So they removed Ethernet port from the "base" model. This is probably the laziest of all Apple products updates that I can recall. Outside of HDR10+, which I suppose is in fact a software feature artificially limited to this new model, there's nothing new here. The updated chip itself is hardly a justification at all.
EDIT: interestingly, I refreshed that news release page and cannot open it in Safari anymore — I'm getting a blank page. Same in anonymous window. Works fine in Chrome, though, lol!
There's Thread support in the Ethernet-equipped model, and I'm not sure if the previous Apple TV 4K supported Thread (I know it supports Matter at least). There's also an A15 Bionic in this refresh, but until some higher-detail games enable support for Apple TV (many already support controllers so I don't see why not), it's kinda useless.
OK, Thread uses IEEE 802.15.4 (just like ZigBeww), most of its channels operate within 2.4GHz spectrum. HomePod mini has had Thread support since 2021, and looking at iFixit teardown, it uses SKY66404-11 for ZigBee/Thread/Bluetooth:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/HomePod+Mini+IC+Identification/...
From the press release: "The new Apple TV 4K with Siri Remote will be available starting at $129 (US) from apple.com/store, in the Apple Store app, and at Apple Store locations. Apple TV 4K is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and select pay TV providers."
Any chance the Ethernet-equipped version will support a bridge mode? I’d love to distribute my LAN served by the incoming wifi connection to an ethernet switch local to the ATV.
Honestly, I think it's crowd hysteria re the hate for the Apple remotes. They've been perfectly fine for me. When I think of flaming pieces of poo, my Samsung button-ey remote and the Firestick one that needs new batteries every 2 weeks come to mind..
No the one that came before the current one was soooo bad. If you could manage to hold onto the thing without dropping it, it would get debris stuck in the clicker, the clicking would stop working on one side of the remote (maybe related to debris, but persisted through cleaning), and the touch pad would get all wonky sometimes and some never recovered. I went through a few of those remotes. The new one is actually quite nice and is easier to hold too.
I had the complete opposite experience. The touch pad was odd at first, but I could at least use it from a somewhat respectable distance. I would honestly go back to it if they weren’t ridiculously expensive
EDIT: interestingly, I refreshed that news release page and cannot open it in Safari anymore — I'm getting a blank page. Same in anonymous window. Works fine in Chrome, though, lol!