Hardware Ready Ready to Bench?
The new Apple TV 4K is expected to integrate a microphone directly into the body of the set-top box, in addition to a Siri Remote equipped with a speaker. This was reported by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, picked up by The Verge ahead of Apple’s “Welcome home” event scheduled for October 13 in New York, during which the company is expected to present updates to its dedicated home lineup.
The shipment of the new devices is scheduled for Friday, October 30, coinciding with the launch of the second-generation HomePod mini. The addition of the microphone represents the most significant novelty: currently, those who own an Apple TV can interact with the voice assistant only by pressing the dedicated button on the remote or using a HomePod present in the same room.
Apple TV 4K microphone: why it matters
With microphones integrated into the Apple TV, voice requests could be initiated directly, without the need to use the remote. This could transform the Apple TV into a full-fledged smart home hub, capable of adjusting the thermostat or locking doors via voice commands, functionality that currently requires a dedicated smart speaker.
The issue of privacy remains to be addressed, given that this would be a device constantly listening in the living room. Apple will have to clarify which processes will be executed locally. Another novelty concerns the remote: the integration of a small speaker would allow it to sound when lost under the sofa or between cushions, as already happens with some trackable accessories.
The current model offers a search function, but without the emission of an acoustic signal from the remote itself. On the hardware front, a generational leap is expected: the chip will move from the A15 Bionic of the 2022 model to the latest A19, accompanied by 8 GB of memory against the current 4 GB. This configuration is designed to support the features of the new AI-enhanced Siri, whose development has caused a delay in the launch of these products.
What changes and what are the effects
The external design should remain substantially unchanged. Along with the Apple TV, the HomePod mini with S10 chip in five colors and HomeView, the new home hub with display expected for mid-November, should also be presented. None of these features have been officially confirmed yet: the October 13 event will reveal which ones have passed the testing phase.
Source and further reading on Apple TV 4K microphone: original article.
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