# Apple TV (3rd generation)

> 3rd-generation Apple home media player

**Wikidata**: [Q33469369](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q33469369)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/apple-tv-3rd-generation-q33469369

## Summary
Apple TV (3rd generation) is a home media player released by Apple on March 7, 2012, featuring an Apple A5 processor and manufactured by Foxconn. It represented Apple's third iteration of its digital media player device for streaming content to televisions.

## Key Facts
- Released on March 7, 2012, and discontinued on March 10, 2013
- Manufactured by Foxconn with Apple Inc. as the designer
- Features the Apple A5 system on a chip (SoC)
- Also known as TV, A1427, AppleTV3,1, and MD199BZ/A
- Part of the Apple TV family of home media receiver devices
- Succeeded by Apple TV (3rd generation) Rev. A
- Classified as media player software and a subclass of Apple TV
- Followed the Apple TV (2nd generation) model

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Apple TV (3rd generation)?
A: The Apple TV (3rd generation) is a home media player released by Apple in 2012 that streams digital content to televisions. It was designed as the third iteration of Apple's media streaming device lineup.

### Q: Who manufactured the Apple TV (3rd generation)?
A: The Apple TV (3rd generation) was manufactured by Foxconn, with Apple Inc. serving as the designer of the device. This arrangement follows Apple's typical manufacturing partnership model for its consumer electronics products.

### Q: How long was the Apple TV (3rd generation) in production?
A: The Apple TV (3rd generation) was in production for approximately one year, being released on March 7, 2012, and discontinued on March 10, 2013. It was succeeded by the Apple TV (3rd generation) Rev. A model.

### Q: What processor does the Apple TV (3rd generation) use?
A: The Apple TV (3rd generation) utilizes the Apple A5 system on a chip (SoC), which was also used in other Apple devices like the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S. This processor provided the device with its computing capabilities.

## Why It Matters
Apple TV (3rd generation) represents an important milestone in Apple's evolution of home entertainment solutions. As a bridge between earlier models and later iterations, it demonstrated Apple's commitment to the streaming media market at a time when digital content consumption was rapidly shifting toward on-demand services. The device's use of the Apple A5 chip provided a balance of performance and energy efficiency for its time, while its relatively brief production run of one year indicates Apple's strategy of iterative improvement in the competitive streaming device market. The Apple TV line, including the 3rd generation, helped establish Apple's presence in the living room entertainment ecosystem, influencing how consumers accessed and interacted with digital content on their television sets.

## Notable For
- Being the first Apple TV model to feature the Apple A5 system on a chip
- Having one of the shortest production cycles in Apple TV history (approximately one year)
- Representing the transition point between earlier Apple TV designs and subsequent revisions
- Manufacturing partnership with Foxconn, consistent with many other Apple products
- Using the AppleTV3,1 model identifier, distinguishing it from other generations

## Body

### Introduction
The Apple TV (3rd generation) was released on March 7, 2012, as the third model in Apple's line of home media players. Manufactured by Foxconn and designed by Apple Inc., this device continued Apple's entry into the digital media streaming market.

### Specifications
The device featured the Apple A5 system on a chip (SoC), which provided the processing power for the media player. This was the same processor used in Apple's iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, offering a balance of performance and energy efficiency for home entertainment purposes.

### Model Variants
The initial 3rd generation Apple TV was followed by a revision (Rev. A), indicating Apple's approach to iterative improvement in its product line. The device was also identified by several model numbers and aliases, including TV, A1427, AppleTV3,1, and MD199BZ/A.

### Market Position
Released on March 7, 2012, and discontinued on March 10, 2013, the 3rd generation had a relatively short production cycle of approximately one year. This brief lifespan suggests either a design refinement approach or response to competitive pressures in the streaming media device market.

### Technical Classification
The device was classified as media player software and a subclass of the broader Apple TV product family. This positioning reflects Apple's strategy of developing specialized hardware to support their software ecosystem for home entertainment.

### Manufacturing
As with many Apple products, the manufacturing was handled by Foxconn, a long-standing Apple manufacturing partner. This arrangement allowed Apple to maintain quality control while leveraging Foxconn's production expertise.

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