No Software Update for Current Apple TV Owners

[Wiley John Wright]

With all the excitement yesterday surrounding new products from Apple, some were left wondering whether current Apple TV owners would get a software update of their own. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is no, at least not for now.

Current Apple TV owners will be able to use their units the way they always have, by buying content from the iTunes store and syncing it to their Apple TV’s. Older Apple TV’s still have one advantage that the newest model lacks, however, that is the ability to buy content from iTunes directly without need of host computers to house purchases.

Content on the new Apple TV is rental-only. This means that if you own a new Apple TV device but not a PC, you can only rent content from the iTunes store. This probably will not be an issue for most customers but it will limit its appeal for some users.

Apple TV has been a hobby for the company since it was released in 2006. There is much competition in the field of set-top media players right now, and Apple hopes to gain market share with this new device. With offerings from Google, Boxee and others waiting in the wings, this should be an exciting holiday shopping season. Has Apple has struck gold this time around? Personally I know what I want for Christmas this year.


Source: MacRumors

[Cer0]

No surprise. Well I figured that anyway.

Using a different chip. The new one has the A4.

[awesomeSlayer]

Not very surprised as the newer model has better tech specs to support iOS.

[droo5ki]

Agreed. Still, I'm hopeful for a baked-in Netflix option.

[billchase2]

That's garbage... yet another reason to hack Apple products. At least that brings streaming to the Apple TV. In fact, my "old" hacked Apple TV still does more than the new ones.

[GoTiK]

How to hack Apple tv and what does IT allow to do once hacked?

[jbardi]

Google is your friend... even a cursory search of Modmyi.com will give you a plethora of information. Don't be lazy people... ATV hacking isn't new, so do some leg work will ya?

[Cer0]

AppleTV The section on it.

[z3r01]

I emailed jobs today on this...well i will purchase the new one and keep my old one hacked

[macfan406]

Does this mean we're gonna jailbreak our new Apple TVs now?

[Cer0]

If it has a iOS background I am sure someone will.

[tudtran]

I think apple tv and itv is two complete different device.

[Cer0]

You mean AppleTV and AppleTV.

They still have the same interface. They are just different hardware. Just like the 2G iPhone and the 3GS are the same interface but different hardware. But they are still iPhones.

[bigorangekitty]

Why would I buy this? I have 2 appleTV's with ATV flash, and stream from a 1TB external hard drive connected to a Macbook. I see no incentive to buy this. Anyone?

[Cer0]

If you feel that way then it is ok. But he is trying to pull new buyers in too. I have an AppleTV hacked too but it will be moving to the bedroom and the new one will take the spot in the living room.

[VBLUE42]

I see no incentive to buy this. Anyone?

Netflix streaming support. That is the only reason I will be upgrading.

[zozodouce]

no suprise lol

[Tyronal]

That's garbage... yet another reason to hack Apple products. At least that brings streaming to the Apple TV. In fact, my "old" hacked Apple TV still does more than the new ones.

Exactly. A hacked Apple TV can do far more than the new one. Play avi's, Divx, Xvid and wmv formats. Add Boxee and XBMC and stream from a pc or laptop, store content and connect another storage device, surf the web. These older models are gold now.

[macsoldier]

anything to get the cable bill cheaper

[ErikiPhone]

The concept itself is amazingly alluring! However prices are lame... I believe it's ether jailbreak that'l make this device as cool as it can be, or... notheing else comes to mind...