Apple TV has been the subject of a lot of rumors recently, and Apple broke their silence today a their September media event by announcing a new version of the Apple TV. It’s a much smaller and less expensive version of their “hobby” device that will allow you to watch movies, listen to music and see photos all on your TV. The new box is 80% smaller than previous versions; it could fit in the palm of your hand. It uses HDMI to connect to your TV, which is great news for newer HD TVs but it means you shouldn’t expect to be able to easily use it with your older SD television.
Unlike the previous version, none of your media is stored on the device. The new Apple TV relies completely on streaming either from the Internet or from other devices on your local network. The new device also uses an A4 chip like the latest iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Apple’s newer infra-red remote comes in the box as well, but it also appears you will be able to use your iPhone or iPod as a remote control as well. This will make searches much easier since you will be able to access a full QWERTY keyboard.
Apple also showed off the device’s new interface. Since there is no media storage on the Apple TV, you will need to interact and be able to access a multitude of services for your media content. As before, you will be able to rent movies from Apple, but they are now adding the option of renting TV shows, as well. TV shows that are available for rent will be only $.99 as opposed to the $2.99 that you would pay to purchase HD TV shows in the past. In fact, purchasing is no longer an option on the new Apple TV, but you should still be able to purchase movies and TV shows on a local computer running iTunes and easily stream any content you own from those devices to the Apple TV.
In addition to iTunes, the new Apple TV, will also be able to connect to NetFlix for access to their streaming library of HD and SD movies and TV shows if you have a Netflix subscription. In addition to Netflix, you will also be able to access YouTube, Flickr and Mobile Me.
Apple also teased us with a view of AirPlay, which is an update to their AirTunes feature they have had in iTunes in the past. AirPlay will allow you to push content from your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad to the AppleTV without needing to interact with the AppleTV at all. But Airplay will not be available until iOS 4.2 is released sometime in November.
The new Apple TV will retain for $99 and is available for pre-order now on Apple’s on-line store for shipment in about four weeks.
Product [Apple TV]
eher, now the news read that Apple’s iTV remote will be out later or sooner. To me, what I'd like to see is a new Apple TV that's more like the Airport Express. Just a little module that plugs into the wall. Throw in a video processor chip and a bit of Flash memory and make it cheap enough I can connect one to every TV in the house. Then everything streams wirelessly from my Mac with a nice interface, remote controlled by the iPhone/iPod/iPad. That's all I want.
Though enjoy videos or movies on iPhone or iPad(some times need iFunia video converter for lack of flash support), yet very cool, handy and free on the go, but image that remote with iPhone/iPod/iPad, enjoy the stream TV on MAC with a nice interface really a match made in heaven!
Netflix is definitely the best app for Apple TV. Apple needs to add more apps if they want Apple TV to ever be successful.
http://iostv.com