5 things ‘Apple TV 3,2′ could be

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 28, 2013

A firmware release is always a nice starting point to hunt for code strings referencing yet-to-be-released hardware. Apple today released iOS 6.1 and an accompanying Apple TV 5.2 software, adding more LTE carriers and improving upon Siri (iPhones, iPads and iPods) while introducing enhanced iCloud features and bringing support for Bluetooth keyboards to the Apple TV.

Watchful hackers immediately spotted references to ‘AppleTV 3,2′. As the current third-generation 1080p Apple TV hardware is designated as ‘AppleTV 3,1′, the newly discovered string might mean a minor Apple TV update could be in the works.

How minor? That remains to be seen and we can only speculate until Apple shows its card. Here, my top five picks as to what ‘Apple TV 3,2′ might represent (and, please, do feel free to add your own)… Read More

 

The upcoming iOS 6.1 untethered jailbreak will support almost all devices [Updated]

By Jeff Benjamin on Jan 28, 2013

Some very good news was made known today by one of the members of the evad3rs — the team responsible for the upcoming evasi0n jailbreak. MuscleNerd, who is a well respected part of this team, has made it known that nearly all iOS 6.1 compatible devices will reap the benefits of the upcoming jailbreak.

This means that only the Apple TV 3, and possibly the Apple TV 2 will lack support. As far as every other device goes, they’re fair game. Take a look at our full list of iOS  devices that will be jailbreakable on iOS 6.1 after the break… Read More

 

It looks like Staples might soon begin selling Apple products

By Cody Lee on Jan 27, 2013

Apple has been significantly expanding its retail presence over the past several years. I can remember when you could only find Apple products at CompUSA, and now they are everywhere: Best Buy, RadioShack, Walmart, Target, you name it.

And it looks like it’s set to add another store to that list. According to a new report this weekend, Staples has begun advertising the Apple TV on its website. It would seem that the office retail giant is gearing up to begin offering Apple products… Read More

 

Apple sold record 2 million Apple TVs last quarter

By Cody Lee on Jan 23, 2013

Among some of the more interesting tidbits from Apple’s earnings call today was Tim Cook’s mention of Apple TV sales. The device has long been called a hobby by Cook and other Apple executives, but it doesn’t act like one.

The Cupertino company sold over 2 million Apple TVs during last quarter, a record high for the company. That’s a 60% growth over last year’s first fiscal quarter, which is bigger than that of both the iPhone and the iPad… Read More

 

Netflix and YouTube working on an open AirPlay alternative

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 23, 2013

AirPlay, a wireless media technology from Apple featured on the Apple TV, iPhones, iPads, iPods and newer Macs running OS X Mountain Lion, is a major selling point because it allows users to seamlessly beam their photos, music and video from their computer or iDevice to a TV set via an Apple TV set-top box. However, Netflix teamed up with Google’s YouTube on an AirPlay alternative and today the two have released official details.

DIAL, as it’s called (an acronym for DIscovery And Launch), is an open second screen protocol which automatically discovers compliant devices to stream media. The new standard has impressive support from key content owners and consumer electronics makers, including the likes of BBC, Sony, Hulu and of course Samsung… Read More

 

Munster (again) sees Apple shipping iTV and new remote in 2013

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 22, 2013

You gotta give it to Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster, arguably for years the most vocal proponent of a full-fledged Apple television set. Speaking to Bloomberg today, Munster re-iterated his belief Apple is working on releasing a standalone television set in 2013. His thinking is apparently based in checks with Apple’s suppliers and he also sees the Cupertino firm shipping an intelligent remote that, in his mind, should be an important part of the rumored iTV… Read More

 

Apple TV goes on sale in South Africa this Friday

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 17, 2013

Apple’s $99 set-top box is scheduled to go on sale in South Africa this coming Friday, January 18. The news was confirmed by Core Group, Apple’s official distributor in the 52 million people market. Core Group also announced pricing and availability information for Apple’s hockey-puck device, which will retail for R1099, or approximately US$125. Additionally, Apple Premium Resellers and authorized dealers will also carry the set-top box come this Friday, though resellers are reportedly “entirely free to determine the actual prices at which products will be sold”, per Core’s press statement… Read More

 

‘EnablePixelQuadrupling’ constant could suggest Apple is working on a “super Retina” device

By Mike Schnier on Jan 15, 2013

Users of retina iPhones and iPads are used to the phenomenon of pixel doubling, where two-by-two squares stand in for a larger, lower density pixel. But how would you feel about a display that needs pixel quadrupling?

Just hours ago Ryan Petrich, the developer behind excellent jailbreak tweaks such as BrowserChooser, FullForce, and Display Recorder, stumbled across a constant in Quartz Core which may suggest that Apple is working on a super retina device… Read More

 

FireCore updates aTV Flash (black) with TV show playlists and more

By Cody Lee on Jan 11, 2013

Well, it’s Friday afternoon and the folks at FireCore have just given jailbroken second generation Apple TV owners something else to be excited about as the weekend approaches: an update for the popular software suite: aTV Flash (black).

The update, which brings the app to version 2.1, features several improvements including a new TV show playlist option, which makes it easier to pick up where you left off with your favorite show, customizable favorites, and more… Read More

 

Netflix-like Watchever streaming video service launches on Apple TVs in Germany

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 11, 2013

Apple today added a brand new streaming option for Apple TV owners in Germany, the new Watchever video service. No firmware update is needed: the service appears as a new app on the user’s home screen. Watchever just launched in the country yesterday as the first premium, monthly fee-based video-on-demand provider. The Vivendi-owned streaming service requires a monthly subscription of €8.99, or about ten bucks.

And just like Netflix over in the United States, it provides access to television shows and movies on a number of compatible devices. It is only available on Apple TVs in Germany, indicating Eddy Cue & Co. are now pushing deals with local content owners outside the United States… Read More

 

Streaming video service Watchever now available on Apple TV in Germany

By Cody Lee on Jan 11, 2013

Apple TV owners in Germany are in for a little surprise the next time they boot up their set top boxes. It appears that Apple has added a new app to the home screen for Watchever, a new video subscription service.

Similar to Netflix, Watchever gives users unlimited access to local, European and international movies and TV shows for €8.99 a month (or about $12 USD). And now, German users can access it on their ATVs… Read More

 

Surprise, Intel faces roadblocks in securing content for its Apple TV contender

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 2, 2013

Yesterday, news broke that chip giant Intel, frustrated with “everyone doing a half-assed Google TV”, is prepping its own set-top box and  cable service for an introduction at the CES show, which runs January 8-11 (iDB will be there!). The report noted Intel “has a plan to overcome licensing hurdles” by rolling out the TV service gradually, on a city-by-city basis.

Today, The Wall Street Journal throws its proverbial credibility behind the rumor, but also explains that Intel, just like Apple, has found that Hollywood is proving to be a much tougher nut to crack… Read More

 

NPD: consumers find current ‘smart’ TVs a little too smart

By Cody Lee on Jan 1, 2013

The year is now 2013, and according to Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Apple is going to release a new television product in the next 6 months. Of course, you can’t always believe what analysts say. But you can’t always ignore them either.

The 20+ year senior researcher believes that Apple’s TV device will feature a completely rebuilt remote control and a UI that makes finding content a lot easier than current solutions. And judging by data from a new NPD survey, it would be a hit… Read More

 

Intel might launch own Apple TV competitor and cable service at CES

By Christian Zibreg on Jan 1, 2013

The world’s leading chip maker Intel, which supplies processors for Apple’s Mac notebooks and desktops, is reportedly prepping to launch its rumored virtual cable TV service and set-top box because the company was frustrated with “everyone doing a half-assed Google TV so it’s going to do it themselves and do it right”, according to sources that spoke with TechCrunch.

Intel allegedly “has a plan to overcome licensing hurdles” that Apple reportedly has been facing for some time in its attempts to woo big-budget Hollywoood studios. The semiconductor giant will apparently roll out the service on a city-by-city basis rather than nationwide, opting to cut content deals on a per-market basis.

Apple, of course, has long been rumored to be testing prototypes of a full-fledged 46 to 55-inch television sets as the living room remains “an area of intense interest” for the Cupertino giant… Read More

 

Samsung teases new TV launch at CES 2013

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 27, 2012

While the iTV rumors have continued unabated right throughout 2012, little concrete supply chain leads do we have of Apple building a full-blown television set. Meanwhile, the sunset of Japan’s television business and ongoing struggles of Sharp, Sony and Panasonic combined have paved the way for the rise of new competition from South Korea, chiefly Samsung Electronics whose Smart TV sets have taken over the entire television market by storm. And as Apple is pondering its next move, its frenemy is building up on the CES 2013 hype with a teaser that promises a new TV launch… Read More

 

Nito Installer now available for Windows

By Cody Lee on Dec 27, 2012

Great news today for Windows users with a jailbroken Apple TV2. The popular jailbreak tool known as nito Installer, which was released for the Mac platform back in August, is now available on Microsoft’s OS.

Like its counterpart, the Windows version of nito Installer allows you to easily install XBMC — a free, open source media player application — and other tools to your jailbroken ATV with just a couple of clicks… Read More

 

Foxconn reportedly testing 46 to 55-inch Apple television sets

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 19, 2012

A new rumor out from Apple’s supply chain in Asia has it that Foxconn, the world’s largest (and Apple’s favorite) contract manufacturer is testing some badass television panels with the shining Apple logo on them. But don’t get your hopes up high, because shipments of iTVs are unlikely to begin before 2014.

The rumor corroborates last week’s report by The Wall Street Journal claiming Apple is working with component suppliers in Asia to test several TV-set designs. Unnamed manufacturing sources also warn that the possibility of Apple using IGZO display panels from Sharp “is not high” as the firm is allegedly testing display panels ranging from 46 to 55 inches diagonally… Read More

 

Nito Installer allows you to easily install nitoTV and XBMC on a jailbroken Apple TV

By Jeff Benjamin on Dec 17, 2012

Thanks to the folks over at FireCore, both jailbreaking and installing useful jailbreak apps on an Apple TV 2 is about as easy as it gets. FireCore’s jailbreak tool — Seas0npass — is incredibly simple, and it’s free.

Likewise, FireCore’s application package — aTV Flash (black) — is extremely simple as well, though there is a charge associated with using it. Pretty much everything that you can install using aTV flash (black) can be accomplished on your own with a bit of know how, but its simplicity makes the package worth the money.

Now Kevin Bradley, better known in hacking circles as nitoTV, has created his own easy to use installer, appropriately called, nito Installer. Unlike aTV flash (black), his version is free and runs directly on an iOS device like the iPhone or iPad.

Want to see how it works? Take a look inside as we take nito Installer for a spin… Read More

 

iOS 6.1 beta 4 released to developers for all iOS devices

By Jeff Benjamin on Dec 17, 2012

Apple has released what is reportedly its final iOS 6.1 beta a few minutes ago, when it pushed out iOS 6.1 beta 4 for all iOS devices including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

Existing beta users can access the latest update via the General > Software Update section of the Settings.app. This delta update rings in at a modest 56.5 MB, while the full fledged update comes in at 896 MB when downloaded directly from Apple’s developer portal. Read More

 

Brightcove CEO sees a bright future for Apple television

By Christian Zibreg on Dec 17, 2012

Brightcove founder, chairman and CEO Jeremy Allaire previously shared some interesting observations regarding Apple’s living room strategy, saying that AirPlay technology and third-party apps will set a mythical Apple television set apart from traditional TV sets. And with Tim Cook telling NBC that television remains an “area of intense interest” for Apple.

Jeremy this morning shared some additional observations concerning the Apple TV strategy, noting Apple should best serve its customers with a companion $149 device rather than a full-blown HD TV set costing as much as two thousand bucks… Read More