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Apple has stood out for years with its exceptionally long support for its devices. This applied not only to iPhones and Mac computers but also to Apple TV units. Now, for the first time, the company has decided to end the rollout of major updates for some models. This means that tvOS 27 will not be available on Apple TV HD and the first generation of Apple TV 4K. Although the devices will not lose their functionality, their users will have to come to terms with the lack of new features offered by future versions of the system.
Two Apple TV models end a long history of updates
Apple TV HD debuted back in 2015 and received regular updates to tvOS for over a decade. This is an impressive achievement even by Apple standards. The same applies to the first-generation Apple TV 4K, which remained supported alongside newer devices for years. However, with the release of tvOS 27, that situation will change. Apple has officially confirmed that the new version of the system will be available only for the second and third generations of Apple TV 4K. Initially, the developer documentation suggested otherwise, but the information was later corrected. For users of older devices, this does not mean an absolute end to support. Apple can still publish security patches and bug-fix updates. The set-top boxes will also retain access to streaming apps and all existing features. However, there will be no new solutions introduced in subsequent system releases. This is standard practice employed by most electronics manufacturers. Nevertheless, the decision may come as a surprise to some users, especially since older models still perform well with basic tasks. In practice, Apple is closing a chapter in the history of its multimedia devices.
Apple may be laying the groundwork for a new generation of AI features
There could be several reasons for ending support for older models. One of the most significant seems to be hardware limitations. Even in earlier versions of tvOS, some new features were unavailable on older devices due to less efficient processors. The situation may become even more complicated with the development of artificial intelligence. Reports about the plans for Apple Intelligence and a more advanced version of Siri on additional devices from the company are becoming increasingly common. Such features require significantly greater computing power than traditional system solutions. That is why there has been talk for some time about a new generation of Apple TV 4K equipped with a modern chip. More powerful hardware could not only support AI functions but also run more demanding games already known from iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It is also worth noting that Apple is increasingly developing its ecosystem towards a common platform for various devices. This raises the hardware requirements consistently. The limitation of support for older models may, therefore, be part of a larger plan. The company is likely seeking to focus the development of tvOS on devices capable of supporting upcoming technologies. Everything indicates that the coming months will bring more information about the new generation of Apple TV and the future of the tvOS system.
Apple TV HD and the first generation Apple TV 4K will not receive an update to tvOS 27. While the devices will still function and retain access to the most important features, their development has essentially come to an end. The decision may be related to plans to implement new technologies, including features based on artificial intelligence. For users of older models, this marks the beginning of a time to start thinking about a future hardware upgrade.
source: flatpanelshd
