Apple TV will be available in stores on Friday, Oct. 30. The gadget would cost $149 and $199 for 32GB and 64GB, respectively.
While Wall Street analysts believe that because of its price, which is more expensive than Amazon Fire TV at $99 and Roku 4 at $130, sales of Apple TV would not be as hot as iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, reports the New York Post.
Beyond being a set-top box to watch show, Apple TV's new tvOS serves as its platform for hundreds of apps such as family-oriented games and from Airbnb, QVC and Gilt which tests its capability and a shopping platform and multimedia player.
However, Apple TV's new remote control appears to be a point of contention.
On one hand, Apple CEO Time Cook calls it a revolutionary device for its slick design. The Wall Street Journal writer Geoffrey Fowler agrees with Cook that the remote control "does a pretty good job acting on Siri voice commands like 'Show '80s romantic comedies.'"
He notes that Siri could even refine search results by just saying, "just the ones with Tom Hanks."
Its touchpad, similar to the MacBook, removes the need for a big handset with dozens of buttons and arrow keys. However, David Pogue of Yahoo finds using the Apple TV remote excruciating. He hits the control's "absurdly designed layout," specifically its on-screen keyboard with all 26 letters of the alphabet on one line.
He points out, "Apple robs you of the second dimension, which would mean less travel from letter to letter."
Other negative comments include Siri commands working on few key apps only, while its search capability is not available for YouTube or other broadcast channels such as NBC, CBS, ABC and PBS.
Because the Apple TV is considered a competitor, Amazon does not only exclude the new gadget from its e-commerce site, it also refused to make an Apple TV app.
But IBTimes reports that Apple TV is available at Best Buy. Buyers who pre-order could pick up their units at the store of wait for shipment on Nov. 4, which is free. Apple shipment delivery dates are from Oct. 30 to Nov. 4, but in-store sales dates are still unknown.