Apple's $299 Apple TV 4K ships Nov. 13; 2021 models get Siri AI as a beta
What happened
Apple on Oct. 13 introduced a fourth-generation Apple TV 4K at $299 with an A19 chip, three far-field microphones and a remote that has a built-in speaker. It ships Nov. 13, and pre-orders opened the same day. Apple also said Siri AI will come to older Apple TV 4K models as beta software in tvOS 27.2, going back to the second-generation box from 2021, though which features those boxes will get is unclear.
What we know
- Per TechCrunch, the new Apple TV 4K costs $299, uses an A19 chip, and has three far-field microphones that allow voice commands without a remote or a paired HomePod. Pre-orders opened Oct. 13 and the device is available Nov. 13.
- Per Engadget, Siri AI will arrive as beta software on older Apple TV 4K units back to the second-generation model released in 2021. It will be part of tvOS 27.2, due this fall, with no exact date given.
- Per Engadget, older boxes have no built-in microphones, though their remotes do. The new model's hands-free, remote-free control is therefore tied to its new hardware.
- Per TechCrunch, the previous Apple TV 4K launched in 2022, four years before this one. TechCrunch also cites a Bloomberg report that Apple wanted to launch the new box in 2024 but delays to the AI-powered Siri pushed back new home devices.
- Per TechCrunch and Engadget, Apple announced other home products the same day, including a HomeView smart home hub, a refreshed HomePod mini, and a lock, cameras and a doorbell.
What we don't know yet
- Which Siri AI features the older Apple TV 4K models will get. Engadget says the older boxes have less processing power and were not designed for the assistant, and it has asked Apple for clarification.
- Whether the older boxes will support all the updated smart home controls in tvOS 27.2 (Engadget).
- The exact release date of tvOS 27.2. Engadget says only that it will arrive on or before Nov. 13.
- Which models count as 'select older models' beyond the 2021 second-generation box. 9to5Mac's compatibility list was not available in the excerpt reviewed.
Why it matters
Owners of Apple TV 4K boxes from 2021 onward can try Siri AI without paying $299. They may not get the hands-free voice control that is the new model's main hardware selling point, since the older boxes have no microphones of their own. The gap between the beta on old boxes and the full feature set on the A19 model will decide how strong the case is to upgrade.
Claims
- ConfirmedApple's new Apple TV 4K is priced at $299.
- ConfirmedThe new Apple TV 4K uses an A19 chip.
- ConfirmedThe new Apple TV 4K has three far-field microphones that allow voice commands without a remote.
- ConfirmedThe new Apple TV 4K is available Nov. 13, with pre-orders open from Oct. 13.
- ConfirmedSiri AI will be available as beta software on older Apple TV 4K models going back to the 2021 second-generation unit.
- ConfirmedSiri AI on older Apple TV boxes ships as part of tvOS 27.2.
- ConfirmedOlder Apple TV 4K boxes have no integrated microphones, though their remotes do.
- UnconfirmedApple wanted to launch the new Apple TV in 2024 but Siri delays pushed it back, per a Bloomberg report cited by TechCrunch.
- UnconfirmedOlder Apple TV boxes will support all Siri AI and smart home features of the new model.
Related coverage
Why you can trust this story
78%Source map · 3 outlets / 4 articles
- Engadget
- Article 1engadget.comreport
- TechCrunch
- Article 1techcrunch.comreport
- 9to5Mac×2
- Article 19to5mac.comreport
- Article 29to5mac.comreport
How this credibility score is calculated
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Atom-verified claims matched cited source text. Weights are fixed and explainable.
Human accountability
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- Drafted by the Newsmesis judgment agent (agent-cli); human approval required before publishing.
Verification ledger · 9
- Claim: Apple's new Apple TV 4K is priced at $299.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: The new Apple TV 4K uses an A19 chip.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: The new Apple TV 4K has three far-field microphones that allow voice commands without a remote.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: The new Apple TV 4K is available Nov. 13, with pre-orders open from Oct. 13.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: Siri AI will be available as beta software on older Apple TV 4K models going back to the 2021 second-generation unit.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: Siri AI on older Apple TV boxes ships as part of tvOS 27.2.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: Older Apple TV 4K boxes have no integrated microphones, though their remotes do.Status: ConfirmedVerification trailVerifiedChecked by verification engine
At least one extracted atom matched cited source full text.
- Claim: Apple wanted to launch the new Apple TV in 2024 but Siri delays pushed it back, per a Bloomberg report cited by TechCrunch.Status: UnconfirmedVerification trailUnverifiedChecked by verification engine
No atom-level source-text verification is available.
- Claim: Older Apple TV boxes will support all Siri AI and smart home features of the new model.Status: UnconfirmedVerification trailUnverifiedChecked by verification engine
No atom-level source-text verification is available.
Update log · 0
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