It appears as if the Apple TV 4K is getting one other refresh, with one of many prime analysts within the enterprise predicting {that a} cheaper mannequin will see the sunshine of day within the second half of 2022 – although it isn’t clear precisely what it would appear to be.
This comes from Ming-Chi Kuo, who’s often spot on relating to Apple leaks. Apple’s media streaming machine final obtained an replace in April 2021, when it obtained a quicker processor and a redesigned distant management.
It is potential that the brand new field will exchange the Apple TV HD that launched in 2015 and which remains to be on sale – that retails for $149 / £139 / AU$209 on the time of writing, in comparison with a beginning value of $179 / £169 / AU$249 for the Apple TV 4K.
Apple will launch a brand new model of Apple TV that improves value construction in 2H22. I believe that Apple’s aggressive technique of integrating {hardware}, content material, and repair amid the recession will assist shut the hole with its rivals.May 13, 2022
The following Apple TV
Kuo would not provide any particulars concerning the subsequent machine, solely saying that it’s going to seem within the second half of this 12 months and that it’s going to enhance “value construction” – so it is potential that we’ll get a smaller streaming stick just like the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K.
We’re assuming that it will assist 4K resolutions – what with it being 2022 and every thing – and it appears a given that each one the standard Apple applied sciences might be in-built, together with AirPlay for beaming content material over from an iPhone or a Mac.
The Kuo tweet does point out Apple’s renewed give attention to content material and providers, and no matter new piece of {hardware} we get will after all be used to push Apple TV Plus out to extra subscribers (and will effectively include a free trial of the service).
Evaluation: Apple wants a cheap streamer
You do not have to look far to search out a cheap streaming gadget that you would be able to plug into the again of your tv set, whether or not it is the $49.99 / £59.99 / AU$99 Chromecast with Google TV, something made by Roku, or the Amazon stick we talked about earlier.
These units deliver providers like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV Plus, Spotify and rather more proper to the most important display screen in your house. What’s extra, plenty of modern-day TVs now have these providers constructed proper in.
That is one thing of an issue for Apple: whereas the Apple TV 4K brings with it loads of extras (together with tight integration with different Apple providers like Apple Arcade), it is comparatively costly in comparison with the competing {hardware} that is on the market.
That is the place a brand new Apple TV 4K HDMI stick (or no matter it finally ends up being) will are available in – every thing you’ve got come to anticipate from a tool working the tvOS software, however in a smaller and cheaper type issue, which ought to find yourself being a winner for Apple.
