Updated iTunes Festival channel added to Apple TV for SXSW

By Cody Lee on Mar 9, 2014

Following the release of an updated iTunes Festival app for iOS on Thursday, Apple has rolled out a new TV channel for its Apple TV. For us, the icon is showing up in the second row of icons, right in the middle, so it’s almost impossible to miss.

Clicking on the icon takes you to the Festival channel, where you can get the low-down on all of the major acts that are going to be playing at Apple’s SXSW event this week. You can also view their concert dates and listen to samples of their music… Read More

 

Roku announces new $50 Apple TV, Chromecast competitor ‘Streaming Stick’

By Cody Lee on Mar 4, 2014

As the race for the living room heats up, and rumors of an upcoming Apple TV refresh continue to swirl, Roku has announced its latest entry into the space called the Streaming Stick. The $50 accessory plugs into the HDMI port of your TV and streams a variety of content.

Looking at its size and price tag, the Streaming Stick seems like a direct competitor to Google’s Chromecast. But the device features a remote control and on-screen navigational menus, which puts its functionality close to Roku’s set-top box, and more on par with Apple TV… Read More

 

Logitech launches Harmony Smart Keyboard for Apple TV

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 4, 2014

Navigating the Apple TV interface using the included Apple Remote rather quickly becomes a cumbersome affair. Fortunately, you could always hook up an external keyboard to the device (here’s how) because the Apple TV supports Bluetooth keyboards.

Realizing that owners of streaming-media devices need a better control system, accessory maker Logitech on Tuesday revealed its new full-fledged Harmony keyboard remote for the living room. It was specially designed for controlling devices such as the Apple TV, Roku and Xbox One and includes dedicated hardware keys and functions allowing you to search for shows, navigate menus and browse the web from your couch… Read More

 

New report claims revamped Apple TV could land ‘any week now’

By Cody Lee on Mar 1, 2014

When it comes to the Apple TV, it seems like everyone agrees that a new one is coming. But just when it will get here is a different story. We’ve heard everything from ‘as early April,’ to ‘before WWDC in June,’ and as late as ‘in the fall this year with Apple’s other product refreshes.’

The latest report, which comes from The Financial Times, claims that the refreshed Apple TV is finished and could land much sooner than everyone is expecting. Citing sources familiar with the company’s plans, the outlet says that Apple’s new set-top box could land “any week now.”

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Apple: ‘several billion’ iMessages sent daily, Apple TV raked in $1 billion last year

By Cody Lee on Feb 28, 2014

As expected, Apple held its 2014 shareholders meeting on its Cupertino campus this afternoon. Apple executives were on hand, as were the company’s board of directors, to reassure investors that things are on track for another successful year, and to field shareholder questions.

Most of the meeting was filled with the usual dreck: approving and rejecting proposals, reelecting board members, and so on, but things began to liven up when Tim Cook began dropping numbers. Keep reading for a roundup of some of the most interesting points from the meeting… Read More

 

Apple Stores reportedly treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 28, 2014

Fueling rumors of a potential Apple TV hardware refresh next month, Apple has apparently instructed its retail employees to start treating Apple TV buyers to $25 iTunes Gift Cards, basically bringing the price of the $99 media-streaming box down to $74.

Of course, you’re still paying the full price for the Apple TV hardware, Apple is just throwing in a $25 iTunes Gift Card with every new purchase. The credit can be redeemed against any content purchase in the company’s many online stores.

So in a nutshell, you’re getting a $25 iTunes credit for apps, books, movies, music and more, free of charge. The offer is valid through March 5, 2014… Read More

 

Streaming channel for network ‘TV4′ added to Apple TV in Sweden

By Cody Lee on Feb 25, 2014

Apple has added another new channel to the Apple TV this morning for customers in Sweden. It’s called TV 4 Play, and it’s a streaming channel for the major Swedish television network TV 4 and it features both live and on-demand content.

That content includes live broadcasting, original programming, and full episodes of TV4 shows. Most of the content is available for free, but the network says that premium (paid) subscribers will have access to additional shows and movies… Read More

 

Apple also fixes SSL bug on Apple TV with 6.0.2 firmware update

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 25, 2014

In addition to issuing a quick fix for a dangerous SSL vulnerability with last week’s release of iOS 7.0.6 (you can apply the update without upgrading your firmware), Apple has also released a companion update for its $99 streaming box, the Apple TV.

The Apple TV 6.0.2 software update (hat tip to iDB reader Gil) carries a build number of 6646.81.1 and fixes the SSL bug which allows attackers to steal your usernames and passwords used on iTunes Store and other services, by posing as a legitimate site.

The exploit affects Apple’s Safari browser so Apple TV users are not necessarily in immediate danger like their Mac counterparts… Read More

 

WWE network channel rolling out to Apple TV users

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 24, 2014

As previously promised, the World Wrestling Entertainment will be enabling its network channel on Apple’s $99 media-steaming box later today. Although there have been concerns that the WWE channel won’t make it to Apple TVs because Apple was demanding as much as a fifty percent cut from all Network orders placed, the WWE Network signup page was down at post time, indicating high interest in a free one-week trial… Read More

 

Amazon’s TV box apparently arriving next month

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 21, 2014

We’re expecting a major Apple TV update in March said to bring refreshed hardware that should support iOS 7 controllers and downloadable games. And now, word on the street is that the online retail giant Amazon is about to counter Apple’s announcement with a set-top box of its own.

Amazon has been selling music, movies and television shows for years now, it rules the e-book space and has entered the tablet market so adding another piece of hardware that ties into the Amazon cloud should be a no-brainer… Read More

 

New job listings call for Apple TV content partner and software engineers

By Cody Lee on Feb 19, 2014

While it seems like everyone is focused on Apple’s rumored iWatch, and the various features it could offer, the company is believed to be quietly working on another major project: a TV device. Not the television set we used to hear rumors about, but a new set-top box.

Adding to recent reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal regarding the project are a pair of job listings recently discovered on Apple’s website. They call for a Content Partner Engineer and Software QA Engineer—both of which will work on the Apple TV team…

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Apple said to be moving forward with ‘less ambitious’ TV plans

By Cody Lee on Feb 13, 2014

Following a report by Bloomberg, which reiterated Apple’s move to revamp its set top box, comes a scoop from The Wall Street Journal regarding the company’s TV plans. The outlet says Apple has abandoned efforts to disrupt cable TV in favor of a less ambitious strategy.

According to the story, the Cupertino firm was at one time approaching media companies directly to obtain content rights for an a-la-carte TV service. But due to failed licensing negotiations and other issues, it’s said to now be working on hardware for existing cable service … Read More

 

iOS 7 references unreleased Apple TV hardware

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 10, 2014

Mark Gurman of 9to5Mac did a nice job discovering some hidden references to an unreleased Apple TV hardware in the iOS 7 code. Specifically, the strings mention ‘Apple TV 4,1′, which indicates a major refresh to the Apple TV hardware. By comparison, the current third-generation Apple TV has a designation of ‘Apple TV 3,1′.

This is yet another indication that Apple could refresh the Apple TV box later this year, as some rumors have predicted. The current $99 set-top box was last updated 705 days ago… Read More

 

New Apple TV channel celebrates 50th anniversary of Beatles on 1964 Ed Sullivan Show

By Christian Zibreg on Feb 10, 2014

Apple is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ performance on The Ed Sullivan Show with a new Apple TV channel. Simply named ‘The Beatles,’ the new channel allows you to watch the legendary British rock band’s performance on The Ed Sullivan Show from 1964. There are also links to the band’s digital releases on iTunes, which are available for purchase on iTunes digitally for the first time… Read More

 

WWE channel coming to Apple TV on February 24

By Cody Lee on Feb 3, 2014

A representative of the World Wrestling Entertainment has seemingly confirmed that the upcoming 24/7 WWE Network will be landing on the Apple TV on February 24. Responding to a question on Facebook, the rep said that once the network launches, subscribers will be able to access it directly from their second or third generation ATV… Read More

 

Rumor: next-gen Apple TV has gaming functionality, TV tuner, built-in AirPort router

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 28, 2014

Piggy-backing on a report last week by iLounge which heard from sources that the next Apple TV set-top box will support wireless game controllers and possibly an app store for games, another reliable blogger has chimed in with additional tidbits.

Long story short, a much improved Apple TV hardware refresh is thought to include an 802.11ac wireless router functionality by way of AirPort Express integration. It should also come with a built-in TV tuner to control your existing cable boxes and TV stations and include gaming functionality.

Some hobby, eh? Read More

 

Red Bull TV sports channel added to Apple TV

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 28, 2014

Apple has added a new channel to its $99 media-streaming box, the Apple TV. The Red Bull TV action sports channel should be now available on everyone’s Home screen (if not, manually check for updates by going to Settings > General > Software Updates and choosing Update Software).

Red Bull TV is an action-packed sports channel by the famous Austrian energy drinks company, Red Bull GmbH. The new Apple TV channel offers free action sports content, coverage of live events and more… Read More

 

Good deal: 33% off FireCore’s aTV Flash (black)

By Cody Lee on Jan 27, 2014

Folks with a jailbroken second generation Apple TV should check out this sweet little deal going on over Stack Social. The deal site has the popular ATV software suite aTV Flash (black) on sale right now for under $20.

For those unfamiliar with Flash (black), it’s a popular software package that extends the capabilities of your Apple TV with tools like a web browser and a weather app, and it can play a wide range of different file types… Read More

 

Rumor: Apple TV to get controller support and App Store of its own in March

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 23, 2014

Being an avid gamer, this is one rumor I’ve been waiting for for years now. According to iLongue, a blog with somewhat mixed track record, Apple’s $99 set-top box is about to receive a proper support for wireless Bluetooth game controllers.

There’ll also be an Apple TV App Store of sorts that’ll offer downloadable full HD games.

The best part: these new features are said to arrive via a software update, indicating that existing third-generation Apple TVs might be able to run games and use controllers… Read More

 

How to jailbreak iOS 5.3 on the Apple TV 2 untethered

By Jeff Benjamin on Jan 5, 2014

At iDB, we’ve been singing the praises of the Apple TV for years, especially one of the jailbroken variety. With a jailbroken Apple TV 2, you can do tons of cool stuff, like run XBMC, ATV Flash (black), and loads of other interesting apps and tweaks.

Simply put, the Apple TV hardware in and of itself is good, but jailbreaking the Apple TV 2 sends its value through the roof. Yesterday, FireCore, the creators of the Seas0nPass Apple TV jailbreak tool, released an untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.3 thanks to some help from winocm and iH8sn0w. Check inside for the full video walkthrough that shows how to jailbreak your Apple TV 2 untethered. Read More

 
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