Is Apple getting ready to launch a PlayStation and Xbox competitor?
However, when it comes to being a device meant to sit at the center of your living room as an all-encompassing entertainment hub, the Apple TV is lacking in one big department: gaming. The Apple TV is technically a gaming console, since it can play rudimentary games and supports third-party console controllers. But no one is likely to replace their PlayStation or Xbox with one any time soon, because the current Apple TV lacks the processing power to run console-quality games.
Yet perhaps that could be changing. Recently, I've noticed that Apple has been making moves that suggest the company may be on the cusp of turning the Apple TV into a full-blown PlayStation and Xbox competitor. Doing so would open up another potential billion-dollar revenue stream for the company.
The new Apple Games app is currently MIA from tvOS 26
At Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year, the company unveiled a new cross-device app called Apple Games. The app acts as a central hub and launcher for all the games you've ever bought on Apple's App Store or have access to via the company's Apple Arcade subscription service.
The Apple Games app also gives you quick access to game events and challenges, and helps you discover new games to play and see what games your friends are playing. In other words, the new Apple Games app is similar to the PlayStation 5 Game Hub and the Xbox Dashboard —the interfaces on the consoles that significantly differentiate the living room gaming experience from PCs.
Apple announced that Apple Games is coming to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 this fall. But the new app is conspicuously absent from the Apple TV's next operating system, tvOS 26, which also ships this fall. This is a notable omission, especially considering that Apple markets its Apple Arcade gaming service as a core feature of the Apple TV experience. It also offers thousands of mobile-level games through the tvOS App Store.
The more I think about the Apple Games omission from tvOS 26, the more it makes sense—if Apple is set to turn the Apple TV into a true gaming console but doesn't want anyone to know it yet.
The next Apple TV is rumored to have two key hardware improvements essential to top-line gaming consoles
Apple doesn't update the Apple TV as often as it does iPhones or even its iPads. Typically, years pass between Apple TV updates. The most recent Apple TV, the Apple TV 4K, was last updated in November 2022, nearly three years ago. That means it's ripe for an update this year.
Rumors suggest that a new Apple TV is indeed coming later this year and that it will feature two significant hardware upgrades—ones that would enable it to become a true gaming console.
The first is an updated chipset. The current Apple TV 4K features the Apple A15 Bionic chip, the same one found in the iPhone 13 from 2021. Most people expect the next Apple TV to get a significant upgrade—perhaps to the A18 or A18 Pro, found in the current iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro series, or perhaps even the unreleased A19 chip, which will go into this year's iPhone 17 series. It's also possible Apple could put the M1 or M2 chip, previously found in Macs and iPads, into the new Apple TV.
This jump from the A15 to the A18, A19, M1, or M2 would give the Apple TV the performance boost it needs to run AAA console games, such as the Resident Evil series from Capcom, which are currently capable of running (with controller support, no less) on the iPhone 15 Pro, thanks to its A17 Pro chip.
Another upgrade the next Apple TV is expected to get is a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipset that will support the Wi-Fi 7 standard (via MacRumors). This standard offers lower latency and faster Wi-Fi speeds than the current Wi-Fi 6 standard—something critical for gaming consoles and the bandwidth-hungry games that stream to them. The leading games console, the PlayStation 5 Pro, currently offers Wi-Fi 7 support.
In other words, the hardware components Apple needs to turn the next Apple TV into a PlayStation and Xbox competitor are all in the pipeline. And, increasingly, so is something else the Apple TV would need to become a true gaming console: increasing commitment to Apple's platforms from major games studios.
More AAA games are hitting the Mac—and iPhone—than ever before
In the video game industry, the top games are known as AAA (triple-A) titles. These are the games with the most advanced graphics and the biggest budgets, and are frequently the highlights of the console gaming experience.
Historically, AAA game developers have shied away from releasing their major titles on the Mac (the Apple device with the hardware power most comparable to professional gaming consoles). But in the past year, that's changed a lot, thanks to Apple's move to make game development on the Mac easier and more cost-effective than ever, thanks to tools like the company's Game Porting Toolkit 3 and the hardware-accelerated graphics API, Metal 4, which makes graphics-intensive games look better on Mac and iPhone. Considering Apple devices are more popular than ever, game studios stand to financially benefit by bringing their biggest titles to Apple's platforms and their millions of users.
In July alone, two major AAA titles made their debut on the Mac: CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate and Deep Silver's Dead Island 2. Other major AAA titles have also been released on the Mac over the past few years, including Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Shadows and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Remedy's Control Ultimate Edition, Kojima Productions' Death Stranding Director's Cut, Round 8 Studio's Lies of P, 11 Bit Studios' Frostpunk 2, and Capcom's Resident Evil series remastered editions. Additionally, more AAA titles are coming to the Mac this year, including IO Interactive's Hitman World of Assassination, InZOI Studio's InZOI, and Pearl Abyss' Crimson Desert.
Most of these games require an M1 series chip or later, found in the company's Apple Silicon Macs released since 2020. Some, like the Resident Evil series, can even run on the A17 Pro and later, first introduced in 2023. Apple's current A18 Pro is roughly equivalent to the M1 in terms of performance, and if Apple puts it, the M1 or M2, or the upcoming A19 Pro, inside the next Apple TV, as expected, there is no reason these AAA games that currently run on the Mac couldn't run on the new Apple TV. And if that happens, the Apple TV becomes a professional-level gaming console.
Turning the Apple TV into a gaming console makes sense for Apple's ecosystem and the company's bottom line
When Apple announced the upcoming Apple Games app for all its devices except the Apple TV, it stood out as a glaring hole in the company's lineup, especially since Apple Games is a natural fit for the Apple TV. But when you take in the odd omission, along with recent rumors that the next Apple TV is set to get powerful new CPU and wireless chipsets, and the flood of new AAA titles hitting the Mac and iPhone this year, things start to look a lot clearer.
Yet something else leads me to believe that Apple could be turning the Apple TV into a gaming console this year: the company's history of being unwilling to let software announcements spoil new hardware features.
In the past, Apple has withheld software announcements at WWDC to avoid revealing upcoming hardware improvements to its devices. The AAA titles available on the Mac appear in Apple Games on the macOS 26 beta. If Apple had previewed Apple Games on the tvOS 26 beta, Mac games that run on the new unreleased Apple TV, including these AAA titles, might have also shown there. That would spoil a major, as-yet-unannounced feature for the as-yet-unannounced Apple TV.
Of course, all this is just conjecture on my part. Still, all the signs seem to be pointing to Apple TV becoming a true gaming console. This would make a lot of business sense for Apple. At price points of $129 or $149, depending on whether you want more storage and an ethernet connection, the current Apple TV 4K is much more expensive than such competitors as the Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($49), the Roku Ultra ($99), and the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($49).
However, if Apple gives the new Apple TV gaming console capabilities, the current $129/$149 price suddenly looks like a bargain. A triple-A gaming experience on the Apple TV would be a unique selling point that Roku or Amazon couldn't compete with.
It could also give Apple a major new revenue stream in the form of 30% App Store commissions on AAA titles sold through the tvOS App Store. As of 2024, the global AAA gaming market is valued at approximately $75 billion annually, according to a July 2025 Business Research Insights report. It's expected to grow to nearly $108 billion by 2033.
But most of all, a new Apple TV with console gaming capabilities would further solidify the device as the digital heart of the living room and smart home, giving users another reason to stay within Apple's ecosystem, both inside and outside the house—an ancillary benefit Apple likely finds invaluable.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
You Will Be Forever Frustrated Trying To Figure Out What Is Happening In These 21 Confusing Photos We Found This Week
Hello again, and welcome to our roundup of the most confusing photos we found on Reddit this week. Check out last week's if you missed it — and let's get right into it! you think this is a five-gallon bucket with a fluffy paint roller in it, think again. What is it? It is a VapoRub stick that appears to have crystalized: this looking terrifying, it actually is not. What is happening here? It is literally just the cat's belly! It just happens to have some odd markings that make it look like a creepy face. Related: is this Nintendo Switch bumpy? It actually isn't bumpy! You are seeing the reflection of popcorn ceiling on the screen. the llama on the right just ringing its bell? What looks like the llama's hand is actually another llama behind it. are seeing rooftop parking here. Do you? What may look like a drop-off for rooftop parking is actually not! You're looking at a parking lot with digital screens. What looks like the drop-off is the back of a screen like the one on the left. brain will decipher this photo one of two ways: one that is correct and one that isn't. What do you see? If you see four forks on a purple towel, you are correct! thing goes for this photo! What do you see? If you spotted feet on a rug, you are right! Related: this pic, there are four seats, but why are only three shadows being cast? There are two light sources, and it creates this illusion. this a floating car? The car is on a raised platform. If you look closely you can see the poles behind the fence. this cat really square? No, the cat is sitting with its back up, and it just so happens to create a perfect square. about this one? Explain what you are seeing. The reflection of the light fixture is on the window, but it looks like it is in the sky. What is really interesting is the fact that what looks like the light to the fixture is actually the sun! Related: this grasshopper hanging on for dear life to the wing of the plane? The grasshopper is actually on the window of a moving plane, and about to fly off. this backyard pool setup feature a full kitchen? Sadly, no. It is just the reflection of the kitchen from inside on the window. What is going on with this dog's teeth? The dog has a pinecone in its mouth! are these packages floating? No, no. The delivery person's photo is sideways! is this tiger so ginormous? U/Mister_Way / It appears so big because of the lower camera angle at which this was taken. Your brain may have also interpreted the doorway as a normal height when it is not. is there a big tube across the street? The bird feeder is actually not across the street; it is attached to the black pole on the left. Related: is going on here? This is an actual staircase, and the wall and upstairs are just painted very cool. is one of those IYKYK moments. Is this some sort of weird hairstyle? You may already know, but this person is looking up and you are seeing their chin hair! there a painted checkered pattern on this sidewalk? Nope. You are seeing the shadow of the fence. lastly, has this person been stabbed with arrows? Thankfully, no. The arrows are in a dart board that is being hidden by the person's body. Do you have a really, really, REALLY confusing photo that you think we need to see?! Add it in the comments below, and you could be featured in our next weekly roundup of stumping people! Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds:
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Could Buying a Tesla Still Save Car Owners Money in 2025?
Tesla may have been responsible for ushering in the era of widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption, but it certainly hasn't been resting on its laurels. The company has taken some hits over the year with vehicle sales on the decline. If you factor in the controversial public figure that is the company's CEO, Elon Musk, then you know investing in a Tesla has become a hot button issue. Find Out: For You: Still, Tesla remains a leading name in the EV space, renowned for its performance and strong warranty options. For those interested in making the switch to electric, there's a lot to consider when it comes to whether or not a Tesla can save you money. EV Tax Credits vs. One 'Big Beautiful Bill' Act President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the federal EV mandate at the beginning of 2025, though some EV tax credits remained in place. However, they now have an expiration date for vehicles purchased after September 30, 2025. This change is due to the recent passage of Trump's tax reform, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), which accelerates the end date of this incentive. If you are still privy to the tax credit, here are some key takeaways: For the first half of the credit ($3,750), a new EV needs to meet certain restrictions regarding the vehicle's critical battery minerals. A certain percentage of the minerals need to have been sourced from the U.S. or any country with which the U.S. holds a free trade agreement. The second half of the credit kicks in if a certain percentage of battery components were manufactured or assembled in those same countries. Finally, to be eligible for any credit, any new EV or plug-in hybrid must see final assembly take place in North America. Concerning the Tesla Cybertuck, those who purchase a new model (single- and dual-motor models) can expect the full $7,500 federal tax credit until it expires. All trim packages of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are eligible for the full tax credit as well, as is the all-wheel-drive Tesla Model X. Read More: Tesla's Referral Program Can Help Save Money Per CleanTechnica, those interested in driving away from a Tesla showroom with a brand-new EV could save a bundle by taking advantage of the company's referral program. By utilizing a referral code, buyers can shave $500 off a Tesla Model Y — excluding the Launch Series — or $1,000 off the purchase of a Cybertruck, Model S or Model X. Those interested in the Model 3 can save $2,500 in this fashion. As a bonus, the referrer also receives a $500 credit to spend with the automaker. Save Money on Total Gas or Fuel As TopSpeed detailed, drivers who purchase a 2025 Tesla Model Y long-range rear-wheel drive could save nearly $5,000 on gas over five years. You can also see savings in other models. If you compare the Tesla Model S to the relatively fuel-efficient Toyota Camry, you may find cost savings that a Tesla driver could see. For example, if a Camry were driven 15,000 miles a year with an average gas price of $3.39 per gallon, a driver would spend $1,589 in gas. With a Tesla Model S, a driver would spend only $555 due to the lower electric charge cost of $0.037 per mile. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article. More From GOBankingRates Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 This article originally appeared on Could Buying a Tesla Still Save Car Owners Money in 2025? Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
From AI To Emerging Markets: How 6 Pros Would Allocate $10K In Today's Market
Amid record-high markets, six Wall Street strategists shared where they would deploy $10,000 right now, identifying areas ranging from artificial intelligence to emerging markets, according to Business Insider. Experts say there's still opportunity across various asset classes, including U.S. and global equities, small-cap stocks, and dividend-paying stocks. JPMorgan Backs International Stocks Over U.S. J.P. Morgan Asset Management Chief Market Strategist for the Americas Gabriela Santos said that she would allocate $7,000 to developed-market ex-U.S. equities and $3,000 to emerging markets, pointing out that U.S. stocks now trade at roughly a 35% premium to international peers—much higher than their historical 15% premium. Don't Miss: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGM— 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can "After 15 years of disappointment, it's really been all about international equities this year — huge outperformance, and something we see as just the beginning," Santos told Business Insider. She added that a weaker U.S. dollar and growing investor interest in global markets support this shift. Santos cited the Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (NYSE:VEA) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSE:EEM), which were up 19.7% and 18.6%, respectively, as of last week. Stifel's Bannister Favors Diversified Equity Exposure With tech stocks dominating market headlines, Stifel Financial Corp (NYSE:SF, SFB)) Chief Equity Strategist Barry Bannister is steering in a different direction. He recommends spreading a $10,000 investment equally across small-cap, international, and value stocks to offset tech-sector concentration, Business Insider reported. 'Right now, the market's obsessively focused on tech. But it's hard to run an economy on seven stocks,' Bannister said. He highlighted the concentration risk in the tech sector and pointed to the Vanguard Value ETF (NYSE:VTV), iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSE:IWM), and iShares MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF (NASDAQ:ACWX) as preferred picks for diversification—and said he's recently adopted the approach himself using fresh capital received in May. Trending: $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. Equal Weight for Better Balance, Says Haverford Trust Haverford Trust Chief Investment Office Hank Smith recommended a two-part allocation: 50% to 60% in an equal-weighted S&P 500 ETF such as the Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (NYSE:RSP) and 40% to 50% in a cap-weighted index such as the Nasdaq 100. Smith said equal weighting helps reduce overexposure to the top tech names, while the Nasdaq allocation ensures continued participation in any tech-driven rally. "Now you get all your top tech holdings that are driving this market," Smith told Business Insider. He said the approach works best with a minimum investment horizon of five years. Piper Sandler Emphasizes U.S. Large-Cap Leaders With elevated interest rates and a split in corporate earnings performance, investors may benefit more from selective stock-picking than from index investing, Piper Sandler (NYSE:PIPR) Chief Investment Officer Michael Kantrowitz told Business Insider. He said he expects U.S. large-cap leaders to continue outperforming and advised avoiding passive sector ETFs, which can misrepresent actual stock performance due to their weighting structures. "The earnings backdrop is going to be very bifurcated, and interest rates are going to remain elevated," Kantrowitz told the outlet. Companies currently screening well in Piper Sandler's models include Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA), Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT), Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG, GOOGL)), Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META), Oracle Corp. (NYSE:ORCL), Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ:COST), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD).BlackRock Strategist Looks Beyond Just Tech Investors shouldn't abandon Big Tech — but diversification is key, according to BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:BLK) Global Chief Investment Officer of Fundamental Equities Tony DeSpirito, who manages several value-focused funds. 'I'm not negative on the Mag Seven,' he told Business Insider. 'Many of them have really good growth and really good free cash flow. That's an incredibly powerful combination, and so they earn the multiples that they're trading at.' DeSpirito recommends splitting a portfolio across large-cap growth, dividend stocks, and value plays to hedge against volatility. He flagged dividend names for their downside resilience and steady income, and called healthcare — especially medical device makers — a 'quality value' area that's been largely overlooked. The S&P 500 healthcare sector is down about 2% year-to-date. Still, he warned that some large pharmaceutical companies could be value traps, with earnings too dependent on soon-to-expire patents. Janus Henderson Sees Growth in Tech, Europe, and Mid-Caps Janus Henderson Group plc (NYSE:JHG) U.S. Head of Portfolio Construction and Strategy Lara Castleton recommended a diversified portfolio approach for investors with longer time horizons and higher risk tolerance. "We see strong potential in U.S. mid-caps and international equities," Castleton told Business Insider, recommending a three-part portfolio: 60% in large-cap U.S. equities with a tech tilt — via funds like the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) or Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSE:XLK) — along with 20% in ex-U.S. stocks, and 20% in U.S. mid-caps. She said international names, especially in Europe, are showing improved fundamentals, while U.S. mid-caps are benefiting from reshoring trends and offer greater upside than their larger peers. Read Next: Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article From AI To Emerging Markets: How 6 Pros Would Allocate $10K In Today's Market originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
