[cromka]

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!

[smileybarry]

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.

[cromka]

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/...

Meanwhile I checked the Apple TV 4k 2021 model teardown and goes what, it also has a ZigBee/Thread/Bluetooth chip: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple+TV+4K+2021+Teardown/14...

https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf52833

This is a complete b/s and as an owner of 2021, I am pissed. I expect this to be picked up by the Apple-centric media.

EDIT: Well, LOL at myself: 2021 4k already has Thread support: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP845?locale=en_US So they didn't add anything specific to 2022 model in that regard.