Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic • Hacker News Board

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#71

Post by FredPret » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 5:56 PM UTC

minikites wrote: post #19

azalemeth wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. I have an iPad Pro that is compatible with Checkrain. Being able to SSH into it and do stuff is a useful godsend. I've no idea why Apple won't let users actually use their devices -- and I write this on a rooted Android phone.

>I've no idea why Apple won't let users actually use their devices Why would Apple let you do it yourself when they can juice their services revenue by making you pay for the same functionality?

How many Apple users are chomping at the bit to SSH into their TV or tablet?

I’d rather them spend the time streamlining the 1-2% of use-cases that make up 99% of actual device use.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#72

Post by beervirus » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 5:57 PM UTC

minikites wrote: post #4

I find it astounding that Apple ceded control of Wi-Fi routers to companies much less trustworthy than Apple, but they insist on making overpriced TV boxes and smart speakers that nobody is buying.

I have Eero gear now. I’d swap it for an Apple mesh in a heartbeat if they’d only build it.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#73

Post by LASR » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 5:58 PM UTC

hajile wrote: post #59

ping_pong wrote: post #22

As a current AppleTV 4K owner, I have no idea how any of this is different from the previous version. I don't any any discernible difference. I already have HDR, Dolby Atmos, etc. What I really want is the ability to make my remote control beep so I can find it. That's literally the only feature that I want at this point.

Apple has really started investing in and pushing for their arcade subscription. The A12 Bionic should be a lot faster which is a major point if you want to use those features.

A10X vs A12 - This makes me feel meh about the whole 3+ year upgrade. I was hoping for something at least like a A12X or A14.

The difference in perf is not sufficient to warrant an upgrade IMO.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#74

Post by CoreSet » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 5:58 PM UTC

trevor-e wrote: post #68

Super disappointed they won't completely redesign the remote. I've never been so frustrated with a piece of hardware. - It's so small/light/slippery that it slides towards where you're sitting on the couch. Inevitably this means you'll press one of the buttons with your leg unless you put it away on a coffee table after every use. - Unless you use Siri or your phone, text input is literally swiping back and forth acr…

It’s not necessarily a substitute for a dedicated back button, but hitting the “Menu” button typically takes you to the previous step (unlike the TV icon, which takes you to the Apple TV watch page)

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#75

Post by FredPret » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:01 PM UTC

minikites wrote: post #37

ectospheno wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Their routers ran NetBSD. You can still do that if you want. As for Apple TVs, I own five.

You thoroughly missed my point. Apple could be innovating in so many ways if they had control of the router (home VPN, control nexus for smart home devices), an area which they have an advantage (trust in updates, security, privacy). I think ceding that ground to less trustworthy companies in TP-Link, Eero, and Ubiquiti is dumb. >As for Apple TVs, I own five. Then you have a greater incentive to defend a substandard…

Apple TV is substandard? Maybe you don’t like it or prefer something else, but “substandard”?

I do hope they branch into routers though, not sure there’s a lot of money to be made there, but would be nice to see as a consumer. Maybe if they sell an ultra-premium, very secure router.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#76

Post by Simplicitas » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:01 PM UTC

trevor-e wrote: post #68

Super disappointed they won't completely redesign the remote. I've never been so frustrated with a piece of hardware. - It's so small/light/slippery that it slides towards where you're sitting on the couch. Inevitably this means you'll press one of the buttons with your leg unless you put it away on a coffee table after every use. - Unless you use Siri or your phone, text input is literally swiping back and forth acr…

Totally agree.

I will own an Apple TV until they provide an adequate remote.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#77

Post by lfuller » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:02 PM UTC

trevor-e wrote: post #68

Super disappointed they won't completely redesign the remote. I've never been so frustrated with a piece of hardware. - It's so small/light/slippery that it slides towards where you're sitting on the couch. Inevitably this means you'll press one of the buttons with your leg unless you put it away on a coffee table after every use. - Unless you use Siri or your phone, text input is literally swiping back and forth acr…

They did redesign the remote. It uses a click wheel instead of a touch pad, and they included a dedicated back button.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#78

Post by gpanders » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:02 PM UTC

trevor-e wrote: post #68

Super disappointed they won't completely redesign the remote. I've never been so frustrated with a piece of hardware. - It's so small/light/slippery that it slides towards where you're sitting on the couch. Inevitably this means you'll press one of the buttons with your leg unless you put it away on a coffee table after every use. - Unless you use Siri or your phone, text input is literally swiping back and forth acr…

Did you see the new remote? It seems to solve many of your requests.

I, too, absolutely hate the current Apple TV remote and I'm pumped they finally redesigned it.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/04/apple-unveils-the-nex...

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#79

Post by stouset » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:02 PM UTC

crazygringo wrote: post #51

yazaddaruvala wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Taking a random guess, I think it’s because the location of the AppleTV doesn’t help identify the location of the actual screen. There would need to be some awkward configuration step (redone every time the AppleTV or screen moves) that Apple just wouldn’t ask its customers to do.

You don't really need an awkward configuration step, though, because you can rely on the fact that users are usually looking at the screen. Just take the median orientation of the earbuds over time, and you're configured. You can also rely on the fact that the user is almost certainly looking directly at the screen every time they navigate the UX with the remote.

This gives you direction but not distance.

Re: Apple TV 4K Gets A12 Bionic

#80

Post by tshaddox » Tue, Apr 20, 2021, 6:04 PM UTC

conception wrote: post #23

goodcjw2 wrote: post #18

Honestly speaking, the problem with Apple TV is that chips like A12 are such a overkill for TV box use cases. I recently purchased a $30 Roku and find it has almost 99% of the features that an Apple TV would have (including airplay2). Yes, Apple TV would have better color, visual quality, etc, but that's way into the realm of dismissed return for the investment IMHO.

It’s insane they don’t package a first party controller and just take the video console space over with it.

Wireless Xbox controllers work fine with Apple TV. The bigger problem is that the games simply are not designed with a TV and console controller in mind. Even the Apple Arcade titles, which are generally very polished on iPhone and iPad, are pretty janky with a controller, and nearly unusable with the Apple TV Siri Remote (even though they claim to be designed for these input devices).

But yes, it's very frustrating to me that the Apple TV doesn't have a rich gaming ecosystem. I'm pretty sure the hardware is powerful enough to deliver great performance and modern graphics for everything except the most photorealistic and flashy triple-A titles. Given that they offer Apple Arcade on the Apple TV, it's one of those surprising corners of the Apple ecosystem where you feel like a second-class citizen.