Apple shipments signal new Apple TV?

Three recent shipments of “set top boxes” received by Apple in August could signify a new upcoming version of its Apple TV. A blog post citing bills of lading documents notes that Apple received a 35,000-pound shipment from Shenzhen, China on Aug. 25 described as “Set Top Box with Communication Function.” An Aug. 18 shipment with the same weight was described as “Set Top Boxes,” and an initial 15,000-pound shipment of set top boxes was received another week earlier on Aug. 11. The large shipments came from Apple supplier BYD; a previous shipment of “set top boxes” from Apple partner Hon Hai/Foxconn in December 2012 contained prior-generation Apple TVs. It’s possible Apple could reveal a new TV product — a refreshed Apple TV or something else — at the company’s Sept. 10 event, which is believed to be focused on iPhones and iOS 7. If not, a later expected event for new iPads could bring news of a new TV-related product. [via Panjiva]