Apple TV

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New Apple TV hardware due next month, says Apple pundit

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2013

MG Siegler, a TechCrunch columnist, blogger, Google Ventures partner and self-proclaimed Apple fanboy, has some solid sources at Apple. Though he rarely comments on what Apple will or will not do, when he does you can bet your shirt he won't make off-the-cuff remarks.

Today, Siegler felt compelled to take to Twitter and share with the world that a new Apple TV hardware could be arriving as soon as next month. The claim seemingly corroborates a sketchy GigaOM report that suggested the possibility of some kind of television-related product from Apple, based on leaked shipping records "from a top supplier," labeled labeled 'Set Top Boxes'...

New Apple TV software with AirPlay enhancements due September 18

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 11, 2013

While some watchers have been expecting Apple TV news during yesterday's keynote, Apple instead chose to talk exclusively about the new iPhone 5s/5c and the revamped iOS 7 software. Apple's been testing a new version of the software powering its $99 set-top box since iOS 7 was introduced at WWDC this June. We've seen some of the new features such as a Conference Room Mode for presenters.

Moreover, earlier this week the AllThingsD blog shed more light on improved AirPlay support allowing users to watch the media they own on someone else's box without having to log in with their iTunes Store account. Today, a new report alleged that the final version of the updated firmware will hit Apple TVs a week from today, on September 18, 2013...

Sony introduces the PS Vita TV, an Apple TV competitor that plays games

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

It appears that the PlayStation 4 isn't the only new gaming hardware we'll be seeing from Sony this year. The Tokyo-based company has just announced PlayStation Vita TV, a 6 x 10 cm console and set-top box that can connect to your TV.

The device is based on PS Vita hardware, and besides playing Vita, PSP and PS1 games, it also offers access to a range of entertainment services and PS4-specific features. And, priced at $100, it's aimed squarely at Apple's set-top box...

Updated Apple TV software with improved AirPlay tipped off for Tuesday’s iPhone keynote

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 6, 2013

Contrary to previous reports, Apple won't update the $99 Apple TV set-top box hardware just yet, currently in its third generation. As we reported recently, some rather inconclusive shipping records tracked to the global trade intelligence platform Panjiva suggested that a fourth-gen Apple TV or even a standalone TV product was imminent.

According to the Wall Street Journal-owned technology blog, that's not the case at all. Instead, with the upcoming keynote being focused on new iPhones and the supporting iOS 7 software, Apple will instead release an update to the Apple TV software, with one particular standout new feature being detailed...

Leaked shipping records suggest new Apple TV coming soon

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple made it official yesterday. It will be holding a media event on September 10 where it is expected to unveil two new iPhones and the final version of iOS 7. But are smartphones all that's on the docket for next week's event? Perhaps not.

As it turns out, Apple may be planning to unveil a new Apple TV, or similar television-related product at the upcoming presser. A new report shows the company accepted three shipments last month labeled "Set Top Boxes" from a top supplier...

ESPN’s News and Deportes channels added to Apple TV and iOS

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 17, 2019

Less than 48 hours after Apple added new video content from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel to its $99 Apple TV set-top box, ESPN announced Wednesday it's enabled access to two new channels - News and Deportes - on the Apple TV and iOS devices, through the WatchESPN software for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

This is important because ESPN is a global powerhouse.

Owned as a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Corporation, the U.S.-based cable and satellite television channel is a lot of people's go-to source for all things sports...

Rumor: Disney working on Star Wars streaming channel for Apple TV

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 6, 2016

Yesterday, Apple gave would-be shoppers another reason to consider its $99 Apple TV set-top box by adding five new channels from the likes of Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney and Smithsonian. Piggy-backing on the development, a sketchy report by a Star Wars fan website is out saying Disney has been working with Apple on a dedicated Star Wars-themed Apple TV channel.

It should be unleashed time for the holiday season and permit users to stream the final episodes of the animated Clone Wars television series. More on that after the break...

New hack brings Plex back to the Apple TV

Sébastien Page ∙ August 28, 2013

We have some good news following our yesterday's report that PlexConnect, the hack that allows you to run Plex on a non jailbroken Apple TV had been disabled in the device's recent update. As it turns out, you can still run PlexConnect on your Apple TV, although it might not be as straightforward as it once was.

Developer Paul Kehrer has written a fairly detailed tutorial explaining how to run PlexConnect on your Apple TV. The hack still poses as Apple TV's Trailers app in order to accomplish the install...

Bad news: this morning’s Apple TV update broke PlexConnect hack

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Apple this morning has issued an update making its popular $99 Apple TV gadget a whole lot more useful by enabling an additional five content channels: 24/7 music video streaming via Vevo TV, in addition to on-demand and live video feeds from Weather Channel, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Smithsonian Channel.

While not a software update per se - new icons automatically appear on your Home screen upon firing up the set-top box without requiring any intervention on the user's part - something has changed because it's broken PlexConnect, a popular hack that fools Apple's Trailers app into streaming media files stored on your computer, no jailbreak required...

Apple TV gains apps from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney and Smithsonian, we go hands-on

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Just as we've been expecting, Apple has updated its $99 Apple TV set-top box with 24/7 music video streaming by way of Vevo TV. But that's not all, Apple has surprised us all by adding support for several other premium content sources. In addition to Vevo, the update has brought out four additional apps: Weather Channel, Disney Channel and Disney XD, as well as Smithsonian Channel, co-owned by CBS and the Smithsonian Institution.

What's really interesting is that Weather Channel seems to be the real app rather than just a simple streaming channel, although both Smithsonian Channel and Weather Channel offer on-demand clips. Go past the fold for the full reveal and Jeff's video hands-on.

UPDATE: people who use a DNS trick called PlexConnect to stream media to their non-jailbroken Apple TV through the Trailers app should be aware that this morning's update appears to have broken the hack. More on that here...

iTV said to come with pay-TV service

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 22, 2013

The Apple television saga continues with a new report by Quartz today offering a fresh insight behind the curtain of Apple's ongoing negotiations with content owners. The crux: while the talks have stalled as Apple's faced significant hurdles, the company is cunningly hoping to get at least a few content providers on board for a rumored iTV launch.

Afterwards, Apple is hoping to get cable companies to play along, the report notes. Apple's ultimate goal is to have the rumored standalone television set launch with a pay TV service that would see Apple “essentially becoming a cable company itself”...

WSJ: Vevo music video channel could land on Apple TV this week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Earlier this month, a report surfaced claiming that music video website Vevo is developing an application for Apple TV that offers access to its 24-7 music video channel. But at the time, there were no other information available.

The Wall Street Journal has dug a little deeper, though, and offers up some new details on the story. The outlet says that Vevo has indeed inked a deal with Apple, and the app could launch on the Apple TV as soon as this week...