Apple Unveils Fourth-Generation Apple TV 4K with Siri AI

Apple has unveiled the fourth generation of its Apple TV 4K set-top box, which now combines the capabilities of a powerful media player with those of a full-fledged smart home control hub. The device’s main technological innovation is the deep integration of Siri AI, a voice assistant powered by Apple Intelligence. The assistant received a completely redesigned full-screen interface for quickly finding movies and TV shows, learned to carry on natural conversations, and can provide detailed answers to questions about the content being watched. Moreover, when paired with a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence, the smart assistant can take the owner’s personal context into account, such as by analyzing recommendations from conversations with friends. Users no longer need to hold the remote to interact with Siri AI, as three sensitive microphones are built into the set-top box to pick up voice commands from anywhere in the room. The signature Siri Remote retains its recognizable design but now includes useful Precision Finding support and a built-in speaker that can play an audible signal if it is lost in the room.

The new model’s tremendous performance boost comes from the advanced A19 processor, which replaces the previous generation’s A15 Bionic chip. According to official Apple data, the new hardware platform delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance and twice the graphics core power, while also offering a dedicated AV1 hardware decoder for the most efficient and smooth playback of high-resolution streaming video.

The set-top box’s audio capabilities have also reached a new level: up to four HomePod mini 2 or second-generation HomePod speakers can now be connected to Apple TV 4K simultaneously to create an immersive home theater. The intelligent system can independently determine the speakers’ precise positions in the room, automatically adjusting audio delays and volume levels based on the acoustics of the specific room. However, for the system to work correctly, the front and rear HomePod pairs must be the same model.

In addition to its entertainment features, the updated set-top box serves as an advanced hub for household appliances, allowing users to remotely control all their smart home devices, activate complex automated routines, and display real-time alerts from connected security cameras on the TV screen.

The official price of the fourth-generation Apple TV 4K is $299. Preorders for the new multimedia device open today in the US and 29 other countries, while retail sales are scheduled to begin on November 13. It is worth noting that the set-top box will reach store shelves in European Union countries at the same time as in the rest of the world. However, its key Apple Intelligence-powered Siri AI feature will initially be blocked there due to local legal restrictions, depriving European users of the new model’s main advantage.