“After waiting three long years for the current fourth-generation Apple TV box to turn up, a reported leak from Apple’s supply chain suggests that a fifth generation Apple TV will be arriving much more quickly,” John Archer writes for Forbes. “In fact, the leak claims that trial production of the new Apple TV will start as early as this month, with volume production ramping up over the first quarter of 2016.”
“This revelation, if true, will not go down well with people who’ve only just invested in a fourth-generation Apple TV box in the reasonable expectation that Apple had used the three years it took to develop that box to make something that was at least reasonably future proof,” Archer writes. “Given that the Apple TV is looking increasingly isolated among its media streaming device peers in not supporting 4K/UHD video streaming, it’s disappointing to find the leaked information making no specific mention of the higher-resolution video format. I guess if you’re feeling really optimistic you might see the more powerful CPU as potentially having the grunt to handle 4K, but it would have been nice to have seen some supporting information about, say, Apple TV 5’s HDMI connectivity.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: The timing of this claimed 5th generation Apple TV’s release and of the leak itself – near the start of Christmas shopping season, make us suspicious of a plant by Apple rivals designed to dent holiday Apple TV sales.
SEE ALSO:
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Apple begins production of Apple TV 5 with ‘dramatically improved’ performance, new functions – December 4, 2015
Jeremy Clarkson confirms new post-Top Gear Amazon Prime show will be in 4K – November 20, 2015
Why Apple TV doesn’t need 4K Ultra HD video – November 12, 2015
Apple TV and the 4K Ultra HD conundrum – October 8, 2015
Amazon embarrasses Apple with new 4K Fire TV box or something – September 17, 2015
Amazon unveils $100 Fire TV box 4K video support, Alexa voice control – September 17, 2015
With the all-new Apple TV, Apple changes the game, yet again – September 14, 2015
Analyst: Apple TV streaming service on the way, could cost at least $40 a month – September 14, 2015
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What Apple got right in Apple TV’s user interface – and what needs work – September 11, 2015
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Apple preps to conquer living room with all-new Apple TV – September 11, 2015
Hands-on with the all-new Apple TV – September 10, 2015
Gruber: Apple TV will define how all TVs will work in a few years – September 10, 2015
Here’s how much RAM is inside Apple’s iPhone 6s/Plus, iPad Pro and new Apple TV – September 10, 2015
New Apple TV sounds great, but where’s the 4K? – September 10, 2015