Where's the New Apple TV?

[darkblu]

You an do all that, but it doesn't really make it a "console" like people on here keep asking for. They are looking for PS5 and Switch -level games from big studios, and have asked for such.

I can play silly little games on Netflix and Roku too.

You surely can play games on anything, but question is what titles are available on a thing.

ATV, by virtue of being so very close to iOS devices, gets the bulk of iOS titles. Put in other words, ATV gets the bulk of the titles released on a viable games market, without being a "game console" since no "AAA titles". It's a middle ground of a gaming device. Something that netflix/roku are not.

 

[Digital Dude]

I was so primed for a new one. But now I've made other arrangements in tech. They missed their window!

They will never recover from not getting my purchase. It's gonna decimate them. Sell your stock now, folks.

I’m already with you on this. I got tired of waiting around for AI and basic features to work properly so I decided to add Android into my mix. Sure, it’s not as polished as iOS pretends to be, and it’s too early to make a fair judgment, but my initial reaction has been, “Wow… that’s pretty cool.” Still in the Apple fold, but at least now I can play around with tech’ in ways where it’s actually fun again. 👨‍🔬

 

[CarAnalogy]

Not everything needs to be updated frequently. The current generation AppleTV is still the best streaming box on the market, with the added bonus of some games. There really is no need to push for an update. Are there some quality of life improvements needed? Yes. But do we need to update the thing every year or two? Not at all.

TEG

My 2021 models have been sluggish since the liquid glass "update." We need new hardware just to keep up with this software abomination that has been forced upon us.

Windows Vista all over again.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Are you suggesting that AppleTVs don't have Ethernet? They do.

The newest base model does not have Ethernet. I specifically remember because I was outraged by it.

 

[ultrafiel80]

When a new Apple TV is released it will be a day-one purchase for me. Why?

• AV1 Hardware decoding
• Dolby Atmos passthrough
• More efficient chip for better thermals (ideally bring back a small fan but doubt that will happen).

This is because I mostly watch 4k native Blu-ray rips through Plex which has a bad tendency to heat up my latest 3rd Gen Apple TV to the point I get stuttering and playback issues after a while. A good part of the blame can be put on the Plex app for being inefficient, but getting new hardware could likely alleviate the issues as well (Plex hasn't fixed this issue in years even though it is supposedly under development to have a better player).

And before anyone suggests that I move to Infuse, I am trying that out right now. However, my family has like a decade of using Plex, so it would be better to stick with that if possible.

 

[seek3r]

Are you suggesting that AppleTVs don't have Ethernet? They do.

The base SKU does not…

 

[Jumpthesnark]

The newest base model does not have Ethernet. I specifically remember because I was outraged by it.

The base model is Wi-Fi only, and comes with 64GB of storage, it's $129 at the Apple Store.
The "high end" model doubles the storage to 128GB and has Ethernet as well. It's $20 more.

Only speaking for myself, but a $20 difference between the two models isn't something I would be "outraged" by.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Promises, always promises 😩

These were rumors, never promises. Now there are new rumors, that the first rumors were not correct.

I try to not believe in a device until it actually exists.

 

[CarAnalogy]

The base model is Wi-Fi only, and comes with 64GB of storage, it's $129 at the Apple Store.
The "high end" model doubles the storage to 128GB and has Ethernet as well. It's $20 more.

Only speaking for myself, but a $20 difference between the two models isn't something I would be "outraged" by.

Was half joking. For a $20 difference I don't see why they didn't include it on all models. It seems like a needless split for what's supposed to be a premium product.

 

[seek3r]

Was half joking. For a $20 difference I don't see why they didn't include it on all models. It seems like a needless split for what's supposed to be a premium product.

My bet is chip licensing honestly, yes a money grab but not the one that folks here think, it probably wasnt about the $20, it was probably about whoever owns the chipset for the NIC not getting a cut. I have a suspicion that either ethernet on all models will return with the next gen or that they’ll remove ethernet for all models (I’d bet the former)

 

[OGdrknight]

How about support for:

Pass-Thru audio
Full Safari browser support for TVOS

They could easily do this without new hardware.

If they EVER release new hardware I seriously hope it supports pass-thru audio and DTS.

My guess it won’t release until X’mas of next year so they can release an Apple TV 5K version. A handful of companies are suppose debuting 5K monitors (Apple included) and TV’s next year, however no one is making 5K content for streaming devices as of yet. So most 4K content will just be upscaled to 5K either via display or streaming device.

 

[seek3r]

How about support for:

Pass-Thru audio
Full Safari browser support for TVOS

They could easily do this without new hardware.

If they EVER release new hardware I seriously hope it supports pass-thru audio and DTS.

My guess it won’t release until X’mas of next year so they can release an Apple TV 5K version. A handful of companies are suppose debuting 5K monitors (Apple included) and TV’s next year, however no one is making 5K content for streaming devices as of yet. So most 4K content will just be upscaled to 5K either via display or streaming device.

Pretty sure it already will do passthrough audio using eARC if you’re using homepods as your speakers, is that what you mean?

 

[DiamondBlock98]

hot take: we do not need one

 

[jjudson]

I turn on my theater, press a few buttons on my remote, and watch whatever show I selected.

What more do I need in this thing...?

 

[groove-agent]

Apple should really do a big release late summer like they used to - just in time for back to school and inevitably Christmas. However, Apple has the luxury of doing things on their own time so all the power to them I guess.

 

[kody137]

Every time MR publishes one of these articles, Tim just pushes the release week back a month

 

[kody137]

Are you suggesting that AppleTVs don't have Ethernet? They do.

Not all models do

 

[kody137]

This was always a "side project" I can see it getting discontinued and the Home Hub ipad /Homepod being a new "project"...

I think they have way too much skin in the game at this point to just discontinue the ATV line, but I do think it has moved closer to "side project" status since Steve passed away. I don't believe, based on what we have seen from Apple since then, that whatever secret Steve had claimed to have finally figured out with that business never reached the larger organization.

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Was half joking. For a $20 difference I don't see why they didn't include it on all models. It seems like a needless split for what's supposed to be a premium product.

Probably so people who have no use for an Ethernet port or more storage could feel like they're not having to pay for something they don't want to pay for. Seeing there's a (slightly) higher priced device makes them feel like they're getting a bargain. Also, it allows Apple to say the device starts at $129.

 

[Karllake]

I think they have way too much skin in the game at this point to just discontinue the ATV line, but I do think it has moved closer to "side project" status since Steve passed away. I don't believe, based on what we have seen from Apple since then, that whatever secret Steve had claimed to have finally figured out with that business never reached the larger organization.

Not sure I’d call it a „side project”, for me it’s a less glamour but incredibly useful element of the Apple eco system, i don’t want them to make it much more powerful and costly, if you want true power, buy a Mac mini. Its just about perfect at the role it has.

As for the need for an upgrade, I always go back to RR’s analogy that „bakers make fresh bread every day, no so you buy fresh everyday, but when you do buy you get the freshest possible”

I need a second one so am upgrading my primary and moving the existing one to secondary, otherwise I’d have stayed on the existing 4K.

 

[zonemster]

The 2026 Apple TV will have a USB-C camera, a camera where you can mount it to your TV, it will not have a camera build into the Apple TV

 

[SFjohn]

So Gurman & MacRumors have been wrong for two years in a row… 🤔 😉

 

[SactoGuy18]

I think Apple may no longer be using the A17 Pro SoC on the new Apple TV. There's a good chance they may be using the A18 SoC, which will make it possible for faster video decoding.

 

[oceptis]

I was so primed for a new one. But now I've made other arrangements in tech. They missed their window!

They will never recover from not getting my purchase. It's gonna decimate them. Sell your stock now, folks.

I’m right there with you, double whammy. I have other plans now. I can’t keep waiting until 2030 for Siri to be ready.

 

[seek3r]

I think they have way too much skin in the game at this point to just discontinue the ATV line, but I do think it has moved closer to "side project" status since Steve passed away. I don't believe, based on what we have seen from Apple since then, that whatever secret Steve had claimed to have finally figured out with that business never reached the larger organization.

Jobs literally called the atv a “hobby” project for apple, it’s always been a side project, the biggest value to it is and always has been the halo effect for those fully in the Apple ecosystem. If anything I think it’s far more successful on its own than jobs ever expected