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I think they should offer a low end $99 version for purely streaming apps. It doesn't take much to outclass a Chromecast or built-in TV apps. Then, offer a high end $299 version for streaming and gaming. Put the next A series or M4 into it and make it a real TV gaming platform.
 
For a WWDC launch I'd say an A17 CPU on the new 3nm process (not the same as the one that the A17 Pro is built on) - effectively making it the first appearance of the CPU that people would expect to show up in an iPhone 16.

You'd expect it to include hardware AV1 decode for Youtube which should be a major driver for Apple TV 4K mk4. But Apple could use a binned version to keep costs down or even keep selling the 3rd gen at a lower price point.
 
They need something that only this hardware is capable of. Apple TV 4Ks were all the same so far. Makes me wonder why I bought all if them if basically only the remote was the difference lol
 
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Couldn’t you stream with AirPlay?
Why stream from iPad, I don't have a phone, instead of having a browser? It is like having a camera in ATV. Easier.
I could stream to my ATV or Roku from my iPad but how annoying.
Fire TV has the Silk browser, which is a pain too.
In my opinion, ATV is an Apple toy.
The Roku Channel, which has tons of free programming, is something Apple will refuse to offer on ATV.
For $99, the Roku Ultra is something I'd rather have, which continues to include Ethernet.
 
I would be interested in a cheap dongle that does only airplay mirroring. I am still using the 2013 Apple TV in my classrooms, they still work, but I also worry every year when I install the latest iOS updates that Apple might just do something that ends up breaking compatibly between the two.

Yes, I do have the latest Apple TVs, and I am not afraid to spend more on them if need be, but they are also bulkier and heavier, and I worry about the ability to mount them to the wall effectively (currently using 3M adhesive strips which work pretty well).
 
It would be great if I could download 4k videos so I could watch videos in 4k for once. I live and travel in parts of the world where internet is spotty, and having my video stream turn fuzzy or just stop over and over again is frustrating when I have plenty of room on the Apple TV to download a 4k version of the movie and then watch it without the resolution constantly changing.
 
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For this first time I think I’ll get the higher storage option due to emulation being allowed now. I can only fit a couple PS1 games on now without running out of room. The faster processor will help on the DS games also.
Roms are really small size wise
 
What are people using Apple TVs for these days that most modern TVs can't do themselves (besides emulation...)?

(Genuinely curious. I love my Roku TVs.)
The interface and remote are just better. Less glitchy. For example I just got my daughter an Apple TV that she wanted, and she has a Roku TV. I have a LG OLED and use Apple TV not the smart tv interface.
 
It has that now, via ARC support
1st way...
ARC is audio return channel. It is used when you are playing something directly on TV (TV being your first source) and it sends back audio to a sound receiver like Denon/Onkyo/Yamaha to play sound. In 99% of the cases, people connect AppleTV to Receiver's input HDMI port and receiver splits audio and video streams. Playing audio on itself and sending video stream to the TV.

2nd way...
So when you connect AppleTV to your TV's HDMI input and use another HDMI cable from TV's HDMI ARC port to your receiver, the audio passthrough magically works and you get DTS-HD, TrueHD Atmos lights lit up on your receiver? What kinda f*****y is this? If Apple really makes it work the 2nd way, why not allow it to work the 1st way?

I refuse to buy Apple TV till this has following:
1. HD Lossless audio passthorugh (DTS-HDMA, TrueHD Atmos, etc)
2. Pure and "Real" HDMI 2.1 with FRC (4K 120hz) with smooth UI. The newer SOCs should be capable of this.
3. 2.5G Ethernet port or Wifi6e/7

I am ready to pay $250 for this and will throw away my 6yr old Nvidia shield with a blink of an eye and no 2nd thoughts.
 
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It has been over a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so you may be wondering when a new model will be released. Below, we recap rumors about the next-generation Apple TV, including new features and lower pricing.

apple-tv-4k-yellow-bg-feature.jpg

The current Apple TV 4K was introduced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15 Bionic chip, a larger 128GB storage option, a slightly thinner and lighter design, HDR10+ support, a USB-C port on the Siri Remote, a lower $129 starting price vs. $179, and more.

In January 2023, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new Apple TV was on track for release in the first half of 2024:With only one month remaining in the first half of 2024, it is unclear if this timeframe remains accurate. A new Apple TV could be unveiled at the WWDC keynote on June 10, but no hardware announcements have been firmly rumored for the event.

Here is when the previous five Apple TV models were announced:

  • Third-generation Apple TV 4K: October 2022
  • Second-generation Apple TV 4K: April 2021
  • First-generation Apple TV 4K: September 2017
  • Apple TV HD: September 2015
  • Third-generation Apple TV: March 2012

Regardless of when it is unveiled, the next Apple TV is rumored to feature a faster processor than the current A15 Bionic chip, and even lower pricing. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested that the next Apple TV could have a sub-$100 starting price.

Both the second-generation (2010) and third-generation (2012) versions of the Apple TV were priced at $99 in the U.S. at launch, and Apple eventually lowered the price of the third-generation model to $69, so there is precedent for a sub-$100 Apple TV that would better compete with low-priced streaming devices sold by Google, Amazon, and Roku.

No major design changes have been rumored for the next Apple TV specifically, but Gurman said Apple has considered adding a built-in camera to a future model. tvOS 17 added a FaceTime app to the Apple TV, allowing for users to have video calls by using the rear camera on a connected iPhone or iPad. If the Apple TV gained a built-in camera, users would no longer need to rely on an external device for video calls on the TV.

Should the WWDC keynote pass without any new Apple TV announcement, then there will no longer be any active rumor for when the next model might launch.

Article Link: Apple TV: The Latest Rumors About a New Model and Possible $99 Price

Apple could really shake up the market by allowing movies and Tv shows to be downloaded allowing full Atmos (not compressed) audio. Yes PQ would also be slightly improved but presently it's audio that is the real weakness compared to UHD disks. That would really set it apart from the other streamers. Download speeds have dramatically improved over recent years so this is achievable. They could effectively be the new Kaleidescape service ... only a lot cheaper.

Also, surely Apple can expand their audio experience so that numerous speakers could be used in a setup? HomePod minis would be ideal for rear speakers. 2 HomePods for front and 2 minis for rear would be great.
 
My guess is that they will put an A16 in it.

The A16 satisfies the criteria of "faster chip than A15" and "cheap to manufacture" since it's a 4nm/N4P chip (as far as I know, N3B and N3E used for A17/M3 and M4, respectively, are significantly more expensive). This might allow them to hit the $99 price target.

IMO Apple should make a wireless camera accessory for the Apple TV, as a wired/built-in camera may not make sense for people who have the Apple TV box in an A/V closet or some other location away from the actual display device. (Yes, Continuity Camera exists, but what if you want to use your iPhone while on a call?)
Why would Apple bother upgrading it with the A16? The Apple TV 4K4 wouldn’t be able play console games which it would if it got an A18. Apple needs to give even Apple TV 4K3 owners (like myself) a reason to upgrade. I might get it then and use my 4K3 for another TV.
 
Will be great if there is a $99 model. Hopefully Apple releases one next month.
 
3. 2.5G Ethernet port or Wifi6e/7
A17 pro (exclusive to iPhone 15 pro) was capable of WiFi 6e so I expect that to trickle down to all iPhone 16 models. Would make an obvious upgrade reason for a 4th gen 4K Apple TV.

Not sure apple will do 2.5G Ethernet - they seem to only jump to 10g with the mac Studio. We’d have to see if Apple do the same with an upgrade to Mac mini for the next refresh as gigabit and faster internet is becoming more of a thing.
 
What are people using Apple TVs for these days that most modern TVs can't do themselves (besides emulation...)?

(Genuinely curious. I love my Roku TVs.)

Apps like photos, podcasts, Apple Arcade, music, as well as third party apps such as infuse and play. Not to mention that if your TV is older, it may not come with all the media apps and you want a way of getting stuff like twitch onto your device (I remember my first smart tv came with only YouTube and Netflix preinstalled).

We also know that smart tvs are actively spying on their users and Apple TVs may be one way of stymying that. My smart TVs are not connected to the internet. The “brains” come from my Apple TV.

Then there are the potential ads.


Apple is really the only brand I trust here.
 
Why would Apple bother upgrading it with the A16? The Apple TV 4K4 wouldn’t be able play console games which it would if it got an A18. Apple needs to give even Apple TV 4K3 owners (like myself) a reason to upgrade. I might get it then and use my 4K3 for another TV.
A17 sounds like the more logical upgrade if they launch in June, A18 won’t be due till September and even then they might need every one they can get to satisfy demand for iPhone.

I wouldn’t have thought A18 would be a huge update in comparison but bear in mind at the moment that iPad Air tier just got M2.

That could give a huge boost to Apple TV for gaming while giving us WiFi 6e and potentially a multipurpose usb-c port which could provide 10gig Ethernet if needed.

$599 128gb iPad airs are readily discountable so we know there’s margin there. Get rid of screen, battery, cameras and Touch ID and add in the $60 remote.

How much could M2 Apple TV pro retail for? $299 or $399?

There would have to be a redesigned unit for appletv pro as the 3rd gen 4K Apple TV dropped the cooling fan and the power supply might not be sufficient to run one anyway.

Would be amusing if an M2 mini stayed in a space grey case but with capability of booting into tvOS. Imagine $499 for a 256gb sku.
 
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I've been waiting for a new AppleTV - I have the last one that lacks Thread support, and don't want to upgrade today if a new version is around the corner... (And I can't seem to find just a standalone thread border router?). Also upgrading the main AppleTV lets me move the old one to the basement...
 
Apps like photos, podcasts, Apple Arcade, music, as well as third party apps such as infuse and play. Not to mention that if your TV is older, it may not come with all the media apps and you want a way of getting stuff like twitch onto your device (I remember my first smart tv came with only YouTube and Netflix preinstalled).

We also know that smart tvs are actively spying on their users and Apple TVs may be one way of stymying that. My smart TVs are not connected to the internet. The “brains” come from my Apple TV.

Then there are the potential ads.


Apple is really the only brand I trust here.
I use a simple cheap Roku Express but if there was budget version of Apple TV, privacy, and lack of adverts (though to be honest they aren't obtrusive on Roku) are reasons I'd switch. That and I'd like the option for some light gaming.
 
I use a simple cheap Roku Express but if there was budget version of Apple TV, privacy, and lack of adverts (though to be honest they aren't obtrusive on Roku) are reasons I'd switch. That and I'd like the option for some light gaming.
The photos app is nice for when I take some photos or videos on my iPhone and want to show my family members (they sync via iCloud photo library).

Back when I was still subscribed to Apple One, Apple Arcade had some decent games for the Apple TV that supported game controllers (including the now defunct world of demons). But when I do game (on and off), it's mostly on my nintendo switch now.

Same for Apple Music. While I am using Youtube Music now (been on a bit of a subscription purge of late and decided to use it since I was already paying for YouTube premium), one advantage I do appreciate is that Apple made the app available on all their devices right from the onset.

Play is an app I am recently trying out. It's basically a third party YouTube client which lets me save videos like a read-later app.

I haven't never tried to run FaceTime or zoom on it. Maybe one day, just for kicks, but I doubt it will be a sustainable use case because I need to 'sacrifice' my phone for it.

I think there's enough here to make the extra financial outlay worth it. And apple devices tend to be supported for a pretty long time (at least 5 years), so I find they eventually pay for themselves. 😬
 
My wishes for new version:

Please enable Hi-Res Lossless audio via HDMI. I would use an Apple TV for music mostly, and on my system I do hear the difference between the current Hifi 48kz offerings and what I get through Amazon Ultra HD through Heos. Though yah, I will still get the new version for even current quality which is still pretty great.

ALSO.. Reason I am waiting for a new one is because we do game on it occasionally, and I want to get rid of my Playstation permanently. If it is going to be better, even if it is just for arcade style games, I will wait. I just hate buying something, then knowing the new version is that much better. (And cheaper would hurt even more).

I'm most surprised that you believe you can replace a PlayStation with an Apple TV. Seems the PS does everything and more than the Apple TV, including the ability to use the Apple TV app.
 
Fair enough, so all it does is offer Apple TV streaming services and no other? Not worth bothering with really.

It lets you Airplay from your phone/ipad/mac but a lot of the smart tv platforms have that anyway.

It was very strange for them to make all of the Apple TV functionality available on cheaper third party devices it makes the Apple TV hardware look a bit pointless.
 
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