The next-generation Apple TV slated for release in late September was widely rumored to be based around an ARM architecture and the same iOS that powers Apple's mobile devices. However, the interface that Steve Jobs demoed looked identical to the one on the previous Apple TV, leaving some question about the underlying software. Configuration files in the iOS 4.2 beta released this week confirm that the new Apple TV is indeed an iOS device.

Apple stores configuration information about how various iOS devices can communicate with other devices over its dock connector in a file called USBDeviceConfiguration.plist . Entries in this file have revealed early evidence of new iPhone and iPod models, and an entry labelled "iProd" later turned out to be the first iPad.

An entry in iOS 3.2 was referred to as iProd2,1 , and we suspected that it was likely an early prototype of a next-gen iPad. However, an updated configuration file in iOS 4.2b1 reveals the same numeric product ID is attached to an entry for AppleTV2,1 , referring to the second major hardware revision of the Apple TV. This presents solid evidence that the new Apple TV is running iOS proper, instead of the other customized version of Mac OS X used for the previous one—that should save Apple from duplicated development effort.

Given what little information we have about the device so far, it doesn't appear that it will natively support running current iOS apps when launched. However, it seems as though it should be possible for Apple to enable apps to be made for the device if it chooses to, assuming there is enough on-board storage. As TUAW notes, the original Apple TV attracted plenty of effort from hackers to expand its capabilities. So we shouldn't be surprised if Apple TV hackers and iPhone jailbreakers get together and find a way to run custom apps on the new device.