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Amazon is planning to extend its range of tablets and ebook readers by selling a set-top box, according to a report. The device, said to be coming out sometime in the fall, will provide streaming content, such as movies and TV shows to the user from the company's Instant Video catalog as well as Prime Instant Video.
Apple has initiated a program with its service providers and authorized resellers enabling repair shops to replace some third-generation Apple TV units that exhibit Wi-Fi problems. Issues reported include dropped connections, inability to find a network, and problems with connecting to a network.
An Apple TV set will probably launch "in the latter part of 2013," says Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White. The claim is based on a "meeting with an [sic] tech supply chain company," he writes in a new investor memo. "Clearly, there has been plenty of misguided speculation around the timing of the Apple's [sic] 'iTV' launch and we believe that this is largely due to changes by Apple, most recently around the creation of entirely new user interface aesthetics."
Apple's long-anticipated TV set will use a 4K Ultra HD (3840x2160) panel, according to supply chain sources reached by DigiTimes. The sometimes-accurate trade paper says that Apple and its main manufacturing partner, Foxconn, have been in talks for some time about the TV's production schedule. Apple, though, has reportedly been worrying about where to get panels from, since Ultra HD suppliers are predicted to be working at nearly full capacity in 2013 just to meet demand from China-based TV vendors.
Hulu has launched a new version of its Apple TV app for Hulu Plus subscribers. The app uses a new interface, for example adding TV, Movies, Kids, and Latino content categories to the top navigation bar. Each category highlights both new content and any series a person already watches. Along similar lines, the app as a whole sports a new "Shows You Watch" tray, which makes it easier to return to commonly-watched material.
The new, smaller A5 chip in recent Apple TVs is actually still a Samsung design, and still built using a 32nm process, says semiconductor analysis firm Chipworks. Initial examination suggested that the processor had switched to 28nm, which might also have pointed to TSMC as the responsible manufacturer. The new information indicates that Apple has redesigned the processor, and not just shrunken it.
Today at Buy.com, save $10 on the latest Apple TV in brand new condition. It is regularly priced at $99, but is now $89, which is $8 less than ordering it from other online retailers, and is the same price some retailers charge for a refurbished model. Free US budget shipping is included, and sales tax applies for residents of New York and California. The Apple TV streams HD movies and TV shows from the iTunes store in 1080p resolution. Also browse and play YouTube and Vimeo videos, along with streaming from services like Netflix and Hulu Plus. A one-year warranty on parts and labor is included from Apple.
Apple’s recent update of the Apple TV has revealed a second die-shrink for its A5 processor, reports Macrumors. A new version of the Apple TV (A1469) was acknowledged by Apple, which said the new model continues with the same functionality as the previous edition, but that it does include an unspecified component change. Now revealed, the new component also shows that Apple has switched to 28nm process for the chip, suggesting that it may have started its transition from Samsung for its chip fabrication.
(Updated with complete list of countries) Access to movies and TV shows via iTunes in the Cloud is rolling out across several more European countries, reports say. The one confirmed country is France, where the feature has been tested with both iTunes and the Apple TV. Various people on Twitter, however, are claiming that the option is now also available in Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
Although it was launched in the US nearly one year ago, the Apple TV is just now officially being launched in India. As ThinkDigit reports, the Apple TV can now be found on Apple's India website listed under the iPod section. The media stream box retails for Rs. 7900, or about $146 and competes with a number of other HD media players in the Indian market including the WD Live HD, Asus O! Play Mini and the Amkette Flash TV HD. An Apple India representative also spoke with ThinkDigit regarding the release and suggested that Apple is also looking to partner with Indian content providers in order to provide content streaming services similar to Netflix and Hulu Plus in the US.
Apple is searching for an Apple TV software engineering manager, a new job listing reveals. The successful candidate will have to "lead a team of engineers working on exciting new features and functionality" for the product line. Potential hires must also demonstrate experience "juggling multiple (simultaneous) high priority projects," among other qualities.
Apple isn't planning to hold a TV-related event next month, says The Loop. The original claim was raised earlier today by Jefferies analyst Peter Misek, who said that "channel checks" pointed to a "product event" involving the Apple TV, and possibly rolling out an SDK for a future dedicated TV set. In response, The Loop's Jim Dalrymple simply writes "Nope." Dalrymple is known, however, to have reliable sources for such matters.
Developer FireCore has released updated versions of aTV Flash (black) and Seas0nPass for people hoping to jailbreak Apple TVs running the new v5.2 firmware. While Seas0nPass is simply the required jailbreaking utility, aTV Flash adds new functions, such as web browsing and wider format compatibility. FireCore notes that the Bluetooth keyboard support in v5.2 carries over to Flash's features.
Shares of German TV maker Loewe have risen 43 percent on revived rumors of an Apple buyout, Reuters reports. "Apple supposedly wants to bid 4 euros a share for Loewe," one stock trader is quoted as saying. A Loewe spokesman claims the company is unaware of any acquisition offer, while Apple has refused to comment one way or another on the matter.
The Evad3rs hacking team has released its promised jailbreaking tool for iOS 6 devices. Known as evasi0n, the software supports any version of iOS 6 through 6.1, and is available in Mac, Windows, and Linux editions. It's also untethered, meaning that it doesn't require connecting to a computer and reapplying the jailbreak if an iOS device is rebooted.
Bloomberg is reporting that Apple and HBO are in talks to bring HBO Go, the company's app- and web-based Video On Demand (VOD) service, to the Apple TV. Existing HBO subscribers would then be able to access the HBO catalog of more than 600 hours of material on the Apple TV device without having to use AirPlay to "stream" it from their iPad or iPhone as is currently required. It is possible that HBO may even allow non-subscribers some form of limited "sample" access to the service, akin to how the BBC's Global iPlayer works.
The Apple TV that appeared in FCC documents this week is just a minor tweak of the existing model, an Apple spokesperson tells The Verge. "We sometimes make component changes which require an updated model number for regulatory approval," Apple's statement reads. "The component changes we made don't affect product features and Apple TV customers will continue to have the same great user experience."
After being hinted at through discoveries in the Apple TV software update released on Monday, the Federal Communications Commission released a test document that appears to confirm a forthcoming revision of the Apple TV unit, slightly smaller than its predecessor by just 8mm (about a third of an inch), but featuring an upgrade to the A5X processor and a new Broadcom chip. It isn't known if the new version will have any extra abilities over the third-gen Apple TV beyond those granted in the latest software update.
Today's Apple TV 5.2 update, released alongside iOS 6.1, adds a few new features. The most important may be the ability to stream music via iTunes in the Cloud, cutting out the need to stream from a connected computer or iOS device. Accordingly Apple has also incorporated Up Next, the feature first seen in iTunes 11 that shows what music is coming up and allows for quick editing of the playlist.
(Updated with security, Apple TV info) Apple has officially released iOS 6.1 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The update is available through iTunes or as an over-the-air download, and makes several important tweaks. For instance, it enables LTE on the extended number of carriers Apple announced last week; an official list has been posted on the company's website.
Ask anyone with an Apple TV (particularly the latest, $99 black iterations) and they will tell you they absolutely love it. In the conference call with analysts earlier today, Apple CEO Tim Cook started off by saying that "the most important thing [to Apple] is that customers absolutely love our products. Not just buy them, but love them." The Apple TV embodies this concept, but even after record 60 percent year-over-year growth in 2012, Cook still echoes former CEO Steve Jobs' description of it as "a hobby."
Apple is still working to launch a TV set this year with a new remote, says Piper Jaffray's Gene Munster. The analyst tells Bloomberg in an audio interview that the information is based on checks with Asian suppliers. He suggests that Apple is hoping to solve two problems with the set: the first is a better form of remote control, while the second, "down the road," is content on demand.
The Apple TV will go on sale in South Africa this Friday, local Apple distributor Core Group has announced. The set-top should typically cost 1,099 rand, or about $125 US. Pricing may vary through, as resellers like iStore, Digicape, and Makro are allowed to set their prices individually.
Apple has added Watchever as a new streaming video option on German Apple TVs, reports say. The service is similar to Netflix, and offers up a mix of German and American movies and TV shows. Vivendi in fact only launched Watchever January 9th, charging customers €9 per month.
The movie and/or the TV show menus are disappearing on some Apple TVs, users are complaining on Apple's support forums. Although the issue was first brought to light by people in the UK, subsequent posts to the forums and Twitter indicate trouble in the US, France, Ireland, and Australia. Apple's system status page doesn't mention any outages.
A new report by Focus Taiwan -- an English service of Taiwan's national news agency -- is disputing some recent claims about Apple's expected HDTV. Sources close to Hon Hai, better known as Foxconn, support the notion that the manufacturer is testing several TV designs. One source argues however that it's unlikely that the TV will ship in 2013, something some analysts have previously called for.
Apple is now seeding a fourth beta of iOS 6.1 to developers. Any major changes are so far unknown, beyond a standard Apple claim of "bug fixes and improvements." Typically, Apple introduces minor features or redesigns with each beta of an iOS upgrade. The download beta is available over-the-air through earlier betas of iOS 6.1, or via Apple's iOS developer portal.
Apple is testing a few designs for a large-sized TV set, according to supply chain sources reached by the Wall Street Journal. Unlike many similar reports, though, one source warns that Apple may or may not put a TV into production. "It isn't a formal project yet. It is still in the early stage of testing," the person says.
Apple has been accidentally linking to app categories as a part of its holiday content on the Apple TV, users note. In addition to regular movie and music choices, Apple TV users may see links to app-only promotions like Snow Sports, Apps for Shopping, Holiday Cooking Apps, and Deep Games for Holiday Downtime. In most cases selecting one of the categories leads to a blank page, but some links are completely non-functional.
In a new interview, airing tonight at 10 Eastern, Apple CEO Tim Cook has strongly hinted at the prospect of an Apple-branded TV set. During the piece, NBC's Brian Williams asks Cook what's next for Apple. "When I go into my living room and turn on the TV, I feel like I have gone backwards in time by 20 to 30 years," Cook comments. "It's an area of intense interest. I can't say more than that."
(Updated with info on bugfixes) Apple is planning to restore the ability to check for duplicate files in a minor update for iTunes 11, says AllThingsD's Walt Mossberg. In a review of the app, Mossberg explains that he contacted Apple about some questions and was told about the update, although no release timeline was given. Duplicate checking was an important feature of previous versions of iTunes, especially for people importing music libraries from iPods, iPhones, or other computers.
In parallel with the launch of iTunes 11, Apple has posted two more minor updates. The first is a v5.1.1 firmware update for second- and third-generation Apple TVs. Apple hasn't identified changes in the code beyond a pair of security vulnerabilities, but the upgrade may be intended to ensure compatibility with iTunes.
Multiple sources are reporting unsourced claims that Microsoft is developing a set-top box to supplement its future Xbox strategy. The new device is allegedly part of a two-SKU strategy for the next iteration of Xbox hardware that will be announced in 2013, and released prior to the holiday purchase season. The move would put Microsoft in a position to capture living rooms that it might not otherwise see with only a pure gaming console, and position it adjacent to Apple's offering in that market space, the Apple TV.
Some people updating their Apple TVs to the latest firmware have found it rendering their set-tops useless, notes AppleInsider. Posters on Apple's support forums complain that following the update, an Apple TV may be left with a blinking light and a black screen. Alternately, the device may still work on a basic level but be unable to connect to a LAN, rendering it useless anyway.
Apple is seeding a second beta of iOS 6.1 to developers. The release follows just two weeks after the first beta, and is available in numerous different editions covering all versions of the iPad, iPad 2, and iPad mini, plus the iPhone 3GS, 4, 4S, and 5, and fourth- and fifth-generation iPod touches. Launching in parallel is an updated version of the Apple TV firmware, and Xcode 4.6 Developer Preview 2.
Amazon's Instant Video streaming service posted a sizable jump in usage since February, though Netflix remains the market leader by far. This according to a new survey from 451 Research's ChangeWave service, which looked at use among the paid alternative TV providers. The survey found that use of Amazon's service had ticked up five percentage points since February, while use of Netflix had dropped slightly.
In the conference call for Apple's quarterly earnings, it was revealed that Apple sold 1.3 million units of its Apple TV over the previous three months. Apple TV unit sales for this past quarter brought Apple's "hobby" to five million in total sales over the fiscal year. Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that the Apple TV "still has the hobby label; however it's a beloved hobby."
Apple is set to offer Apple TV users live video streaming for today’s anticipated iPad mini unveiling, reports Macrumors. Apple TV users noticed a new “Apple Events” icon appear on their Apple TV menu that offers an invitation to tune in at 10.00am (Pacific) to watch the presentation. At the time of writing, there is no indication that Apple plans to offer the live stream through other portals.
Apple is, once again, said to be courting Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC to supply its future chips. The products in question are 20nm, quad-core chips that are expected to power Apple products in 2014, including a future version of the iPad.
Apple appears to be in the process of rolling out TV shows to the Apple TV and iTunes in the Cloud in Germany, reports say. A TV option is showing up in the Apple TV's interface, and lists shows as available for purchase, though not for rent, which was previously the case with the German version of the iTunes Store. Confusing the situation further is that some people have seen the Movies item removed from the main section of the Apple TV UI, though that could be temporary.
An overnight error with iTunes prevented many users from downloading content via the service, according to complaints. The overriding issue was an inability to buy or update apps via the App Store; a message would pop up, asking people to accept new terms and conditions for iTunes before the download could continue. Even after accepting, though, the download would again be interrupted by the terms-and-conditions message, ad infinitum.
(Updated with details of the security measures included with the firmware) Apple has released a major firmware update for second- and third-generation Apple TVs. The v5.1 upgrade implements several new features, most notably the ability to save several iTunes accounts on the same unit and switch between them. App icons can now be reordered by holding down the select button, and new advanced network options can be set via configuration profiles. People with AirPlay-compatible speakers, AirPort Express routers, and/or other Apple TVs can use AirPlay to stream audio to them.
Time Warner Cable is "hard at work at a cloud-based [TV] guide experience,' but willing to allow third parties to create interfaces for it, says president and COO Rob Marcus. The executive revealed the information at an investor conference in New York earlier today. The catch, Marcus elaborates, is that Time Warner isn't willing to forsake the "customer relationship," meaning that it wants people to know TV is being delivered through TWC instead of a device maker or any other company.
FireCore, a company that specializes in jailbreak and media server software for various models of Apple TV has released version 2.0 of its aTV Flash (black) program, which is specifically aimed at jailbroken second- and third-generation Apple TVs (the small black model that sells for $99). The new update is not yet working for the latest, 1080p-supporting black Apple TV, but brings a new Library View, integrated search, trakt.tv and Last.fm scrobbling, Recently Added displays and more to second-gen Apple TV units.
Apple won't be releasing any new "TV product" in 2012, according to a Bloomberg source. The person says that Apple is still stalling in talks with content and cable providers, who don't have much cause to surrender any of their current revenue schemes. Cable companies are said to be creating a particular obstacle, since they want control over the software on Apple's rumored set-top box, and are disputing whether or not they would get to distribute the peripheral instead of Apple selling it directly.
Apple may be planning to add iBooks support to the Apple TV, an error message in the current iOS 6 beta suggests. AppleInsider notes that after a person downloads a book through the iBookstore, an Apple TV linked to the same iTunes account may present an unusual error message. "You tried to send a book sample from your computer. Get iBooks and turn on Automatic Downloads to receive book samples on this device."
Hulu is now accessible via the Apple TV in Japan, according to an official announcement. The option doesn't require a firmware upgrade; instead, as with an equivalent update to US Apple TVs, Hulu should simply appear in the set-top's menus. People can try Hulu for a month before a paid subscription is needed.
Apple's annual iTunes Festival, held in London across the whole of September, will kick off September 1 for both attendees and Apple users everywhere -- thanks to a pair of apps that allow iOS and Apple TV users to see both live streams and limited-time replays of the concerts. The free concert series features top performers such as Hot Chip, Bat for Lashes, the Killers, Mumford & Sons, Deadmau5, Jack White, One Direction and many others.
Plans for an Apple TV set (or a more advanced set-top) may still be some time in coming, suggests Pacific Crest's Andy Hargreaves. On Wednesday the analyst met with Apple's CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, and its senior VP for Internet software and services, Eddy Cue. Hargreaves pressed the idea of a "more significant move into TV distribution," according to a new memo. In response, Cue repeated a frequent company position that Apple will only enter markets where it thinks it can create good customer experiences and solve major obstacles.
Apple may be relying on the popularity of its iPad, iPhone and Mac hardware to help monetize a "fully integrated TV ecosystem," according to an investor note circulated by Barclays analyst Ben Reitzes. Amid rampant rumors surrounding a new Apple set-top box, the analyst emphasizes that the company is likely aiming to create a software-driven ecosystem, "not just hardware," even if necessary partnerships with content providers have yet to be inked.
