A new Apple TV may be in the offing -- and just in time.

Last year's US sales of the company's streaming-media box slipped behind those for Amazon's rival devices for the first time, according to estimates Thursday from researcher Parks Associates. That put it in fourth place, also behind streaming-TV box maker Roku and online search giant Google.

The popularity of streaming-media boxes has grown as more people watch Internet-delivered entertainment on their TVs. But amid the boon in demand, Apple's box has sat on the sidelines in the company's lineup, going more than three years without a new model. The company is expected to unveil a new version of Apple TV next month as it reveals its new models of the iPhone.

From the article "Apple TV drops to fourth place behind Amazon's Fire TV" by Joan E. Solsman.