Neues Apple TV: Apple packt Mikrofone in seine TV-Box - HomePod mit Farbshow

Apple's upcoming TV box features enhanced voice control capabilities with built-in microphones for direct Siri communication. This replaces the need for a physical button on the remote control to activate the device's built-in microphone. Apple assures that microphone data is processed separately in a secure chip area, isolated from the rest of the system, including apps and the tvOS operating system.

This marks the first update to the Apple TV model line since 2022. The upgraded chip, A19, improves image quality and response time, similar to the processor found in iPhone 17 models released last year. The new hardware also allows connecting up to four HomePod speakers to create a home cinema setup, compatible with both the newer HomePod mini 2 and the larger HomePod 2.

The remote control design remains unchanged but includes an integrated speaker for locating the device if misplaced. The price of the Apple TV box jumps to €349, a significant increase from the recent €229 after a summer price hike. The cost surge in memory chips, due to the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers, is driving up prices across the industry.

Additionally, the HomePod Mini sees a price increase from €109 to €139 in the latest generation, with a new "Sound Glow" feature that synchronizes the speaker's top surface lighting with music, reacting to bass and treble notes. The mini also incorporates the S10 chip, known from Apple watches, enabling advanced voice assistant functionalities.

However, this feature remains unavailable in the EU due to Apple's refusal to share user data with other AI assistants, citing data security concerns and choosing not to introduce Siri in the European Union. The EU commission demands Apple to grant access to user data for other AI assistants as part of the Digital Markets Act, but Apple denies this, prioritizing data security. The newly introduced smart home display, HomeView, is also excluded from the EU market.