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All posts tagged "appletv"


Friday, January 14, 2011

A New Jailbreak Tool for AppleTV

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 12:20 PM

http://blog.firecore.com/3675

"Today we're proud to introduce 'Seas0nPass' - a new jailbreak tool designed specifically for the AppleTV."

According to the FireCore blog, the SeasOnPass "was created exclusively for the AppleTV user, as previously no AppleTV specific jailbreak tools were available. Seas0nPass allows you to easily create custom AppleTV IPSW files and restore them in iTunes (similar to the existing Pwnage Tool app). Also included is a simple 'tethered boot' option which aids in using newer AppleTV firmwares when an 'un-tethered' jailbreak is not yet available."

It's free and if you want the source code, you can find it on Github.


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Put AirPlay on Your Older AppleTV

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 08:55 PM

http://www.macworld.com/article/156...logs_ioscentral

"Apple's new AirPlay technology now works with the original Apple TV, thanks to FireCore's aTV Flash add-on and the latest version of its $4 app called Remote HD."

I was wondering what to do with my old AppleTV, so this may be the solution since it adds AirPlay support along with some other features. Couple that with their universal Remote HD app [affiliate link], and I think it's a winner. When you consider how easy it is to install, and the fact that the software for aTV Flash is only $39.95 USD, it really starts to make me lean towards purchasing. Macworld did a write up on the install and the functionality of this combination back in January of 2010, and gave it high marks. If it was just to add AirPlay I don't think I would go through the hassle, but it does add additional functionality that my be to your liking. FireCore has a version for the new black AppleTV also, and at only $19.95 USD.


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

AppleTV: Unboxed and Running in Fifteen Minutes or Less!

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 07:00 PM

http://notebooks.com/2010/10/04/app...-minutes-video/

"Today I received the Apple TV and as we promised, here is the unboxing video of the device. In this video I unboxed it and had it installed on my HDTV in less than 15 minutes, including dusting off the furniture and taking an older DVD/VCR combo player out to free up a HDMI port on my TV."

The hardest part of the setup may be peeling the protective film off the side of the new hockey puck-sized AppleTV. Plug in an HDMI cable to connect to a TV, power cable (no brick!), wired ethernet (if you choose to connect this way), and it boots. Select a language, your wireless network if you're un-wired, set up sharing with an iTunes computer, and you're done. From the internet you get a choice of streamed Netflix, YouTube, Podcasts, MobileMe, Flickr, Radio, but no Hulu. I heard a good description: an iPod for your TV. I can't wait to see what the future holds for this AppleTV iteration!

Tags: hardware, appletv

Thursday, September 30, 2010

AppleTV Secret Features Uncovered!

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 11:30 PM

http://gizmodo.com/5652029/3-secret...t=Google+Reader

"The new Apple TV could be Steve Jobs' best sleight-of-hand trick yet.

During his modest introduction of the device, Jobs called the Apple TV "one more hobby." But a closer look at the code and the hardware powering the Apple TV reveals that there's a lot more going on under the hood than the CEO shared."

Interesting article detailing some of the discoveries that are emerging for the new AppleTV, like the fact that it's running iOS, may be unlocked, running Lowtide, and looks likely to offer many interesting new features at some point in time, like a "TV App Store." Owning an existing AppleTV "Classic," I haven't been too excited about the new model - until now. I can see this little box becoming much more useful than simply being an output device, with functionality similar to SlingBox or EyeTV on the horizon. Maybe a second AppleTV -is- in my future.


Early Reviews of the AppleTV are Mixed

Posted by Joe Johaneman in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 08:30 AM

http://gizmodo.com/5650371/apple-tv-review-roundup

"The first reviews of the new Apple TV are starting to appear and we're rounding them up for you. Here's a look at the early impressions."

Gizmodo is rounding up the reviews of the new AppleTV. (At the time this article is being written, they've only rounded up two reviews, but they're adding more as they come in). So far, the reviews are mixed, and the complaints are what you would expect: no hard drive, streaming only, and lack of an included HDMI cable. Mine has shipped. At the current time, it has just arrived in Alaska from Hong Kong, so I expect to have it by Friday or Monday. Given the reviews so far, I don't think there will be any unexpected surprised when I receive mine. I'm looking forward to swapping out my old AppleTV with the new model.

Tags: hardware, appletv

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Apple Announces New AppleTV

Posted by Joe Johaneman in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/09/01/new-...oint-streaming/

"It's billed as 'One More Hobby.' It hasn't been a big hit, but those who used the Apple TV have shown affection for the device and provided Apple with valued feedback. Apple took this feedback and retooled the Apple TV into a smaller form-factor that clocks in at 1/4th the size of its first-generation sibling."

Honestly, I was happier to see a new AppleTV than I was to see new iPods. The fact that Apple was able to reach the $99 price point is amazing. While I'd wish it had the ability to add apps for increased functionality, I was happy to see that Netflix was added. There aren't many of us who own AppleTVs, but we tend to be loyal to our little boxes. The lack of any storage means you can only rent streaming content on the new device, but you can stream any iTunes content on your computer to the new AppleTV as well. The AppleTV is available for pre-order now. Is anybody else as excited about this as I am?

Tags: hardware, appletv

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Will There Be an Apple DVR Running TiVo?

Posted by Joe Johaneman in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 07:00 AM

http://macenstein.com/default/2010/...-probably-suck/

"Yesterday's rumor du jour was that Apple will be partnering with Tivo for an upcoming update to the Apple TV which will finally bring DVR capabilities to Apple's "hobby". Given that I am in the market for a new DVR, on the surface this would be welcome news for me, as an Apple-branded DVR would likely fit in perfectly with my Mac-Centric entertainment system. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that an Apple-branded DVR would likely suck. Here's why."

Dr. Macenstein gives four reasons why an Apple-Branded TiVo DVR would suck. My problem with the whole thing: I don't think there's any truth to the rumor of an Apple/TiVo alliance. I don't usually like to wade into the Apple rumor mill, but I'm pretty confident here that there will never be an Apple DVR, never mind one that would have TiVo's software on it. I see the AppleTV evolving into an iOS-based device, since iOS-on-everything seems to be the direction Apple is headed, at least in their consumer electronics division. Perhaps we'll even see the AppleTV division merged with the iPad division. Just add an HDMI-out to the iPad, and you have a pretty compelling replacement for the AppleTV. TiVo generally insists on their interface being included on any device they work with. Apple likes to control the entire experience. Apple and TiVo is a non-starter. Both companies care a lot about the user experience, but they have very different visions of what that experience should be. A quick look at an Apple Remote and a TiVo Remote will quickly demonstrate the difference. I'd really be interested in hearing what others think about the Apple/Tivo rumors. If you have an opinion, share your thoughts in the comments.


Monday, March 1, 2010

Boxee, Now With Beta Support for AppleTV

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/02...l.provides.key/

"The latest version of the Boxee beta, v0.9.20.10708, should now install normally on the Apple TV, its developer says. While it was possible to put the update on Apple's set-top prior to today, the process involved SSH, making it impractical for a casual user. The situation has changed thanks to a "resurrected" atvusb-creator tool."

To install you still have a few steps, outlined here, and those upgrading are "encouraged" to do a clean install.


Thursday, February 11, 2010

AppleTV 3.0.2 Released

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.9to5mac.com/apple-tv-3-0-2

"AppleTV 3.0.2 update is out. Apple.com is mum on the subject but signs point to Aperture/iPhoto media browsing update."

Since part of the Aperture 3.0 update was how that software shares images over the local network, it makes sense this update is related. It also appears to have fixed the problem related to switching the HDMI output cable as well as some improvements in readability of text in the user interface. Use the Update Software option within the Settings/General menu on your AppleTV to get this update.


Monday, November 9, 2009

Disappearing Content With AppleTV 3.0

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 09:00 AM

http://theappleblog.com/2009/11/08/...d-for-apple-tv/

"Ten days after updating the Apple TV's software to version 3.0, Apple has released version 3.0.1 along with an alarming warning about users' content "temporarily" disappearing."

Ouch, this would be annoying if I sync'd my AppleTV, however I just stream content. If you sync, you need to reboot the AppleTV by unplugging then plugging back in the power cord. After that 

Users are advised to hard reboot the Apple TV by unplugging and reinserting the power cord. From there, go to "Settings" then "General" and select "Update Software." After that select "Download and Install" and that should take care of it. 


Friday, October 30, 2009

itunes 9.0.2 Update

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (OS X)" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/arti...ackground_opti/

"Apple updated iTunes to version 9.0.2 Thursday, up update that, 'adds support for Apple TV software version 3.0, adds an option for a dark background for Grid View, and improves support for accessibility.'"

This update also does something else: breaks the Palm Pre syncing ability.


AppleTV 3.0

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 07:00 AM

http://www.appleinsider.com/article..._interface.html

"Apple on Thursday introduced its new Apple TV 3.0 software, which features a redesigned main menu that makes navigating content simpler and faster, the company says."

Free update, improves photo interface, and also allows you to listen to your genius mixes and watch iTunes Extras and LPs. You can also listen to Internet radio. I like the new interface, but I sure wish they would do something more with this device.


Friday, June 26, 2009

Apple Updates AppleTV and Remote

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...ch_control.html

"Apple breathed some new life into its Apple TV media hub on Wednesday with upgrades to both its firmware and the iPhone's Remote app that let owners control the wireless media hub through multi-touch input on their handheld's touch-screen."

Apple posted a list of the updated features that 2.4 features, among them Flickr search and finger gesture controls. I'm looking forward to giving this a test run when I can especially since it incorporates finger gestures. With the last version of Remote I wasn't too impressed, I just couldn't get it working right. Granted that may have, ok is likely to have been, user error, but that is besides the point. Now I have a new version that I can attempt to master, I just hope it goes better than the last time I tried.


Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Apple Collecting Opinions on AppleTV

Posted by Vincent Ferrari in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 01:00 PM

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2...sage-habits.ars

"Apple is looking for customer feedback in order to help shape the future of the Apple TV, as evidenced by a new survey posted to Apple's website. The survey, which is only a handful of pages long, asks current users what they use their Apple TVs for, how many they have in the home, and how much content comes from different types of sources."

Get the impression Apple is gearing up for something with the AppleTV? They wouldn't randomly ask questions without a purpose behind it. I'm pretty much convinced that something new is coming down the pipeline and it's going to knock us all over. They've always called the AppleTV a hobby, but maybe they're seeing it as more than that now and want to expand the product line. Maybe that TV with integrated AppleTV that Jason Calacanis predicted in October?

Tags: hardware, appletv

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Apple TV 2.3 Update Out Now

Posted by Vincent Ferrari in "Other Apple Hardware" @ 10:00 AM

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3187

Apple has released an update for the Apple TV that adds some interesting new functionality. The updates include:

  • The ability to stream to Airport Express and other Apple TV units on your network;
  • The ability for the Apple TV to "learn" the functions of other remotes so you no longer have to use the Apple Remote to control the unit;
  • Playlists that mix music and video are now supported;
  • The plus and minus key now raises and lowers the volume during music playback.

Honestly, nothing in this update is earth shattering or as big as the 2.0 update was originally, but the multi-room streaming and the ability to use third party remotes seems like something I'll get a lot of use out of. Anyone do the update yet? Any feedback so far?


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