appletv1Apple is believed to be working on a refresh of their Apple TV box. The Apple TV box is one of the most easiest to use set top boxes, especially for someone enamored in the Apple ecosystem.

The current Apple TV comes with most of the features it’s competitors already offter, including Netflix and Hulu. But where it separates itself from the others is through Airplay, a feature that allows users to stream content from their iPhone, iPad or Macbook. Airplay even allows a user to stream content from their Macbook to the tv in the background and continue to use their computer for other things.

This is a great feature when you want to show off videos of the kids to your friends and family or if you have a TV or video content app on your phone or iPad currently not available on the Apple TV box itself. Apple TV also streams your pictures from your photo library, to your TV as a screen saver.

The next Apple TV is supposed to go much further thought.

Technobuffalo and 9to5Mac are reporting that the next generation of Apple TV may actually double as a wireless router. Apple is hoping that their Apple TV set top box can be the centerpiece in the living room. With that in mind, there are a lot of devices, including game systems, that require access to the internet. That, and the fact that many people already put their router next to their TV anyway since they would rather use an ethernet hardline connection rather than wifi. Apple may offer a router like built in solution which would eliminate the need for the living room router.

It’s also been widely reported that Apple is looking at gaming for the next generation of Apple TV as well. It’s unclear if they’re preparing a head to head battle with Sony and Microsoft. Some believe that Apple may offer some kind of solution that allows users to play games served through the Apple TV and control them with other Apple products.

Finally, 9to5mac has reported that Apple may include a TV tuner in the next iteration of Apple TV as well. This would be similar to the tuner offered in the Xbox One that allows users to control their TV through their gaming console which makes it easier to control. This may also allow for a more immersive tv viewing experience.

For now we will have to wait and see though.