Apple exterminates USB-C troubleshooting port on Apple TV 4K, adds Gigabit Ethernet
The new Apple TV 4K is getting faster network connectivity with the addition of a Gigabit Ethernet port, but the company has also removed the USB-C port previously used for troubleshooting and screenshot capture.
The fourth-generation Apple TV had a trio of ports -- HDMI, 10/100 Ethernet, and USB-C. It is unclear what Apple will do to supply direct connectivity for developers and device managers going forward, but network loading of software and configuration profiles seems probable.
This isn't the first time Apple eradicated ports from the Apple TV. Analog component connectors departed the unit during the shift from the first to second generation, and the optical audio connector was killed when the fourth generation Apple TV debuted.
The Apple TV 4K was shown briefly during Tuesday's array of announcements. The device is powered by the A10X processor, as found in the refreshed iPad Pro.
HDR 4K content will be available from Apple in short order. Users with films from six major studios, minus Disney, will get free updates to 4K movies if they have purchased those movies from Apple in the past.
The Apple TV 4K will be offered alongside the existing fourth-generation Apple TV from September 22, with pre-orders starting September 15. Two different capacities will be offered, with the 32-gigabyte model priced at $179, and the 64-gigabyte version at $199.
The fourth-generation Apple TV had a trio of ports -- HDMI, 10/100 Ethernet, and USB-C. It is unclear what Apple will do to supply direct connectivity for developers and device managers going forward, but network loading of software and configuration profiles seems probable.
This isn't the first time Apple eradicated ports from the Apple TV. Analog component connectors departed the unit during the shift from the first to second generation, and the optical audio connector was killed when the fourth generation Apple TV debuted.
The Apple TV 4K was shown briefly during Tuesday's array of announcements. The device is powered by the A10X processor, as found in the refreshed iPad Pro.
HDR 4K content will be available from Apple in short order. Users with films from six major studios, minus Disney, will get free updates to 4K movies if they have purchased those movies from Apple in the past.
The Apple TV 4K will be offered alongside the existing fourth-generation Apple TV from September 22, with pre-orders starting September 15. Two different capacities will be offered, with the 32-gigabyte model priced at $179, and the 64-gigabyte version at $199.
Comments
2) Has anyone noticed a need for more than 32GB in their Apple TV?
I like my ATV4. But when I upgraded a failed HDTV, I got a Smart Roku 4k at a good price. I was surprised at how much I like not diddling with the ATV4 connection, clumsy remote, and lack of single sign on. ATV4's FoxSportsGo app required daily login. The Roku smart version of that same app does not. At ths mpoint, I've exterminated my plan to buy a new ATV. YMMV.
If this is only ever a client device in a home network, it would not need to be simultaneous dual band, because the Apple TV is associated on only one network which is either 2.4GHz or 5GHz band (one or the other, not both simultaneously).
So why have a second WiFi radio inside? It does not make sense.
However, if the second WiFi radio could be used as a WiFi access point, then things get more interesting. It has now a Gigabit ethernet. I think this Apple TV might have capacity to be a WiFi repeater or WiFi network extender. The Gigabit ethernet is more useful for this purpose, otherwise normal 100M ethernet would be enough.
That's what I was curious about. I think it's obvious they have a solution and I think it would be easy to add over wireless, which is how you do it with with watchOS albeit with a dedicated Watch app on your iPhone.