The folks at 9to5 mac have stumbled across further proof that Apple is set to launch a new Apple TV set-top box at some point this year. The Apple centric tech blog has located a reference to the next-generation Apple TV inside of iOS 7 software builds.
According to the report:
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The reference is inside of an Apple TV framework related to the device’s AirPlay functionality. The mention of the next Apple TV is the highlighted “AppleTV4,1.” The current Apple TV is “AppleTV3,2″ while “3,1″ is the 1080P model introduced in March 2012, and 2,1 is the first iOS model introduced in September 2010.
The reference to the next-generation Apple TV 4,1 first appeared in iOS 7.0 in September, but the reference has not been unearthed until now. The sighting of Apple TV 4,1 is confirmation that the new device is in the works. The nomenclature also indicates that the new Apple TV model will remain as part of the Apple TV product family. The jump from 3,2 to 4,1 also confirms that the device will see notable changes in terms of internal components.
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Last month, 9to5 mac reported that Apple will be launching a revamped Apple TV set-top-box in the first half of 2014. The set-top box will reportedly feature AirPort Express-like functionality, a form of enhanced iOS gaming integration, and a TV tuner component for connecting to existing cable setups, the report said.
