Apple's loyal army of software developers is joining the tech giant in its bid to conquer the living room with a new version of Apple TV, creating apps for the big screen that they hope will attract users and unlock a rich source of revenue.<br />A long-awaited update to Apple TV, which launched in 2007, will start shipping in 80 countries on Friday.<br />Apple views apps as the future of television.<br />Although developers have already been able to make apps for smart TV rivals, Apple's vast base of developers will set the device apart, analysts say.<br />And developers say they relish the opportunity to reach users in a more intimate setting.<br />But in a year in which Apple has launched two very different platforms to build for - the Apple Watch's tiny face and the big screen of Apple TV - developers are facing hard choices about where to devote their time and energy, said Tero Kuittinen, an independent consultant to app developers.
