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra’s new display could look like this

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's screen, resting on a bench.

The Samsung Galaxy S25 rumor mill is already spinning fast enough to power San Francisco, but leaker Ice Universe has released even more information on the potential — and increasingly plausible — appearance of the new flagship phone. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ice Universe stated the new S25 Ultra would be only 77.6mm across compared to the 79mm width of the S24 Ultra.

Despite the reduction in overall size, the screen is actually larger thanks to smaller bezels. The new phone will reportedly add 0.07 inches to the diagonal screen size and 0.7mm to the width, even as the body frame shrinks.

Audio / Video

Apple TV’s InSight feature is ready to take on Amazon Prime Video’s X-Ray

Apple TV's Insight feature showing character and music information on screen.

We have a new developer beta for tvOS 18 — the software that runs on Apple TV devices — and with it comes our first look at a major new feature. InSight is Apple's answer to Amazon Prime Video's X-Ray, which provides quick and easy access to who's in a scene, and what music may be accompanying it.

Aside from some basic user interface differences like fonts and design elements — InSight definitively looks and feels like Apple, and X-Ray retains Prime Video's less-sleek motif — they basically work the same. While a movie or show is playing, you can pause or press down (the latter takes you straight to the info) to see thumbnails of the actors on-screen, including their real name (or stage name, we suppose), and the character's name. Click through one of the thumbnails and you'll get more information about the actor, and easy links to other films and shows they appear in, as well as roles they have served in some other capacity. Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein, for example, has movie and series thumbnails, and he also has tiles for producing and writing.