Apple TV has sat almost dormant for a couple of years now, with barely any software updates and no new hardware since the launch of the iPad 3. But in recent times, the talk of a major connected TV effort has quietened down, with feasibility issues seemingly shelving that idea, and instead, there's renewed impetus on the small, almost forgotten set-top. Today, the Cupertino has updated Apple TV once again, bringing new Watch ABC, Bloomberg, Crackle and KORTV channels. Further details can be seen after the break.
Apple's TV push may not be as grandiose as some analysts have touted over the past few years, but the Cupertino's treasured hobby has certainly gotten more respect and attention over the last few months. Following on from the wide range of services and content recently added to the little black box, Yahoo has brought its Screen app to Apple TV following the release of the AirPlay-enabled app for iOS early this fall. Details, as ever, can be seen after the jump.
There have been software updates flying around like confetti for the last few days, and while the Mac, iPhone, iPad and even the iPod touch have all received new versions of their software recently, it seems that someone inside Apple still had time to remember the company's hobby.
As with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, there are plenty of hack-minded folks out there trying to push the boundaries of Apple TV, and although it's been a long time since we've seen a jailbreak for Apple TV, many modders and devs have been trying, often in vain, to find exploits with Apple's little black box. Yet while we cannot, unfortunately, report on a new jailbreak for Apple TV 3 just now, casual hacker David Schuetz has discovered a fairly cool "Add Site" feature, potentially enabling one to add custom sites to the home screen. Although it's by no means a refined, or even immediately accessible feature, it is fairly promising, and you can check out the details after the break.
A recently created official Apple support document that outlines a newly implemented Apple TV setup process is managing to draw quite a bit of attention. It outlines on how to set up a third-generation Apple TV unit by using an iOS 7 running device by a simple tap.
After a lot of speculation, the mythical Apple TV software update has finally been released by Apple, after keeping it in beta for a long time. The update features a lot of notable changes which we’ve outlined in this post along with the direct download links for the update.
Just prior to Apple's announcement of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, it was revealed that Apple TV would be getting some kind of upgrade. While there wouldn't be any new hardware added to a little black box that has seen very little by way of physical change since inception, the set-top would, it was revealed, be getting a significant software update at some point after the keynote. Now, it has been revealed that the Apple TV iOS 7 update will be coming next week on September 18th, the same day iOS 7 will be released to the end user.
Apple TV, once described by Tim Cook as a "hobby" to the Cupertino company, hasn't seen a great deal of change in its lifespan, but with quite a few services having been added recently including the likes of VEVO, Disney Channel and others, and with iTunes Radio already confirmed for it, it's certainly as rich in available content as it ever has been. With a big event confirmed for September 10th, some had hoped that Apple would be bringing some new hardware in its gradual growth push in the TV market, but it now seems certain that this will not be the case. There will, however, be a handsome software update, with a couple of interesting features. Details after the break!
Yesterday, Apple TV added several new services to its roster, including the Disney Channel, VEVO and the Smithsonian Channel, among a plethora of others. Continuing in that vein, sports fans today get their fill with the news that WatchESPN's content - which was a part of Apple TV 5.3 update - has been expanded once more, brining both ESPNews and ESPN Deportes to the fore. With a wide selection of ESPN services already available through Apple TV even before this update, the Apple set-top is really growing in its appeal to the sports lovers, and with both ESPNews and ESPN Deportes also hitting the WatchESPN app for iOS, those on the iPhone and iPad can also join in the fun.
Apple TV may be somewhat limited to the taste of many set-top box owners, but while those typically-Apple restrictions may prevent it from appealing to those with hacking on the brain, the fruit company has continued to evolve the small device from the hobby it once was. There's still no sign of a fully-fledged, connected TV effort just yet in spite of the conjecture from many an analyst, but today, Apple TV has been updated with support for a wide range of content services.
