Nikkei: Apple Working on New Apple TV for Release Next Year

[MacRumors]

Multiple rumors have indicated that Apple is working on a refreshed version of the Apple TV, and a report today by Nikkei Asia Review adds to speculation that Apple will release a new version of its set-top box next year.

Cites sources familiar with Apple's plans, Nikkei's Apple TV mention appears in a broader report about Apple's 2021 production plans.

Apple is also preparing an aggressive production schedule for its high-end computers, including the MacBook Pro and iMac Pro, for 2021, two other people familiar with the matter said. The company is in the midst of replacing Intel central processors in its computer lineups with self-designed CPUs built using technology from British chip designer Arm. Apple already introduced three MacBook models powered by its M1 central processor in late 2020 and announced it will take about two years to fully transition to CPUs designed in-house. The U.S. tech giant is also working on a new Apple TV, a home entertainment device for video-on-demand services, for next year, one of the people said.

Rumors have been bubbling all year about a new Apple TV ever since signs of the unreleased device were spotted in an iOS 13.4 beta in January. At the time, rumors suggested it would feature an A12 chip and come in 64 and 128GB storage sizes.

Since then, there have been signs of a new ‌Apple TV‌ with an updated remote in iOS 14 code, and leaker Jon Prosser has suggested the new Apple TV will be equipped with an A12X Bionic chip. However, another rumor claimed it will use an A14 chip, the same chip used in the iPhone 12 lineup.

Beyond possible remote changes, storage capacities, an updated processor, and a "T1125" codename, there's little else known about the new Apple TV, although Prosser recently suggested it could include a U1 chip that enables Ultra Wideband support for improved spatial awareness between devices.

Given the spate of rumors, one theory is that Apple is working on multiple Apple TV set-top boxes, which could explain the discrepancy in chip rumors. Whatever Apple's plans are, a new Apple TV next year feels like a safe bet – Apple hasn't updated the current Apple TV 4K since September 2017.

Article Link: Nikkei: Apple Working on New Apple TV for Release Next Year

 

[and 1989 others]

I do hope they change the remote for the Apple TV. It is worse than useless.

 

[-DMN-]

My now ancient 3rd gen has been do for an upgrade even though it's still perfectly capable. Honestly I'm just wanting separate profiles and Apple Arcade support. I'm actually low-key stoked for ATV's future!

 

[StrangeNoises]

Being able to use Airpods Max Spatial Audio with it would be an obvious one, it's been a glaring omission with the current Apple TV units (which others have noted already) that's so glaring one presumes it's because they lack some necessary hardware to do it. (I think that's not the U1?)

 

[ksec]

I wonder if someday they will partner with LG to have an Apple TV set.

 

[CJM]

Wonder why it's been delayed so long, it's well past the usual refresh time. I'm contemplating a future purchase to use with stereo homepods.

 

[sw1tcher]

Apple hasn't updated the current Apple TV 4K since September 2017.

Has it been that long already?

SMH

 

[newyorksole]

I feel like I / we say it every year Lol, but 2021 is definitely going to be big for Apple.

Finally a *likely* redesigned Apple TV remote, Apple Silicon desktops, redesigned Magic accessories (most likely), more TV+ content etc etc.

Definitely wouldn’t mind a faster Apple TV along with whatever other features they’re cooking up.

 

[sw1tcher]

Wonder why it's been delayed so long, it's well past the usual refresh time.

Busy working on all the new emojis we've been getting.

 

[anyjungleinguy]

HDMI 2.1 and its full feature set please.

 

[contacos]

I used to really enjoy my 4th gen (without 4K) but since upgrading my TV to a 4K model, I barely had any use for it anymore since everything is pretty much build in now 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

[coredev]

redesigned Magic accessories (most likely)

Where did you get that idea?
Apple has been steady with the current mouse design for what, 11 years?
Also with the last keyboard fiasco, they would be stupid to change the current one that's working perfectly.

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

I do hope they change the remote for the Apple TV. It is worse than useless.

I've never had any issues with it... what exactly makes it useless?

 

[G5isAlive]

Another year another Apple TV rumor...

 

[EmotionalSnow]

Maybe we'll also get a more gaming oriented Apple TV?

 

[rmoliv]

Last time I checked the rumor was new Apple TVs were ready for shipping... :lol:

 

[Ahmed7]

I don’t see what they can improve other than the gpu for gaming. Quick Media Switch using HDMI 2.1 would be nice but I don’t think its worth the upgrade, all other 2.1 features are 4K@120 gaming related so it’s useless.

 

[agsystems]

Wonder why it's been delayed so long, it's well past the usual refresh time. I'm contemplating a future purchase to use with stereo homepods.

I have 2 in my cart but I won't buy until they refresh it

 

[amartinez1660]

My now ancient 3rd gen has been do for an upgrade even though it's still perfectly capable. Honestly I'm just wanting separate profiles and Apple Arcade support. I'm actually low-key stoked for ATV's future!

I got a 3rd gen and a HD one, I don’t really know why but I like them a lot. They are convenient, responsive and always “there” ready but also so conspicuous not screaming it’s presence.

With the advent of the M1 macs, if newer Apple TVs were to have similar performance next year, then I think we are definitely talking quite the gaming console capabilities too.

 

[OddyOh]

I do hope they change the remote for the Apple TV. It is worse than useless.

I mean, at least the microphone on it works pretty well...the rest of it certainly is pure garbage though! Hopefully now that Jonny is gone, we can have a functional d-pad again. And know which way is up without turning on every light in the house. And tell which button is which by feel. And backlit buttons. And a non-slip surface. Any number of changes could take this remote from worst to first. It just takes courage to admit they were wrong.

 

[orbital~debris]

Needs FaceTime support, + a purchase option for a bundle including a camera (perhaps resurrecting the iSight brand in the same way MagSafe has recently been? Or just FaceTime camera).

 

[GadgetBen]

This will be fitness+ related. Mark my words.

U1 chip - spatial awareness is the clue. This could mean measuring pace and form alongside current metrics.

Fitness+ was designed primarily for home workouts, it makes sense for Apple to introduce further sensors on the Apple TV for these workouts.

 

[GeoStructural]

I wonder if someday they will partner with LG to have an Apple TV set.

They wanted for a long time, with Jobs famously saying “finally cracked it”, meaning that he thought of the simplest TV with iCloud and stuffs, a couple of pictures of the supposed TV even leaked... but then realized they could not compete with the likes of Sony, LG and Samsung in the TV market so they stayed with the set-top box business.

Cook, being the businessman that he is and not a tech enthusiast as Jobs, asserted that the margins would not make sense... people keep TVs for too long and they could not charge any premium to set them apart from companies that had been doing this successfully since the 60s-80s.

Here is a few reads if you are interested:

Behind Apple’s Move to Shelve TV Plans

Investor Carl Icahn said he expects Apple to introduce an ultra-high-definition television in 2016. But after nearly a decade of research, Apple quietly shelved plans to make such a set more than a year ago.

www.wsj.com

Here's Why Apple Isn't Making a Television

The set-top box is good enough

time.com

Why Apple's not going to sell an OLED TV

It wouldn't make any sense.

mashable.com

 

[Quale]

Dolby Atmos (TrueHD) pass-through please

 

[BootLoxes]

Please.... Don't give me hope