How can Apple improve the hardware?

[2010mini]

There have long been software wishlists for tvOS and Siri remote.
But what about the hardware do you think should be Apple’s next improvement? My 4 handles everything so far without issue. What would make a never device stand out??

 

[techwarrior]

Rumors seem to revolve around improving graphics for gaming. Along with that, it might make sense to improve the remote for gaming, or support more controllers.

Personally, I would love to see FaceTime support with either a built in, or USB HD camera, maybe even with FaceID to support user profiles. I know USB cameras would potentially open the door for USB drives, something Apple seems dead set against, but it would be nice for Mac-less Audio and Video libraries.

 

[JBaby]

I’m not a home theater nerd so current hardware is fine. I think nothing major will happen until a major change happens in TV tech. If anything needs to change it’s hardware for Arcade. Some games are just plain sluggish on the tv 4K. The only real change I want has more to do with HomePod than tv. I just want them to work better together. Hell I would buy HomePod sound bar.

 

[Azrael9]

Rumors seem to revolve around improving graphics for gaming. Along with that, it might make sense to improve the remote for gaming, or support more controllers.

A12X really improves the graphics for gaming. (The A12X must be way ahead of PS3 style graphics by now? And approaching the PS4? That's not bad for such a tiny ATV device.) Making 'mainstream' games more sumptuous and ambitious.

They could make their own gaming controller and improve the TV remote.

Azrael.
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I’m not a home theater nerd so current hardware is fine. I think nothing major will happen until a major change happens in TV tech. If anything needs to change it’s hardware for Arcade. Some games are just plain sluggish on the tv 4K. The only real change I want has more to do with HomePod than tv. I just want them to work better together. Hell I would buy HomePod sound bar.

Games are always pushing the hardware and making new demands. So an A12X makes perfect sense to give developers for the Apple Arcade more reach, more ambition and to push the Apple Arcade ecosystem with more compelling content. It will allow the juiciest iPad and iPhone games to come across to the ATV also.

Arcade has had a decent start but the hardware will allow more impressive titles to allow more 'buy in' to the ATV eco system. Arcade is Apple out sourcing games development to 3rd party studios rather than bringing games in house to Apple...brandishing cash, marketing and prestige as an incentive. This service has room to blossom...and to add exclusives and killer titles. Apple are sitting on a mountain of cash. I'd quite like the idea of luring Bungie back to the 'Mac' platform (I consider phones, pads, ATVs, watches as all 'Macs'...) Be interesting to see what Bungie could do for the Apple Arcade.

ATV. Steel Controller (could there be an Apple branded one soon?) Apple Arcade. Home Pod.

There's an ATV eco system there. It could stand some improvement. *Looks* at the ATV hardware 1st.

It's important that the hardware remains (relatively) up to date with PS5/XBox updates on the horizon and the 'Switch' amongst other devices (Roku, Amazon) jostling for position in the massive TV home market.

Azrael.

 

[norsemen]

Wifi 6 since it looks like the new Apple TV will use the same SOC as iPhone 11, iPhone SE and iPad Pro.

 

[colodane]

Make a decent remote. Larger. More real buttons. I'll pay extra for it.

 

[displaced]

I'd like to see a remote redesign. Some way of quickly orienting it without looking would be a great start. I don't need a full-on 'megabutton' remote - I've got a Logitech Harmony for that, which also allows Alexa to control the ATV, which works well.

Mostly I'd like much better Bluetooth range. After DS4 support was added, I did a fair bit of gaming with one and the Steam Link app. I'm only about 4 metres from the ATV and in direct line-of-sight, but if I lean back in the chair, the controller would disconnect.

A/V-wise, the ATV4K does everything that I can make use of - 4K output, Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR10. Having said that, HLG support would be great, since that's the usual HDR format for broadcast TV in the UK.

 

[colodane]

I agree - nothing as big and complex as a Harmony. But big enough to hold comfortably, not get lost, a few more buttons with backlighting. I'm usually in the dark when using it.

 

[x-evil-x]

passthrough audio for my home media with infuse or plex

 

[acader]

1. common charging / access port across devices (USB C?)
2. Bezel free devices

 

[khollister]

Passthrough for lossless Atmos/DTS:X, or at least support more than 7.1 LPCM so Infuse can deliver lossless Atmos.

 

[gnomeisland]

I’d actually love to see a Homepod sounds bar. Personally I think the A12X is still not enough GPU for video games.

I’d love to see built in microphones for Siri control, support for dual AirPods, a way of using a web cam directly (USB or UWB wireless), support for the AV1 codec.

 

[nutmac]

I would like to see 3 models.

1. Apple TV 6 ($99): A12, 32GB storage, HDMI 2.1, updated Apple Remote (with new design, few more buttons, and Bluetooth)
2. Apple TV 6 Pro ($249): A12X, 128GB storage, redesigned Siri Remote (Force Touch Surface, few more buttons, improved ergonomics), Apple designed gaming controller, includes 1-year Apple Arcade subscription
3. TVPod ($999): Apple TV 6 Pro internal, sound bar form factor, Dolby Atmos (5.0.2, expandable to 7.0.2 or 9.0.2 with HomePods), HDMI 2.1 eARC, built-in Always on microphone, FaceTime camera (can be used as HomeKit Secure Video, FaceTime and 3rd party video conferencing apps)