[noggin]

The A8 chip that is currently in the Apple TV is capable of playing 4k video, and the HDMI port on the Apple TV is HDMI 1.4, which is capable of delivering 4k at 30hz. The hardware is likely there to achieve 4k, its the lack of 4k content on iTunes that can compete with Netflix or Amazon streaming services that is likely preventing Apple from saying that the Apple TV supports 4k at this time.

My guess is that sometime in the next 8 months Apple will announce streaming support for 4k through iTunes and that the current Apple TV now has that functionality. HDMI 2.0 is only really necessary if you're trying to watch sports or play games, neither of which are going to be possible on any streaming box.

Though HDCP may be an issue. Are rights holders going to like high quality 4K content being carried over a non-HDCP 2.2 link? (Though presumably HDCP 2.2 could potentially be added in a firmware/software update?)

[ubermac]

Hopefully the ATV4 will open up for 4K at some point and with KODI on it as an app, I think it could be quite nice upgrade from an old 1080p NUC.

What I do not get is all the boasting about faster graphics than consoles and most PC's and all they want is casual gaming on it? Why not take a stab at the console market and provide a real controller instead of using the remote and additional iPhones/iPods?

Still room for improvement...

Voila...

[Martijn]

Hopefully the ATV4 will open up for 4K at some point and with KODI on it as an app, I think it could be quite nice upgrade from an old 1080p NUC.

What I do not get is all the boasting about faster graphics than consoles and most PC's and all they want is casual gaming on it? Why not take a stab at the console market and provide a real controller instead of using the remote and additional iPhones/iPods?

Still room for improvement...

Not sure if you followed the news but the "old" NUC is getting a serious power boost by some work being done.
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=231955

[-Slick-]

The real question is will it support true 24p (23.976) framerate? I have my doubts, but I can dream can't I?

[Topken]

Hopefully the ATV4 will open up for 4K at some point and with KODI on it as an app, I think it could be quite nice upgrade from an old 1080p NUC.

What I do not get is all the boasting about faster graphics than consoles and most PC's and all they want is casual gaming on it? Why not take a stab at the console market and provide a real controller instead of using the remote and additional iPhones/iPods?

Still room for improvement...

Voila...

All you are going to see are causal games becuase of this one fact http://www.destructoid.com/apple-tv-game...1006.phtml

Controllers cannot be mandatory

When Apple announced the new Apple TV last week, the company indicated game designers would be able to create experiences that require third-party controllers. This would have allowed for games with intricate control systems, opening up a bounty of possibilities for gaming on Apple TV.

However, the company has since made an about-face on the subject, deciding to require developers to support the set-top box's packed-in Siri Remote, which relies on an accelerometer, gyroscope, and touch surface -- a not exactly ideal set of inputs to manipulate most console-style games.

Dedicated gaming controllers can still be used as an option, but their functionality will be hamstrung by the limitations of the Siri Remote, which, again, Apple is requiring its developers to support.

It seems the company would rather Apple TV owners be able to play the device's entire library of games without needing to purchase any third-party equipment than sell games with more complex inputs that only a subset of the user base will be able to play. So maybe the doomsday prophets out there predicting this machine spells the end for dedicated gaming consoles should cool their jets.

Apple will release the new gaming-enabled set-top box in late October, starting at $149.

Working with Game Controllers [Apple via Touch Arcade]

[Soli]

Not surprising as they want the siri remote to gai momentum in the beginning. Maybe they'll loosen up the requirement after a while. Besides, there's a difference between "supports" in a really ackward way and "really supports", and the guidelines don't say that the siri remote suppport has to be any good or intuitive .. (come on, the demo of the 2 people playing frogger was ackward..)

[Ned Scott]

I think people are reading too far into it. Touch Arcade saying things like "Dedicated gaming controllers can still be used as an option, but their functionality will be hamstrung by the limitations of the Siri Remote" is nonsense. All Apple is requiring is that you are able to start the game and have some functionality without a controller.

[RockerC]

I think people are reading too far into it. Touch Arcade saying things like "Dedicated gaming controllers can still be used as an option, but their functionality will be hamstrung by the limitations of the Siri Remote" is nonsense. All Apple is requiring is that you are able to start the game and have some functionality without a controller.

Would suspect that Apple just use their official Game Controller Framework (even if they had to update it for tvOS and iOS 9):

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=204398

Apple introduced an official Game Controller Framework + API from iOS 7 and OS X 10.9
http://www.mactrast.com/2013/06/apple-to...mavericks/
http://www.raywenderlich.com/66532/ios-7...r-tutorial

Would it be possible for you to add joystick / gamepad support of it in RetroPlayer?

You can find that developers documentation in the Apple Game Controller Programming Guide here
https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/...ction.html
https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/...efColl.pdf

This should enable native support for joysticks and gamepads under iOS and Mac OS X

I mean, why would Apple not use their own Game Controller Framework and want more devs to use it?


EDIT: Looks like Apple did indeed update their official Game Controller Framework for tvOS and iOS 9 earlier this month, see:

https://developer.apple.com/library/prer...llers.html
https://developer.apple.com/library/prer...index.html
https://developer.apple.com/tvos/human-i...teraction/
https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/17355

SteelSeries Nimbus is the reference game controller and the first official gamepad to support Apple TV with tvOS:

https://steelseries.com/gaming-controllers/nimbus

[PantsOnFire]

I think people are reading too far into it. Touch Arcade saying things like "Dedicated gaming controllers can still be used as an option, but their functionality will be hamstrung by the limitations of the Siri Remote" is nonsense. All Apple is requiring is that you are able to start the game and have some functionality without a controller.

Exactly this! Just because a game requires that you're able to use the Siri remote, that doesn't mean the same game CANNOT use a proper gamepad! The developer still has the option to make the game work with a proper controller!

[cashxx]

Anyone heard anything on this? Just posted asking if Kodi was coming to Apple TV 4 and it got closed, search other threads. Searched and all I can find is the same questions and the same closing response of the thread besides this one.

If Plex is allowed I can't see why Kodi wouldn't be.

[jjd-uk]

So you somehow completey missed this which is stickied in the ios forum http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=238524

[touser]

So you somehow completey missed this which is stickied in the ios forum http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=238524

Does this mean that assuming a port happens, and assuming apple opens up free developer accounts for the appletv, we should be able to "side load" kodi in the future without a jailbreak?

[MrMC]

https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/17278

"You are able to run/install builds signed with ad hoc developer profiles on the new Apple TV hardware via Xcode, much as you would with an iPhone or iPad." answer direct from Apple.

[wrxtasy]

In plain English:

At the moment you are able to install Kodi on to iOS9.x on a non-jailbroken device if:

- You are signed up the Apple Developers Program (this is now free)
- Download and install XCode v7.x + for whichever flavour of OSX you are running on your Mac
- Can follow compile instruction, from Team Kodi found here:
https://github.com/xbmc/xbmc/blob/master...DME.ios#L1

Apple TV OS is locked down tighter than a Swiss Bank Vault. I seriously doubt the ATV4 will ever be jailbroken as Apple have already proven for years now with the ATV3.
Consequently Kodi, even after it is ported for ATV OS compatibility will not be an easy install for the average Kodi user. Users will have to get their hands dirty and self compile, sign and install Kodi and actually learn something in the process.

[touser]

Consequently Kodi, even after it is ported for ATV OS compatibility will not be an easy install for the average Kodi user. Users will have to get their hands dirty and self compile, sign and install Kodi and actually learn something in the process.

Great! I currently do this for a couple other ios apps apple doesn't allow in the store. It's really not difficult if proper instructions are posted for users to follow.