Apple TV and iPad 2
Apple TV and iPad 2 Apple

It is no secret anymore - Apple has sent out invitations to its March 7 event where the company is expected to announce the iPad 3. But could Apple go one-step further and announce the new Apple TV too? Possibly. In our previous article where we decoded the Apple invitation letter (https://www.ibtimes.com/articles/307398/20120301/ipad-3-media-invite-decoding-expect.htm), we mentioned that the touchscreen device seen could also be that of the new Apple TV, and we are sticking to our guns on this one. An Apple TV with touchscreen capabilities would be out of this world, and could put a serious dent in the competition.

The guys over at 9to5Mac reported that its sources suggested that Apple plans to launch its new TV alongside the iPad 3 on March 7. Not much is known about the device. However, previous rumors stated that Apple’s next TV could have a dual core processor inside, with the ability to stream full 1080p HD content. Along with that, the new Apple TV is expected to have Siri onboard for voice recognition and a camera based hand gesture hardware, much like what Microsoft has done with Kinect and Xbox Live.

What’s more are rumors that Apple plans a 37-inch TV. The price on this thing would be enormous, especially if it turns out to be touch capable. A 37-inch Apple TV with Siri, camera for hand gesture controls, and 1080p HD playback, could revolutionize the way we interact with and watch TV.

If touch is not your thing, the new Apple TV could have a redesigned Bluetooth 4.0 controller, if you’re too lazy to get up off the couch and change the channel.

Obviously, if Apple goes for the Kinect-like feature, many would be jumping the gun claiming Apple is copying Microsoft. But who knew that the makers of Kinect pitched the idea with Apple first before going to Microsoft after Apple asked the company to sign a bunch of NDA’s for the purpose of secrecy. We are certain that Apple saw potential in the platform, and after losing out to Microsoft, it went and made its own.

Meanwhile, we await March 7, a day to sit back and drool over new Apple products for hours.

(Reported by Vamien McKalin, Edited by Surojit Chatterjee)

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