After a long wait Apple updated its Apple TV line. It has neglected this for a while. The last Apple TV uses an A5 processor which was launched in late January 2013.
The new Apple TV is a leap forward as it includes the Apple A8 dual-core processor found in the iPhone 6. This is a rather fast dual core processor that will be able to let you see your content in 480p, 576p, 720p or Full HD 1080p. There is no 4K support and this is a device that should last a year.
Apple doesn’t think that 4k is relevant I guess despite the fact that Netflix and YouTube has 4K for a while and millions of homes in the USA have 4K TVs. The HDMI is outdated as Apple uses HDMI 1.4. It does have a 2GB RAM (you need at least 4GB for this), 32GB or 64GB storage 802.11ac WiFi and 10/100 Ethernet. It has USB C but for diagnostic uses only which is another strike against it.
Apple TV has a new remote with a glass touch surface and it will let you swipe through the content. It will let you play some games as it has an accelerometer and gyroscope. It is a Bluetooth 4.0 remote that has a dual microphone for Siri, iR transmitter and a lightning connector for charging. Apple claims that you will have to charge it once every three months.
Dedicated buttons let you access menu, home, Siri, Play/Pause or turn the volume up or down. The Apple TV 2015 has the support for Apps as it is using TVOS. The new OS is based on iOS will let you install apps on your Apple TV. We are unsure if you can install iOS apps on it.
There will be a dedicated App store for the games and applications for your living room. The new console speaks Siri and you can search the shows and content with your voice. This worked well in the demonstration at the keynote.
The console is much heavier and taller than the 2013 model but it is still small at 1.3 inches (35 mm) height, 3.9 inches (98 mm) width, 3.9 inches (98 mm) Depth and 15 ounces (425 g) weight. The old one, which is still available for $69 measures 0.9 inch (23 mm) x 0.9 inch (23 mm) x 0.9 inch (23 mm) and weighs 9.6 ounces (272 g).
Apple TV is not a bad choice but it will have to fight with many other offerings including the Nvidia Shield that will offer more gaming power, 4K content and similar google Android TV voice search features as well as access to Grid gaming.
Still Apple TV is a mainstream device for people blinded by Apple who will buy anything with an Apple logo and comes from Cupertino. I cannot imagine buying a console that doesn’t support 4K in late 2015. It would be the same like buying a non 4K TV now when the content including live 4K sport coverage is happening.
