The Apple TV HD, originally referred to as the 4th-generation Apple TV, was announced by Apple on September 9, 2015 at a Apple Special Event using a new operating system, tvOS, with an App Store, allowing downloads of third-party apps for video, audio, games and other content. Upon release, third-party apps were available from a limited range of providers, with new APIs providing opportunities for more apps. A requirement of new apps and games was that they must include interfacing with the new touchpad-enabled Siri remote, which was later relaxed for games.[1][2] In March 2019, Apple rebranded the device as "Apple TV HD".[3]
Features[]
The 4th generation includes a 64-bit Apple A8 processor, and adds support for Dolby Digital Plus audio. While similar to the form factor of the 2nd and 3rd generation models, the 4th generation model is taller. In contrast to the old remote's arrow button, the 4th generation Apple TV's touch remote uses swipe-to-select features, Siri support, a built-in microphone, volume control over HDMI CEC and IR, and an accelerometer (IMU).[4]
History[]
Release and initial issues[]
The 4th generation Apple TV started shipping in October 2015. Upon launch, there were several unexpected issues such as incompatibility with Apple's own Remote app for iOS and watchOS.[5] These issues were fixed by Apple on December 8, 2015 in tvOS 9.1.[6] On September 13, 2016, Apple released tvOS 10, bringing an updated remote app, single-sign on, Dark Mode, HomeKit support, and other features.[7]
Amazon Video[]
Amazon initially declined to develop an Amazon Video application for Apple TV, and announced in October 2015 it would stop selling Apple TVs, and removed 3rd generation SKUs.[8] In late 2017, Amazon reversed their stance and released an Amazon Video app,[9] and resumed sales of Apple TVs.[10]
Discontinuation[]
Following the announcement of the 1st-generation Apple TV 4K on September 12, 2017, the 64 GB version of the 4th-generation Apple TV was discontinued.[11] The 32 GB version remained available as an entry-level model and was eventually renamed the "Apple TV HD" in March 2019.[3] With the introduction of the 3rd-generation Apple TV 4K on October 18, 2022 with a drastically faster processor at a lower price, the last remaining 32 GB Apple TV HD was finally retired.[12]
References[]
- ↑ Apple TV game developers are required to support the Siri remote. Engadget (September 16, 2015). Archived from the original on September 17, 2015.
- ↑ Apple TV games are no longer required to support Siri Remote by Christian Zibreg, iDOwnloadBlog. June 14, 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Apple rebrands 2015 Apple TV as ‘Apple TV HD’ as it introduces Apple TV+ streaming service by Benjamin Mayo, 9to5Mac. March 25, 2019.
- ↑ Siri Remote for Apple TV: The ultimate guide (en). iMore (3 July 2019). Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved on 3 December 2019.
- ↑ Campbell, Mikey (October 30, 2015). New Apple TV incompatible with Apple's own Remote app for iOS and watchOS. Archived from the original on January 16, 2016. Retrieved on January 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Apple Remote App for iOS Now Works With New Apple TV Following tvOS 9.1 Update". Retrieved on 2018-10-15. (in en)
- ↑ tvOS Preview. Apple Inc.. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016.
- ↑ Horwitz, Jeremy (October 30, 2015). Amazon follows through on threat, yanking all Apple TV hardware from leading online retail store. 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved on January 12, 2016.
- ↑ Broussard, Mitchel (June 5, 2017). Apple Confirms Amazon Prime Video Coming to Apple TV Later This Year. MacRumors. Archived from the original on September 26, 2018. Retrieved on September 23, 2018.
- ↑ Amazon making nice, prepares sales of Apple TV, Chromecast. Associated Press (December 15, 2017). Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved on December 19, 2017.
- ↑ Apple TV 4K brings home the magic of cinema with 4K and HDR. Apple. (September 12, 2017). Archived from the original on March 1, 2018.
- ↑ Apple Kills Off The Apple TV HD by Eli Blumenthal and David Katzmaier, CNET. 2022-10-18.
External links[]
- Apple TV HD at Apple
- Apple TV HD - Technical Specifications at Apple Support
- Apple TV HD (4th Generation, Siri) specs at EveryMac
- Apple TV: 4th generation (HD) at Wikipedia
