Apple TV SDK For Third-Party Apps Tipped For WWDC 2012

An Apple TV SDK allowing third-party developers to create official software for the set-top box is tipped to be on the agenda for WWDC 2012 next week, putting apps on your big-screen TV. The new developer toolkit, reported by BGR's source, would presumably open the door to the App Store on the Apple TV, something long requested by owners.

The Apple TV is based on the same underlying iOS platform as the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and indeed now uses a custom single-core version of the Apple A5 chipset found in some of the mobile products. However, so far Apple has proved reluctant to enable the third-party software support on the STB, perhaps because of user-interface differences between apps for TVs and apps for handheld devices.

That, though, may well be changing next week. An SDK would telegraph a significant evolution of the Apple TV, from hobby to a more central position in the company's line-up. It could also pave the way for the long-rumored Apple television set, which is believed to use Siri to replace the usual button-encrusted remote supplied with HDTVs.

Full details will be shared at WWDC 2012 next week, and SlashGear will be liveblogging the keynoate at live.slashgear.com from 10AM PST on June 11. There's a roundup of what you can expect – including new MacBook Pro models and iOS 6 - here.