New smaller form factor Apple TV supposedly outed by the FCC
In a regulatory test document filing on Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission revealed an unannounced Apple TV "A1469" model that boasts upgraded internals and a smaller form factor than Apple's current set-top streaming device.
Source: FCC
The published FCC filing (via Engadget) suggests that the unit's design will be similar to the two most recent Apple TV iterations, but trims down the overall measurements to 93.78 millimeters square compared to the current model that comes in at 98 millimeters square.
Along with Apple's usual request for confidentiality, the FCC posting offers detailed notes that show the testing ofa low-power 40nm Broadcom wireless chip identified as BCM4334. This specific component is currently being used in the latest iOS devices like the iPhone 5. Also revealed was the inclusion of Apple's A5X processor most recently seen in the third-generation iPad. According to the documentation, testing of the device began as early as October 2012.
It is unclear when Apple intends to issue the tweaked hardware, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported earlier this month that the multimedia streamer would be the recipient of a refresh sometime this quarter. The last Apple TV refresh came in March 2012, bringing 1080p output and a faster A5 SoC to the device.
Tuesday's news comes on the heels of an Apple TV software version update on Monday that revealed an unknown hardware model designated "AppleTV3,2." The new 5.2 software version added support for bluetooth keyboards and enhanced integration with iTunes in the Cloud.
Source: FCC
The published FCC filing (via Engadget) suggests that the unit's design will be similar to the two most recent Apple TV iterations, but trims down the overall measurements to 93.78 millimeters square compared to the current model that comes in at 98 millimeters square.
Along with Apple's usual request for confidentiality, the FCC posting offers detailed notes that show the testing ofa low-power 40nm Broadcom wireless chip identified as BCM4334. This specific component is currently being used in the latest iOS devices like the iPhone 5. Also revealed was the inclusion of Apple's A5X processor most recently seen in the third-generation iPad. According to the documentation, testing of the device began as early as October 2012.
It is unclear when Apple intends to issue the tweaked hardware, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported earlier this month that the multimedia streamer would be the recipient of a refresh sometime this quarter. The last Apple TV refresh came in March 2012, bringing 1080p output and a faster A5 SoC to the device.
Tuesday's news comes on the heels of an Apple TV software version update on Monday that revealed an unknown hardware model designated "AppleTV3,2." The new 5.2 software version added support for bluetooth keyboards and enhanced integration with iTunes in the Cloud.
Comments
What's interesting is the need for the change. I'm going to weigh in by saying the biggest features will have a better ASIC on the smaller node and 802.11ac, which then means it gets announced on or after the day the new AirPort routers get announced, which I assume will come with the new Mac Pro (or whatever it's called) and a new Apple Thunderbolt Display can announced.
edit: AnandTech lists the WIFi as BCM4334 which means no 802.11ac. That makes me think this ousting was because it was suppose to drop today along with the new iPad.
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[*] http://www.anandtech.com/show/6709/slightly-smaller-apple-tv-32-a1469-contains-a5x-soc-bcm4334-combo
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"Steve would have… " Wait, Steve actually WOULD have been furious at them…
So. It's a box. And it's smaller. Not a TV, huh. Okay.
Lol. Agreed. I have a problem just getting my current one to sit straight with the front of it facing my remote!
Ha! I velcro'd mine!
Exactly. It's 5 mm smaller. Nothing about the internals or any additional apps etc.
So file it under BFD.
Great idea. Will do that tonight.
I hope the 'A5X' is a 28nm part from TSMC and this time both Cortex-A9 cores are active.
AnandTech found a S5L8947 mentioned which is most likely a die shrunk 32nm "A5XR2" made by Samsung.
I'd say definitely on the first partand no on the second. It doesn't really need a better CPU as much as it needs a better GPU.I don't think there are any chips for that yet. Has it even been finalized?
edit: It's 32nm.
I was just about to say that! Velcro is perhaps the greatest thing since the microprocessor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kjacobi
Ha! I velcro'd mine!
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
Not sure what's so supposedly. The FCC filing is legit and it says it's an Apple TV device (digital media receiver) with WiFi and Bluetooth radios, model number A1469.
What's interesting is the need for the change. I'm going to weigh in by saying the biggest features will have a better ASIC on the smaller node and 802.11ac, which then means it gets announced on or after the day the new AirPort routers get announced, which I assume will come with the new Mac Pro (or whatever it's called) and a new Apple Thunderbolt Display can announced.
edit: AnandTech lists the WIFi as BCM4334 which means no 802.11ac. That makes me think this ousting was because it was suppose to drop today along with the new iPad.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6709/slightly-smaller-apple-tv-32-a1469-contains-a5x-soc-bcm4334-combo
Very surprised by the lack of 802.11ac-I thought this would be a big year for Apple to roll that out across its Wifi-enabled product lines. Hmmm, wonder what that means for Airport, new Macs and their living room strategy?
The real question is has anyone jail broken this device? I haven't been following the jailbreak scene but this is possibly the only iOS device I would bother jail breaking.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I'd say definitely on the first part and no on the second. It doesn't really need a better CPU as much as it needs a better GPU.
I don't think there are any chips for that yet. Has it even been finalized?
It has been finalized, I'm thinking in the last couple of days. Need to double check that but I seem to remember something to that effect.
I'm actually hoping for more flash and the possibility of Apple TV apps. This really seems like a no brainer so I wonder what Apple is afraid of. Obviously the apps would be different than your run of the mill iOS app and they would need I/O support but that ought to be doable in an Apple TV.
Yes it is official and since Apple can design their own chips perhaps it is included but I am no expert on hardware video encoding so perhaps someone more knowledgeable in the new codec can weigh in.
I would like to see them also catch up and offer the latest HDMI functionality with uncompressed 7.1 audio, Dolby HD, DTS MA-HD, DTS Neo-X, etc.
It is probably the industry maturing a bit. They as a group made a lot of mistakes with the role out of "n" and pre "n" devices. So maybe they are wising up and waiting for the right hardware and suitably stable software.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carthusia
Very surprised by the lack of 802.11ac-I thought this would be a big year for Apple to roll that out across its Wifi-enabled product lines. Hmmm, wonder what that means for Airport, new Macs and their living room strategy?
It might not mean anything this year. To put it simply they need the right hardware to put in their mobile devices. The additional complexity of "AC" means that a process shrink might be required. It could be a year or two more before "AC" devices achieve power parity with today's WiFi chips.
Better than velcro..
I hope this comes out soon.. I'm thinking about getting an Apple TV in the next couple of months..
There are companies that sell IP for hardware decoders. This is one path Apple could follow or they could develop their own IP in house. I'm not sure if anybody has the IP ready though. There are other approaches also, software decoders being one example.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone
Yes it is official and since Apple can design their own chips perhaps it is included but I am no expert on hardware video encoding so perhaps someone more knowledgeable in the new codec can weigh in.