Apple TV

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Apple TV owners twice as likely to cut the cord than couch potatoes

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 15, 2013

So who's going to cut the cord? Like-minded individuals like yourself - the types who own a Roku, an Apple TV or a similar connected TV device - are twice as likely to ditch the cable compared to broadband users who don’t connect their TV to the Internet.

That's the gist of a new research into the habits of owners of so-called connected boxes. In addition to set-top boxes, game consoles and Blu-ray players, the definition also includes folks who connect their laptop to a TV with a cable. Unfortunately, cutting the cord is easier said than done...

Roku says its set-top box is more popular for streaming than Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 14, 2013

A month ago, Frost & Sullivan Consumer Video Devices Market report singled out Apple's $99 Apple TV as the most-used set-top box in terms of content streaming. Specifically, the Apple TV claimed the commanding 56 percent share of streaming device sales, more than twice the share of the #2 Roku, which took 26 percent share of sales.

Not content with its ranking, Roku today cited another research to prove its box is the leading streaming platform...

Vevo Apple TV app reportedly in the works

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Specialized publication AdAge is out with a new report which asserts - based on chit-chats with the obligatory "people familiar with the matter" - that Apple and the Vevo music website (no, I'm not capitalizing the name) have teamed up on providing the official app for the Apple TV to stream music videos 24/7 over the Internet. Akin to the Vevo TV feature found in Vevo's existing iPhone and iPad programs, the Apple TV application would offer non-stop streaming of music videos from Vevo's content partners.

Such a piece of software has the potential to effectively turn your $99 set-top box into the MTV jukebox for the 21st century. Keep in mind Vevo controls a catalog of 75,000 music videos from more than 21,000 artists...

How to use the new Apple TV beta automatic configuration

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The new Apple TV beta has an awesome new feature — the ability to automatically configure settings via Bluetooth using an iOS 7 enabled device. We put the new feature through its paces just a few minutes ago, and came away quite impressed.

The new automatic setup feature will save Apple TV users a lot of time, and avoids the need to input tedious passwords and IDs using the little remote control that comes bundled with each set top box. Have a look inside, as we walk you through the entire setup process on video...

Apple TV 5.4 Beta 4 seeded to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 6, 2013

Along with seeding the fifth iOS 7 beta to its registered developers, Apple has also issued the fourth beta of the upcoming Apple TV 5.4 software update.

The beta firmware files for the second and third-generation Apple TV model, as well as the tweaked third-gen model (Rev A), are now available to the registered members of Apple's paid developer program through the iOS Dev Center...

Best Buy offering free Apple TV with purchase of 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro

Cody Lee ∙ Updated September 17, 2017

If you happen to be in the market for a new Mac laptop, you may want to check out your local Best Buy. Not only has the retailer knocked $200 off the prices of its Retina MacBook Pros, but it's also now offering a free Apple TV with purchase.

The promotion is good for all 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro purchases, and includes a free third-generation Apple TV at checkout—no mail-in rebates or anything. And between that and the aforementioned discount, that's a savings of at least $300...

Intel’s TV box to include server-side DVR that records everything for at least three days

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 22, 2017

We've been hearing for months how Intel's been hard at work developing its own Apple TV contender, which sources claim includes a television service of sorts. Conceivably frustrated enough with “everyone doing a half-assed Google TVs," the world's top chip maker reportedly set on to engineer a set-top box itself "and do it right.”

These rumors may soon prove true: according to a new report, Intel aims to turn the industry upside down by introducing supercharged DVR functionality said to tap a powerful server farm that records and stores every piece of programming for at least three days.

Now, TiVo devices have had a similar patented DVR feature called Trick Play for years. But Trick Play doesn't hold a candle to Intel as it relies on local TiVo storage to record just up to half an hour tops of recently viewed television...

Latest Apple TV beta adds music purchasing and ‘touch to setup’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Yesterday, Apple seeded beta 3 of Apple TV 5.4 software. And looking at the change log, it initially appeared that the update was little more than a maintenance update, as there were no new notable features. But a couple of cool things have since been discovered in the release.

For one, it looks like Apple has re-added the ability to purchase music through iTunes—as it stands, users can only purchase TV shows and Movies through iTunes on their Apple TV, and this appears to change that. And two, a new 'touch to setup' feature has been added...

Netflix’s user profile feature now rolling out to Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

In April of this year, Netflix announced that it would be introducing some new family-oriented features to its video streaming service over the next several months. Among those mentioned was a new $12 family plan, and a new user profile option for multiple accounts.

Netflix hasn't launched the $12 plan yet, which allows families to stream different shows on up to 4 different devices (instead of 2). But it has started beta testing the personalized profile feature with a number of its users. And tonight, it starting rolling out to Apple TV...

Apple seeds Apple TV 5.4 beta 3 to developers

Cody Lee ∙ July 29, 2013

Alongside iOS 7 beta 4, Apple has seeded beta 3 of Apple TV 5.4 software to developers this morning. The update isn't nearly as expansive as its iOS device counterpart, but it does bring about a number of improvements and bug fixes.

Interestingly enough, the new beta also appears to allow users running iOS 7 to setup their Apple TV with their iPhone or iPad after a full restore or resetting all settings (iPhone 4 and iPad 2 not supported). Release notes after the fold...

Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Chromecast content options

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 28, 2017

On Wednesday this week, Google unveiled a handful of new products. There's the second generation Nexus 7 tablet, Android 4.3, and the Chromecast TV dongle. The latter has proved rather popular, selling out in most online stores within the first 72 hours.

The accessory is very similar to the Apple TV, or the Roku box, as it lets you stream Internet content to your television. That content varies, however, depending on which product you go with. So we thought this breakdown of their differences was worth a look...

Apple’s plans for TV growing less ambitious with Time Warner deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

As we’ve heard a few times over the past month, Apple and Time Warner Cable appear to be very close to inking a deal that would bring a TWC app to the Apple TV’s Home screen. It would mark the first time that the set-top box would be capable of streaming live TV.

Initial details regarding the service have been scarce, but a new report this morning helps add a bit of color. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg warns users not to get too excited, as the TWC app will save them little more than a click of the remote...