Apple Testing 4K Capable Fifth-Generation Apple TV For Possible Release This Year

[69Mustang]

There still isn't. I happily bought an Apple TV 4 and I won't miss anything by not having a 4K version.

Don't skate where the puck is, skate where it's going to be. That's how Apple is supposed to think, isn't it? It's funny, I've seen you (if I'm mistaking you for someone else, apologies) on the other side of this argument when it comes to Apple getting rid of legacy tech and embracing the future. What's so different now?

Apple's development of the ATV has been lackluster compared to their other ventures. All of their other products support 4K in one fashion or another and the one product specifically designed for viewing doesn't support it. It makes no sense. Even just taking into consideration all of the 4K content that can be created on iPhones, you'd think they would have an outlet for that content on the ATV.

 

[oldmacs]

FINALLY.

Not upgrading from the 3rd gen till there is a new one with 4K as it is a waste of money for me to get the 4th gen.

 

[Jordy15675]

I'm all for a 4K AppleTV - but when will people, and I hope Apple realise, that 4k is okay, but its HDR that really makes it sing! Without HDR10, Dolby Vision or Advanced HDR by Technicolor, 4K is just a bit more resolution and many will simply not notice the difference on the TV - just in their wallets

 

[jtrenthacker]

Need to bring back the optical out. Also, make it capable of using third party controllers such as the PS3/4 and XBOX 360/One.

 

[cardfan]

I'd still rather see Apple think remote instead as in Harmony killer. The worthless little remote that came with apple tv? In a drawer. The console can stay as is or shrink to a usb stick.

 

[-BigMac-]

4k is still a high-end toy for early adopters - the vast majority of people have neither the equipment nor the content to do 4k. But if Apple wants to silence the very noisy minority who actually care about that, by all means. Let them put out a 5th Gen ATV so I can pick up another couple 4th Gen ones at a discount.

Not even. You can pick up a 4K tv for $800. An Xbox One S is even a 4k player.
My tv even does 4k netflix, by itself. Apple is LATE to the 4k game, not early

 

[Gorms]

Touch remote suuuuuucks. Literally can't believe how annoying it is. 2nd Gen remote app suuuuuucks. Siri control should be integrated into my device not requiring me to go into an app. The available content is a let down (UK, you still can't get apps from the big TV providers, whereas they are available on pretty much every other platform). Apart from that, gen 4 is alright, a good base to start from, but they need to kick her into high gear with gen 5.

I know it's not the Apple way, but they need to eat the margins on this one, the battle for the living room is pretty much almost lost to Amazon, Apple need to get back in there.

 

[69Mustang]

There still isn't. I happily bought an Apple TV 4 and I won't miss anything by not having a 4K version.

Not trying to 'defend' anything but I don't feel the remotest bit of concern by not having 4K.

I'm more irritated that most UK tv companies still haven't released tvOS apps.

Even if no one in the world cared about 4k the ATV would still be the red headed stepchild in Apple's product portfolio. All of their other major products support it. What makes the ATV so special, or in this case, not special?

 

[longofest]

This is true.

Actually, its quickly not being true. If you regularly watch Netflix or Amazon original series, then those are available in 4K. I've enjoyed watching Luke Cage, The Grand Tour, and others in 4K on my Samsung 65".

I for one have two 3rd generation Apple TVs, and one of them I bought after the 4th gen was out. I deliberately got the cheaper 3rd gen because I still feel like the lack of 4K on the 4th generation is a miss.

 

[69Mustang]

Not even. You can pick up a 4K tv for $800. An Xbox One S is even a 4k player.
My tv even does 4k netflix, by itself. Apple is LATE to the 4k game, not early

Heck, even a cheap $60 Chromecast does 4K. The ATV is supposed to be a premium device.

 

[Calby]

Well, I have not updated any of my things to 4K yet, I got 1080P TV, PS4 and ATV4. everything in 1080P I can't argue a case to my wife to update everything as all TV-shows etc. is in 720P in best case it's in 1080P.
But if Apple 'll release a new ATV with 4K and some other ffeature I'm missing I'll update but not for the 4K, not yet.

 

[Appleaker]

I think that the Siri remote requirement is the main reason for the lack of decent games on the ATV4. Even with the requirement removed, it seems like developers don't care about making anything decent on the ATV4.

About 6 months before the ATV4 release, there were rumors about the potential of Xbox 360 quality games on the tiny box.

I remember being so excited watching the Apple Event video, only to be so disappointed by watching the Crossy Road demo....

Yeah they should have stuck with allowing controller exclusive games but their worry could have possibly been that the TV remote would have been ignored, meaning if users wanted to play games they'd have to purchase the extra remote. I think that could have easily been avoided where if the developer claims they can only use a controller, it is put through a review process that confirms that. It really is no excuse.

I think the way they can bring interest back to the Apple TV is through a refresh (giving it a lot more power - it'd be at least 3x the graphical performance), and also promoting it more frequently. It still seems like the hobby product it was introduced as in a lot of ways.

I also think that introducing a 1st party controller may spark developer interest. While it is pointless, and the current option is really nice (and relatively low cost!), it would act as a form of promoting it as a capable gaming device to developers. The only benefit of a 1st party controller would possibly be Taptic Engine integration, but it would come at at least double the price of the current option.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Not Apple's fault (I think), but until get everything that I can get on a Roku I see no point in purchasing an Apple TV (Amazon Prime Streaming is a huge omission).

 

[jsmith189]

"There's not enough 4K content" has always been a stupid argument to me. Why exactly would people RELEASE the 4K content if there's no way for anyone to play it...? Would it not make sense to make sure things are 4K ready so that content creators can then push their content out to it?

Technology has to come first. You're never going to have an industry full of 4K content without companies first getting the tech into homes.

 

[filmjames]

I make more 4k content every time I shoot a video on my iPhone. The only thing that is still at 1080 in my setup is the Apple TV..

 

[Juicy Box]

Don't skate where the puck is, skate where it's going to be. That's how Apple is supposed to think, isn't it? It's funny, I've seen you (if I'm mistaking you for someone else, apologies) on the other side of this argument when it comes to Apple getting rid of legacy tech and embracing the future. What's so different now?

Apple's development of the ATV has been lackluster compared to their other ventures. All of their other products support 4K in one fashion or another and the one product specifically designed for viewing doesn't support it. It makes no sense. Even just taking into consideration all of the 4K content that can be created on iPhones, you'd think they would have an outlet for that content on the ATV.

Great point.

I personally don't own a 4k TV, but I would have liked my ATV4 to be future-proof in case I get one.

 

[dannyyankou]

4k is still a high-end toy for early adopters - the vast majority of people have neither the equipment nor the content to do 4k. But if Apple wants to silence the very noisy minority who actually care about that, by all means. Let them put out a 5th Gen ATV so I can pick up another couple 4th Gen ones at a discount.

This couldn't be further from the truth.
I just looked at Target's website and you can buy a 60 inch samsung 4K tv for $600, with other models going as low as $400. The price has come wayyyy down.

 

[cardfan]

I make more 4k content every time I shoot a video on my iPhone. The only thing that is still at 1080 in my setup is the Apple TV..

I would argue that the majority of iphone customers have never seen their iphone video in 4k even if they shoot it in that setting or own a 4k tv. They have no way of viewing it easily. 5k imac owners are probably the exception.

 

[nwcs]

I've all 4 Apple TVs and I really don't know why I bothered with the 4th one. If it wasn't for the fact I foolishly bought content from Apple back 5-7 years ago that's hard to find now I wouldn't have the Apple TV now. The device had a lot of potential but they really, really failed to capitalize on it. The Fire TV device is actually more capable although Apple's interface is still a bit easier. But now that my new TV has webOS built in I don't even use a box unless I need locked content such as what I bought years ago from Apple.

 

[Boatboy24]

The future of TV is apps? Gosh, I hope not. Maybe I'm overly simplistic, but there was not a single compelling reason for me to get a 4th gen ATV. I don't give a rat's arse about apps on my TV, unless they make it easy for me to see/hear stuff. Make it easy for me to watch or listen to my stuff and stream via Netflix AND Amazon Prime. You hear that, Apple? Amazon Prime!! I certainly don't want or need a different 'app' for every network I want to watch and I'm sure as hell not going to pay $10 or more every month for each of them.

 

[LordQ]

I'd buy this! Can't wait for iTunes to support 4K as well—Titanic and Casino Royale would look gorgeous!

 

[JRobinsonJr]

HOW ABOUT FIX THE APPLE TV APP SIGN IN PROBLEMS?!

Gah, constantly asking me to re-log in with my cable subscriptions.
It never seems to stay!! Annoying AF.

True... but even better (?) how about letting us manage the TV subscriptions / logins / apps / etc. from a web interface at our computers, then push changes down.

 

[cardfan]

I've all 4 Apple TVs and I really don't know why I bothered with the 4th one. If it wasn't for the fact I foolishly bought content from Apple back 5-7 years ago that's hard to find now I wouldn't have the Apple TV now. The device had a lot of potential but they really, really failed to capitalize on it. The Fire TV device is actually more capable although Apple's interface is still a bit easier. But now that my new TV has webOS built in I don't even use a box unless I need locked content such as what I bought years ago from Apple.

My main reason is airplay and most compatibility with iphone (and itunes ecosystem). If not for that, then nope. I'm sure the average buyer doesn't care too much about that though (and Apple doesn't really market it) and is more concerned about content.

I understand the want for an amazon app but it's on an xbox i have so not too big a deal. 4k is a big deal though.

 

[TroyBoy30]

we'll have 8k by the time the apple tv does 4k

 

[JRobinsonJr]

Don't skate where the puck is, skate where it's going to be. That's how Apple is supposed to think, isn't it? It's funny, I've seen you (if I'm mistaking you for someone else, apologies) on the other side of this argument when it comes to Apple getting rid of legacy tech and embracing the future. What's so different now?

Apple's development of the ATV has been lackluster compared to their other ventures. All of their other products support 4K in one fashion or another and the one product specifically designed for viewing doesn't support it. It makes no sense. Even just taking into consideration all of the 4K content that can be created on iPhones, you'd think they would have an outlet for that content on the ATV.

I concur! That said, the articles observation that Apple intentionally omitted 4K to keep margins high is a clear indicator of the decision-making process. Now they are paying the price.