The last three years have sparked an explosion in both top-notch streaming video and the number of devices that deliver that video to your TV. Companies like Roku, Amazon and Google have introduced new products or upgraded them regularly, all while Apple TV largely sat on the sidelines. If new features for Apple TV, such as gaming, voice commands, universal search and a store with apps, feel like deja vu, that's because you can already find them in other products. Given the rumored price of $150 for the new Apple TV, rivals may also sell devices with similar bells and whistles at cheaper prices.

"What used to be a unique and tight hook for the Apple faithful is now generic," said Paul Erickson, an analyst of connected home devices for market researcher IHS.

This means Apple needs to spring some surprises. The reported new features of Apple TV may not be a complete list of what Apple will unveil on Wednesday when it hosts a fall event traditionally used to introduce new iPhones. Apple may also tweak the known Apple TV features to distinguish itself from competitors that beat it to the punch.

If Apple wants to maintain dominance, the company will need to work at it. Its dallying amid a surge in demand for streaming-media boxes means its status in the marketplace has begun to flag.

One of the first mainstream devices of its kind, Apple TV is a big seller worldwide. Apple has sold 25 million of the boxes in its lifetime, Chief Executive Tim Cook said in March. That beats Roku's 10 million total sold as of last year. Neither Google nor Amazon has released stats for their streaming devices, Chromecast and Fire TV, respectively

However, Apple TV has been slipping. Last year, its US sales fell to fourth place behind Roku, Chromecast and Fire TV, according to estimates from market researcher Parks Associates. 

From the article "The next Apple TV puts company in rare role: Playing catch-up" by Joan E. Solsman.