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Apple is working on a new Apple TV 4K with changes that could make voice commands and remote tracking easier, according to a report from The Verge, which cited Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
The streaming box may get a built-in microphone, and the redesigned Siri Remote could carry a small speaker to help users find it when it goes missing. Apple is expected to show off the new hardware alongside a refreshed HomePod mini at its October 13 event, with both devices reaching stores on October 30.
Right now, Apple TV owners speak into the Siri Remote or rely on a nearby HomePod to use voice commands. A microphone built into the Apple TV itself would let people talk to Siri without picking up the remote first. This could also pull the Apple TV deeper into the smart home.
Owners might adjust a thermostat or check a smart lock just by speaking, without searching for the remote. Apple has reportedly tested this microphone feature, though it is not yet clear whether it will make it into the final product.
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The new Siri Remote may also solve a common annoyance. A built-in speaker could sound an alert when the remote is lost on the couch or under a pile of blankets, so owners can follow the noise instead of patting down every cushion.
The report also suggests that the new Apple TV could use Apple's A19 chip instead of the A15 Bionic, potentially providing more processing power for Siri and other AI features. .
Pricing and final specs have not been confirmed, and it remains unclear if the microphone feature will ship at launch. Apple's October 13 event should offer more clarity on what the next Apple TV and HomePod mini will actually include.
