Now we may have a look at what is coming later this year. This week Apple released a new TVOS beta, and Forbes found something interesting that could point to a new feature of the Apple TV.
According to Forbes, Apple has added support for HEVC, a standard that is mean to cut the amount of data that is used when streaming. This new standard will help users with a data cap stream more without going over their data cap. It will also help Apple to compete with other devices like Roku and the Fire TV who have supported HEVC for several years now.
In December Netflix announced it would adopt the VP9 standard that does the same thing but works differently. Netflix is currently in the process of converting its content over to VP9 to reduce data consumption when streaming. Currently YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and others use VP9.
VP9 is also supported by Chrome, Android, Opera, Firefox, and Edge browsers. VP9 is widely used on smart TVs from Samsung, Sharp, Sony, LG, and more. Many streaming media players such as Roku and the Nvidia Shield already support VP9.
Now there is one big name that is using the HEVC standard and that is Amazon Video. This adoption of HEVC is likely a big part of why Amazon Video is coming to the Apple TV.
There are players out there that support HEVC already. Roku, which once again is showing that it will support almost anything, along with the Xbox One and Amazon’s Fire TV.
No matter who wins—whether it be HEVC or Google’s VP9—cord cutters will be the big winners by streaming more and using less data.
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