Apple is reportedly exploring new features for its next-generation Apple TV 4K, including built-in microphones for hands-free Siri commands and a redesigned Siri Remote equipped with a speaker to help users locate it when misplaced.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has been testing microphones integrated directly into the Apple TV streaming box, potentially allowing users to control the device through voice commands without needing to pick up the remote.

Currently, Apple TV users must activate Siri through the Siri Remote or use a connected HomePod to issue voice commands. Adding microphones to the streaming device itself could make the experience more convenient, particularly as Apple prepares to introduce its upgraded AI-powered Siri assistant.

Apple has also reportedly experimented with adding a speaker to the Siri Remote, allowing it to produce an audible alert when users are trying to find it.

While the existing Siri Remote already supports a location feature, an integrated speaker could make it easier to track down a remote hidden beneath furniture or between sofa cushions.

However, neither feature has been confirmed for the final product, and Apple could decide against including them in the next-generation model.

The company is expected to unveil its updated Apple TV 4K at its October 13 “Welcome Home” event, where it is also tipped to introduce the HomePod mini 2 and a new smart home display reportedly called HomeView or HomePad.

According to reports, the new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 could become available on October 30, while Apple’s smart home display is expected to arrive in mid-November.

The upcoming Apple TV 4K is also rumoured to feature Apple’s faster A19 processor, replacing the A15 Bionic chip used in the current model. The upgraded hardware could provide the processing power needed to support Apple’s next-generation Siri AI capabilities and improve overall performance.

Apple last refreshed its Apple TV 4K lineup in 2022, meaning the streaming device is approaching four years without a major hardware update.

With Apple increasingly focused on expanding its smart home ecosystem, the next Apple TV 4K could play a more significant role beyond streaming entertainment, particularly if the company introduces hands-free voice control and deeper integration with its upcoming smart home products.