Affectionately called the Apple paperweight by even the most loyal of Apple fans, the Apple TV was a device that started off with great promise but then just sat there doing nothing. Critics complained that Apple TV wasn’t really necessary even for die-hard fans. Steve Jobs hopes to change all that with the reveal of a major feature update to the Apple TV.
During Steve Job’s keynote address at MacWorld (in which the very interesting MacBook Air stole the stage), he revealed an improvement that will make the device much more useful. The old Apple TV was basically a TV-based viewer for iTunes. With the updates, it will be transformed into more of a full-featured media device, capable of bringing you on demand content.
While the hardware will stay the same, a free software update will make the magic happen. The update will be available in two weeks.
Here is a breakdown of the new functionality.
Direct access to the iTunes store through Apple TV, so there is no need to download content to a computer first.
Instant streaming of videos within 30 seconds. So there is no need to “que and view” content.
An upgrade to the video an audio quality. Previously, the substandard quality on content downloaded and played through Apple TV garnered a lot of complaints. The videos were originally geared for the small screen of an iPod or an iPhone. The new videos will be available in two formats: DVD and HD quality and Dolby 5.1 surround sound.
Video content (more than 3,000 movies) from every major studio out there, such as Disney, Fox, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Pictures, Sony, Miramax and Lionsgate.
The ability to rent movies instead of just buying them. Prices start at $2.99 for older movies, $3.99 for new movies and an extra $1.00 for HD versions.
Access to photos on the .Mac gallery and Flickr.
Music and TV show purchases through Apple TV that can be synched back to your computer.
The Apple TV will be dropping its price to $230 from $300, and will only work with newer wide-screen televisions.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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