Apple's annual iPhone reveal event in September isn't always just about iPhones, and recent reports indicate Apple could have a few more hardware upgrades to announce very soon.
After discovering references hidden in software code, MacRumors reported on several unannounced Apple products, one of which included an Apple TV 4K streaming box with an upgraded A17 Pro chip.
Reports say a new Apple TV 4K box is coming this year. David Katzmaier/CNET
The A17 Pro chip was released with the iPhone 15 Pro models. It includes a six-core GPU that can handle graphics for high-budget and high-profile video games -- the type of games you usually find only on desktop computers and gaming consoles.
The discovery amplifies past reports from Bloomberg that Apple has been planning on upgrading the box by the end of the year. If true, Apple could roll it out alongside an iPhone 17 or wait until later in the fall.
It's also reported that Apple's next TV streaming box will have an Apple-made chip for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, allowing for faster wireless speeds and reduced interference with accessories like headphones. It's yet another element that could improve the machine for high-performance gaming, but it could also make the Apple TV box better at managing a network of smart-home gadgets.
In this week's One More Thing video, embedded above, I explain why adding a few more chips to this little box could mean big things for Apple's future, including positioning the next Apple TV to become a true gaming console.
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