There were earlier reports that Apple was about to announce their next Apple TV as a gaming microconsole. It seems there’s an even more amazing component to that rumor, if it is true.
This latest rumor states that Nintendo is involved in the announcement, although they did not share more details on exactly how they are involved.
In the past, Nintendo has shown an ambivalent attitude towards Apple, although the late CEO Iwata admitted to using their products. Even in 2012, Iwata insisted that there was still a market for dedicated gaming handhelds, such as the Nintendo 3DS.
In recent months, however, Nintendo indicated an openness towards more collaboration with other companies than before, manifested in their plans for theme parks, their licensing of their characters for movies, and even a third party amiibo.
Apple, too, has seemed more open to working with other companies. While they have historically acquired other companies for R&D, their acquisition of Beats was seen as a game changer for formalizing what had always been an informal association between both companies' fans.
It is possible that Nintendo may be using the event to announce their first mobile game, but they could be going even bigger and be directly involved with Apple TV.
In fact, if you think about it, it’s entirely possible that this Apple TV could have something to do with the patent that was unearthed late last month. While the patent seemed to indicate continuity with the Wii U, it also has everything that was found in the Apple TV rumor, short of a description of a set top box.
Do you think Nintendo’s next console, codenamed the NX, could possibly be the Apple TV? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.