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Apple is holding their annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San José, California from 5th to 9th June to showcase their products’ new versions and innovative technology that is being developed. In addition to highlighting new macOS and iOS versions, Apple also introduced the fifth generation of their Apple TV.
The previous generation was the first Apple TV that allowed users to install any apps they wished. The 2015 model has received updates that will help to make TV streaming easier. Capable of 4K content to provide a better viewing experience, the Apple TV fifth generation is likely to be launched soon.
How Much Will it Cost?
With the last model of the Apple TV having been launched in 2015, the new generation is probably going to be out this year. Although Apple hasn’t confirmed a date yet, late 2017 is a possibility. Prices are also yet to be announced but the latest model costs you £139 for the 32GB version and £179 for the 64GB version.
The fifth generation of the Apple TV is also expected to be offered at tiered prices with different versions available. With the third generation model discontinued, Apple might still offer the fourth generation Apple TV for a more affordable solution.
Focusing on ultra high-definition (UHD) 4K content, which is unavailable at the current fourth generation TV, the new generation will also include HDR support. As 4K quality has become a standard feature in modern TVs, unlike when the current model was launched in 2015, Apple is investing in the technology. Streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon also offer 4K support, matching what is provided by current TVs.
It is expected that the fifth generation will be a more powerful and faster model with the possibility of a larger drive. With Apple having announced an increase to 4GB from 200MB allowed size for Apple TV apps, a new generation of Apple TV might have a 128GB hard drive.
A 256GB version is also feasible, depending on whether Apple provides a higher quantity of streaming apps and storage options through the iCloud. Increased storage would help to bring down the prices of the current models of Apple TV.
With the addition of 4K quality, the fifth generation of Apple TV will require a faster processor. The fourth generation utilised an A8 chip, launched alongside Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in 2014. Apple’s iPhone 7 introduced the A10 chip, which could be a good option for the new generation of Apple TVs.
At the Worldwide Developers Conference Apple announced that the Amazon Prime Video app will be supported by Apple TV, with no mention of new hardware related to this service. With the fifth generation supporting 4K quality streaming, it’s likely that we’ll see big software updates to allow for the TV to stream via these services.
With the announcement of new app sizes to 4GB, we might see original Apple content such as Planet of the Apps and Carpool Karaoke. Gaming apps are also a big probability due to this app size increase which could place Apple in a more competitive position with gamers. Apple’s TV app could become a portal for users to access a wide range of live streaming options.
Apple has acquired a facial recognition company, which could be introduced with the iPhone 8 and with the fifth generation Apple TV. It could even, perhaps, allow the TV to scan the user’s face and more easily and efficiently pull up all of your favourite or saved content. If we see a new, faster, more powerful processor being introduced, more games can be making their way towards the new Apple TV.
