New Apple TV Rumored to Launch Next Year With These Features

[nikhsub1]

The Apple TV works, but it is a pretty boring product.

This is a good thing. Apple TV is my main viewing hub in my house. It is much better IMO than using whatever smart tv you may have... Apple TV works really well and isn't buggy in my experience. I upgrade each iteration just due to the fact that there is a faster processor in there.

 

[Resident Guru]

I'd like them to add 8K output too, but I doubt that will happen.

They need to increase bitrates first because regular blu-ray movies have more motion clarity than 4K HDR/DV streams while also providing uncompressed audio.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

Increase the storage for what? To install a another 75mb streaming app?

These could have 16gb storage and no one would notice any difference.

Using VLC to move MKV files directly to Apple TV is a cool feature I use. Definitely appreciate the on device storage space we have today vs 16gb

 

[redbeard331]

Needs at least 16gb ram and AI.

 

[EugW]

Why? To CPU and storage? Serious question, not trolling.

Increase the storage for what? To install a another 75mb streaming app?

These could have 16gb storage and no one would notice any difference.

CPU - Video games and what not. The 4K 1st generation was slow even for just navigating the OS. The 4K 2nd/3rd gen are fine for that, but games improve with faster CPUs (and GPUs).

Storage - 16 GB is definitely insufficient, for app and screensaver storage. Even 32 GB is problematic unless you like constantly deleting things to install new stuff. 64-128 GB is nice, but it can't hurt to have more. If they want to keep one major spec constant to facilitate lowering the price, I could see keeping the storage at 64-128 GB. However, the CPU should be updated and *see below* the memory should be increased.

Note. I have a 32 GB 4K 1st gen and regretted getting just 32 GB. However I replaced it with a 128 GB 4K 3rd gen and am satisfied with that. The 32 GB 1st gen 4K gets used on a secondary TV now.

Update CPU, increase base storage to 128GB, increase 4GB of RAM (to 6GB? 8GB?) *and* lower starting price to $89 or $99

Yeah, that too. Memory increase to go along with faster CPU/GPU.

 

[dugbug]

New advanced chip capable of showing snoopy screen savers

 

[Wacky1]

That integrated camera would have a good view of the back of my TV.

 

[SactoGuy18]

It's going to be interesting to see if Apple uses a "binned" A17 Pro SoC (same one used on the new iPad mini) or the regular A18 SoC on the next Apple TV, given it may gain Apple Intelligence capabilities.

 

[cocky jeremy]

What do you expect from a product which does what it should ?

You wanna watch tv/movies/ show , you dont need fancy stuff on your tv.

The only thing I'd like added is the ability to search across all of your streaming platforms and the ability to just play from the search without having to load the specific app.

 

[bodonnell202]

Based on this it sounds like the chip upgrade is just because it is economical for Apple to make more Apple TVs with newer chips. Theres no real performance strain on tvOS is there? Which questions what is the future of tvOS and Apple TV hardware?

Unlikely that they can produce any of the newer chips than A15 for cheaper at this point, although the A16 is probably getting pretty close, and there is something to be said for economies of scale with other devices using the A15 likely to be discontinued soon. Switching to an in house designed WiFi & Bluetooth chip with no licensing costs will be a cost savings though. The A15 can handle the demands of 4K streaming with only basic passive cooling (earlier versions of the Apple TV 4K with the A10x and A12 required active cooling), so presumably anything newer would be fine for 4K streaming with only passive cooling as well.

 

[JeffPerrin]

FaceTime on AppleTV is the bomb! I wish there was a way for the AppleTV to offload some of the processing from the iPhone, though. My 13 works pretty hard doing all that live cropping for the Center Stage feature. 😮‍💨 (And no, I don't want Apple to tack a camera on the ATV. Mine resides inside a media cabinet next to the AVR.)

Beyond that, a price drop would be welcome.

 

[eastpointvet]

I’m satisfied with Apple TV already I think they should have WiFi 7 but that’s the only thing I would want besides a better processor

 

[McWetty]

Give me bitstreaming lossless audio support, or GTFO.

 

[ellpee]

Fun fact: Gurman has NO SOURCES at Apple. You might as well post the thoughts of any of your readers. But that wouldn’t drive people to Bloomberg which I suspect is why you keep insulting everyone’s intelligence with this BS.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Update CPU, leave base storage at 64GB, increase RAM from 4GB to 6GB or even 8GB (for AI) *and* lower starting price to $89 or $99

Mostly the same recommendation except REDUCE storage in the box and shift it to "unlimited" storage back at Mac/PC. In other words, stream all as needed to onboard RAM: apps, movies, TV shows, music. By reducing Apple storage, the reduced price should be possible. And there is abundant storage on the home shared computer to which it links to hold far more than either 64GB or 128GB of apps and media.

I don't see why much onboard storage is needed exclusive for apps when gigantic movie files can stream over very quickly from drives attached to a computer. Shrink the storage, maybe up the RAM and stream it all from unlimited* storage.

OPTION 2: add one "normal" USB port back in so that those who want:

• gen 1's sync option can add whatever level of storage they want and sync up to everything to that storage. Those happy with streaming only wouldn't be paying for any storage.
• want a dedicated camera (but get confused that one built into the case only works well if the AppleTV is positioned right above or right below CENTER of the TV) could connect any of many USB-based cameras and position the camera in the most ideal of spots, regardless of how one positions their AppleTV, including all the places where a built-in camera could not be able to "see" anything.
• to resurrect also being able to use AppleTV as a music jukebox with TV off could have a Analog audio port again to connect to ZONE 2 receivers (vast majority of HDMI extractors don't work well, but either one "normal" USB port OR resurrect a 3.5mm port and this very nice benefit could be revived too).

I could go on, but there's a few very tangible, little things that can deliver a lower price that would make beancounters happy too AND fulfill some simple functional wishes held by many AppleTV users.

 

[axboi87]

Hopefully A17 Pro or A18 so we can get hardware AV1 support

 

[jlc1978]

The bulit-in camera rumor still makes no sense to me.

In my case, it would be useless since my Apple TVs are behind the TV and out of sight.

 

[themachugger]

This product should be split into an entry-level $50-ish product and a high-end, 4K to 8K product with enough overhead for serious video enhancement (as somebody mentioned better upscaling) and to play serious games on it, not just flat-shaded Nintendo-looking stuff. It always feels like it's close to being the "right product" to break into new markets but somehow always just falls short on both ends for what it COULD achieve.

 

[EugW]

My Apple TVs face us, so an integrated camera would see us. However, I have zero interest in this idea.

As for WiFi, I really don't see the point of going with bleeding edge WiFi technology like WiFi 7. Total a waste of money. Even WiFi 6e is not really necessary IMO, but it can't hurt. I use wired Ethernet, but I'd be satisfied with WiFi 6. For my usage even WiFi 5 is fine, but I can understand why many would like WiFi 6.

This product should be split into an entry-level $50-ish product and a high-end, 4K to 8K product with enough overhead for serious video enhancement (as somebody mentioned better upscaling) and to play serious games on it, not just flat-shaded Nintendo-looking stuff. It always feels like it's close to being the "right product" to break into new markets but somehow always just falls short on both ends for what it COULD achieve.

Hmmm... Nintendo seems to be doing pretty well actually.

 

[joecomo]

built-in camera doesn't make too much sense for a device that is often hidden in a cupboard.
USB-mic and Camera or even POE devices could solve that - but this would be very-un-apple

 

[n-evo]

I feel today’s Apple TV hardware could be used for a lot more and could look really cool on the big screen. Why no dynamic start of your day? Like the weather forecast, appointments, info about my daily commute, etc. tvOS is pretty bland and lacks a lot of features all things considering. At this point it’s not so much the hardware that’s the issue but the software.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Update CPU, leave base storage at 64GB, increase RAM from 4GB to 6GB or even 8GB (for AI) *and* lower starting price to $89 or $99

True. Said it before, get competitive or get out of this market.

 

[stocklen]

Most unnecessary update for an Apple product ever-the current box works fine for what it is supposed to do.

exactly.

Although nothing stays static... newer models inevitably will come...

I just dont see the constant 'whens the new one coming?' that we seem to get.

What will it do? The current chip is still more than fast enough for streaming 4k Atmos content. I NEVER find myself wanting the interface to be faster its perfectly fine (unlike other sluggish OSes like Fire Stick)

Putting a camera on it? Why on earth would they want to do that? I imagine that most people have the Apple TV hidden away in a cabinet or behind the TV its rarely on display so if it had a camera built in you'd have to bring it out into the open which aesthetically many wont want anyway. Continuity Camera works great for those that want to use FaceTime on the TV.

 

[nutmac]

I have the second gen model. I will upgrade when and if few of the followings are added, in alphabetical order:

• Apple Intelligence
• Higher resolution HomeKit Secure Video
• Passthrough audio support for lossless audio standards, such as TrueHD, DTS, and FLAC
• Soundbar form factor
• Source-Based Tone Mapping

 

[neotint]

Would prefer all the investment goes into improving tvOS, to improve the UX, reliability, better sandboxing of apps like YouTube that crash the whole system often, better airplay support to remember settings, etc.