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."

tvos11beta7j105appletvreference


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.

Related Roundup: Apple TV
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
top stories 2025 07 12

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, iOS 26 Beta 3, and More

Saturday July 12, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
The iOS 26 public beta release is quickly approaching, while developers have recently gotten their hands on a third round of betas that has seen Apple continue to tweak features, design, and functionality. We're also continuing to hear rumors about the iPhone 17 lineup that is now just about right around the corner, while Apple's latest big-budget film appears to be taking off, so read on...

Top Rated Comments

enc0re Avatar
103 months ago
Shut up and take my money!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mlabonte21 Avatar
103 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....
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menel Avatar
103 months ago
about time!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Brenster Avatar
103 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.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
103 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.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AVEGA Avatar
103 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
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)