Apple TV 2.3.1 update breaks Boxee clients [u]
updated 04:50 pm EST, Wed February 25, 2009
Apple TV 2.3.1 update
(Update with response from Boxee) Apple has quietly released a software update for the Apple TV, its media-streaming set-top box. A list of changes made in the v2.3.1 update is currently unavailable, but it is known that the code breaks Boxee, a popular third-party software client which provides functions such as better format support, access to online streaming services and various social networking options. Earlier updates have also broken Boxee, though this is not believed to be intentional.
The Apple TV has seen an unusual resurgence in sales in recent months, and it in fact multiplied sales by a factor of three in the last quarter when compared against the same period during 2007. Apple's COO, Tim Cook, attributes the success mostly to the addition of movie rentals, which have expanded the practical value of the set-top. Hardware has not been updated since May of 2007.
Update: Boxee's Andrew Kippen informs MacNN that the software is in fact compatible with the new Apple code, the only issue being that it removes Boxee from the main menu. After re-running the appropriate patchstick, Boxee and all of its associated user data should be restored.
Thanks Alot Apple...NOT
02/25, 10:13am reply
WTH?!??!?!
Thanks Apple. No, REALLY. I am so grateful you busted my connectivity to Boxee.
:-(
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Thanks Alot Apple...NOT
02/25, 10:14am reply
WTH?!??!?!
Thanks Apple. No, REALLY. I am so grateful you busted my connectivity to Boxee.
:-(
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
Top on my wish list...
02/25, 10:15am reply
... I'm hoping the new AppleTV update support 720p YouTube videos.
eggman
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
yes
02/25, 10:26am (1 reply) reply
I'm sure it was unintentional...
And on this
The Apple TV has seen an unusual resurgence in sales in recent months...
Unusual? In what respects? And doesn't 'resurgence' imply there was some initial 'surge', then sales sputtered and fell off?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
numbers
02/25, 10:27am reply
But at least MacNN got the 'three-times' figure correct. The linked Appleinsider report indicated a three-fold increase over 2008, not the fourth quarter, which is the correct quote.
Way to go MacNN! (Hey, they always get slammed, someone needs to pick them up on occassion).
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
OK to lose Boxee...
02/25, 10:40am reply
I've found Boxee to be sluggish and clumsy - maybe it's just my network, but I won't mind losing it. Anybody know if installing this update actually gets rid of Boxee, or does it just disable it (and leave it taking up space on my ATV's drive)?
jgarbers
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2007
Oh Please
02/25, 10:45am reply
You're using a soft-modded AppleTV and now the update broke Boxee. You shouldn't be surprised. Cry more noob.
InfraredAD
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2001
@testuo
02/25, 11:01am reply
MacNN is one of the few rational, calm, unbiased sources left after the recent horrible turns at TUAW and Ars towards sensationalism IMO. the only one that consistently bashes them is you. :)
As for Boxee, what do people expect? It's an unsupported unlicensed hack, those things always break on an update, it isn't Apple's fault, it's unlikely to be intentional, and it's the responsibility of the hackers to "re-hack."
Personally, I almost bought an AppleTV when I heard about Boxee, but on looking into it more closely, it's nothing to shout about IMO. It's a US only service that allows one to plug into content that has advertisements from the major TV networks for the most part. So what? I already have that on my regular TV.
In Canada, (or anywhere outside of the USA), the content is essentially zero, so why should Apple be careful not to s**** it up or jump through any hoops to do so when they sell the AppleTV globally? What if there were a Boxee type hack in France or England? It would be irresponsible of Apple to bother about Boxee at all.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
@testuo
02/25, 11:01am (1 reply) reply
MacNN is one of the few rational, calm, unbiased sources left after the recent horrible turns at TUAW and Ars towards sensationalism IMO. the only one that consistently bashes them is you. :)
As for Boxee, what do people expect? It's an unsupported unlicensed hack, those things always break on an update, it isn't Apple's fault, it's unlikely to be intentional, and it's the responsibility of the hackers to "re-hack."
Personally, I almost bought an AppleTV when I heard about Boxee, but on looking into it more closely, it's nothing to shout about IMO. It's a US only service that allows one to plug into content that has advertisements from the major TV networks for the most part. So what? I already have that on my regular TV.
In Canada, (or anywhere outside of the USA), the content is essentially zero, so why should Apple be careful not to s**** it up or jump through any hoops to do so when they sell the AppleTV globally? What if there were a Boxee type hack in France or England? It would be irresponsible of Apple to bother about Boxee at all.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
bring boxee back
02/25, 11:28am reply
run the patchstick again and you'll get boxee back (your old settings are saved).
avneron
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2008