The rumor: Apple is finally be making a more affordable Apple TV, according to Ming-Chi Kuo (72.5% accurate).

• Said to release in the second half of this year, Kuo believes that this will help Apple close the gap with competitors like Amazon or Roku
• Apple has historically not offered a truly low-end streaming box…a move that has consistently caused them to miss out on the largest segment of the market

Sam’s take: Why Apple has never developed a $49 Apple TV streaming stick or box is beyond me. I know they used to only make high-end products, but now every segment but Apple TV has an “SE” style product that is solid and inexpensive. Looking forward to this!

Apple will launch a new version of Apple TV that improves cost structure in 2H22. I think that Apple's aggressive strategy of integrating hardware, content, and service amid the recession will help close the gap with its competitors.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) May 13, 2022