Following today's introduction of the new 1080p Apple TV with an updated user interface, Apple has now pushed the 5.0 software update to existing Apple TV set-top boxes.
/article-new/2012/03/apple_tv_2012_movies.jpg?lossy)
While the update obviously doesn't add 1080p support to the older boxes, it does bring the new icon-based user interface and other enhancements such as support for direct Netflix billing to their iTunes Store accounts.
Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy)
Top Rated Comments
(View all)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.