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Apple To Live Stream iPad Mini Event On Apple TV
It looks like Apple may be streaming today’s iPad Mini event to their Apple TV, as a new icon has turned up on Apple TV devices with the name ‘Apple Events’, and when the icon is clicked it shows today’s iPad Mini event.
Apple is expected to announce the new smaller iPad Mini which is rumored to feature a 7.85 inch display, and Apple’s new Lightning dock connector, Apple are also expected to announce other devices at the event.
Some of the other devices that Apple are rumored to be introducing are a new 13 inch Retina MacBook Pro and a new Mac Mini, Apple may also refresh the existing iPad with their new Lightning dock connector.
Source MacRumors
A closer look at Apple TV’s software update and 1080p movies
The new iPad was upgraded with a display an HD junkie would give his universal remote for, but the Apple TV simply received an update to a capability many believe the original should’ve had the first go around: support for 1080p content. In addition to that all-important resolution bump, both this and the last-gen model received a modest software update that brings a few features and enhancements. Those tweaks aren’t necessarily worth a review, if you ask us, especially since the price remains the same and existing Apple TV owners will reap the benefits of most of these improvements. Still, we’d be remiss if we didn’t poke around just a bit. Follow past the break to see what’s changed.
Apple TV vs. the new Apple TV (2012): what’s changed?
The Apple TV might still be a hobby, and thus not the main event at Tim Cook’s Apple presentation today, but Apple’s participation in the living room has had its fair share of rumors, speculation and dreams. The fact that the user experience has been streamlined is the big news today, but there is also a modest spec bump that includes the ability to play and output 1080p. Other than that you can easily see after the break how well the new Apple TV matches up with its predecessor.
Apple reveals 1080p Apple TV: $99, arrives March 16th
It looks like we were blind-sided a little by that decidedly iPad-esque invite, because Apple has something more for us — it’s just announced the latest iteration of Apple TV and it can do 1080p video. The new UI inches slightly closer to iOS territory, with a splash of new color and a whole range of third-party apps willing to play with the new box. This includes access to Photo Stream alongside old favorites like Netflix, Flickr and YouTube. Expect improved connectivity to the iCloud (including your movie content) and better integration of your iTunes playlists directly from the refreshed UI. The good news: the price is going nowhere — the new model matches the 2010 version at $99. The bad? You’ll have to wait until next week to get your hands on one. Pre-orders start today.
aTV Flash Update For Jailbroken Apple TVs Adds New Playback Options And Auto Backups
Firecore the developers and creators of the aTV Flash Apple TV software package that can be installed on jailbroken Apple TV devices, and supercharges it features. Has this week rolled out a new up bringing with it automatic firmware backup options, as well as an extensive list on new features and tweaks. Other new features in the update have enabled more language support, extra remote commands, and added support for embedded DVD chapters to name just a few.
If you already have an Apple TV device connected to your HDTV, aTV Flash by Firecore will enable you to connect external network storage devices, such as media servers and the like to your Applr TV. Enabling you to play practically any video file type including AVI, DVR-MS, M2TS, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MPG, MTS, WMV with more coming soon, says Firecore.
For more information on the aTV Flash Apple TV software jump over to the Firecore website for more details. Or for a full list of all the new additions in the most recent update check out the full change log here.
Source: Firecore
Apple TV Update Enables Movie And TV Genius
Apple has quietly rolled out a new update to its second generation Apple TV device this week which has brought with it Genius recommendations for movies and TV shows. The rolled out update is not part of the actual Apple TV firmware, but has been made on Apple’s servers. So no interaction by users is need to enable or view the new Genius recommendations.
The newly enabled Genius recommendations for movies and TV shows, uses your iTunes Store to help suggest new movies and shows. As iTunes already enables users to view related recommendations within the optional Genius Sidebar, the addition of the new Genius Apple TV feature, should not become to much of a shock to users. The new Genius menu options appears under both Movies and TV, opening listings of related content.
Apple recently announced that it has accumulated over 4.2 million ion sales of Apple TVs over the past five quarters. However Tim Cook continued to reveal that, “in the scheme of things, if you dollarise it, we still classify it as a hobby.”
Source: Apple Insider
Apple TV Starting To Become Popular
When Apple announced their first Apple TV device, the late Steve Jobs described the Apple TV as a hobby, and yesterday Apple’s new CEO Tim Cook also described the Apple TV in the same way.
It looks like Apple’s TV device is starting to become popular, in their recent earnings call, Apple announced that they sold over 1.4 million Apple TV devices in the last quarter of 2011.
That makes a total of 4.2 million Apple TV devices sold to date, with one third of they being bought in the last quarter of 2011, the device seems to be becoming more popular.
Apple is expected to unveil a new Apple TV device some time this year, and we have heard rumors that the device will actually be a HDTV will Apple TV built in and that it will also use Apple’s voice activated virtual assistant, Siri.
Apple has added a number of features to their Apple TV device that have made it more user friendly, although it could do with some improvements, the device seems to be more popular than other offerings like Google TV devices at the moment.
Source GigaOM
Apple reportedly discussing its ‘vision for the future of TV’ with media execs
We wouldn’t bet the farm on those “Apple is building an HDTV” rumors just yet, but tonight the Wall Street Journal reports the company is still interested invading the living room in a real way, based on “vague” talks with media executives. That vision includes a TV that packs wireless streaming with AirPlay to deliver TV shows and movies as well as technology it’s developed to tie-in DVR storage and iCloud, but also focuses on personalized, synchronized access across other devices including phones and tablets. Naturally, voice and gesture recognition are mentioned, although the reports indicate Apple itself is staying cagey about what devices it’s working on and that it hasn’t tried to license content for any new products — yet. Getting media and telecommunications companies to play ball with any solution will be the key (just ask CBS why it turned down Apple once before) to making this all go — or at least beating efforts by Google and Microsoft to the punch — so there will likely be more boardroom leask before we find out exactly what hardware plans may be in store.
FireCore rilascia finalmente aTV Flash 1.0 per Apple TV (Video)
FireCore, dopo circa un anno di beta, rilascia ufficialmente la versione stabile di aTV Flash, l’applicazione che espande le funzionalità della vostra Apple TV Jailbrekkata. Installando aTV Flash 1.0, che ricordiamo costa circa 30 dollari, si avrà un Media Player tutto nuovo, compatibile con la maggior parte dei formati video/audio (compreso mkv, wmv, m2ts etc…), un browser basato sui WebKit, radio Last.fm, meteo, feed rss e molto altro.
Presente anche il supporto per l’audio AC3/DTS, sottotitoli, meni dei DVD, playlist ed altre caratteristiche che renderanno la vostra Apple TV una vera e propria stazione multimediale. Per consultare tutte le caratteristiche, le principali funzioni e procedere all’acquisto vi rimandiamo alla pagina ufficiale.
Sony vuole rivoluzionare il settore delle TV, prima di Apple
Abbiamo parlato già abbondantemente di quelle che sono state le ultime rivelazioni di Steve Jobs riguardo la sua straordinaria idea di rivoluzionare totalmente il mondo della televisione con un’interfaccia totalmente nuova e, probabilmente, con l’introduzione di Siri sugli apparecchi televisivi. Sentitasi minacciata nel suo campo Sony, dopo aver recentemente subito una batosta nel campo delle console portatili, ha deciso di voler anticipare Apple, a tutti i costi.
Secondo il Wall Street Journal, infatti, Sony abbia preso in seria considerazioni le anticipazioni su un possibile rilascio, a partire dal 2012, di un rivoluzionario televisore Apple, tanto da ritenerlo una reale minaccia per le proprie vendite.Per questo motivo secondo anche alcune affermazioni del CEO di Sony, Howard Stringer, l’azienda giapponese starebbe progettando di realizzare un nuovo dispositivo che abbraccerebbe tutti i campi, da quello dei televisori a quello dei dispositivi mobili.
La strategia di Sony, dunque, sarebbe quella di affrontare la minaccia lavorando su quattro fronti diversi: quello delle TV, ovviamente, quello dei personal computer, quello dei tablet e quello dei servizi di rete su telefonia mobile. Ecco le parole del CEO di Sony a riguardo:
“Ho speso gli ultimi cinque anni a costruire una piattaforma che possa abbracciare questi quattro ambiti così eterogenei e così complessi per poter competere con Steve Jobs. Ora è pronta, e sta per essere lanciata.”
Se, dunque, l’idea di Apple è quella di far rientrare anche il mercato dei televisori nell’ecosistema rappresentato da iOS che, per il momento, racchiude sia smartphone, sia tablet che computer; Sony pensa invece di creare un prodotto rivoluzionario che possa riunire e amalgamare tra loro questi quattro ambiti, in un modo mai visto prima.
Se ne vedranno sicuramente delle belle, da qui in avanti.
AirPlay Mirroring coming to iPhone 4S, not just for iPads
That snazzy AirPlay Mirroring feature Apple showed off at WWDC earlier this year is back for an encore, and now it’s strutting its stuff on the iPhone 4S. Previously we saw AirPlay piping an iPad 2 to the big screen by way of Apple TV, but the upcoming iOS 5 features seems to have broadened it horizons — letting Apple handsets get in on the HDTV mirroring love. AirPlay not your thing? Don’t worry, you can still score high-def mirroring action using a wired dongle. Skip on past the break for a peek at the accessory that will make your next $2,000 Halloween costume that much easier to build.
Real Racing 2 HD wireless, dual-screen gaming with iOS 5 on iPad 2 hands-on (video)
It’s just one week after Nintendo unveiled dual-screen gaming on the Wii U at E3, but Apple’s iOS 5 beta is already bringing a very similar experience to the living room — many months before Nintendo’s latest console is expected to ship. We installed iOS 5 on an iPad 2 and Apple TV, and took the latest version of Real Racing 2 HD for a test-drive, which enables dual-screen gameplay over AirPlay without the need for Apple’s $39 AV adapter. Other games, like Angry Birds, simply mirror the iPad’s display (and aspect ratio) on your HDTV, but Real Racing streams 16:9 HD video.
For this game (and we imagine many more to come), you use the iPad as the controller — both while navigating through menus and in race mode — while the game appears only on your TV (though the tablet does display some vitals, and a map of the track). There’s noticeable lag between the iPad and Apple TV when using AirPlay, which may be an issue for games where timing is important, such as Rock Band, but didn’t seem to set us back while playing Firemint’s racing game. Overall, AirPlay offered a seamless gaming experience without a single hiccup — surprising, considering iOS 5 just hit beta last week. It’s difficult to do this hands-on justice without a video demo, so jump past the break for an exclusive look at wireless, dual-screen gaming on the iPad and Apple TV.
Real Racing 2 HD beats Wii U to the wireless, dual-screen gaming punch
Hey, guess what? That Real Racing 2 HD update that combined your iPad and TV for dual-screen gaming action will soon be able to ditch the wires and use AirPlay to beam every turn and crash to your flatscreen. You’ll need an Apple TV or other Mac device hooked up to your set, and the feature won’t be unlocked until iOS 5 hits, but it should satisfy your curiosity for what playing a Wii Umight be like until the new Nintendo console lands next year. If you’re set hardware-wise and your interest is piqued, you can download the game for $12.99 from the app store — now you’ve just gotta hold tight for that OS update in the fall.
Apple To Release Smart HDTV This Year?
We already have an Apple device for our living room in the form of the Apple TV, the new smaller and cheaper version which was released last year has been selling well and has become more popular than the original Apple TV.
We have heard rumors in the past that Apple were working on their own HDTV, and now the rumors have surfaced again, and according to Brian White of Ticonderoga Securities, Apple may be set to release their very own Smart HDTV this year.
Of course we have to take this latest rumor with a pinch of salt, although a HDTV built by Apple, and featuring similar features to their Apple TV set top box would be a good move for Apple.
If Apple were to launch their own HDTV, it could end up being another popular product for the company, and would probably integrate features like Apple’s AirPlay for streaming movies and content from iOS devices, and no doubt it would also have the ability to stream movies from the Internet.
Motorola NYXboard surfaces from the dead, XBMC reclaims it (update)
Seven months ago, Motorola unveiled a dual-sided, QWERTY-laden TV remote control: the NYXboard. It was never heard from again. Today, we’ve learned why — the open-source community will be selling a version specially redesigned to control your XBMC rig. The folks at Pulse-Eight — a startup with roots in the XBMC community dedicated to designing hardware — tell us they actually talked Motorola out of bundling the remote with set-top-boxes in favor of a nefarious plan. Simply put, they want you to be able to purchase an IR and RF remote that natively supports XBMC for a penny under $60 this June.
While we don’t have any real pictures of the unit quite yet — just the renders you see above and below — developers say it will work with installations on Mac, Windows, Linux and the original Apple TV on day one, and will actually turn off the side of the remote that’s face down to avoid accidental inputs. You’ll find the NYXboard up for pre-order now at our source link, with the first shipments slated for around June 27th. Then again, you might want to wait, as we’re told there are more surprises in store: a second version that can control the Apple TV 2, and a secret method which would allow the remotes to control your home entertainment center without pesky line-of-sight infrared. The best laid plans and all that… but it sounds like Logitech’s Harmony may finally get some competition.
Apple TV update reportedly causing screen flicker issues with HDMI to DVI adapters
We’ve seen reports of strange video behavior with Apple TVs before, and it looks like a new problem has now cropped up with the most recent update. According to a growing number of reports on the Apple support forums, those using an HDMI to DVI adapter to connect the device to their TV seem to have been hit with an annoying issue that causes their screen to flicker every few seconds. That’s apparently happening with a wide range of TVs, and at least some are also reporting the same thing happening even if they aren’t using an adapter. A few folks have apparently been able to fix things in the interim by simply pulling their HDMI cable and plugging it back in, but most are stuck with the annoying issue — or worse, a downgraded 480p signal. Having some similar issues? Let us know in comments.
Apple TV software update adds NBA League Pass, MLB.tv and Netflix 5.1 audio support
It didn’t make it into the iOS 4.3 update notes, but second generation Apple TV owners are experiencing several new capabilities today including the ability to stream baseball and basketball games via NBA League Pass Broadband or MLB.tv and support for 5.1 audio on Netflix Watch Instantly. The Apple TV isn’t the first device to bring these in front of the TV (the PS3 says hello, while Roku is still enjoying a decent lead in sports) but if it’s the box hooked up to your flat screen already we see no reason to quibble — if you’re not seeing the 4.2 update yet, try hooking the lil’ hockey puck to your computer via USB and letting iTunes do the work. NFL Sunday Ticket access is still the big fish no one has managed to land yet when it comes to sports in a post-cable cutting world, but we’ll wait to find out if there will even be a 2011 season before expecting any word on that.
