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Do you think they will be able to enable 4K support / airplay via a software update or is it a hardware thing?

It's a hardware thing.

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It'll be available for preorder on Halloween ships in November. You seem to forget that the first ever preorder on a Saturday was also the most recent preorder.

It will most likely just be released and available on a certain date like the Apple TV iterations before it. Preorders are usually for iPhones, iPads and now the Apple Watch. Very rarely can you preorder any other product from the Apple store. And quoting Halloween for preorders is a ridiculous date, especially considering how busy that day is for kids, teens, families, and young adults. I am doubting preorders for this product will take place, and two, that they'll take place on the third busiest "holiday" this season.
 
Finally the Euros get something before the US (albeit 3rd party). Just glad we don't have to listen to you b**** about an American company serving Americans first.
You're pretty bitter for someone who gets everything Apple a) mostly sooner b) pretty much at the cheapest price worldwide and c) sometimes even at all.

I guess the trade off that you'll hear some moaning in an international forum is pretty acceptable for that.

Glassed Silver:mac
 
In for all the people on here that don't bother reading that resellers are the ones taking pre orders (something any of them could have done the second it was announced) and expect Apple to do the same right thing minute.
Hadn't thought of it that way. I guess I was assuming that the retailers in question had some authorization from Apple to begin pre-orders. But yeah, they're probably just adding names to a list...
 

Since the 4th generation Apple TV has an HDMI 1.4 port, I suppose it’s possible that it might be able to play 4K video. If it can’t play it now, it might be something which Apple is waiting to unlock with a software update, much like when Apple enabled Bluetooth on the 2nd generation iPod Touch and on the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TVs.
 
I am very surprised that MacRumors would even post this. I would be a little lire about ordering from anyone, especially since it isn't even on Apple's main web site yet. (Anyone else feel this way?)
 
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You're pretty bitter for someone who gets everything Apple a) mostly sooner b) pretty much at the cheapest price worldwide and c) sometimes even at all.

I guess the trade off that you'll hear some moaning in an international forum is pretty acceptable for that.

Glassed Silver:mac

Actually, they’re not getting the cheapest price. That Apple T.V. ad is from a Norwegian retailer. The price is listed as 1,399 Kroner, which is roughly $160, which is $10 more than the American price.
 
It's a danish retailer. Hopefully the price won't be that high. 1400 DKR is a lot more than the 149 USD i was hoping for...

--EDIT--

1400 Danish Kroner is 214 USD
 
No. Legally they can't enable such things without charging for the update as they've been required to do in the past. They'll just sell you new hardware in the future if they choose to add 4k support.
Why is that? You just mentioned an out, a paid upgrade.

BT was installed in the 2nd generation iPod touch, but disabled when it first shipped. A later ($9.95 paid) software update enabled it. They legally could enable silent hardware and pay the licensing (MP4 technology) on the users behalf, or, provide a software update that people can pay for.

But, that was a different apple.
 
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No. Legally they can't enable such things without charging for the update as they've been required to do in the past. They'll just sell you new hardware in the future if they choose to add 4k support.
I never understood that with the old iPhones, but that's not entirely accurate. I mean, Tesla just pushed out a free over the air update to the Model S to enable the cars to drive themselves. I'd say an over the air update to enable 4K wouldn't cost us anything.
 
I'm a long-time TV user, but lack of 4K support is a total deal breaker to me upgrading. The app store is neat, but video content is the absolute bread and butter of this device and they didn't get it right. I can't fathom what Apple was thinking. 1080P TVs over 50" are already becoming scarce in stores.
 
I'm a long-time TV user, but lack of 4K support is a total deal breaker to me upgrading. The app store is neat, but video content is the absolute bread and butter of this device and they didn't get it right. I can't fathom what Apple was thinking. 1080P TVs over 50" are already becoming scarce in stores.

Not a lot of 4K content and that may be for a while. Also I've read in articles you only really benefit from 4K if you are viewing a tv 60" or bigger and if you're sitting no farther than 6' away from the screen. Otherwise it looks just like 1080p content.
 
No. Legally they can't enable such things without charging for the update as they've been required to do in the past. They'll just sell you new hardware in the future if they choose to add 4k support.

I'm a corporate lawyer and would love to learn about this law that prevents companies from providing free updates -- please share!
 
Not a lot of 4K content and that may be for a while. Also I've read in articles you only really benefit from 4K if you are viewing a tv 60" or bigger and if you're sitting no farther than 6' away from the screen. Otherwise it looks just like 1080p content.
I've got a 4K 70" and sit about 10 ft away and can tell a huge difference in 4K vs 1080P, And my eyes are getting worse.
 
I need an AT4 stat! A second ATV3 of ours has started having intermittent wifi connectivity issues. We had one do this (and replaced it) just before the ATV3 price drop. Neither serial numbers fall under Apples program for devices with connectivity issues. I can't win!
 
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