Major Retailers See Dwindling Apple TV Stock Ahead Of Imminent Refresh

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The Apple TV expands its reach in Asia.
The Apple TV expands its reach in Asia.

Following earlier reports that Apple is constraining retail supplies of the current Apple TV ahead of an imminent refresh, more evidence has surfaced that Apple is ramping up to launch a new set-top box.

Prominent retailers have seen inventory for the current Apple TV dwindle over the last few weeks.

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AppleInsider reports:

For three consecutive weeks, the Cupertino-based company has failed to make good on its promissory to restock indirect channel partners with fresh inventory of the existing $99 Apple TV product, say people familiar with matter.

Instead, partners and channel members have seen Apple push back deliveries each consecutive week by one additional week — a practice that almost always foreshadows a formal discontinuation of a product ahead of new models.

Retailers like Amazon and MacConnection are showing limited availability for the second-gen Apple TV. Interestingly, Best Buy’s online store is showing the Apple TV as completely sold out. Apple’s online store is still showing the set-top box as “In Stock.”

The next-gen Apple TV is expected to use the A5X processor and play 1080p video. Rumors suggest that the device will be announced at the iPad 3 announcement next Wednesday.

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