AppleTV officially ships

Apple today officially announced that it is now shipping Apple TV, just days after the company began sending customers shipment confirmations. The wireless set-top device, expected to first reach consumers on Friday, can play iTunes content from a PC or Mac on a widescreen TV, including movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts. The "simple and elegant" solution allows users to quickly browse and view their entire collection of digital media from across the room using the included Apple Remote. The device, analysts say, will lead Apple's digital revolution, but may see slow adoption until consumers more fully realize the potential of the device.

Apple has already quietly added a new export option in the most recent version of its QuickTime Pro software that supports conversion to a format compatible with Apple TV.

"Apple TV is like a DVD player for the Internet age-providing an easy and fun way to play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "Apple TV allows you to wirelessly play your content from your PCs or Macs using your existing WiFi network as well as the newest and fastest version of WiFi-802.11n."

The seamless integration of Apple TV and iTunes lets users choose from over 400 movies and 350 TV shows in near DVD quality; over four million songs; 5,000 music videos; 100,000 podcasts; and 20,000 audiobooks from the iTunes Store. Users can also watch movie trailers right on the widescreen TV, listen to their favorite music on their home entertainment system, and view slideshows of their photo albums in high definition resolution.

"Apple TV makes it easy for users to explore their entire media collection with an easy to use and intuitive new interface. With the Apple Remote, consumers can easily browse through their favorite movies, TV shows, music and photos from up to 30 feet away."

Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output to widescreen TVs and home theater systems using HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires. Apple notes that streaming requires a 802.11g/n network.

Apple TV, which includes the Apple Remote, will be available beginning this week from the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for $300. The company also said that Apple retail stores will also offer hands on workshops and demonstrations of Apple TV's features.

Apple TV requires iTunes 7.1 or later running on a Mac with Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later, or a Windows PC with Windows XP Home/Professional (SP2).

by MacNN Staff