It's been more than two years since Apple last updated Apple TV, adding 4K compatibility to the streaming box for the first time.

Now it looks like a new model could be released in the coming weeks, as a new product code has been identified in a beta for Apple's tvOS 13.4 operating system.

Read more:

Released to developers this week, tvOS 13.4 is not expected to be a major update for Apple TV software - which will come with tvOS 14 in the fall. But the update includes references to a version of Apple TV that is not yet for sale.

Distributed by 9to5Mac, the software includes references to an Apple TV codenamed T1125. This is different from the current model, which uses the code J105a, and the website suggests that the use of a T in the name refers to an internal prototype used by Apple itself.

What this means is that Apple is testing a prototype of a new version of Apple TV and had to add its code name to tvOS 13.4 beta in order for it to work with the latest operating system.

Apple TV can be configured as a HomeKit hubApple

It was also discovered that this prototype uses hardware based on the arm64e architecture, which is used by Apple's A12 and A13 Bionic processors, as found in the latest iPhone and iPads. These are significantly stronger than the aging A10 Fusion chip used by today's Apple TV.

A new version of Apple TV will likely use this extra performance to make the most of the new Apple Arcade game catalog. It may also mean improved image quality for TV and movies, however, the beta suggests that the prototype continues to run at the same Ultra HD resolution with HDR as the Apple TV 4K at present.

At GearBrain, we're excited to see if Apple will move into the smart home space, improving its HomeKit platform and turning Apple TV into a smart home and central control center. To date, despite more HomeKit-compatible devices than have been available so far, Apple is still playing a second role in the face of market leaders Amazon and Google.

With the recent launch of its rival Apple TV + Netflix service, it makes sense for the iPhone maker to bring a new, more powerful streaming box to the market. Apple is tending to host a product launch event in the spring, so this might be when the new product comes, possibly alongside the low price and long rumored iPhone SE2.