Steve Jobs: Apple TV Will Run Apps

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Following the indications that the new Apple TV is running iOS under the hood, several observers began speculating that the device could be modified (read: jailbroken) to run custom apps. Well, Steve Jobs is already out ahead of that. In an interview with Bloomberg, Jobs said that Apple would create an App Store for the Apple TV "when the time is right."

The possibilities of TV-watching apps haven't really been explored yet. The Hollywood Reporter reviewed an app by Disney and Nielsen that would add interactive content to a "fictional documentary" (whatever that is) coming out on ABC this fall called My Generation. The app syncs with the show by listening for audio cues through the iPad's microphone so it knows what the user is watching.

Steve Jobs talked to Bloomberg Businessweek about his ambitions regarding Apple TV, which he's still maintaining is "just a hobby. However, writer Peter Burrows concluded that "Apple wants to become king of the living room." Jobs talked about "an App Store for the TV that could do for television sets what all those apps have done for the iPhone," and left open to possibility that the apps might not be only for the Apple TV. Burrows mused about the iPad as "the TV of tomorrow," to which Jobs replied "That's how I do most of my TV watching today."

It's not clear how much space there is on the device; as Nick Hesson noted, it's intended for streaming video, not storing it locally. However, given the relatively low cost of flash memory, it's possible that there's a decent amount of space, and Jobs's announcement would seem to seal that deal. A user of the MacRumors forums, however, figured out a way to [ame=http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=11075263#post11075263] stream apps[/ame] to an Airport Express using AirPlay with iOS 4.2, opening up interesting possibilities for apps that would be streamed in the same way as content.

Source: MacRumors

[Ryn0ck]

I was thinking I would be able to play some iPhone games on my the new Apple TV.

[n00neimp0rtant]

-Hulu Plus
-SlingPlayer

Ok, we're done here. (Seriously, who wants to do anything but watch TV or play video games on their TV? Tweeting from your TV? No)

[zozodouce]

don't care for this thing.

[LastSonOfKrypton]

-Hulu Plus
-SlingPlayer

Ok, we're done here. (Seriously, who wants to do anything but watch TV or play video games on their TV? Tweeting from your TV? No)

When I read the tweet Hulu+ immediately came to mind!

[Poseidon79]

The second this thing is hacked for Hulu I'm getting 2!


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[sziklassy]

I am interested in seeing if we will see something more than your tun of the mill Twitter, Facebook, Hulu, etc. apps on this thing.

[s1l3nt]

i want that one with pwnage logo

[piston597]

"When the time is right" Meaning when jailbreaking kicks in for AppleTv and we start getting 3rd party apps so Apple can copy what to make and call it their own "revolution".

[Cer0]

Mmmmmm, jailbroken AppleTV.

[ikkviper]

"When the time is right" Meaning when jailbreaking kicks in for AppleTv and we start getting 3rd party apps so Apple can copy what to make and call it their own "revolution".

Haha! So true! I mean just look at iOS 4.0 so many things in it that we as a jailbreaking community already had! Although we all know apple will never admit copying. lol

[luvmytj]

The rumor is true! Now I am even more excited to get one. Hope they ship mine soon!

[CMOSlabs]

Great! One more iDevice to jailbreak and then not upgrade
Cant wait to get my hands on one. Tweak it till it hurts.

[DisneyRicky]

I don't see the point of this. :P

[EskimoRuler]

I think it would be cool to stream your Mac screen to your tv without a wire

[elkyelky]

I wouldn't buy an Apple TV. £99 for a device which puts iTunes store on to my TV and wants me to spend more money on using it? No thanks, but thanks anyway.

[iPhoenix3g]

I think it would be cool to stream your Mac screen to your tv without a wire

A very good use in theory, but sadly imagine the lag? It would be like vnc? I have the old Apple TV and it's jailbroken kinda I mean it has boxee on it and xmbc (I think that's right)

[Frostbite]

+1 for that picture sir. Well done

[MindGem]

Rumors! All rumors!

[zoso10]

This would actually add a lot of usability to the Apple TV, only of course if it were only certain apps that you could put on it. I mean how many idiots could you see putting a stupid fart app or flashlight app on their ATV?