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New tvOS 11 Beta References 'J105a,' Code Name for Upcoming Apple TV with 4K Support
Apple today released the seventh beta of an upcoming tvOS 11 update for the fourth-generation Apple TV, and within the beta, there appear to be assets for "J105a," previously revealed as the code name for an upcoming 4K Apple TV.
Developer Guilherme Rambo, who has made a name for himself delving into the HomePod firmware, shared a screenshot depicting HDR image assets with a file name that includes "J105a."
The "J105a" name was first shared by Bloomberg in February, in a report that suggested Apple was working on a fifth-generation Apple TV capable of streaming Ultra HD 4K video.
That report said Apple could release a new fifth-generation 4K Apple TV as early as this year, and since then, we've seen continued references to the new model, suggesting a release could actually happen in the near future.
Along with the "J105a" assets found in today's tvOS 11 beta, references to the code name were also discovered in the HomePod firmware. That information suggested the device could support Dolby Vision and HDR10 color formats.
In March, evidence of an Apple TV identified as AppleTV 6,2 was found in developer logs with a Cupertino IP, and AppleTV 6,2 does not correspond to an existing Apple TV model. The current fourth-generation Apple TV is known as AppleTV 5,2.
Apple has also started listing select movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes purchase history, leading to speculation that a new Apple TV is imminent.
Aside from Bloomberg's report earlier this year, there has been no concrete confirmation that Apple plans to introduce a new Apple TV soon, but the continued mentions of J105a both in the HomePod firmware and in the tvOS 11 beta suggest we could perhaps see a new Apple TV announced this fall alongside new iPhone models.
Developer Guilherme Rambo, who has made a name for himself delving into the HomePod firmware, shared a screenshot depicting HDR image assets with a file name that includes "J105a."
tvOS 11 Beta 7 contains some HDR assets for model J105A 😇 pic.twitter.com/IH2XdDfrrW
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 21, 2017
The "J105a" name was first shared by Bloomberg in February, in a report that suggested Apple was working on a fifth-generation Apple TV capable of streaming Ultra HD 4K video.
That report said Apple could release a new fifth-generation 4K Apple TV as early as this year, and since then, we've seen continued references to the new model, suggesting a release could actually happen in the near future.
Along with the "J105a" assets found in today's tvOS 11 beta, references to the code name were also discovered in the HomePod firmware. That information suggested the device could support Dolby Vision and HDR10 color formats.
In March, evidence of an Apple TV identified as AppleTV 6,2 was found in developer logs with a Cupertino IP, and AppleTV 6,2 does not correspond to an existing Apple TV model. The current fourth-generation Apple TV is known as AppleTV 5,2.
Apple has also started listing select movies as 4K and HDR in iTunes purchase history, leading to speculation that a new Apple TV is imminent.
Aside from Bloomberg's report earlier this year, there has been no concrete confirmation that Apple plans to introduce a new Apple TV soon, but the continued mentions of J105a both in the HomePod firmware and in the tvOS 11 beta suggest we could perhaps see a new Apple TV announced this fall alongside new iPhone models.
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Caution)
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15 months ago
If you see the current Apple TV remote with the new model, they blew it.
Frankly, I wish they'd add Touch-ID to the remote.
It could remember the whole family's fingerprints.
6-year old Billy picks it up and the menu flips to Netflix/Hulu/Youtube Kids, etc.. and won't allow playback of rated-R movies or HBO After hours content etc.
Adult picks it up via touch-id, the whole Apple TV experience returns.
Seems like a no-brainer.
Unfortuantely they seem to really be focusing on changing the background from night time to daytime....
15 months ago
Despite not having a 4K/HDR capable TV and AV Receiver *yet* I'll be all over a new Apple TV. HEVC means less data to stream, and 95% of film purchases and rentals are via my AppleTV not to mention an Apple Music client, photos, Netflix and NowTv (UK Sky content on the chap).
Together with FireTV and Prime, Apple TV *IS* my TV.
Forthcoming Blade Runner 4K BluRay has me seriously considering going 4K. Decent 4K content support on iTunes (and maybe Blade Runner?) would tip me over the edge.
Together with FireTV and Prime, Apple TV *IS* my TV.
Forthcoming Blade Runner 4K BluRay has me seriously considering going 4K. Decent 4K content support on iTunes (and maybe Blade Runner?) would tip me over the edge.
15 months ago
If you see the current Apple TV remote with the new model, they blew it.
15 months ago
And how much more will Apple charge for a 4k TV than say, Samsung, or LG, or Vizio?
I'm going to bet half again more than the average of those three, at least.
Vizio sells 4K for a pretty good price.
$700 for a 50" ('https://www.amazon.com/VIZIO-M55-C2-55-Inch-Ultra-Smart/dp/B00T63YUJO/ref=pd_sbs_504_8?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=CZ7XK6PHXRFFTD1F6V44&th=1')
15 months ago
Almost as if Apple is intentionally leaking this stuff anymore....
Absolutely no reason for Apple to intentionally leak this stuff, regardless of what tinfoil hatters think.
It has a substantial impact on Apple earnings. Due to the leaks, iPhone 7 sales were flat during the first half of this year and Tim Cook mentioned it a couple times in recent earnings call.
15 months ago
So if I don't have a 4K TV this upgrade is essentially worthless right ? Just watch Apple included a superior remote to it and makes that remote only work for 4K TV And the TV iPhone app requires iPhone 8 to work
15 months ago
I remember when apple was obviously leaking certain things to certain publications and people would come outa and say "no way they would leak it!"
Yeah man. You're totally right
Except that time was a long time ago.
Leaks make sense when you're the underdog or if you're introducing a brand new product category to gauge public interest.
When your product is already the gold standard, it makes zero sense to put on the brakes by leaking info.
It's the same reason why Tesla is anti-selling the Model 3. When your product is synonymous with the word "EV" you don't need to halt Model S sales by leaking info about the Model 3's massive 75 kWh battery pack.
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