Apple announces new Apple TV with A4 processor


After all the rumors, Apple TV didn't quite live up to the hype but appears to be solid update to an otherwise stale product. The most striking thing about the new Apple TV may be the size. Now that the hard disk drive is gone, the new Apple TV is about 1/4 the size of the old. It measures just under 4-inch square and is less than an inch thick. It also weighs just over 1/2 pound.

Rumors had the Apple TV running iOS apps and that prediction fell flat, but maybe not. Curiously the the device is running Apple's A4 processor, the same in the iPhone 4, iPad, and new iPod Touch. During the demo, some features had an iOS feel to it, like rearranging items used the "wiggle" animation. It will be interesting if at some point Appel TV get an OS update to introduce more iOS-centric apps and features. No where, however, does it indicate Bluetooth connectivity so that may dash hopes of cool multi-axis iPhone/iPod remotes.

On the specks, the device is limited to 720p video via H.264 codec. Audio support comes in various AAC modes, Apple Lossless, and Dolby Digital 5.1. Networking is only 10/100 Ethernet, but really Gb isn't needed for streaming content. Wireless networking includes dual band 802.11 b, g, and n with video streaming requiring g or n modes.

Other points of interest... the device includes a small IR remote, power plugs directly into the device and requires no AC power brick. The Apple TV can stream in content from your Mac, iTunes Store, Netflix, YouTube, Flickr, MobileMe, Podcasts, Internet Radio, and iTunes U. It can also stream directly from an iPhone, iPoad, or iPod Touch via AirPlay. iTunes video rental prices SD and HD TV shows are $0.99, new HD movies $4.99 and older HD movies $3.99. SD movies are $3.99 new and $2.99 for older content.

Apple TV also got a nice price cut down to $99 from $229. Apple TV is expected to ship in four weeks with lead times saying September.