Apple Releases Apple TV Software Version 5.0 with Updated Interface

Looks to me like Apple are finally preparing for an ATV app store... The new look essentially separates all the distinct sections into app icons and there is an awful lot of space when you shift the screen down... I recon (well, mostly hope lol!) that an ATV app store will be part of developer seeds by the WWDC in a few months... Fingers crossed!

Yet another example of Apple bringing new features to old devices—an example which, as always, will be forgotten in time for the next nonsensical round of “Apple always wants to force you to upgrade by withholding XYZ feature for no reason!” :p (As though that’s been the trend... and as though Apple would truly want to damage their core reason for success—user experience—in trade for “forcing” some small fraction of people to upgrade a product.)

Niccccccccccccccce!

I have no need for 1080p on my 720p TV, and I'm not upgrading until Apple makes a TV. ;)

I wish I could rearrange the icons and hide the ones I never use... I'd like Netflix to be on the top row, and the sports icons to disappear.
I have found that long pressing the home button puts it to sleep. I don't know if this is a new feature, or one I just never came across before.

From the screen shots it looks like the music menu has returned :D

That was the only reason I didnt replace my atv1



So can you now select music from an iTunes library without having to push it to the atv using AirPlay?

Well you held out for the wrong reason then. You never had to use Airplay. The second generation Apple TV puts music, movies, tv shows, photos, iTunes U, podcasts, and any other content that's in your iTunes library under "Computers" and it is shared to the Apple TV using the Home Sharing feature.

Airplay is an option but it has never been required to get your music in your iTunes Library on the Apple TV. Also, the Music icon is for iTunes Match which is another way to get your music. The main benefit with iTunes Match on the Apple TV, you don't need an iOS device or a computer running iTunes.

Looks to me like Apple are finally preparing for an ATV app store... The new look essentially separates all the distinct sections into app icons and there is an awful lot of space when you shift the screen down... I recon (well, mostly hope lol!) that an ATV app store will be part of developer seeds by the WWDC in a few months... Fingers crossed!

Agreed. Definitely a step closer to custom ATV apps.

I wish there were a way to make it sleep faster/easier. With this update, there is an extra step. Please... let me know if I'm missing something. But I would like to make it sleep without the TV on to know where I'm navigating to. (I almost always turn the TV off and then think to myself, "Now I have to turn off the Apple TV...")

I just set mine to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity and never worry about manually putting it to sleep.

I wish there were a way to make it sleep faster/easier. Now there is an extra step. Please... let me know if I'm missing something. But I would like to make it sleep without the TV on. (I almost always turn the TV off and then think to myself, "Now I have to turn off the Apple TV...)

Don't worry about the Apple TV. It draws like no power.

Niccccccccccccccce!

I have no need for 1080p on my 720p TV, and I'm not upgrading until Apple makes a TV. ;)

I, for one, am relieved they DIDN'T make a TV! This new box was just the upgrade I wanted. I didn't need a new TV. I needed a new $100 box to plug into my TV. Now, I can move the ATV2 to the 720p LCD in the bedroom, and plug the ATV3 into the 1080p plasma in the movie room.

Hotness!

I wish there were a way to make it sleep faster/easier. With this update, there is an extra step. Please... let me know if I'm missing something. But I would like to make it sleep without the TV on to know where I'm navigating to. (I almost always turn the TV off and then think to myself, "Now I have to turn off the Apple TV...")

Just ignore it. It'll power down after idling for about 10 minutes, and in the meantime the power draw is practically nil.