Tim Cook to Announce Apple TV SDK at WWDC 2012 [Report]

Apple has prepared a surprise announcement for third-party developers next week. CEO Tim Cook, who will kick off the event with a keynote address, reportedly plans to unveil a software development kit geared towards coding apps for the company’s set-top box and, possibly, for a rumored, full-fledged television launching in the near future.

After leaking out Cupertino’s alleged plans to showcase the software foundation on which the Apple HD TV will be built, BGR now briefly reports that Apple will be introducing a software development kit (SDK) to have developers worldwide code for the company’s television business:

“We have heard from a trusted source that Apple will be introducing a TV SDK at WWDC next week. This would enable third-party developers to create software for Apple’s TV products.”

It isn’t clear whether these efforts are for the current Apple TV software or for a new version altogether.

The leak certainly lines up nicely with BGR’s previous report stating that Apple plans to unveil the actual operating system around which its full-fledged TV will be built.

MacRumors chimes in to resurrect a statement by former Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, who hinted at an App Store for Apple’s TV product.

The late visionary genius specifically said that such a feature could make its way into the Apple TV “when the time is right.”

Apple’s current TV product is a set-top box that draws content from iTunes, including full-length movies, TV shows, and music.

Cable TV is not a part of Apple’s still-fledging TV business and, in fact, cable operators are said to avoid signing deals with the Cupertino, California-based computer giant, out of fear of disrupting their established business model.

Which is why there’s also a rumor that Apple will sweeten the pot by putting dedicated TV station apps on its puck-sized black box, enabling cable operators to charge a monthly fee for on-demand delivery.

Via: Tim Cook to Announce Apple TV SDK at WWDC 2012 [Report]