Whether or not Apple is going to launch a new Apple TV set-top box remains to be seen. But the latest changes Apple made behind the scenes could suggest something is changing in the near future.
As first reported today by MacRumors, Apple has made some changes to tvOS in the latest beta for the set-top box. Earlier today, Apple seeded the fifth beta of tvOS 14.5 to developers and while there are no major changes in the mix, there are some noteworthy tweaks.
First up, the fact that Apple is decided now is the time to make a name change for “Siri Remote”. Apple has removed any mentions of “Siri Remote” in the set-top box’s software, replacing it with “Apple Remote” across the OS. It might not be a huge change, though. Apple has used the Siri Remote in favor of the Apple TV Remote in countries where Siri functionality is not available on the Apple TV.
The change is happening in areas where, previously, Apple used the Siri Remote instead. But now any and all references to the Siri Remote appear to be on the way out. Does this mean that Apple is planing on refreshing the Apple TV with a more straightforward brand name for the remote? It’s certainly possible. The company may just be doing some housekeeping, too.
That’s not all Apple changed, though.
Within the “Remote and Devices” section in tvOS 14.5, the “Home Button” has been renamed to “TV Button”. But it appears it’s just a name change and nothing more. At the time of publication, it appears that all of the functionality remains the same. However, as noted in the original report it, it could certainly be another sign that a bigger change is in the works.
We’re still waiting on that Apple TV refresh. But maybe we’re inching closer to its arrival.