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iPad Now More Fun with Apple TV

by Ava on September 2, 2010

Since the same ARM A4 processor found on the iPod Touch, iPad, and the new iPhone 4 is present on the latest smaller version of the Apple TV, it is but fitting that it should also be able to stream high definition videos and that what was recently announced thanks again to the breakthrough processor. In fact, Apple is so proud of this new innovation that on the specs page of the Apple TV, the A4 processor is notably announced and promoted, even having its own column. Consequently, Steve Jobs himself, Apple’s Chief Executive, in his defining speech on the day of the Apple TV’s newest enhancement announcement that even the iPod Touch currently utilizes the same processor even though it does not show on its specification page.

It is noteworthy to know that the previous version of the Apple TV ran on an Intel developed processor which includes a one hundred GB hard drive. And the entry of the processor A4 occurred with the iPad and its research and development came about because of the acquisition of two major chip developers PA Semi and Intrinsity. This makes the Apple TV the very first device running on the A4 processor that does not have access to the App Store. Although there were speculations prior to last week’s announcement on the new Apple TV processor that the App Store might be made available to the iTV but there was nothing about it mentioned on the announcement.

State of the art video and audio capabilities are built in on the new Apple TV which includes 720p high definition HDMI video output with the earsplitting 5.1 surround sound audio. Separate optical audio is also made available to conform to receivers that do not have the 5.1 audio capabilities over HDMI, making the Apple TV a gadget that will run on almost all types of audio and video specifications.

And because the Apple TV does not have a storage device built in, what you can do is rent and then stream content using its Ethernet port and the 802.11B/G/N Wi-Fi. The TV, for additional support, is also equipped with an internal infrared receiver and a micro-USB port.

With this move, Intel saw the downslide of its future in the non-computer design arena, losing three sockets in the Apple TV in the process. Before the advent of the A4 processor, the iTV was practically running on an Intel M-class chip and two supporting chips powered by an Intel memory controller.