Last night’s iOS 5.1 developer beta has already leaked its fair share of hidden references, but the party isn’t over yet. In addition to iPhone 5 and iPad 3 references, as well as an unreleased iPad 2 variant, a third code name found in the beta references Apple’s next-gen Apple TV 3, and assigns it a code name of J33.
The assigning of an official code name suggests that the next-gen Apple TV has moved even closer to a public launch. Previous versions of iOS 5 had already revealed the AppleTV3,1 product ID, which 9to5Mac has now linked up nicely with the newly-discovered J33 codename.
New Apple TV units would likely contain Apple’s new A5 processor, which would give them the ability to playback full 1080p content. This would not only enhance the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S AirPlay gaming experience, but would also support future 1080p iTunes content.
Apple could also use the next-gen Apple TV 3 to prepare consumers for their rumored “iTV” television release, by incorporating support for features like Siri dictation, or perhaps additional Apple TV apps.