According to a report from The Verge, the latest rumors suggest Apple is preparing a refreshed Apple TV with a built-in microphone. That would allow users to control the set-top box with Siri directly, without having to speak into the remote or rely on a connected HomePod device.
The same rumor describes an upgraded remote that would gain a speaker. The report does not specify what the remote's speaker would be used for, and it notes that these details are still unconfirmed speculation.
If the rumors hold, the change would make the Apple TV more independent as a voice-controlled device. As with any pre-release report, Apple has not confirmed the features or a launch timeline.