AppleInsider Staff
In a regulatory test document filing on Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission revealed an unannounced Apple TV "A1469" model that boasts upgraded internals and a smaller form factor than Apple's current set-top streaming device.
The published FCC filing (via Engadget) suggests that the unit's design will be similar to the two most recent Apple TV iterations, but trims down the overall measurements to 93.78 millimeters square compared to the current model that comes in at 98 millimeters square.
Along with Apple's usual request for confidentiality, the FCC posting offers detailed notes that show the testing ofa low-power 40nm Broadcom wireless chip identified as BCM4334. This specific component is currently being used in the latest iOS devices like the iPhone 5. Also revealed was the inclusion of Apple's A5X processor most recently seen in the third-generation iPad. According to the documentation, testing of the device began as early as October 2012.
It is unclear when Apple intends to issue the tweaked hardware, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities reported earlier this month that the multimedia streamer would be the recipient of a refresh sometime this quarter. The last Apple TV refresh came in March 2012, bringing 1080p output and a faster A5 SoC to the device.
Tuesday's news comes on the heels of an Apple TV software version update on Monday that revealed an unknown hardware model designated "AppleTV3,2." The new 5.2 software version added support for bluetooth keyboards and enhanced integration with iTunes in the Cloud.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
Andrew Orr
67 Comments
We'll probably hear an announcement about this in 2 days :D
Not sure what's so [I]supposedly[/I]. The FCC filing is legit and it says it's an Apple TV device (digital media receiver) with WiFi and Bluetooth radios, model number A1469. What's interesting is the need for the change. I'm going to weigh in by saying the biggest features will have a better ASIC on the smaller node and 802.11ac, which then means it gets announced on or after the day the new AirPort routers get announced, which I assume will come with the new Mac Pro (or whatever it's called) and a new Apple Thunderbolt Display can announced. edit: AnandTech lists the WIFi as BCM4334 which means no 802.11ac. That makes me think this ousting was because it was suppose to drop today along with the new iPad. [LIST] [*] http://www.anandtech.com/show/6709/slightly-smaller-apple-tv-32-a1469-contains-a5x-soc-bcm4334-combo [/LIST]
Now it will have even less weight to keep it from being outweighed by the cables attached to it and falling off!
"Steve would have… " Wait, Steve actually WOULD have been furious at them…
So. It's a box. And it's smaller. Not a TV, huh. Okay.
[quote name="rossistboss" url="/t/155709/new-smaller-form-factor-apple-tv-supposedly-outed-by-the-fcc#post_2267576"]Now it will have even less weight to keep it from being outweighed by the cables attached to it and falling off![/quote] Lol. Agreed. I have a problem just getting my current one to sit straight with the front of it facing my remote!