New Apple TV With A12 Chip or Later Uncovered in tvOS 13.4 Beta

[rp2011]

I would imagine it will be the same chip as the upcoming new iPad Pro.
I sincerely doubt a new device that needs to have a powerful chip for gaming and video output, and that is only updated every two to three years wouldn’t get the most updated CPU possible.

Especially as the X-chips in the iPad pros need more than one device to go into to make them more viable in the “mass market, economies of scale” scheme of things.

 

[newyorksole]

Yeah we will see new iPads, Apple TV, Apple headphones and a new ATV at the March event. Should be fun

March Event
June WWDC
September Event
October Event (Maybe)

Lot of products and services to spread out over the year.

I wonder what new features they could add to the Apple TV... Would love to see.

 

[profets]

Would be nice if they could reduce the physical size of the device. Make it a bit easier to hide / stick behind a wall mounted TV.

 

[zorinlynx]

I may finally buy another one if they upgrade it, even though I don't have a 4K TV, just so I don't have to keep moving my current ATV (non-4K) between the living room and the projector in the bedroom. The projector is only 720p so the old one will do great there, and I'll also be ready for a 4K TV when/if I upgrade!

 

[JPack]

Makes sense.

A12 has a smaller die size than A10X and is more powerful.

 

[EugW]

How is the performance on A12? I think the current AppleTV has a A10X?

Makes sense.

Smaller die size than A10X and more powerful.

For SoC performance, I don’t really see the point unless the new Apple TV got A13, or even better A13X/A14X, since A10X is already a decent performer compared to A12 and even beats A12 in some measures.

I wonder how much of this is a cost and power saving measure, since A12 is a much higher volume chip than A10X, and A12 has a smaller die size with lower power requirements. Could replacement of A10X by A12 mean they could get rid of the fan? If so, that could make Apple TV smaller too, because right now the Apple TV is too chunky IMO.

If they do go with A12, probably the more compelling reason to upgrade would be for HDMI 2.1.

 

[GIZBUG]

Finally, Apple TV 8K.

might want to RE-READ the article

 

[Sevenfeet]

I know Apple hates Google these days, but I would really hope they add VP9 support in hardware or even software at this point. YouTube has got to be one of their most popular apps, missing out on 4K content with the Apple TV is annoying. If I want to watch something in 4K, my TV has Chromecast built in and supports it, so I have to go that route.

That's not likely to happen. What's more likely is hardware support for AV1, which is the codec that will eventually replace both HEVC and VP9 and is backed by both Apple and Google.

What I do think will happen is the retirement of the Apple TV HD model (which is still running on the antiquated A8 chip). Whether they keep the current A10-powered model around as a cheaper option is up for debate. If I were Apple, I'd try to just have a single SKU at a good price point which options for memory. I would expect it to be A12 powered since history has shown that Apple usually goes with last-year's chip for new Apple TVs.

And if they do support AV1, I'd think it would be implemented in a T2-type chip or something since Apple has been offloading these tasks in other products to this chip and not having it in the main CPU. If AV1 support doesn't happen, then I doubt we'll see support in tvOS for another 2-3 years, despite the next iPhone. Apple just doesn't update this product that often.

 

[kemal]

Please put the USB back on the box. We don't like having to send them in just for an OS crash.

 

[PickUrPoison]

A12X would be a much better choice considering Apples push into gaming with Apple Arcade. I’d like to see what developers would do with the additional horsepower.

Likely an “X” version. The 9to5mac article says the code they found suggests that the hardware is based on the arm64e architecture, which was introduced with the A12.

Edit: They also mention that based on the model number T1125, it’s probably an internal prototype device, which may mean its further away than next month. So maybe an A14X this fall?

 

[edhudley]

While indeed welcomed news, unless its going to including gaming console performance, its going to be a bit difficult to continue the $200 neighborhood with comparably featured streaming devices are available for half the price or less, far less on Black Friday. I paid $25 for my Fire Stick 4K, installed the AirPlay&UPIP app and have pretty much the same feature thats on my Apple TV 4K

 

[CarlJ]

Praying that it will include a redesigned remote.

I’d be happy if they just put it in a more ergonomic shell, that’s easier to pick up and less slippery. I’m happy enough with the current control layout.

Oh, and build in an Apple Tag.

 

[Ar40]

March event?

PLEASE. And I expect news about upcoming March/April TV+ releases and big celebrity guests at that event. And news on service bundles.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I’d like to see a proper audio passthrough option, and resolution matching.

 

[skillwill]

How about updating that remote, tho....

I don’t have an Apple TV so am always meaning to ask, what is so bad about the remote. It’s hard to tell from the pictures. I see it get heat all the time and am just genuinely curious what the issue is?

 

[lantree]

Bitstream pass though option please Apple ?

 

[iOS Geek]

Would be nice if they could reduce the physical size of the device. Make it a bit easier to hide / stick behind a wall mounted TV.

While I don't have an issue with the current size...I would be interested in seeing what they can do with a smaller form factor. Just for the heck of it.

 

[EugW]

I’d like to see a proper audio passthrough option, and resolution matching.

Audio passthrough? I think Apple wants to keep its sounds.

It would get HDMI 2.1 though, which is a big deal IMO.

 

[jml1982]

Please design a better remote!!! The one now is one of the worst Apple designs ever.

 

[Logamaniac]

I have one of those cheap rubber cases for the atv remote and it’s a wonderful addition. Sometimes the touch is a little too sensitive and makes me miss my scroll which is annoying but whatever.

What I’m really hoping for is they update the WiFi so that it doesn’t randomly cut out and require a box restart to resume streams. That’s REALLY ****ing annoying.

 

[BODYBUILDERPAUL]

I know Apple hates Google these days, but I would really hope they add VP9 support in hardware or even software at this point. YouTube has got to be one of their most popular apps, missing out on 4K content with the Apple TV is annoying. If I want to watch something in 4K, my TV has Chromecast built in and supports it, so I have to go that route.

Zero point in adding VP9 as it's being replaced with AV1.

 

[PeterHutnick]

Praying that it will include a redesigned remote.

You know that it will "learn" a remote that you prefer, right? I use the remote to my AV receiver, and it works great.

 

[profets]

While I don't have an issue with the current size...I would be interested in seeing what they can do with a smaller form factor. Just for the heck of it.

Yeah - at a minimum I'd like to see it go back to the size of the 2nd/3rd generation. Those were much easier to hide behind a TV when needed. Sounded like the increase in size was due to an increased heat sink and/or fan added to the 4th/5th gen. Kind of crazy when you think about the dongle type solutions that can do 4K and have all sorts of apps. Though I'm sure they don't have the processing power that an TV has.

 

[zorinlynx]

That's not likely to happen. What's more likely is hardware support for AV1, which is the codec that will eventually replace both HEVC and VP9 and is backed by both Apple and Google.

The sad thing is VP9 is royalty free so there's really no reason for it to not be supported. It's simply Apple being stubborn like they tend to be at times about these things.

 

[imola.zhp]

I miss plasma! My Panasonic was one of the highest rated TVs ever made. SAD, I sold it when we moved

That's what this is, we've had two die, replaced with LCD's; but this one is holding out so far. At almost 8 years old I'm getting nervous about it dieing. Might be time to upgrade and unload it. Its used most in our household so I could see it going out next. Although the frame is pretty slim for its year of manufacture I think we can go up to a 65" (from a 60") and not take up any more space on the wall.