Feb 10, 2012 - 05:30 PM EST — AAPL: 493.42 (+0.25, +0.05%) | NASDAQ: 2903.88 (-23.35, -0.8%)

Analyst: Apple’s totally new Apple TV will have ARM processor, run iOS, App Store access

Thursday, August 26, 2010 · 10:15 am · 21 Comments

“Like the iPhone 4 and iPad, the new Apple TV will run the iOS operating system and be powered by a processor with ARM architecture, and will also have access to the App Store, according to one prominent analyst,” Neil Hughes reports for AppleInsider.

Advertisement: The iPad. With a 9.7″ touch screen & amazing new apps, it does things no tablet PC, netbook, or e-reader could. Starts at $499. Shop Now.

“Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros. issued a note to investors Wednesday in which he revealed that sources indicated the ‘biggest potential change’ to the forthcoming Apple TV refresh is the move to an ARM architecture processor running the same iOS software that powers the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad,” Hughes reports. “The current Apple TV hardware relies on an Intel x86-based chip, running a ‘light’ version of Mac OS X and its Front Row software.”

“If the iPhone 4 and iPad are any indication, Apple is likely to employ its own custom A4 processor, or some variation of it. Apple began designing its own chips through the purchases of Intrinsity and PA Semi,” Hughes reports. “Wu also said that the new Apple TV, which some have said will be called the iTV, will have access to the App Store, Apple’s digital software download storefront.”

Thank You for supporting MacDailyNews!

Apple Store Online:
• Order iPhone 4s. From $199. Fast, free shipping only at the Apple Online Store.
• New Apple MacBook Pro. Now faster than ever. Starting at $1199, plus free shipping.
• MacBook Air. Available in two utlracompact sizes. Starting at just $999. Fast, free shipping from the Apple Online Store.
• The new iMac. With next-generation quad core processor and advanced graphics. From $1199. Fast, free shipping at the Apple Online Store.
• The new Mac mini. Now up to 2x faster. From $599. Fast, free shipping. Buy now at the Apple Online Store.

Comment Feed

21 Comments

VAL4Mother

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:21 am · Reply

Has anyone discussed whether existing AppleTV’s will be upgradeable to run ios? Will it be usable without the A4? Having spent the big bucks (not $99 as rumored) on an existing ATV, I’m not looking forward to buying another…
gksmith

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:22 am · Reply

These speculative stories are coming fast and furious. The thing that gets me is that no one knows what products will be announced or what features they will have. 500 different analysts are giving us 500 permutations of the variables they can think up (but none of the variables they can’t imagine).
thoeme

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:23 am · Reply

“Wu also said that the new Apple TV, which some have said will be called the iTV, will have access to the App Store, Apple’s digital software download storefront.”

All the apps in the App Store are touch based. How are you going to use them with a remote control.
MacBeliever

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:23 am · Reply

Hope it’s a pvr.
TigerCliff

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:25 am · Reply

“indication” and “likely” = speculation he read on MDN.

One thing for sure is updated iPods. It’s coming up soon and I’m looking forward to hearing about the new stuff.
Dijonaise

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:35 am · Reply

@theome

With the magic trackpad of course!
DogGone

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:38 am · Reply

@ gksmith

I think you’re spot on. No one really knows anything about what is going to be announced.
We know historically this is when new iPods are rolled out.
Also Jobs has already said that iOS4 would be added to the iPad in Sept.

A number of people here have also pointed out that iOS works via a finger. If the ATV will do apps, how are you going to control it? My guess is with an add on device – an iPod touch, iPhone or iPad. That’s a complicated model. It’s a neat idea but it requires you to buy or have accessories to get fully functionality.
Jersey_Trader

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:41 am · Reply

I hope that the iOS device has an old school VCR like recording ability. It could pull the HD input in and like the iPhone and iPad, you could edit or trim out unwanted sections (commercials and things to scary for kids) then save the edited media for viewing on ANY APPLE DEVICE IN THE HOME OR CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

If VCR units did not need agreements to record, neither will this iOS device!
Tom

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 10:47 am · Reply

The last question asked at the most recent D conference revealed the depth of their study on this television opportunity. Steve was absolutely dialed in as he answered. He was precise. This is not a technology issue. It is a go to market issue.

Does you believe they built an 11 acre server farm to sell downloads for 99 cents? I don’t, not for one second.

In computers, Apple found great success when Steve returned and he forced the issue that Apple’s success was not contingent upon beating MS, but on delivering compelling products. He changed the competition focus from MS to the clone box guys that use Windows.

In music, they seized upon the smaller and fragmented mp3 makers.

They now understand exactly who the weak player is in video and they are just about ready to make their play. Never forget they want the most profitable segment of the business.

Remember music stores? That will soon be the fate of network television affiliates.
SAB

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:16 am · Reply

Apps will have to be tailored to the device just like iPad vs iPhone vs iPod Touch. It’s not that hard to imagine them announcing it tomorrow, and releasing it in November when the new server farm opens for the holidays. That gives the devs time to make new apps or modify existing ones for the new platform. Build hype, expectation and excitement going into the Christmas shopping season.

It’s not outside the realm of possibility that a trimmed down iPod Touch (iTV Controller) could be a low-cost option for games, a la the Wii, but touch and gyro/motion. The ecosystem is already there via iTunes/App Store. If they include options to add peripherals such as Magic TrackPad, BT Keyboard, a USB camera for FaceTime and even a BT game controller (yes, with actual buttons), it could be a hit.

All it would really need is a graphics chip that could handle the high-res output for a TV. Dual-core A4/A5 would be helpful, too, but the Wii shows that games don’t have to have over-the-top graphics to be successful. Oh yeah, an SD card slot would make sense, too, since Apples been including them on everything.

Lot’s of potential there.
Follower

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:23 am · Reply

@ thoeme – An Apple Remote wouldn’t work, but how about using an iPhone/iPod touch (or even iPad) as a touch-based controller, similar to the existing feature in Remote.app?

What’s the advantage of using an iPhone to control an Apple TV as opposed to just running the app/game directly on the iPhone? Anywhere from 30 to 100 extra inches of screen.
MacBeliever

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:28 am · Reply

@Tom. Funny, going after the easy prey sounds in keeping with the big cat theme. You could be onto something.
chew

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:41 am · Reply

Hmmm, I think some people are missing an angle here.
Maybe, just maybe the new Apple TV might be a viable competitor to the Nintendo Wii. IOS has proven to be a viable gaming platform, for example millions already have a multi-touch accelerometer based controller (iphone, ipod touch) Just a thought, I can see playing football using my current “controller” to pick plays so that my opponent can`t see what I`m selecting, or how about network play? this just might be the ultimate casual game rig, oh and yeah, it does video too, if priced between $100-$150 I think they just might have snuck a winner in here without anyone REALLY paying attention.

just sayin
Danno Bonano

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:51 am · Reply

Apple Server Farm: Handle iAd supported free TV downloads. If Apple is going to change the industry, that will be it. Why do you think they wanted big partners in their iAd program beginning at $1m.

Add Facetime compatibility (through a separately purchased USB video cam) and not only will we see the rapid demise of cable but we will see the era of every day use of video conferencing begin.

However, if the Server Farm is not up and running until next year (as opposed to October) the new Apple TV will not be introduced on September 1. The ramp up of telesales staff at Apple indicates more than a new iPod launch in October so it will remain to be seen if Apple’s Server Farm is, in fact, operational in the next 2 months.

In other words, when Apple makes an iTV announcement, I fully expect it to be a more radical change (free ad-supported downloads) than just reducing the rental/purchase price of TV shows. Having said that, given the ability to run apps makes it instantly a new home console for gaming, a music center, an information hub for news and weather etc., a photo viewer, and a number of other useful things.

One thing it won’t ever be: a PVR. ever. never. It also won’t make you a cup of coffee although there may be an app that can turn your coffee maker on at a desired time. Why haven’t small appliance makers incorporated wifi into their devices and built apps?

One thing it will do: Facetime in the home will render all of Google’s new Google Voice red, British-inspired phone booths as a novelty before they actually ever get implemented.
AquaBoy4ever

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 12:04 pm · Reply

Didn’t Apple have some type of patent revealed earlier for a remote?
>>
If VCR units did not need agreements to record, neither will this iOS device!
What a way to crack the TV/movie industry…. Licensed EyeTV/Tivo software…..
I expect ...

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 12:36 pm · Reply

… Follower has the right idea. As does chew. Use another iOS device as the controller. And, possibly, the iTV as the display for games designed for other iOS devices. Keeping it in the family, so to speak.
And, about the A4. I believe ARM architecture is required for iOS, so an A4 would make a lot of sense for the iTV. It might be a bit over-powered, but not critically. Especially if the iTV is used as the display for fast-moving games.
Hey! X-Box. SurPRISE!
KanMac

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 12:43 pm · Reply

I just had to look up the definition of analyst in a couple of places, and to be honest I’m more confused now on what they really are. The best I can figure is it’s a fancy name for someone who writes about their opinion.
MacBeliever

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 12:43 pm · Reply

Why no pvr? itv’s would become as ubiquituos as VCR’s were. There would be no love lost with content providers. And VCR’s didn’t kill the video industry.
chew

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 2:30 pm · Reply

@ I expect

Ding you got it!
On the X-Box note, the next Windows phone is supposed to have X-Box integration, well a device like the Apple TV would leave MS gobsmacked. Their “Ace in the hole” was/is having XNA compatibility baked in, the new Apple TV could trump it, and it could also do web browsing and email (not confirmed but if its IOS, Safari and Mail can`t be too far behind if not included), As well, who knows what other yummy TV sized (and TV program centric) apps could be rolling out.
Karlv

Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 7:21 pm · Reply

A4 for the win!

But not Intrinsity and PA Semi. PA Semi and Intrinsity!
elarue

Monday, August 30, 2010 - 9:14 am · Reply

@Dijonaise

The key to the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad is that you can actually see what you’re touching. With the Magic Trackpad, you don’t necessarily know that what you’re touching on the trackpad will correspond with what you want to touch on the screen.

Don’t get me wrong. With as much traction that iOS is getting lately, I can see that the new AppleTV would have some elements of iOS, but that key limitation makes iOS itself unlikely without taking into account the “blind touch” factor.