Apple Unveils New 80% Smaller Apple TV for just $99

[Brian Fox]

As rumored, Apple today unveiled the latest Apple TV at a breakthrough new price of just $99. The new device is designed to radically simplify the digital media experience by removing the internal hard-drive and moving entirely to streaming content from Apple or your computer. The change in format has also allowed Apple to make the device 80% smaller; with a new form factor of 3.9” x 3.9” by .9” thick. As with all of Apple’s latest mobile offerings, the Apple TV has moved to the A4 processor found in the iPad and iPhone 4 (and just released iPod Touch). As rumored the new device also includes live streaming from Netflix, Youtube, MobileMe and Flickr, through native apps.

One expected new feature is the ability to use an iPhone or iPod touch as a remote control, using Apple’s free Remote app. Apple has pre-announced one new feature for the iOS 4.2 update that will allow the iPad to stream video content directly to a network connected Apple TV. This feature, however, will not be available until the launch of iOS 4.2 for iPad sometime in November 2010.

As originally rumored, the new Apple TV also retains the maximum output resolution of 720p, and appears to be running the iOS software. While the device boasts of several new features it also poses some new limitations. The newest offering loses some key features like component output and a built-in hard drive. This will be a disadvantage to end-users who have slow or outdated networks, as all content needs to stream in real-time over the wired/wireless network. This will also require networked computers to be turned on and awake for streaming to function over the network.

Apple has drastically reduced the price-points on some content, and is shifting to a rental-only model for television shows and Hollywood movies. Not all TV networks are participating in the new pricing model, initially only Fox and ABC are offering TV rentals at $.99. First run HD movies are priced at $4.99 the same day as DVD rentals, and older titles reducing to $3.99.

The Apple TV ships in late September, and is available for pre-order today at the Apple Online Store.
Apple TV (at Apple.com)

[cypherpunk]

Wonder what kind of DRM this is using if they've actually conviced studios to show first-run movies?
I never thought I'd say this, but could this actually be a case of DRM being a good thing for end-users?

[macsoldier]

Im stuck deciding about this one, depends if somebody pms me a better setup to make the cable bill cheaper and the idea of a sling box, ive never done it before so it would be nice.

[southfrisco]

I found it funny he talked about storage (that no one wants to think about it) yet everyone who owns iPods/iPhones/iPads/Mac Books generally want more storage.

Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[Daerid]

I wonder if it will run current iOS capable apps like AirVideo and Plex. If so, this will be a huge win for me with my streaming video environment I already have setup at home. Just place one of these at each TV and run the media server off of my Mac Mini.

Here's to wishful thinking.

[EskimoRuler]

They made it much better than what it was but I don't think it revolutionizes tv though. Love the new prices and it's size. Black looks much better

[greek.guy]

Im stuck deciding about this one, depends if somebody pms me a better setup to make the cable bill cheaper and the idea of a sling box, ive never done it before so it would be nice.

yes please

Im stuck deciding about this one, depends if somebody pms me a better setup to make the cable bill cheaper and the idea of a sling box, ive never done it before so it would be nice.

yes please

[saunupe1911]

A 720p max resolution = failure. Plan and simple. This is 2010.

[greek.guy]

Im stuck deciding about this one, depends if somebody pms me a better setup to make the cable bill cheaper and the idea of a sling box, ive never done it before so it would be nice.

yes please

[bencjedi]

Can it stream MKV HD bluray files off my PC?

[StealthBravo]

time to preorder

[billchase2]

Any news on an OS update for the current line of Apple TVs?

[eg6motion]

A 720p max resolution = failure. Plan and simple. This is 2010.

for streaming? This is completely par for other streaming devices. I wouldn't say it = failure. Even on cable channels that offer 1080p... there's no difference to 720p... both signals are compressed HD just like all HD streaming.

[whereswaldo]

Nice, this is what ive been hoping for in the apple tv

[Poseidon79]

I'm disappointed that it looks like it will not allow the download of other 3rd party media apps like Hulu+.

[StealthBravo]

I'm disappointed that it looks like it will not allow the download of other 3rd party media apps like Hulu+.

I agree

[Poseidon79]

I'll have to stick with my PS3 which integrates Hulu+ and TVersity for everything else.

[eurocivic]

I don't have the original appleTV. My question is does it play avi files.? Or do I have to convert **** to appletv format.

[billchase2]

I don't have the original appleTV. My question is does it play avi files.? Or do I have to convert **** to appletv format.

With the current Apple TV, you have to have it in an iTunes format. If you hack it, it'll play most video files.

[MetallicaFan1991]

$99 in the US and £99 in UK, wtf...
Should be £60, rip off.