My Apple TV 4K wishlist: 4 things I want to see in a 2020 refresh

As an Apple yearbook WWDC is scheduled to start in a week on June 22nd, rumors are circulating about what New hardware may be displayed In addition to the new iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS software. A candidate for an upgrade is the Apple TV 4K.

First started Two and a half years ago, in September 2017, it was far too long ago that Apple gave the Media Streamer a real upgrade, which becomes clearer in the particularly fast-paced world of streaming. Apple has focused its updates on services meanwhile roll out Apple TV PlusOverhaul of Apple TV app Include iTunes and develop a brand new gaming platform Apple Arcade. But its flagship TV box has remained unchanged, while rivals like Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Google Power are on increasingly number from new TV sets.

As usual with Apple, Rumors of a refresh keep bubbling, but the company has not yet officially announced anything. Here are some things I want to see in Update 2020, as well as some hopeful, if not terribly optimistic, wishes.

Faster processor

The latest rumors say that Apple upgraded the current box’s A10X chip to a more powerful A12X.

Although the A12X may not be as powerful as the A13 Bionic processor of the iPhone 11 series and iPhone SE, it is the same processor type that Apple uses in the Apple 2018 iPad professionals. Given that Apple has touted the chip as capable of providing graphics that competed with the Xbox One S when the iPad Pro was launched, this could be a huge boost for developers who want to bring their arcade games to a bigger screen would like.

Better away

The remote control of the Apple TV is extremely elegant and modern. The premium look corresponds to the starting price of $ 180 that the Apple TV 4K still demands. Although I don’t mind charging the Lightning cable (though USB-C would be great) and the remote is one of the few places I appreciate Siri, the touchpad drives me crazy.

I often find the remote delay or overshoot where I want it, whether I’m typing text, scrolling through apps, or playing a game. I just want a simple D-pad like Amazon Fire TV or Rokus boxes or, yes, that now discontinued third generation Apple TV. Rumor has it that a new remote control is in the works, but how it looks is unknown.

While we’re at it, it would be useful to add IR support for AV device control in addition to CEC. Roku and Fire TV remotes can control almost the volume and power of any TV using infrared commands, so you can completely omit your TV remote. Apple has to do the same.

Continue reading: The best Apple TV remote cases for less than $ 10

UWB support for locating lost remote controls

Apple added a so-called “U1” chip to the iPhone 11 series last year, although the functions of the chip are not yet fully detailed. Use what is known as Ultra broadband technologyThe chip is designed to aid spatial perception and allow you to pinpoint exactly where a lost item is. It is also rumored that technology is the key Apple’s long-awaited tile-like Apple Tag Tracker.

Apple describes the technology on its iPhone 11 page as “GPS in your living room scale”. So why not add the features of the Apple TV and the new remote to find the inevitable lost remote in your living room? At least there is Apple’s answer to Roku, who has had a less noticeable yet practical remote finder on his premium ultra boxes for years, with the clicker making a sound until you dig it up from the sofa cushions.

Wish: A cheaper Apple TV Streaming Stick

Given the time it takes Apple to launch new streaming hardware, an update in 2020 would be an overdue gain, and the call for two would drive it forward. But since this is a wish list, it continues.

When it comes to streaming, cheap Roku and Amazon sticks and Google Chromecasts are incredibly popular with people who want to improve the features of their non-smart TVs. A cheaper, potentially slimmed-down version of Apple TV would give Apple a new way to bring people into its ecosystem, and another way to not just stream Apple TV Plus shows (since Apple’s streaming service is already on each one) Platforms from Roku and Amazon is available) but also a way to the arcade, Apple Music and iTunes.

Add Aerial gameApple has already expanded to support the latest TVs from Samsung, LG, Vizio and Sony, and you could have a compelling way to expand the walled garden, which is Apple’s ecosystem for people who aren’t interested in one to buy new TV. And $ 50 sounds like a good price to me.

This is my wish list. If you want to see something in a new Apple TV, let me know in the comments.