“Reliable sources familiar with Apple’s upcoming product release have said that the company is in fact launching a new Apple TV alongside the next-generation iPad,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac.
“The new Apple TV is rumored to include a faster processor, possibly a variation of the dual-core A5 chip,” Gurman reports. “he dual-core A5 chip has been said to be required for the Apple TV to finally stream 1080p quality video, but Apple is also working on an “A5X” chip that is dual-core, which also includes an improved graphics engine. Those two components of the chip would likely delivery the smooth video playback that Apple would include in such a product. Other possibilities from the rumor-mill include a redesigned Bluetooth 4.0 remote control, and Siri support, but those are not rumors that we can independently confirm (yet).”
Gurman reports, “This new Apple TV would make sense to launch with a new 1080p movie service from Apple’s iTunes Store. Sources are also saying that Apple will in fact launch at least three next-generation iPad variants in March.”
Much more in the full article here.
So what would launching a new headless appleTV in march mean for the rumored actual Apple Television?
I think that would be a big blow to that rumor (or at least to the 2012 aspect to it). In 6 months would they just release the same internals with a screen (a A5 in a large HDTV that you would be stuck with for several years should be underwhelming)? Or would they beef up the internals (then why release this version at all?)
That’s the big question that none of the tech pundits have really addressed – the overlap of the Apple TV and the rumored Apple HDTV. Isn’t it better to sell a $99 Apple TV that will work with any HDTV than a $1500+ HDTVs? What is the advantage of the HDTV?
I suppose the argument would be that since everyone will be releasing internet-enabled TVs, Apple TVs would eventually be viewed as a needless accessory. Yes, I understand how the Apple device would be better, but also believe most consumers hear the overall features and not really get that Siri would be a huge advantage. This is esp true if all TVs get crude voice commands. I do not think most people really understand how far ahead Siri AI is from the rest of the pack or why that is good.
I call BS.
Renting movies from Apple has become a bit of a crapshoot for me. Sometime the movie is ready for viewing in 30-seconds, but sometimes it can take more than two hours. Anyone else get hit with long download times?
No. Not for a year now. Used to get that same problem earlier on. Back then i used to rebootApple TV.
When we rent movies on Friday nights, they are usually ready to watch almost instantaneously. Does anybody know what audio stream they come with?
If you have long times in downloading look at your provider and their policies. When I hit my invisible data cap with Comcast, it takes a long time to download them. Basically Comcast told me I was a heavy user . My wife and daughter watch a lot of movies on the Apple TV and that counts on my invisible data cap. So you may be bumping against your provider who is capping your download speed after a certain limit.
We experienced the same kind of slowed down phenomena when we went from ATV 1, to ATV 2.
The solution was to increase DL speed. Before we had 4 mbs down. Now we have 20 mbs down.
Streaming iTunes movies in HD now consistently start after 5-10 seconds.
Ok. Here we go. Pump that stock up so it can be shorted.
I’m waiting for the ipad announcement so that I can pick-up a cheap ipad 2.
mine will be up for grabs.
You guys have no vision. What makes more sense a 1-3 thousand dollar apple branded TV with a long consumer refresh cycle or an upgraded apple TV in its current form that consumers can update every year as new versions are released?
They MAY decide to sell a TV set along side the apple TV box but the box is where the brains of the TV will live and the box will be much lower cost to provide for faster adoption and more frequent product refreshes.
+1
Still hoping Apple will unveil an SDK and app store portal for it too.
I doubt that we will see apps on the AppleTV any time soon, as I bet it was a deal breaker for the studios.
I tend to agree, GP. HDTVs are a low margin commodity. I just don’t see the merits of an Apple-branded HDTV set unless it marks a big leap over current offerings, such as an affordable large screen OLED. Even then, why embed the AppleTV inside the TV like an all-in-one computer? HDTVs tend to have a fairly long useful life because the technology is changing very slowly now that plasmas and LED-backlit LCDs have matured. Direct emission OLEDs are the next step for picture quality and power reduction, but are probably still years away in terms of affordability.
What makes more sense is the current AppleTV approach, which can be mated via HDMI to any HDTV sold and upgraded for $99, when desired. A possible alternative is a docking interface spec that would put the brains of the HDTV in an upgradeable “AppleTV module” docked to the HDTV.
It’s very possible that Apple TV is not what we think. I honestly do not believe Apple will enter the physical TV market, it’s way too saturated and cut throat. also how much can the current screens be improved upon, not much. I think Apple is going to pull a rug from under our feet and announce Apple TV with the iPad3, the reason is because they will be one of the same, Apple TV will be integrated into all future iOS devices. Think about it, what makes up the current Apple TV? most of the parts that you find in an iPad or iPhone. So the logical next step is to create an App called Apple TV which Airplay’s everything straight to a small receiver that plugs into the back of your Sony or Samsung. Apple would bundle this receiver with new iOS devices and sell it for say $15 to existing owners. This cuts out the current barrier to entry (TV market) that Apple is currently seeing. Think about it, every iOS device sold from now on would be Apple TV ready, that’s a huge market, building a 40inch led, is a very niche market. This is just my hunch, I’m probably wrong. Let’s see. remember when Steve Jobs entered the stage to unveil the iPhone, he said today we are launching a new iPod, a Phone and a breakthrough internet communication device. Turned out it was just 1 device, I think the same will be true of iPad3. A revolutionary device that changes everything.
I like it – I like the way you are thinking a whole lot.
Provide a tiny USB or SD Card receiver – transmit via bluetooth or – wifi from the iPad 3 and integrate Airplay — hence all TVs no matter the make – are Apple ready Airplay-able… with the true HD and retina driving chip – HD TVs receive HD Airplay media. Cool. But now as mentioned THELASTWORD suggests software. Perhaps a new channel finder search from SIRI – and AppleTV is in fact software in the iPAD3.
BRILLIANT – hats off to The Last Word – he’s got this right.
I don’t expect it, but would like an Apple TV with local storage like the original. Streaming is nice, but wastes a lot of bandwidth on the Airport Extreme Base.
Besides, the hockey puck Apple TV is so light a stiff cable can keep it from sitting flat. Not good design and no, I am not going to velcro it.
I hope the new ATV has an hdmi passthrough. Switching inputs on my tv is a pain in the sSA.
As for the Apple HDTV, it won’t be called Apple TV. They’ll always sell the little boxes. It’ll be…
wait for it… the new APPLE CINEMA DISPLAY. That’s the name they’ll use. And it’ll just be a screen with built in airplay and a few ports.
Sure would be nice if it dealt with MKV files. Also would be nice if it handled surround (AC3 and DTS) properly without knocking it down to stereo. Till then, I’ll stick with my little WD box.
@Mikey: “Also would be nice if it handled surround (AC3 and DTS) properly without knocking it down to stereo.”
WTH are you talking about? If you have that problem, it’s a home theater issue. It has nothing to do with the Apple TV. (If you’re passing Apple TV audio through your HDTV, be aware that most TVs will convert multi-channel audio to plain stereo.)
Mark Gurman and his sources sock.