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Apple TV Update To See iTunes Store Integration?

Monday September 10, 2007 4:09 pm PDT by longofest
One of the early criticisms of the Apple TV was that it was unable to purchase content without the use of iTunes on a Mac or PC.

We don't have any solid rumor-intelligence to claim that direct-purchasing from the iTunes store will indeed be added to the Apple TV, and in general dislike speculation in our articles at MacRumors. However, in this case the evidence seems to be clearly adding up to a future software update to Apple TV.

The advent of the WiFi iTunes Store on the iPod touch and soon for the iPhone is perhaps the single largest piece of evidence indicative of Apple's intentions. Also, users will remember Apple TV's 1.1 update contains a curious iTunes Store setting:



The setting appears to have little effect currently, leading to further the idea that the menu is meant for future purposes.

Note: While we were writing this story, LoopRumors posted claiming to have received word from "reliable" sources that just such an update is coming.
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Mac-Addict
58 months ago
Why would you need to download songs and what not to your AppleTV when the idea if that AppleTV is connected to your HOME network so if your at HOME why not download music on your HOME computer then stream to AppleTV?
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Peace
58 months ago

Why would you need to download songs and what not to your AppleTV when the idea if that AppleTV is connected to your HOME network so if your at HOME why not download music on your HOME computer then stream to AppleTV?


Because soon you will be able to sync "purchases" back to your computer like you will be able to do with the iPod touch and iPhone via the new WiFi Store;)
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kainjow
58 months ago

Why would you need to download songs and what not to your AppleTV when the idea if that AppleTV is connected to your HOME network so if your at HOME why not download music on your HOME computer then stream to AppleTV?


I'd say it's for movies and tv shows more than music. Think about it. You're on the couch, already super lazy with your one hand all greased up from chips. Do you really want to wash your hands, go to the computer, open the iTS, search for what you want to buy, buy it, download it, and then re-sync your ATV? No. You're lazy and you want it now, so you click Buy on your ATV and the download starts immediately and it'll start playing once enough content is available.

Makes perfect sense to me :)

Because soon you will be able to sync "purchases" back to your computer like you will be able to do with the iPod touch and iPhone via the new WiFi Store;)


Actually that feature already exists. if you sync content to your iPod, then delete the content from your computer, and then later re-sync, iTunes will ask if you want to transfer that content back to your computer (I think it only works with purchased content though).
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tk421
58 months ago

I'd say it's for movies and tv shows more than music.

Exactly. Like flipping channels, or ordering on-demand content.

I thought of this almost immediately when they announced the iTunes Store app for iPhone and iPod touch. It's quite logical this would extend to the Apple TV.
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bob_the_gorilla
58 months ago
Surely that setting is something to do with which movie trailers or top tens or something are shown? I'm sure it's now perfectly possible to put the store on the ATV, but unless they do something genius-level the interface would be seriously sub par.
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Dreyfus
58 months ago
That fits perfectly well with the "rented movie" error codes recently discovered in iTunes 7.4 :cool: Rent a movie from the iTunes store and watch it immediately without syncing first!

One speculation to be added though :D - The dubious USB port "for maintenance" could easily accept an Elgato TV-tuner/decoder (it is only a question when, not if :apple: buys them) - and you would have phase one of an all-in-one home theatre solution. Remember how S.J. touted the iPhone the "3rd leg" of Apple's business? Now in phase two, just put the Apple TV, the Elgato receiver and software in one case, add a screen - the new iMac has a TV-like design and screen already - and here it is, home theatre, TV set, PVR, jukebox, music and movie rental interface... in an all in one world, this should be Apple's fourth leg... and people will pay for every single step along the way :o
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Mgkwho
58 months ago
It would be a nice convienence. Especially since the iPhone and iPod Touch have it.

One thing: It's called the Wifi Music store

Why not edge for the iPhone? Why only music?

I really can not wait for the iTunes store to have HD content: then, I believe, a wifi iTunes store (not just music) will come.

-=|Mgkwho
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j/k/Andy
58 months ago
Please include rentals for TV shows and Movies, with an :apple:TV or iPod

I have purchased a handful of both and now realize that I only watch them only once. At lest with DVD I can sell them on eBay or stuff them in the closet, but with iTunes they just take up 5GB+ of my hard drive.
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Curtis72
58 months ago

It would be a nice convienence. Especially since the iPhone and iPod Touch have it.

One thing: It's called the Wifi Music store

Why not edge for the iPhone? Why only music?

I really can not wait for the iTunes store to have HD content: then, I believe, a wifi iTunes store (not just music) will come.

-=|Mgkwho


Because Edge is slow and movie downloads take a long time (for me, it took approx. 3 hrs on my Road Runner High Speed Internet connection to download one movie). TV shows take around 15 to 30 minutes on my Road Runner service.
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lord patton
58 months ago
wake me when they offer movie rentals.
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