Hands-On With the New Apple TV: A Closer Look at the Hardware and tvOS - MacRumors
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Hands-On With the New Apple TV: A Closer Look at the Hardware and tvOS

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The new Apple TV officially became available for purchase today, with Apple selling the fourth-generation set-top box in retail stores around the world. We went hands-on with the Apple TV to give MacRumors readers who want to know more about the device a chance to get an overview of the hardware and the software.

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Apple's latest Apple TV marks a significant departure from the previous-generation Apple TV, with a thicker external design, a touch-based motion-enabled remote control that doubles as a gaming controller, and a more powerful A8 processor.

On the software side, it's running a new operating system called tvOS, which includes universal search features for finding television shows and movies across a wide variety of platforms, Siri integration for voice-based search, and a full App Store that's open to third-party developers. We're going to take a closer look at the App Store and the Siri/Search features in videos coming later this evening.

Earlier today, we shared a tidbits post on the new Apple TV, and our forum members have also been posting their first impressions and thoughts on the device, a thread that's well worth reading for those still trying to decide whether to make a purchase.

Apple is selling the new Apple TV in retail stores and from the online Apple Store. It's priced at $149 for 32GB of storage and $199 for 64GB of storage.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: Apple TV and Home Theater

Top Rated Comments

John.B Avatar
John.B
136 months ago
Would love to purchase this if Touch ID was featured.

The outdated way of entering passwords, instead of using Touch ID on the remote itself (as my hope for Apple TV 4 was) is a mistake. Perhaps the Apple Remote app will update to use Touch ID from iPhone, but they had the chance to put it on the actual remote. They added 3 extra buttons, but of course one of them couldn't be Touch ID. o_O
The lack of support for Bluetooth keyboards (or Apple's Remote app) is simply mind boggling! Did no one at Apple flick their way through a setup of their Netflix/Hulu/HBO accounts? Boxing mine back up for a return. I'll "try again" when Apple "tries again".
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sshambles Avatar
sshambles
136 months ago
Would love to purchase this if Touch ID was featured.

The outdated way of entering passwords, instead of using Touch ID on the remote itself (as my hope for Apple TV 4 was) is a mistake. Perhaps the Apple Remote app will update to use Touch ID from iPhone, but they had the chance to put it on the actual remote. They added 3 extra buttons, but of course one of them couldn't be Touch ID. o_O
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
trifid Avatar
trifid
136 months ago
Everyone has been waiting for the Apple TV to have an app store, (many have been waiting for half a decade for Plex app). I almost buy it but then I asked myself: do I really need this?

I already got used to airplay and taught this to everyone in my family, there is always an ipad or iphone available to airplay, with all the apps you can imagine. There is the games aspect, but 'lite' tv gaming is already available on so many devices already, including my old Roku 3.

It seems to me Apple TV 4 offers too little too late. The only thing I would find useful is if it served as a central homekit with always on Siri so I could say "hey siri turn off lights" without touching a remote, but it doesn't even have that.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
D
drewyboy
136 months ago
Seriously, what the crap have they been up to for the last 3-4 years? I find it absolutely pathetic that they showcased the the 3D view for a movie poster. I feel sorry for that gal that got stuck with showing off that "feature" and please don't even pass it off as that "attention to detail" bs.

I know it will sell well because there are some here that think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I mean really what kind of update is this? There is nothing they couldn't have done 3-4 years ago. Definitely too little too late.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
ClaytonK
136 months ago
Is the iOS Remote app going to work at some point? I'm new to Apple TV and it was miserable typing in all my usernames and passwords for each app using the onscreen keyboard.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jazz1 Avatar
jazz1
136 months ago
Would love to purchase this if Touch ID was featured.

The outdated way of entering passwords, instead of using Touch ID on the remote itself (as my hope for Apple TV 4 was) is a mistake. Perhaps the Apple Remote app will update to use Touch ID from iPhone, but they had the chance to put it on the actual remote. They added 3 extra buttons, but of course one of them couldn't be Touch ID. o_O
Adding passwords is pure Hell with the remote. Even worse if you use the voice! Like having a parrot squawking at you while your trying to remember what you entered.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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