New FCC filing offers clues about future Apple TV

According to an FCC filing published Jan. 29, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) may soon release an updated version of the Apple TV.

Details are vague, but several publications noted that the physical specifications of the proposed new model were slightly smaller than the current version. The filing indicated the updated Apple TV would be 93.78 mm square, whereas the most recently released version is 98 mm square. A spokesperson for Apple, however, told The Verge the newer version would be the same size as the third-generation Apple TV.

The spokesperson added, "We sometimes make component changes which require an updated model number for regulatory approval," saying the changes "don't affect product features and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience."

Conspicuously absent from the statement was any mention of what the component change might be whenever the newest Apple TV is released. AnandTech's Brian Klug examined the proposed product's specifications and found evidence that the newest version might have an upgraded A5X chip which would replace the "weaker" A5 SoC.

A separate story in The Verge suggested this would be "a curious choice" because of the chip's relatively large size, but speculated Apple might be trying to use up a stash of A5X chips left over from third-generation iPads, since the fourth-generation iPad uses an A6X processor.

For more:
- see this story from The Verge
- check out this other article from The Verge
- read the AnandTech story

Related articles:
Apple expands Siri, iTunes Match with iOS 6.1 update
Apple sells 47.8M iPhones, 22.9M iPads, misses analyst estimates
Apple, Hearst offer magazines on iPad before print publication