'Apple TV 4K' shipping with six-core A10X Fusion chip, 3GB of RAM [u]
Apple's new streaming set-top will be called the "Apple TV 4K," and come with a six-core A10X Fusion processor and 3 gigabytes of RAM, according to the latest information gleaned from the iOS 11 GM. [Updated with clarification on cores]
The device will be capable of playing 4K video at 60 frames per second, said the source of previous iOS 11 GM leaks, Steve Troughton-Smith. The A10X is notably the same chip in the used in this year's 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, but may lack some of the technologies present in the "A11" expected in the "iPhone X" and "iPhone 8."
On Saturday, code from the GM revealed that a fifth-generation Apple TV will play 2160p video, and as previously hinted, support Dolby Vision and HDR10. For some owners the limiting factor on video quality may be bandwidth, since the device should warn 4K streamers if sustained internet speeds fall below 15 megabits per second.
Aside from upgraded specifications, the set-top will come loaded with tvOS 11, offering features like notification support, automatic light/dark mode switching, and homescreen sync in homes with multiple units. Still more could be revealed at Apple's Tuesday press event, since the company will sometimes keep software changes hidden to protect secrets about hardware.
That event is expected to focus on Apple's new iPhones, as well as an LTE Apple Watch and slightly upgraded AirPods. AppleInsider will cover developments live from the newly-opened Steve Jobs Theater, located at Apple Park.
Update: In a follow-up tweet, Troughton-Smith said that the set-top's A10X will actually have six cores, split in half between apps and background processes.
The device will be capable of playing 4K video at 60 frames per second, said the source of previous iOS 11 GM leaks, Steve Troughton-Smith. The A10X is notably the same chip in the used in this year's 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, but may lack some of the technologies present in the "A11" expected in the "iPhone X" and "iPhone 8."
On Saturday, code from the GM revealed that a fifth-generation Apple TV will play 2160p video, and as previously hinted, support Dolby Vision and HDR10. For some owners the limiting factor on video quality may be bandwidth, since the device should warn 4K streamers if sustained internet speeds fall below 15 megabits per second.
Aside from upgraded specifications, the set-top will come loaded with tvOS 11, offering features like notification support, automatic light/dark mode switching, and homescreen sync in homes with multiple units. Still more could be revealed at Apple's Tuesday press event, since the company will sometimes keep software changes hidden to protect secrets about hardware.
That event is expected to focus on Apple's new iPhones, as well as an LTE Apple Watch and slightly upgraded AirPods. AppleInsider will cover developments live from the newly-opened Steve Jobs Theater, located at Apple Park.
Update: In a follow-up tweet, Troughton-Smith said that the set-top's A10X will actually have six cores, split in half between apps and background processes.
Comments
A bundle in controller would go a long way, but it helps that they dropped the wand controller requirement
... Now all I need is something that I actually want to watch....
Still massive overkill, though. 4K today and in 3 years still requires the same power to decide and display.
I think it's for gaming.
plot twist: Press Release...Roku Ultra will now be known as Roku 4K
i could understand if this were a real gaming console as well. Then maybe Apple could convince people to also buy it for that. But so far, it doesn’t seem to be doing too well at that. Does Apple still require developers to support the remote, or are they allowing the more gaming friendly concept of not doing that? Developers have complained about that, and they’re right.
i don’t have the problems with the remote that some people do, incorrectly thinking that it’s symettrical, when it’s clearly not. I can pick it up in the dark and easily tell which way is up. But, as a gaming control, it’s not great.
the A10X isn’t truly competitive against the newest versions of either major platform. Possibly Apple can cool this to run at higher speeds. But what will this cost? If it’s $199-$299, it’s not going to be popular, unless it proves to be a really capable gaming machine, AND has some highly rated gamer franchises available, because, you know, that’s what sells the platform.
the thing is that Apple has been pushing this as a gaming console, but in all the wrong ways. Underpowered, requiring the remote as a basic controller, failing to have major franchises, etc.
so, what will be different this time? Before Microsoft and Sony upgraded their consoles recently, this could compete, but now? It’s doubtful. So the upgrade every few years isn’t going to work for that. They better have something spectacular to announce that the leak hasn’t already provided. After all, one can already stream 4K with a $50 device, and that’s all many people want.