logo
#

Latest news with #AppleTV4K

Apple's next-gen TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 likely coming later this year
Apple's next-gen TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 likely coming later this year

Business Standard

time2 days ago

  • Business Standard

Apple's next-gen TV 4K and HomePod Mini 2 likely coming later this year

Apple is reportedly working to expand its smart home ecosystem with new devices expected to launch later this year. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the company is preparing refreshed versions of the Apple TV 4K and HomePod Mini, both likely to feature key internal hardware upgrades — potentially to support Apple Intelligence. While Apple was also expected to unveil a dedicated hub for its Home devices in 2025, development delays may push that launch to a later Apple Home devices: What to expectApple TV 4K:The next-generation Apple TV 4K is likely to bring notable hardware improvements over the current model. The report suggests it may be powered by either the A18 or A17 Pro chip, offering a performance leap from the A15 Bionic found in the existing model. The new chip is expected to support Apple Intelligence features, although Apple has yet to outline how these will be implemented in tvOS READ: Apple iPad Pro 2025: M5 chip to dual front cameras, check expected upgradesAnother expected change is the inclusion of a built-in camera, which could enable FaceTime support natively on tvOS. Additionally, the new Apple TV 4K may include Apple's custom-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, this upgrade could allow the device to integrate more tightly with other Apple home devices and improve data mini 2:Apple is also anticipated to unveil the next-generation HomePod Mini by the end of 2025. The report notes that this model could be equipped with a newer S-series chip — possibly the S9 or S10 used in recent Apple Watch models — which may allow it to handle select Apple Intelligence READ: Google adds 'AI Mode' option upfront on Android Search widget: Details hereMoreover, the HomePod Mini 2 is expected to incorporate Apple's in-house Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, potentially enabling support for newer wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, along with more seamless connectivity across Apple's ecosystem.

Apple TV: What new features to expect from tvOS 26 update? A complete guide to access the public beta version now
Apple TV: What new features to expect from tvOS 26 update? A complete guide to access the public beta version now

Economic Times

time4 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Economic Times

Apple TV: What new features to expect from tvOS 26 update? A complete guide to access the public beta version now

TIL Creatives AI-generated image Apple TV tvOS 26 latest features: Apple is giving its Apple TV 4K set-top box a thoughtful makeover with the upcoming tvOS 26 software update, now available in public beta, as per a report. The update brings a mix of visual polish and useful new features designed to make the Apple TV feel more personal, more social, and more seamless, from karaoke nights with friends to a more cinematic TV browsing experience, as per a 9to5mac report. The update will roll out later this year as a free software upgrade, but if you're eager to try it early, you can install the beta now by going to Settings > System > Software Update > Get Beta Updates on your Apple TV. Here's what's new and how it feels to use, as described by is extending its new "Liquid Glass" visual style across its platforms, and now it's arriving on the big screen, as per the report. The update introduces subtle light-refraction and transparency effects that give the interface a smooth, glassy look, especially striking on OLED TVs, according to 9to5mac. Control Center overlays let media content shine through, and the home screen dock gently sparkles at the edges, as per the visual effects are only supported on second-generation Apple TV 4K (released in 2021) and newer, as reported by 9to5mac. Older models will still receive the update but will not get all the new features, according to the report. ALSO READ: Vince Gilligan's Pluribus, starring Rhea Seehorn to premiere on Apple TV—Release date, teaser, cast, plot and details you need to know!The TV app has also overhauled the design, as per the report. One major change: Apple has switched from landscape posters to portrait-style artwork for movies and shows, as reported by 9to5mac. The new layout feels more premium and makes room for more titles per row, making it quicker to browse through Apple TV+ and other content, according to Continue Watching queue now uses integrated cards that superimpose playback progress and text descriptions on top of imagery, and sleek visual treatments for the top 10 labels add additional visual flair, as reported by 9to5mac. ALSO READ: Tea App hacked days after becoming top free app on Apple's App Store - over 72,000 images leaked, impacting women seeking safety tvOS 26 brings a big upgrade to the Apple Music Sing experience. With a song playing on your Apple TV, nearby iPhones can now pair as wireless microphones, according to 9to5mac. Friends can sing into their phones and hear their vocals on the TV, layered over the music, as per the can also queue up songs from their iPhones, send emoji reactions, and play with voice effects, as per the report. Apple has also updated its Lyrics experience across platforms to include translations and pronunciation help for supported tracks, making it easier to connect with foreign-language music, according to the 9to5mac earlier versions of tvOS, switching profiles required holding the TV button on the remote and manually choosing a user, a step many forgot, as per the report. Now, tvOS 26 introduces a new setting that displays a 'Who's watching?' screen as soon as the Apple TV wakes up, as per the report. It's a small tweak that could make a big difference for households with multiple users. You can turn it on under Settings > Users and Accounts > Who's Watching?. However, third-party apps still don't reliably support user profiles, limiting its usefulness for now, as reported by 9to5mac. There are new aerial screensavers featuring dramatic landscapes from across India, and there is also an option to personalise which Aerials appear or remove ones you don't like, as per the gets a visual refresh with contact posters, and Live Captions are now available in more languages, according to 9to5mac. Phone and FaceTime audio notifications also show up on your Apple TV, letting you answer calls using connected HomePods or an iPhone, as reported by change is that you can now set any AirPlay 2 speaker, not just HomePods, as your default audio output, so your Apple TV stays connected to your preferred speakers automatically, according to the report. What is tvOS 26?It's the latest Apple TV software update that adds new features and a refreshed visual design. Can I install tvOS 26 now? Yes, it's available as a public beta. You can install it from Settings on your Apple TV.

Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels
Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels

Scottish Sun

time12-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Scottish Sun

Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels

The final trick could save you hundreds TELLY ME ABOUT IT TELLY ME ABOUT IT Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GOT a budget TV and want to make it better? There are some easy ways to upgrade it. There are loads of cheap telly models that come in at £200 to £300 – so if you'd rather not splash £2,000, you might as well super-charge the screen you've already got. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Want to turn your budget telly into a supercharged entertainment system? There are some easy ways to do it Credit: Samsung 8 High-end TVs are great if you've got the budget – but not everyone needs to splash out on a top model Credit: Samsung TV SETTINGS MAKEOVER First off, make sure that you're using the best picture settings for movie night. One major offender is Motion Smoothing, which you'll want to turn off if you're watching films. Videos are just lots of images shown very quickly. Your TV's refresh rate tells you how many times it does this per second. Modern TVs often have a refresh rate of 60Hz, meaning they refresh the image on screen every 60 seconds. But Hollywood flicks are typically produced at 24 frames per second. This mismatch is part of what gives movies their charm. But Motion Smoothing artificially inserts fake frames to bring content up to 60 frames per second. This means you'll end up with very smooth footage, which is great for fast-paced sport – but not for watching The Godfather. Look for settings like Motion Smoothing, Motion Interpolation, or Motion Plus, and turn them off for movie night. There's also another setting available on lots of TV brands called Filmmaker Mode. This will turn Motion Smoothing off itself, but also tweaks TV settings to look as good as possible for movies. Look out for that and switch it on. Amazon finally launches Luna streaming service in the US with free games for Prime members And finally, consider turning Power Saver Mode off. It's great for trimming energy bills, but it'll typically reduce brightness to limit power demand. So if you've got a movie you really want to watch, try turning Energy Saver features off. BOOST YOUR SPEED Budget TVs are a great way to save money – but it also means the telly maker has cut costs too. 8 Plugging in an Apple TV 4K is a far cheaper way to upgrade your telly than buying an ultra-high-end one Credit: Apple Often that means stuffing a very cheap (and not particularly powerful) processor inside. You'll experience that in the form of laggy menus, and channels and apps loading up slowly. There's no real way to fix this without upgrading your television, which is costly. So instead, just get around it – and by a speedy streaming gadget instead. If you bag yourself one of the more powerful plug-in streamers, like an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (£70) or an Apple TV 4K box (£149), you can dodge the issue entirely. That's because when your TV is using that streamer, it'll be running off the plug-in device's processor instead. So with an Apple TV 4K, you'll have extremely snappy menus that feel lightning fast compared to a budget telly. It's one of the easiest ways to upgrade a TV, and it's significantly cheaper than forking out for an uber luxe telly with a powerful processor inside. 8 You can also plug in an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for an easy upgrade Credit: Amazon BONUS HDMI PORTS Cheap gadget that gives you even more ports on TV If you've bought a TV in the past two decades, chances are that it has HDMI ports. These are the common ports that let you plug in other devices, like game consoles or a laptop via a cable. TVs typically come with between two and four of these, though sometimes you'll find more. 8 Make sure you have enough HDMI ports for your telly needs Credit: Samsung Sadly in the modern age, it's easy to run out of them. You might have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an Xbox, a Sky Stream, and the new Nintendo Switch 2. And if you've only got two ports, you're really going to struggle. One way to get around this is to buy a HDMI switch. It's a bit like a multi-plug extension cable for HDMI, letting you connect several gadgets to a single port. You can pick them up on Amazon from anywhere between £10 and £40, depending on the number of extra HDMI ports that you want. They'll usually come with a remote that lets you switch between the bonus ports. GET FREE CHANNELS TV feels like it's only getting more expensive. 8 Tubi recently launched in the UK and is one of the easiest ways to enjoy free TV without credit cards or sign-ups Credit: Tubi Think about the cost of Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and Now TV – and then whatever else you're paying for. Thankfully there are lots of ways to watch telly for free. In fact, I recently tested the best free TV apps to see which are worth your time. I was particularly impressed by Tubi and Plex, but there are plenty of other apps worth trying too. NETFLIX 2025 PRICE HIKES REVEALED Here's what you're now paying (and what you get)... Netflix Standard with Ads Price: £5.99 (up £1 from £4.99) Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games Watch on 2 supported devices at a time Watch in 1080p (Full HD) Download on 2 supported devices at a time Netflix Standard Price: £12.99 (Up £2 from £10.99) Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games Watch on 2 supported devices at a time Watch in 1080p (Full HD) Download on 2 supported devices at a time Option to add 1 extra member who doesn't live with you Netflix Premium Price: £18.99 (Up £1 from £17.99) Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games Watch on 4 supported devices at a time Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR Download on 6 supported devices at a time Option to add up to 2 extra members who don't live with you Netflix spatial audio Picture Credit: Netflix Pluto TV and Rakuten TV are both popular options, as well as Xumo Play (which is available on Sky boxes). All of these apps are totally free, but the catch is that you'll need to sit through ads. Of course paid apps like Netflix and Amazon Video are already showing ads on their cheapest streaming tiers. So if you can put up with ads, you'll be able to enjoy an absolute treasure trove of free telly. GAMING UPGRADE Free & cheap games to claim (including free Fortnite without console) If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can play top games without a console. It works through a service called Amazon Luna, which "streams" the games to you – a bit like Netflix, but more interactive. The Amazon Luna app is available on a load of devices including Amazon Fire TV models, plus a bunch of Samsung and LG televisions too. 8 Amazon Luna lets you play games over the internet – rather than needing a physical console Credit: Amazon You'll also need an Amazon Luna controller, or a PlayStation or Xbox joypad. Google's Stadia controller also works if you still have one. Then you can pair your controller to your TV and play games over the internet – no console required. Amazon makes a rolling selection of games available as part of Luna free for Prime members. 8 You can even play hit game Fortnite for free on your TV without a console if you're an Amazon Prime member Credit: Amazon And Fortnite is a long-term entrant on that list, so you can enjoy it as if you had a console. It's like having an Xbox or PS5 plugged in, but you don't need it.

Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels
Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels

The Irish Sun

time12-07-2025

  • The Irish Sun

Fast ways to make your cheap TV feel like a £2,000 super-telly – with better picture and loads of free channels

GOT a budget TV and want to make it better? There are some easy ways to upgrade it. There are loads of cheap telly models that come in at £200 to £300 – so if you'd rather not splash £2,000, you might as well super-charge the screen you've already got. Advertisement 8 Want to turn your budget telly into a supercharged entertainment system? There are some easy ways to do it Credit: Samsung 8 High-end TVs are great if you've got the budget – but not everyone needs to splash out on a top model Credit: Samsung TV SETTINGS MAKEOVER First off, make sure that you're using the best picture settings for movie night. One major offender is Videos are just lots of images shown very quickly. Your TV's refresh rate tells you how many times it does this per second. Modern TVs often have a refresh rate of 60Hz, meaning they refresh the image on screen every 60 seconds. But Hollywood flicks are typically produced at 24 frames per second. Advertisement Read more on TV tech This mismatch is part of what gives movies their charm. But Motion Smoothing artificially inserts fake frames to bring content up to 60 frames per second. This means you'll end up with very smooth footage, which is great for fast-paced sport – but not for watching The Godfather. Look for settings like Motion Smoothing, Motion Interpolation, or Motion Plus, and turn them off for movie night. There's also another setting available on lots of TV brands called Filmmaker Mode. Advertisement Most read in Phones & Gadgets Hot Deals This will turn Motion Smoothing off itself, but also tweaks TV settings to look as good as possible for movies. Look out for that and switch it on. Amazon finally launches Luna streaming service in the US with free games for Prime members And finally, consider turning Power Saver Mode off. It's great for trimming energy bills , but it'll typically reduce brightness to limit power demand. Advertisement So if you've got a movie you really want to watch, try turning Energy Saver features off. BOOST YOUR SPEED Budget TVs are a great way to save money – but it also means the telly maker has cut costs too. 8 Plugging in an Apple TV 4K is a far cheaper way to upgrade your telly than buying an ultra-high-end one Credit: Apple Often that means stuffing a very cheap (and not particularly powerful) processor inside. Advertisement You'll experience that in the form of laggy menus, and channels and apps loading up slowly. There's no real way to fix this without upgrading your television, which is costly. So instead, just get around it – and by a speedy streaming gadget instead. If you bag yourself one of the more powerful plug-in streamers, like an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (£70) or an Advertisement That's because when your TV is using that streamer, it'll be running off the plug-in device's processor instead. So with an Apple TV 4K, you'll have extremely snappy menus that feel lightning fast compared to a budget telly. It's one of the easiest ways to upgrade a TV, and it's significantly cheaper than forking out for an uber luxe telly with a powerful processor inside. 8 You can also plug in an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for an easy upgrade Credit: Amazon Advertisement BONUS HDMI PORTS Cheap gadget that gives you even more ports on TV If you've bought a TV in the past two decades, chances are that it has HDMI ports. These are the common ports that let you plug in other devices, like game consoles or a laptop via a cable. TVs typically come with between two and four of these, though sometimes you'll find more. Advertisement 8 Make sure you have enough HDMI ports for your telly needs Credit: Samsung Sadly in the modern age, it's easy to run out of them. You might have an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an Xbox, a Sky Stream, and the new Nintendo Switch 2. And if you've only got two ports, you're really going to struggle. Advertisement One way to get around this is to buy a HDMI switch. It's a bit like a multi-plug extension cable for HDMI, letting you connect several gadgets to a single port. You can pick them up on Amazon from anywhere between £10 and £40, depending on the number of extra HDMI ports that you want. They'll usually come with a remote that lets you switch between the bonus ports. Advertisement GET FREE CHANNELS TV feels like it's only getting more expensive. 8 Tubi recently launched in the UK and is one of the easiest ways to enjoy free TV without credit cards or sign-ups Credit: Tubi Think about the cost of Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and Now TV – and then whatever else you're paying for. Thankfully there are lots of ways to watch telly for free. Advertisement In fact, I recently tested the I was particularly impressed by Tubi and Plex, but there are plenty of other apps worth trying too. NETFLIX 2025 PRICE HIKES REVEALED Here's what you're now paying (and what you get)... Netflix Standard with Ads Price: £5.99 (up £1 from £4.99) Ad-supported, all but a few movies and TV shows available, unlimited mobile games Watch on 2 supported devices at a time Watch in 1080p (Full HD) Download on 2 supported devices at a time Netflix Standard Price: £12.99 (Up £2 from £10.99) Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games Watch on 2 supported devices at a time Watch in 1080p (Full HD) Download on 2 supported devices at a time Option to add 1 extra member who doesn't live with you Netflix Premium Price: £18.99 (Up £1 from £17.99) Unlimited ad-free movies, TV shows, and mobile games Watch on 4 supported devices at a time Watch in 4K (Ultra HD) + HDR Download on 6 supported devices at a time Option to add up to 2 extra members who don't live with you Netflix spatial audio Picture Credit: Netflix Pluto TV and Rakuten TV are both popular options, as well as Xumo Play (which is available on Sky boxes). All of these apps are totally free, but the catch is that you'll need to sit through ads. Advertisement Of course paid apps like Netflix and Amazon Video are already showing ads on their cheapest streaming tiers. So if you can put up with ads, you'll be able to enjoy an absolute treasure trove of free telly. GAMING UPGRADE Free & cheap games to claim (including free Fortnite without console) If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can play top games without a console. Advertisement It works through a service called the games to you – a bit like Netflix, but more interactive. The Amazon Luna app is available on a load of devices including Amazon Fire TV models, plus a bunch of Samsung and LG televisions too. 8 Amazon Luna lets you play games over the internet – rather than needing a physical console Credit: Amazon You'll also need an Amazon Luna controller, or a PlayStation or Xbox joypad. Advertisement Google's Stadia controller also works if you still have one. Then you can pair your controller to your TV and play games over the internet – no console required. Amazon makes a rolling selection of games available as part of Luna free for Prime members. 8 You can even play hit game Fortnite for free on your TV without a console if you're an Amazon Prime member Credit: Amazon Advertisement And Fortnite is a long-term entrant on that list, so you can enjoy it as if you had a console. It's like having an Xbox or PS5 plugged in, but you don't need it.

iPad Fold 'On Hold' Apple Stock (NASDAQ:AAPL) Gains Despite Device Delay
iPad Fold 'On Hold' Apple Stock (NASDAQ:AAPL) Gains Despite Device Delay

Business Insider

time03-07-2025

  • Business
  • Business Insider

iPad Fold 'On Hold' Apple Stock (NASDAQ:AAPL) Gains Despite Device Delay

So, long-time watchers of consumer electronics giant Apple (AAPL) know that Apple has been pursuing foldable devices for some time now. And one of these devices is apparently on track. That cannot be said for a different model, though. The end result is a net positive for Apple investors, who sent shares up over 2% in the closing minutes of Wednesday afternoon's trading. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. We know that Apple is planning to debut the foldable iPhone in 2026, at last report. And that launch date looks like it is on track to happen. However, the same cannot be said for the foldable iPad, also known as the iPad Fold. Development on that device has been put on hold, reports noted, and the reasons why may surprise you. Apparently, the iPad Fold is running into manufacturing issues, as well as mounting production expenses thanks to that foldable display that makes an iPad Fold an iPad Fold. But worse yet, there is flagging customer interest in the 'larger foldable devices' like the iPad Fold. Between the fact that the iPad Fold is a lot more expensive to make than expected, and there is less demand for it than expected, the end result is a project that is at least stalled, and potentially, dead altogether. Perfect Timing However, a separate report noted that the Apple TV 4K may be coming out at the perfect moment. Apple TV may have plenty of longevity—the earliest models actually preceded the iPhone, reports note—but it was not always an attractive buy. However, the new Apple TV 4K, due out this fall, could be Apple's first home entertainment release that goes mainstream. The new Apple TV 4K is eminently affordable, with a price tag of just $129. But it also releases into a crowded market, as most televisions these days serve as their own streaming app hubs. Two factors could change this for Apple, reports note, as Apple TV+ is proving an increasing success and viewers grow more frustrated with their advertising content. With competitors pushing more and more advertising content on viewers, viewers may want a simpler, less-cluttered experience. For that, they can turn to Apple. Is Apple a Buy, Hold or Sell? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on AAPL stock based on 15 Buys, 10 Holds and three Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 6.2% loss in its share price over the past year, the average AAPL price target of $224.22 per share implies 5.49% upside potential.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store