According to new reports, the much-rumored Apple Car may not materialize after all. This is due to the firm's decision to scale back its auto department. This meant letting go of hundreds of employees from a team of around 1,000. 

Some of these employees were reassigned to other departments while a few made the decision to leave. The company is thought to be refocusing its efforts on developing software for self-driving cars, instead of building its own vehicle, Slate reported.

Speaking of software, Apple recently demonstrated a new "TV" App that aims to unify the television experience. Since its launch in September of 2006 and again in January of 2007 alongside the original iPhone, the product has kept on increasing sells both in and outside the US.

The new free app has a single sign-on that can sync across devices, works with Siri, and will ship with an operating system update by the end of this year. The popular game 'Minecraft' could also be added to Apple TV by the end of the year.

The top of the app has four sections labeled Watch Now, Library, Store and Search, including Netflix in the universal search provided by Apple. Another exciting experience is 'Watch Now' section which allows you to continue watching a show from where you left off.

Apple TV is great, but if you don't like Apple, you still have plenty of other option to choose from. These options include;

• Chrome-cast

Being very portable and fairly cheap, Chrome-cast is one of the best alternatives to Apple Tv. Released in July 2013 the product offers Full access to Netflix, Spotify, HBO, Hulu, and more from your mobile device or PC to the TV. Not to mention apps for music, working out, and catching up on sports.

• Amazon Fire TV Stick

Having released a new generation of Amazon fire sticks, the products has a fast Wi-Fi and most accurate voice search of any streaming media stick-now with the Alexa Voice Remote. Enjoy over 7,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, YouTube, Amazon Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, and more, Macworld reported.

Although other products such as Google nexus player are rumored to have been discontinued, the above-mentioned products are by far the best alternatives to Apple Tv on the market today.