Apple has announced a new version of Apple TV, reducing it to a quarter of its size in the process. The new Apple TV, the first major update to a product Apple still describes as a hobby since its launch in 2006, is black and no longer has internal storage.
The tiny box has HDMI, Ethernet, and 802.11n wifi connections, and a built-in power supply.
It can stream music, videos and photos from iTunes as before, but can no longer copy content from a Mac or PC. Nor can it download content from iTunes: the new Apple TV is designed to stream high definition movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store. To accommodate this, Apple introduced TV rentals to accompany movie rentals. TV episodes will cost 99 cents, though content is currently limited in the US to ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America. Content availability and pricing for the UK has yet to be announced. High definition movie rentals will cost $4.99 for first-run movies and less for older films.
‘The new Apple TV, paired with the largest selection of online HD movie and TV show rentals, lets users watch Hollywood content on their HD TV whenever they want,’ said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. ‘This tiny, silent box costing just $99 lets users watch thousands of HD movies and TV shows, and makes all of their music, photos and videos effortlessly available on their home entertainment system.’
Apple TV also allows Netflix subscribers in the US to directly access their Netflix account. It can also connect directly to MobileMe, Flickr, and YouTube to stream content. There’s no support, however, for Spotify.
Content can also be streamed from an iPad, iPhone or iPad touch.
Also announced today was AirPlay, the new name for AirTunes. AirPlay has been licensed to allow third party audio manufacturers such as Bowers and WIlkins and Denon to build support for it into their products. This will allow iTunes to stream music to these audio players over a wired or wireless network, without the need for AirPort Express. AirPlay also streams track data such as song title, album, and artist name, allowing them to be displayed on the receiving device.
Apple TV will cost £99 in the UK. TV rentals and Netflix compatibility are not currently available outside the US.
