New day, new details on the upcoming Apple TV 4. 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman this time reveals some new information about the next-generation Apple TV’s hardware:

• he confirms that it will run a A8 chip;
• Apple is said to be planing to release two models with 8GB and 16GB of storage (although it’s still possible it will only release the 16GB model);
• the new box will include the same ports as the current Apple TV: HDMI, optical audio, Ethernet, micro-USB (for service and support) and a plug for power;
• Apple TV 4 will not support 4K video streaming;
• the new remote with touch support and motion sensors will be a dark gray/black color “to better match the new box’s aesthetic”

It will still be made of metal. Below the touchpad are a pair of tactile buttons (for Siri and the Home button), in addition to rocker buttons assumed to control volume levels.

BuzzFeed’s John Paczkowski corroborates the information that was first revealed by Gurman, that the new Apple TV will start at $149.

Paczkowski also reports that the Apple TV 4 will have a ‘universal search’ feature that will lenable searches across multiple streaming video services as well as Apple’s iTunes Store when you search for a show or movie:

Instead of searching the catalogs of multiple video services one at a time for a particular movie, you’ll now be able to search all — or most of them — at once and then choose the service on which you’d like to watch it.

You’ll also be able to search for actors and directors, and run other more targeted searches as well — all with Siri.

While Apple’s intelligent personal assistant is core to this feature, sources say there’s another engine driving it as well — Matcha, the video discovery startup Apple acquired back in 2013. iOS 9’s“Proactive” search is also likely part of the mix here, as 9to5Mac reported.

Learn more about Apple TV 4:

• Apple TV 4: big focus on gaming and Siri, support for Bluetooth game controllers
• Apple TV 4 will cost $149-$199, available in October
• New details about Apple TV 4 revealed

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV 4 specs and price revealed appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

We’ve been waiting for the fourth generation Apple TV for quite sometime now. Initially we thought it would be announced in the iPad event in October, 2013. Later it was speculated that Apple will hold a separate event for the next Apple TV in November. And after the acquisition of PrimeSense, it was deemed that Apple will come up with gesture-recognizing control system for the same. Now, iLounge has learned something exciting and believable from their reliable source. Wait for it.. the next Apple TV will support native gaming!

Yeah, looks like another Christmas is upon us, Apple TV lovers.

According to the report, the Apple TV 4th gen. is already past the development phase and can hit the shelves as early as this March. We’re unaware of any changes in the pricing, design or 4K support but we’re told that it will ship with a revamped iOS-based firmware. An Apple TV App Store will be set up and will include native games.

Apple still seems to be working on Bluetooth controllers for the same but that doesn’t seem to be a great challenge as newer iOS 7 devices already support MFi controllers. And here is the best part for all you current Apple TV owners: the new OS is said to be backward compatible and that means your device can also be upgraded to access the App Store and all its goodies.

So here is what we think.

Unlike many of the previous Apple TV rumors (which we were a little skeptical about), this one seems close to true. Gaming on Apple TV has been rumored for a number of years and it’s become necessary for Apple to finally come up with an Apple TV App Store. However we’re not so positive about the backward compatibility part. In order to play the games on Apple TV you’d need to download them into the device first. The Apple TV 4 will probably come with 40GB or 160GB capacities like the first gen. and wouldn’t have much trouble dealing with this. But how this problem is tackled by the 2nd and 3rd ones has not been proposed by the reports. However, Apple may be preparing a cloud-based gaming system with iCloud, similar to Sony’s PlayStation Now or OnLive – we never know.

Anyway, only time will tell what Apple truly intends to do with their set-top box and hopefully, we needn’t rely on AirPlay mirroring anymore to play Asphalt 8 on the 40-inch screen. Vote below to let us know what you guys think.

Stick around here at Apple TV Hacks (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) for more coverage on the new Apple TV.

The post Native gaming on Apple TV could soon become a reality as a new Apple TV with its own App Store is on the way, sources say appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The downside of the Black Friday shopping spree is the long and unending lines. However, Amazon and others have made it possible for you to get bottom-dollar bargains on a large number of great products. We have embarked on a quest to get a sneak peek at the best Black Friday deals at Amazon so that we can bring them to you today. The price comparing functionality at Amazon makes the search much easier and also ensures that you get the best deal possible. If we find a better deal, we will post it!

If you’re looking for a new home for your Apple TV, here are the best deals on HDTVs:

• Samsung 32-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV

$499.99 -> $297.99 (40% off)

Get it now for $297.99.

• Samsung 50-Inch 1080p 120Hz Slim Smart LED HDTV

$1,599.00 -> $797.99 (50% off)

 Get it now for $797.99.

• Sony BRAVIA 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV

$1,599.99 -> $999.00 (38% off)

Get it now for $999.00.

• LG 60-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV with Smart TV

$1,999.99 -> $1,179.00 (41% off)

Get it now for $1,179.00.

Sharp 70-inch Aquos 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV

$2,299.99 -> $1,597.00 (31% off)

Get it now for $1,597.00.

Samsung 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

$44,999.99 -> $39,997.99 (11% off)

Get it now for $39,997.99.

4K ULTRA HD TVs

• Seiki Digital 39-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV

$699.00 -> $493.99 (29%)

Get it now for $493.99.

• Toshiba 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 240Hz 3D Smart LED HDTV

$9,999.99 -> $3,395.00 (66% off)

Get it now for $3,395.00.

• Sharp 70-Inch Aquos 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV

$8,999.99 -> $4,997.99 (44% off)

Get it now for $4,997.99.

• Samsung 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

$6,499.00 -> $2,997.99 (54% off)

Get it now for $2,997.99.

More deals: 

• The best AirPlay speaker deals for Black Friday 2013
• Black Friday deal: Apple TV 3 available for $84.99
• Black Friday giveaway: win a copy of X-Mirage

The post Black Friday 2013 deals on HDTVs for your Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Netflix has quietly added a few 4K videos to its ever growing repository of on demand streaming videos as it prepares itself for a wider rollout of the Ultra HD service in the upcoming months.

The videos that have been added in 4K only seem to be test content. There have been a total of seven videos added to the catalog, one of which being entitled El Fuente: 24 MP, which provides an example of content shot in 4K at 24 frames per second.

Netflix has already added a Super HD option for 3rd Gen Apple TV in partnership with ISP’s, providing a direct connection to Netflix content servers to enabling users to stream super crisp images. It works by applying less compression than 1080p content receives, ultimately increasing the size of the stream.

However, with the partnership with ISPs, it appears Netflix are in a position to facilitate 4K streaming and believe consumers have the bandwidth for it. Netflix wants to be one of the big suppliers of 4K next year, whether that be with it’s own produced content, or content from its licensing partners.

The main obstacle for distributing 4K was always the bandwidth available to consumers (the other being an expensive hardware), but with the success of Super HD and the partnership with ISPs, it seems Netflix are ready to make 4K content streaming a reality.

The post Netflix begins testing 4K videos for on demand streaming appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Even though we didn’t see any new Apple TV’s at the recent iPad event, one analyst seems to think Apple is planning on launching the Ultra-High definition Apple TV‘s with 65-inch and 55-inch frameless screens towards the end of 2014.

The speculation comes from Advanced Research Japan Analyst Masahiko Ishino who claims that Apple is still putting the finishing touches to their UHD TV’s.

Ishino believes the Apple UHD TV’s will sell from anywhere between $1,500 to $2,500 and its goal would be to get rid of the tuners and cables that are currently required for conventional TV.

“It’ll probably be more of a smart monitor than what we think of as a TV”

Apple will apparently utilise their existing supply chain, contracting LG Display to take care of the LCD screens. Samsung will sort the graphics processors, whilst Corning will provide the Gorilla Glass 3 as a cover for the TV. Ishino continues to state that Foxconn will likely be the firm of choice for assembling the new Apple UHD TV.

Back in march Digitimes reported that Apple was continuing to develop a TV that is likely to sport an Ultra HD 4K display (3840 x 2160). According to the sources, a standalone AppleT V set could launch by the end of this year, but it is more likely that Apple decides to unveil it in early 2014.

Apple UHD TV – A myth?

Whilst we’ve heard rumours of such a device being in existence at Apple HQ, it has only remained speculation with very little evidence turning up which supports an Apple UHD TV will be released to the public. Ishino whilst reputable, doesn’t mention his source of information, so as with any rumour it is advised to take this one with caution.

Follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple UHD TV rumored to debut by late 2014 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

One of the more ‘out-there’ announcements at Apple’s recent iPhone event was the introduction of 64-bit support in their new A7 processor and the optimisation of iOS to support it. No one really saw it coming, and no one really knows what it truly means.

Many people assume that it is just Apple future proofing themselves and preparing for the eventual move to 64-bit chips, but sources suspect there is more to it than that.

Canny Vision reports:

Apple made a similar full-scale transition to 64-bit on the Mac with Snow Leopard in 2009. At the time, Macs were already at the point of reaching 4GB and above memory capacities. This isn’t the case with the 5s today, or even for the majority of Android phones.

I don’t believe Apple added 64-bit support to iOS 7 and all their apps just to prepare for an eventual transition to 4GB+ memory capacities in future iPhones. I think this was to do with something more impending. Do we know any product category that Apple would be interested in, that would require the use of both iOS and an A-series chip that is 64-bit capable in order to address 4GB+ memory?

One platform that is highlighted is Apple TV.

The Xbox One was recently announced touting 8GB of RAM, and if Apple were to offer a feature-rich home media solution to Apple TV, it would need to have around that same amount of RAM.

iOS was designed without the retina displays we have now, 4k resolution, graphic-intense games, so going 64-bit should only scream to people that Apple have something up their sleeve, and it all points towards enhancements to the Apple TV that would require a 64-bit transition.

Only time will tell with this prediction (well, Apple TV 4 is rumored for October), but the move towards 64-bit by Apple is definitely move than just a future proofing move.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post The real story behind 64-bit iOS for Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

According to TechCrunch’s MG Siegler, Apple is working on a new version of the Apple TV. We’ve heard this news before, but recent developments put the arrival of the new Apple TV as soon as next month.

Siegler says that the launch could occur in October, which would tie in nicely with when the next generation of iPads are expected to land. The prospect of launching these two products simultaneously is possible since previously we’ve seen the iPad and Apple TV launched at the same event, and if rumours are anything to go by, it seems we’ll be seeing the same thing this year.

I guess those excited about a software refresh in a week are gonna be *really* excited when new Apple TV hardware is unveiled next month.

— M.G. Siegler (@mgsiegler) September 11, 2013

9to5Mac reports:

It is unclear what the form-factor of this new device is. We’ve independently heard of Apple working on both a full-fledged TV set and a revamped set-top-box that is similar in form-factor to the current model. But no matter the hardware design, we have been consistently hearing from our sources that Apple is thoroughly testing Xbox Kinect-like motion sensors for future TV-related products. When Apple plans to release motion-controlled TVs, however, is uncertain.

Motion technology is something that is increasingly finding its place in the living room, especially with the Xbox One, but it seems unlikely Apple will venture into this area with the next generation Apple TV hardware. However, improved video output quality could very well be of main focus for the next version of Apple TV. More specifically the inclusion of 4k video, since this is the direction the industry is heading.

Despite there being little content available for 4K TVs, Apple could use its own hardware to utilise 4k before any other media hardware company and claim the market.

We’ve already heard Apple is planning on releasing additional AirPlay functionality next week alongside iOS 7, so the rumoured new hardware being introduced next month could be used to compliment this new function, possibly with 4k support.

Stick around here at Apple TV Hacks (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) for more coverage on the new Apple TV.

The post New Apple TV model to be released in October appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

According to Digitimes, “rumors are circulating in the market” that Apple is in talks with LG to buy their 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TV panels for a future Apple TV set. Digitimes sources stated that Apple is still testing the technology and hasn’t reached the agreement with LG yet. The sources claim Apple may also consider Sharp as a potential supplier.

Back in march Digitimes reported that Apple was continuing to develop a TV that is likely to sport an Ultra HD 4K display (3840 x 2160). According to the sources, a standalone Apple TV set could launch by the end of this year, but it is more likely that Apple decides to unveil it in early 2014.

The sources said that Apple and Foxconn Electronics have been in discussions for quite some time in terms of the TV’s mass production schedule, but that Apple has been considering where panel supply for the TV will come from, as Ultra HD TV panel makers, most of whom are based in Taiwan, are expected to be producing at nearly full capacity in 2013 in order to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.

The sources added that Apple is banking on LG Display to be able to mass produce Ultra HD TV panels by the second half of the year.

According to Digitimes, the upcoming Apple HDTV will also feature voice and motion control functions.

Find more on a long-awaited Apple TV set.

The post Digitimes: Apple interested in purchasing 55- and 65-inch Ultra HD TV panels from LG Display appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

The sources said that Apple and Foxconn Electronics have been in discussions for quite some time in terms of the TV’s mass production schedule, but that Apple has been considering where panel supply for the TV will come from, as Ultra HD TV panel makers, most of whom are based in Taiwan, are expected to be producing at nearly full capacity in 2013 in order to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.

The sources added that Apple is banking on LG Display to be able to mass produce Ultra HD TV panels by the second half of the year.

According to Digitimes, the upcoming Apple HDTV will also feature voice and motion control functions.

Find more on a long-awaited Apple TV set.

The post Digitimes: Apple working on 4K Ultra HD TV set appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.