The new Apple TV update is good for gamers, but new hardware would be better
Opinion: Where’s that new chip?
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It was an announcement-packedWWDCas always this year, but those of us looking for confirmation of anew Apple TV 4Kmodel – recently rumored to be on the cusp of release – went away disappointed.
AppleTV only really gained some credibility in the gaming area with the launch ofApple Arcadelast year – a monthly subscription service to games running on iOS. It’s mostly indie games and titles for mobile / iPad, but it does give Apple TV owners a better reason to be gaming on their streaming hardware.
There were a few new gaming-related features announced for existing Apple TV models, though, including a quick resume function for speedily popping back into your game sessions where you left off. It’s a feature already available on the PS4 and Xbox One, while the next-genPS5andXbox Series Xconsoles are set to banish long loading times with their improved power and storage solutions – but it’s still a boon to see it on Apple TV at all.
We also got support for the Xbox Elite Series 2 (a high-end and highly customizable Xbox One controller) andXbox Adaptive Controller(an accessible Xbox One controller designed for those with disabilities) – adding on from the support of theDualShock 4and Xbox One gamepads introduced intvOS 13.
It’s clear that Apple is making big gestures towards its own hardware as a place for all gamers, though the current processor sitting in the Apple TV4Kis holding things back somewhat.
Processing…
The current-gen Apple TV 4K launched back in 2017 and has been the flagship Apple TV model since. It’s certainly due an upgrade, and chatter around a new A12X Bionic processor – the chip used in theiPad Pro 12.9andiPad Pro 11tablets released in 2018 – had us excited that we’d get to replace the A10X Fusion chip used in the current-gen Apple TV 4K (and in 2017’s iPad Pro devices).
Specifically,Apple claimsthe eight-core A12X Bionic ups performance by 90% compared to the A10X Fusion, with “twice the graphics performance” too:
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“Built on industry-leading seven-nanometer technology, the powerful eight-core A12X Bionic features four performance cores and four efficiency cores for up to 35 percent faster single-core performance and a new performance controller for simultaneous use of all eight cores for an up to 90 percent boost during multi-threaded tasks. A seven-core, Apple-designed GPU delivers up to twice the graphics performance.”
Signs so far point to a new hardware model still being on the horizon, so Apple TV-minded gamers may get the device they’re after – likely around September – but until then, there are plenty of non-Apple game consoles to be enjoying.
No hardware 😞Which means they are gonna shit out a bunch of hardware in September/ October 👀😬 https://t.co/kuRzlzlr6CJune 22, 2020
Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.
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