A faster version of the Apple TV set top box apparently isn’t going to unveiled Tuesday morning, despite significant speculation.
Apple is reportedly going to launch something on December 8, and earlier today a noted leaker seemed to hint about it being new Apple TV hardware. But that’s now been retracted, and other sources have stated that whatever gets announced tomorrow, it won‘t be an Apple TV.
UPDATE: Apple took the wraps off AirPods Max headphones and Apple Fitness+ on December 8.
A mystery Apple hardware announcement
Apple service providers were allegedly warned last week that new hardware is coming on Tuesday. But the leaked memo didn’t even suggest what’s coming down the pike.
Serial leaker L0vetodream made a Twitter post on Monday joking that a new Apple TV would be out this year. They since followed this up by saying, “ Who said new Apple TV coming soon? i dont know… but 100% not me.”
https://twitter.com/l0vetodream/status/1336009074375229440?s=21
Also, rival leaker Jon Prosser threw his hat in the ring, reiterating a previous claim from October that “There is no new Apple TV coming until next year.”
AirTags and AirPods Studio, perhaps
If it won‘t be Apple TV, another possibility is AirTags item-tracking tags. Rumors of these have been making the rounds for more than a year, and recent chatter points to these accessories finally coming soon. Users would attach AirTags to a keychain or other frequently misplaced items, making them easily findable with an iPhone.
Another possibility for the December 8 announcement is the much-rumored AirPods Studio, the first over-the-ear headphones sold under the Apple brand. However, earlier reports said these might not arrive until spring 2021.
Apple TV for gaming, eventually
There have been multiple previous reports indicating Apple is working on a new Apple TV. The latest model set top box can handle 4K video and run a wide variety of video apps on its A10X Fusion processor. But that chip came out in 2017 for the iPhone 7, so it’s well behind Apple’s latest.
Rumors of an upgrade with a faster processor specifically for improved gaming came to light in autumn. An earlier report said the device will have a A12X processor from 2018. There have even been rumors of an Apple game controller.
Plus, users will supposedly be able to use the Find My app to locate a lost remote.
