Apple TV

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Apple trolling us with Apple TV apps and games?

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 10, 2012

Ahead of this year's WWDC, BGR editor Jonathan Geller claimed Apple would release a software development kit allowing developers to write third-party apps for the $99 Apple TV set-top box. His prediction was incorrect because to this date the hardware runs just a few stock apps as Apple's been consistent in disregarding calls to open up the platform to third-party programmers.

Gene Munster, arguably the biggest proponent of a standalone Apple television set, has no doubt in his mind that apps are coming to your telly, recently predicting Cupertino will offer an updated Apple TV box with a TV app store as early as next year. In fact, Apple may have inadvertently leaked this capability because the Apple TV's Movies menu has been spotted running banners that promote holiday apps and games...

Google getting rid of Motorola’s set-top box biz to focus on phones and Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 10, 2012

It is no secret that no one has cracked the code to the perfect TV yet. As multiple vendors fight for the living room with no clear leader in sight, the search monster's Google TV platform is floundering and Apple's $99 Apple TV hockey puck is still deemed a hobby business, despite sales in the first six months of 2012 doubling to 2.7 million units, almost equalling the 2.8 million Apple TVs moved in the entire 2011.

And as the prospect of an Apple-branded standalone HD TV set continues to occupy the brightest minds in the industry and Hollywood, rival Google is looking to sell off the cable box division of Motorola and has already received a few offers last week. But why is Google willing to drop Motorola's set-top box business in the first place?

Here’s how the Apple TV’s new Bluetooth keyboard support works

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

Earlier today we told you about how the latest beta version of the Apple TV firmware adds Bluetooth keyboard support. Why Apple is just now getting around to adding support for keyboards is anyone's guess, but it's better late than never.

No longer will you have to tediously type in hidden WiFi SSIDs and passwords in order to setup a WiFi connection. No longer will you tear your hair out in frustration as you search YouTube for your favorite videos from iDB.

We've downloaded the beta version of the latest Apple TV firmware, and tested out the Bluetooth keyboard support for ourselves. Now we'd like to share with you the entire setup process just to show you how incredibly easy it all is. Take a look inside...

Apple TV to see Bluetooth support, courtesy of iOS update

Oliver Haslam ∙ Updated April 10, 2018

The Apple TV may just be a hobby (or is it?) but that doesn't mean that it isn't still receiving some new features as new versions of iOS are released. The latest beta release of iOS for the Apple TV is a prime example of Apple's intent to push the device forward, and one particular new feature is one we've been begging for.

If you've ever sat and entered a long iTunes or Wi-FI password using the Apple TV's remote control, then you'll probably have asked why the little black box doesn't support Bluetooth keyboards. Nobody really understood the decision but, thankfully, it appears that it's all about to change.

That's right folks, the current iOS beta endows the Apple TV with support for Bluetooth keyboards! Finally...

Cook: Apple television is an ‘area of intense interest’

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2018

NBC's much hyped interview with Tim Cook is scheduled to air today at 10pm Eastern, 7pm Pacific time. The network has posted a preview of the show containing Cook's interesting comment on the state of the elusive and long-rumored Apple television set. In it, Apple's chief executive likened the Apple TV project and the living room to an "area of intense interest", but refused to provide any more details.

Remembering how Steve Jobs had insisted on describing the $99 hockey puck as a hobby business, it's certainly interesting that Cook now positions the living room as a business opportunity Apple is keen on taking to the next level. Perhaps the rumored Xbox TV project from Microsoft has forced Apple to re-consider its "hobby" stance?

Apple rolls out 5.1.1 Apple TV software with iTunes Up Next

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 29, 2012

Hot on the heels of posting the eagerly anticipated iTunes 11, a major revamp of the jukebox app focused on iCloud integration and cleaner navigation, Apple of California also started pushing an incremental update to the Apple TV, its $99 set-top box. The iOS 5.1.1 firmware number with a build number of 10A831 is now available as a Software Update for both the second and third-generation Apple TV. To apply it, just choose Settings > General > About on your Apple TV...

Time Warner CEO speaks out about Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ November 28, 2012

Apple's upcoming plans for the living room, and more specifically the TV space, has been a hot topic at Business Insider's IGNITION conference this week. It was the major focus of analyst Gene Munster's talk, and it was brought up again today with Jeff Bewkes, the CEO of media conglomerate Time Warner...

Gene Munster talks Apple TV and more at Ignition conference

Cody Lee ∙ November 28, 2012

Reports that an Apple TV product is in the works have resurfaced a number of times over the past few years. Analysts continue to believe that Apple has something bigger planned for the living room than its current $99 hobby.

Perhaps nobody believes this more than Piper Jaffray's senior Apple analyst Gene Munster. And he was recently seen at Business Insider's IGNITION conference in New York talking about Apple's plans for the TV and more...

FireCore talks Apple TV 3 jailbreak

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 16, 2016

Since Apple unveiled the third-generation Apple TV earlier this year, folks have been clamoring for it to be jailbroken. It has a faster processor, double the RAM and streams video in a higher quality — who wouldn't want to take advantage of it?

And there's no one itching for an Apple TV 3 jailbreak more than the folks over at FireCore, the makers of the popular aTV Flash software suite. Well today, the team spoke out about the progress (or lack there of) that is being made on the hack...

Conceptual renders imagine iTV interface

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 26, 2012

A member of The Verge forums posted a series of intriguing images depicting an à la carte heaven where the Apple TV box serves entertainment from pretty much any source imaginable, be it DLNA devices on the local network, your cable or satellite provider web sources like iTunes and YouTube - even premium channels like HBO and Fox. Regardless of the source, the concept calls for a unified interface bringing together all the different media sources in one central place, with voice-activated search, electronic program guides and other perks...

Rumor: Microsoft’s Apple TV-killer is called Xbox TV, coming in 2013

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

I see a pattern emerging here. Apple comes up with the iPad and Microsoft launches the Surface. Then, Apple makes the iPad mini while Microsoft is allegedly readying a gadget code-named Xbox Surface, basically a seven-inch Surface tablet focused on gaming. And now, word on the street is that Redmond is working on its own set-top box to take on the Apple TV and others in the living room space. Aptly named Xbox TV, it's aimed at casual gamers and regular couch potatoes...

Users report major issues with latest Apple TV update

Cody Lee ∙ November 20, 2012

Back in September, Apple pushed out a significant update for the Apple TV. Labeled iOS 5.1, it included a number of new features and improvements, including support for Shared Photo Streams.

But apparently, the new firmware contained more than just refinements. According to a lengthy ongoing thread in Apple's support forums, the update also brought along some crippling bugs...