Apple TV

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Apple posts new Apple TV software beta with iPad mirroring improvements

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 18, 2013

Apple has just released the first beta of what would become the major iOS 7.1 software update containing a bunch of fixes and tweaks, including the updated Yahoo logo, performance improvements, a new HDR Auto feature in the Camera app and more. To go along with the software, the Cupertino company also posted an accompanying Apple TV beta software which contains an interesting iPad content mirroring feature. Jump past the fold for the full reveal...

Apple TV software updated to 6.0.1

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has posted a new version of its Apple TV software this afternoon, bringing the firmware to 6.0.1. The release follows a number of app updates this week, including those for its iLife and iWork suites.

On Tuesday, Apple added a new channel to its set-top box called iMovie Theater, which is a companion app for the latest versions of iMovie that enables clip-sharing. But as for today's Apple TV update...

Apple TV updated with Major League Soccer and Disney Junior channels

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

It's incredible how different the Apple TV's main menu looks compared to a year ago. There's so many more channels. Just in the last 6 months Apple has added a ton of content including WatchESPN, SkyNews, and more.

And it's not showing any signs of slowing down. Earlier this morning the Cupertino company added two new content channels to the popular set-top box in an over-the-air update: Major League Soccer and Disney Junior...

Apple TV 6.0 update returns after being pulled for bricking issues

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The Apple TV 6.0 update that Apple pulled over the weekend is now once again available as an over-the-air download. The software features a number of new features, including support for iTunes Radio and more.

Following the update's initial release on Friday, there were several reports that the update caused errors for users, forcing them into a full iTunes restore. The newly updated software supposedly fixes those issues...

Apple pulls ATV 6.0 update following user complaints

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I was met with disappointment yesterday, when I turned on my Apple TV to download and install the new 6.0 update. The set-top box, which is still running ATV software version 5.3, told me that my firmware was already up-to-date.

And apparently, I'm not the only one experiencing this issue. I guess in addition to support for iTunes Radio, AirPlay from iCloud, and iTunes music purchases, the software also included several bugs. Because Apple just pulled it...

Apple TV gains apps from Vevo, Weather Channel, Disney and Smithsonian, we go hands-on

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 31, 2017

Just as we've been expecting, Apple has updated its $99 Apple TV set-top box with 24/7 music video streaming by way of Vevo TV. But that's not all, Apple has surprised us all by adding support for several other premium content sources. In addition to Vevo, the update has brought out four additional apps: Weather Channel, Disney Channel and Disney XD, as well as Smithsonian Channel, co-owned by CBS and the Smithsonian Institution.

What's really interesting is that Weather Channel seems to be the real app rather than just a simple streaming channel, although both Smithsonian Channel and Weather Channel offer on-demand clips. Go past the fold for the full reveal and Jeff's video hands-on.

UPDATE: people who use a DNS trick called PlexConnect to stream media to their non-jailbroken Apple TV through the Trailers app should be aware that this morning's update appears to have broken the hack. More on that here...

Apple TV updated with live streaming channel for upcoming iTunes Festival

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

Back in May, Apple announced details for its upcoming iTunes Festival. The company has been sponsoring the event, which consists of a monthlong series of free concerts from high-profile artists, for the past five years.

This year's Festival is going to be held at The Roundhouse in London, during the month of September. And as Apple prepares for the festivities, it has posted a streaming channel to Apple TV, and updated the iOS app...

Apple TV 5.4 Beta 4 seeded to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 6, 2013

Along with seeding the fifth iOS 7 beta to its registered developers, Apple has also issued the fourth beta of the upcoming Apple TV 5.4 software update.

The beta firmware files for the second and third-generation Apple TV model, as well as the tweaked third-gen model (Rev A), are now available to the registered members of Apple's paid developer program through the iOS Dev Center...

Latest Apple TV beta adds music purchasing and ‘touch to setup’

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Yesterday, Apple seeded beta 3 of Apple TV 5.4 software. And looking at the change log, it initially appeared that the update was little more than a maintenance update, as there were no new notable features. But a couple of cool things have since been discovered in the release.

For one, it looks like Apple has re-added the ability to purchase music through iTunes—as it stands, users can only purchase TV shows and Movies through iTunes on their Apple TV, and this appears to change that. And two, a new 'touch to setup' feature has been added...

Apple seeds Apple TV 5.4 beta 3 to developers

Cody Lee ∙ July 29, 2013

Alongside iOS 7 beta 4, Apple has seeded beta 3 of Apple TV 5.4 software to developers this morning. The update isn't nearly as expansive as its iOS device counterpart, but it does bring about a number of improvements and bug fixes.

Interestingly enough, the new beta also appears to allow users running iOS 7 to setup their Apple TV with their iPhone or iPad after a full restore or resetting all settings (iPhone 4 and iPad 2 not supported). Release notes after the fold...

Alien Blue for iPad 2.2 brings Reddit to the Apple TV

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 24, 2018

Reddit, for those who aren't familiar with the social news and entertainment site, is an interesting place. You can find almost anything there—GIFs, photos, videos, you name it. In fact, most of the viral stuff you see online probably started here.

There are many apps available for browsing the site on your iPhone or iPad, but what about the Apple TV? Don't you wish sometimes that you could watch that funny video or GIF on the big screen? Well, now you can with Alien Blue for iPad 2.2...

Hands-on with Apple TV 5.4 Beta: iTunes Radio, Conference Room Display, custom subtitles

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 17, 2013

To go along with the recently released iOS 7 Beta 1, Apple has also made a companion Apple TV beta software available for download to its registered developers. The pre-release code enables such new capabilities as iTunes Radio free music streaming, a new Conference Room Display setting and fully customizable subtitles.

The first beta of what would later become the Apple TV 5.4 software update was posted to Apple's portal for developers after last Monday's keynote. The pre-release version is meant to be used for testing AirPlay with third-party iOS apps. As we haven't had a chance to cover it extensively, here's what to expect in terms of features...