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Thursday, 20 March 2014 -
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It's been
more than a year since Apple has updated its set-top box. And you know what
that means...rumours galore.
From a
dedicated Game Store as well as a built-in TV tuner to Chromecast-like style
and design and also Airport Express performance, various media outlets and
reports have stated they knew what the fourth-generation Apple TV will include
at launch. But that is only the factor: no one actually knows when the next
Apple TV will launch. Some have stated it'll land in March as well as others
have said we still have to wait one more year.
And let's
keep in mind all those far-out reports from experts such as Gene Munster, who
have consistently claimed Apple wants to abandon its hobby device in preference
of a full-fledged Apple TV set. Yeah, sure. Sticking to what's really possible
at the moment, Pocket-lint has rounded up all of the reports, speculation,
hearsay, and also everything else related to Apple's next streaming media
device. Continue reading if you want to know what's (possible) in store.
Design
The
current-generation Apple TV is a small black box which measures a Dinky 22.9 x
99.1 x 99.1mm.
With zero
buttons and only a single, white status light on the front, almost everything
is managed via an aluminium remote control. Around the back are the ports
required to get you linked to your TV. This means you get power in, HDMI out,
optical audio out, Ethernet and a Micro-USB socket (for updates and support).
You can link your Apple TV to your home net connection through wireless
802.11b/g/n. Also, in the box you will get the Apple TV, the remote control,
and a power lead. Nothing else.
But
everything could change, in accordance with a new report. Citing sources close
to Apple, site App Advice stated the new Apple TV could look the same and
smaller than the current design. Strangely, the site also says it could take
"visual cues from the Google’s Chromecast or even Roku’s Streaming Stick,
and just attach to a television’s HDMI port". Other Apple TV-related
rumours in App Advice's report include a branded game controller and also a new
remote controller.
Faster
processor
Apple's
recent set-top box (officially referred to as third-generation Apple TV)
features the A5 processor, a 32-bit system-on-a-chip designed by Apple as well
as manufactured by Samsung. The A5, which is the successor to the A4, debuted
in 2011 with the release of iPad 2.
In
accordance with a February report from Bloomberg, Apple's fourth-generation
set-top box will likely feature a "faster processor". It is not clear
if that means the next Apple TV will ship with the A7, Apple's most recent
64-bit system-on-a-chip which 1st appeared in the iPhone 5S in Sept 2013.
User
interface
The user
interface used in the third-generation Apple TV features a rounded rectangle
tile interface. The tiles serve as app-like buttons or even channels to Apple's
streaming services, such as iTunes Radio and iMovie Theatre, and also
thirdparty services such as Netflix and HBO Go.
The upcoming
Apple TV, according to a Feb report from Bloomberg, will feature an improved or
revamped user interface. This new interface will supposedly allow it to be
simpler users to "navigate between TV shows, movies, as well as other
online content". Tech blogs 9to5Mac as well as iLounge have also recently
claimed the next Apple TV could feature fresh forms of content and an
Apple-designed interface layered on top.
Video
content
Apple
allegedly wants to introduce its next Apple TV alongside a fancy content
partnership with US cable company Time Warner Cable, according to a report from
Bloomberg. As of Feb, Apple was negotiating with Time Warner Cable on a deal
including more video content. Tech blog 9to5Mac echoed Bloomberg, claiming
Apple has been developing a new technique recently in which it is planning to
establish partnerships with the television and distribution companies.
It is not
clear if a Time Warner Cable partnership would get rid of the requirement for a
real cable box which you would otherwise rent and hook up to a coaxial cable,
which means the Apple TV could act as an over-the-top box that needs an
internet connection and no coaxial connection. Alternatively, Apple might just
want to snag a TWC TV app for Apple TV like the one available on the Xbox 360
(which needed a Time Warner Cable modem and net connection).
Either way,
you'd likely need a Time Warner Cable subscription.
App store
Talking
about Apple TV apps, 9to5Mac indicated the next Apple TV could have its own
full-fledged App Store. The tech blog has previously claimed Apple was working
toward letting content providers make their own channels/apps, and it was even
trying to improve the app development procedure by making it easier for
partners to build them.
There is not
been much else stated on the subject of an Apple TV App-store, even though
9to5Mac also said a dedicated Game Store for Apple TV could be in the works
instead…
The next Apple
TV might bring gaming support, which means the set-top box could double as a
living room gaming console. Tech blog iLounge reported in Jan that “developers
are currently working on Bluetooth controller options, and it’s expected that
games could be down loaded directly to the Apple TV instead of depending on
another iOS device as an intermediary”.
9to5Mac
included to iLounge’s report, claiming the next-generation Apple TV is now
undergoing testing, should be released within the next month or two, and could
feature a Game Store at launch which allows users download and install games
straight to their Apple TV. It is unclear exactly how games would be stored
locally on the Apple TV. Although, Apple might just use iCloud as a main
storage facility for Apple TV games.
And lastly,
website App Advice, which cited sources close to Apple, stated the next Apple
TV would concentrate exclusively on being a gaming console. Specifically, Apple
is "putting the completing touches on a new digital marketplace which seems
similar to the App Store". The digital marketplace is for Apple TV games
and apps - and it might even feature a couple exclusive games. The new Apple TV
could also ship with a branded game controller.
TV tuner
Apple
allegedly wants to get its Apple TV set-top box a step further than being a
platform which simply delivers content from iTunes, Netflix, etc.
Tech blog
9to5Mac reported Apple is testing a built-in TV tuner which would enable users
to manage their existing cable boxes with an Apple-designed user-interface
layered on top. The same feature is available on the new Xbox One. If true, a
built-in TV tuner could ideally work with the rumoured Time Warner Cable
content partnership. It would also make the Apple TV a TV Guide and
navigational menu, of sorts.
Wireless
router
And finally,
9to5Mac's built-in TV tuner report also claimed that this fourth-generation
Apple TV could come with a built-in AirPort Express. Apart from eliminating the
importance of a separate wireless router, integrating 802.11ac into the Apple
TV might enhance video quality and stability. This feature could be a premium
choice that will cost extra, though.
Release date
This is
actually the huge problem, isn’t it? Unfortunately, the solution varies widely.
We know that
Apple has not updated the Apple TV since Jan 2013, so the set-top box is long
overdue for a refresh. Reports have claimed the fourth-generation Apple TV will
launch in April, while some experts have said content deals are delaying the
release until 2015. Ultimately, your guess is as good as ours.
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