Apple TV is going to face the threat of Google TV head on if a brand new set of rumours is true. Rumoured specs for a new version of Apple TV have hit the web and it looks like big changes are on the way. Get ready for Apple TV packing the same Apple A4 chip as the iPad and iPhone 4.0 plus the iPhone OS. If these rumours are true, the battle for your living room is well and truly on…
Sources close to Apple have whispered to Engadget that the next Apple TV will be based directly on the iPhone 4.0 hardware. That would mean a seriously stripped down design, powered by the Apple A4 processor and with limited flash storage of just 16GB. But Apple apparently plans to replace the current 160GB worth of storage with a cloud base solution.
We’ve heard lots of rumours about an iTunes Replay cloud solution in the past and it seems that’s what would power media streaming for the new Apple TV. The new rumours promise we’ll get 1080p instant on storage and you’ll still be able to keep files locally by hooking up a Time Capsule. There’ll also be almost no ports – just a power socket and video out.
The new Apple TV will ditch the version of OS X sported by the current model and instead use the iPhone OS. Again, that’s whispers of an iPhone OS Apple TV have been rattling around for a while so that sounds pretty plausible. That would open up the possibility of bringing iPhone and iPad apps to your TV to battle the Android apps and Chrome OS web store planned for Google TV.
Of all the rumours, the most shocking and thrilling part is the price. It’s claimed that Apple will release the new Apple TV for $99. A direct conversion to pounds would make it £67 but as we’ve seen with the iPad UK price, we’re unlikely to get that. But even at £99, a new Apple TV with 1080p streaming skills would seriously give the Sony Google TVs sets a run for their money.
The current rumours suggest we won’t see the new Apple TV at WWDC but that Cupertino has been beavering away on the new box for a long time – way before Google TV was even rumoured – so we should see it sometime in the next few months.
Let us know what you think. Would this new Apple TV get a spot in your living room or are other streaming options going to get your vote?
