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WWDC channel goes live on Apple TV ahead of today’s keynote

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 2, 2014

Ahead of today's much anticipated keynote address - which starts at 10am PT / 1pm ET at San Francisco's Moscone West - Apple has silently added a WWDC channel to the Apple TV owners' Home screen.

As in years past, the Apple Events channel has been updated with the familiar WWDC graphics to reflect the upcoming event.

This makes good on Apple's promise to stream the keynote live to the Mac and Windows users on desktop, as well as to Apple TV boxes and the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad devices, utilizing its industry-standard QuickTime architecture.

We will be covering the keynote live so you'll want to refresh iDownloadBlog regularely to follow the announcements as they happen...

Eddy Cue: today’s TV experience sucks

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Last night, Apple’s Eddy Cue (and Jimmy Iovine) joined Recode's Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher on stage at the Code Conference to discuss a wide range of topics. The focus was obviously on the recently announced Beats acquisition, but as you can imagine, other interesting stuff came up as well.

One of the more noteworthy bits came after Cue was questioned on the long-rumored Apple TV update. Mossberg said it's clear Apple has been wanting to do a big TV project for a long time, and Tim Cook has even alluded to it on a few occasions, but we haven't seen anything yet. Here's Cue's response...

Netflix working on Dolby Digital 5.1 fix for Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ May 27, 2014

Folks experiencing problems with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound in the Netflix app on Apple TV will be happy to hear that the streaming video giant is aware of the audio issue, and is currently working on fix.

The bug, 9to5Mac reports, stems from the Apple TV 6.1 update seeded in March. Following the release, a number of users with 5.1-capable systems reported they could only get stereo output from the Netflix app...

Don’t expect to see a new Apple TV or iWatch at WWDC

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

I don't think many folks were expecting Apple to unveil any exciting new hardware at WWDC this year. The company has rarely used the developer conference to unveil non-software related products, outside of maybe refreshed MacBooks and other Mac products.

But for those who were still holding out hope for a Jobs-like 'one more thing,' I have some bad news. According to a new report from Recode's John Paczkowski, the company has no intention of using WWDC to show off the long-rumored iWatch or revamped Apple TV...

Apple announces 20 million Apple TVs sold to date

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

During Apple's earnings call earlier this afternoon, CEO Tim Cook announced that the company crossed the 20 million sold mark for the Apple TV during the last quarter. The mention is noteworthy as Apple doesn't typically breakout numbers for the set-top box (though it has on occasion).

The move falls in line with Cook's previous sentiments regarding the Apple TV—at a shareholders meeting in February Cook said 'it’s a little more difficult to call the Apple TV a hobby these days,' and comes amid rumors that the company is preparing to launch a new version of the device...

Siri coming to Apple TV, iOS code strings suggest

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 23, 2014

Apple on April Fool's Day released iOS 7.1 with CarPlay, Siri/Touch ID improvements and more.

As part of the launch, the company has posted the final version of the official iOS 7.1 software development kit (SDK) that programmers use to take advantage of new features.

Enthusiasts frequently comb through iOS code in search of leads that would indicate upcoming new features or devices and iOS 7.1 SDK is no exception. In fact, eagled-eyed fans have spotted a couple interesting references in the iOS code possibly pointing at Apple's digital personal assistant coming to Apple TV boxes...

History Channel, A&E and Lifetime channels added to Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 21, 2014

I hope you have some room left on your Apple TV's main menu because Apple has just added three new channels to its $99 set-top box featuring content from The History Channel, A&E and Lifetime. Cable-cutters shouldn't jump with joy, however, as a cable subscription is required to stream on-demand video from these sources without restrictions.

The new content sources should have been added automatically to your Apple TV's Home screen. If not, go to Settings > General > Software Updates and choose the Update Software option...

LG launches AirPlay-like SDK to stream media to multiple TVs, Apple TV support incoming

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

LG is hoping to make it easier for users to beam media to their televisions, with a new SDK it's making available to developers to integrate into apps on iOS and Android.

Smart TVs have historically been one of the most closed platforms out there, with manufacturers developing features for only their own TVs and set-top boxes, and not the broader market - example being Apple's AirPlay. LG is changing this with its new Integrate Connect SDK, a standard to place into mobile apps to beam media across multiple platforms onto the big screen.

A timeline of all the products Apple is rumored to launch this year

Cody Lee ∙ April 9, 2014

Apple is preparing to release a bevy of new products this year, according to a new research note from KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo. The highly regarded analyst has laid out a timeline of all the products Apple is rumored to launch in 2014, beginning in Q2 and going all the way through December.

Kuo sees Apple starting with an iMac refresh in late Q2, followed by upgrades to the iPad Air and iPad mini. He then sees the company introducing a new 4.7-inch iPhone and the oft-rumored iWatch in Q3, and closing out the year with a refreshed Apple TV, 5.5-inch iPhone and a 12" MacBook...

FCC filing says Apple exploring development of a set-top box

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

Evidence is mounting that Apple is working on advancing its $99 set-top box around a bunch of new features like downloadable apps and games, iOS 7 game controller support, streamable television channels and subscriptions, DVR and wireless AirPort router capabilities, cable box functionality and what not. Whether any of this pans out is up for debate.

That said, surely Apple won't be standing still as new entrants like Amazon enter the crowded living room space. Perhaps the most solid piece of evidence to date comes in a filing with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) related to the planned Comcast and Time Warner Cable merger.

Hit the jump for more...

Google building Android set-top box with voice input, apps and games

Cody Lee ∙ Updated July 1, 2017

In 2011, Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said that, "by the summer of 2012, the majority of the televisions you see in stores will have Google TV embedded." But here it is, 2014, and a quick search of BestBuy.com confirms that the lofty goal never came to fruition.

The company hasn't given up on the living room though. In fact, according to a report from The Verge, it's readying a new Android-based set-top right now. The site has obtained screenshots and other documents outing the project, which is apparently named Android TV...

Steve Jobs email reveals past Apple TV ideas: apps, ‘magic wand’ remote and more

Cody Lee ∙ April 5, 2014

We're only a few days in, but we've already learned a lot from the Apple-Samsung patent trial. With it being a legal proceeding, the public is given access to information it wasn't previously privi'ed to by way of executive testimonies, corporate emails and other evidence.

In fact, earlier today a particularly interesting email surfaced from former Apple CEO Steve Jobs. The document, which was submitted as evidence in the case, features a list of things Jobs wanted to discuss at the company's 2010 'top 100' meeting, including the Apple TV...