As we approach closer to Apple's expected September 9 media event, information about the products anticipated to launch there has started to trickle out. The latest leak is about the company's set-top box and media streaming device, Apple TV, which is reportedly getting a major revamp.
Apple TV, the first generation of which was launched in 2007, has undergone two major improvements since but hasn't seen any hardware update since 2012. According to a report by 9to5Mac, that will change at next month's event wherein it claims that Apple will introduce the next generation of its set-top box.
The report said that both software and hardware of the Apple TV are up for big improvements. The new Apple TV will run a full-fledged iOS 9 core - an optimised version of company's mobile operating system for the TV. Furthermore, the Apple TV will also have an improved support for the new iOS 9 Proactive Assistant - offering contextual and more relevant searches tailored to a user's taste.
On the hardware front, the set-top box will become thinner and little wider. The device will continue to have a plastic body instead of switching to a metal shell, however. This is being done to ensure a better connectivity.
On the processor side, the Apple TV is said to come with a dual-core variant of the iPhone 6's A8 chipset - a significant improvement over the A5 processor in the third-generation of Apple TV. Other features include 32GB inbuilt storage and 1GB of RAM.
Another component of the Apple TV which is said to be getting a major boost is the remote control. The company is said to bring a new, bigger, improved remote with touch-based input and gesture support. The company could add Force Touch technology to it, as seen in its new MacBook, as well as Bluetooth technology and an infrared sensor to presumably add backward compatibility for non-Bluetooth home AV devices.
The report added that the company could open the Apple TV remote SDK to developers in an attempt to bolster gaming applications support on the Apple TV. Several files in OS X 10.11 El Capitan betas suggest that the TV remote will have integrated audio technology which could be to bring Siri support to the device.
The company is reportedly also working on new video applications that would allow media companies to release their channels for Apple TV that will give better control to users.
We'll know for sure at the September 9 event, where the company is also expected to launch the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones.
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