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Apple has stood out for years with exceptionally long support for its devices. This applied not only to iPhones and Mac computers but also to Apple TV set-top boxes. Now, for the first time, the company has decided to end major updates for some models. This means that tvOS 27 will not be released for 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 absence of new features offered by subsequent versions of the system.
Two Apple TV models end a long history of updates
Apple TV HD debuted back in 2015 and has regularly received new versions of the tvOS for over a decade. This is an impressive achievement even by Apple's standards. The same can be said for the first generation Apple TV 4K, which has remained supported alongside newer devices for years. However, with the launch of tvOS 27, things will change. Apple has officially confirmed that the new version of the operating system will only be available for the second and third generation Apple TV 4K. Initially, the documentation for developers suggested otherwise, but this information was later corrected. For users of older devices, this does not mean an absolute end to support. Apple may still release security patches and updates that fix bugs. The devices 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, however, Apple is closing a certain 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 previous versions of tvOS, some new features were not available on older devices due to less powerful processors. The situation may become even more complicated with the development of artificial intelligence. Reports are increasingly emerging about plans to implement Apple Intelligence and a more advanced version of Siri on the company's other devices. Such features require significantly more computational power than traditional system solutions. This is precisely why there has been talk for some time about a new generation of Apple TV 4K equipped with a modern chip. A more powerful device could not only support AI features but also run more demanding games already familiar from iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It is also worth noting that Apple is increasingly developing its ecosystem towards a unified platform for various devices. This means that hardware requirements are constantly increasing. So, limiting support for older models could be part of a larger plan. The company likely wants to focus the development of tvOS on devices capable of handling upcoming technologies. All signs indicate 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. Although the devices will continue to function and retain access to the most important features, their development has practically 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 when it is worth starting to consider a future hardware upgrade.
source: flatpanelshd
