Apple TV Readies Netflix Service
The service will be delivered through a new Apple set-top box, Bloomberg said, and users would pay a subscription fee to Netflix for the service. Apple spokespersons did not return calls Tuesday to verify the report.
Apple has shown renewed interest recently in Apple TV. Previous reports indicated Apple will offer a $99 version of its Apple TV set-top box, now priced at $130, that will come with a smaller hard drive than previous versions and will allow users to stream iTunes content. Reports indicate that the new Apple TV device will run Apple's iOS mobile operating system and be able to download apps from the App Store.
Netflix in turn has been developing closer ties with Apple, on August 26 announcing the availability of its free Netflix App for iPhone and iPod touch, allowing Netflix members on plans starting at $8.99 a month to watch TV episodes and movies streamed to their iPhone or iPod touch. Netflix is also providing a free downloadable application to users of Apple's Macintosh and iPad computers.
Also at Wednesday event, Apple apparently plans to launch a smaller, redesigned iPod Nano. Apple plans to introduce a next-generation iPod Nano that would shrink the device to less than half the size of the current Nano.