9to5Mac identifies the next generation Apple TV as codename "J33" based on newly found references from the iOS 5.1 beta. Previous references had pinpointed the "AppleTV3,1" in earlier versions of iOS 5, which appears to be the corresponding product id. The "J33" codename doesn't provide any more information about the device, but just provides an extra little hint that Apple is working on a next generation device.
A new Apple TV could integrate Apple's new A5 processor, which offers much faster graphics processing, and include true 1080p support. But unless Apple plans on offering 1080p content on iTunes, that feature would be of limited use to the majority of consumers. Fortunately, Apple has been rumored to be prepping movie studios to start submitting 1080p content to iTunes.
Top Rated Comments
No question about it.
Especially if someone sold a wireless gamepad for it. :)
If the new Apple TV could do this, and be 1080p, it would be the perfect device. I would upgrade my existing one and buy more for every TV in the house. If Apple is so insistent on tying it into their own ecosystem then they could restrict the integration to the Time Capsule. I don't care, I'd still buy one. Then Apple gets to sell me two devices instead of just one. Everyone wins.
All my media is centrally stored on my NAS. Why can't Apple TV access this directly without needing a PC or Mac running iTunes?