Developer Hacks tvOS Simulator to Render at 4K Resolution

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith today shared photos of his latest hacking endeavors, tweeting screenshots of Apple’s tvOS Simulator running in 4K – the screen resolution said to be supported in a rumored fifth-generation Apple TV.

The developer coerced tvOS Simulator into running at twice the standard HD resolution, 3840×2160, more commonly referred to as 4K. A new hardware box has been rumored for later this year, with 4K as a headline addition.

The simple scale doubling is reminiscent of the 2x iOS asset resolution requirement that Apple introduced back in 2010 with the arrival of Retina displays, and comes at a time when Apple is rumored to be readying a new, fifth-generation Apple TV capable of streaming 4K video.

Hello tvOS@2x pic.twitter.com/EnNdo1xCOY

— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) August 8, 2017

For tvOS app developers, it should be an “easy transition, same as original Retina iPhone,” Troughton-Smith said. The developer noted that “even upscaled images look fine, and especially on a TV screen.”

In February, Apple was reportedly testing a new Apple TV with 4K support with Apple planning to launch in the fall, codenamed “J105.” Recently released HomePod firmware confirmed the existence of the “J105” model identifier as well as oblique references to 4K integration, HDR10 and Dolby Vision for Apple TV. Apple’s iTunes service also seems to be preparing to offer 4K HDR content imminently.

Apple is widely expected to host a media event for the new 2017 iPhone lineup in early September. The same event could potentially play host to the new Apple TV launch as well.