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aTV Flash, the first alternative browser and multimedia center for the new Apple TV, is out and available for purchase. We have covered aTV Flash in the past week, and we saw the app it’s capable of bringing several new features to the 2nd gen Apple TV, such as HTML5 playback via a custom browser or weather information.
The first public version of the app is available for $19.95 during the beta (or pre-order) phase here. Read more
Of all the cool mods and hacks for Apple TV 2nd gen and AirPlay we’ve been covering in the past weeks, this one’s for Cupertino’s little black box has to be the most promising one.
Two weeks ago a video of aTV Flash, developed by Fire Core, made the rounds as it appeared like full-featured web browsing with Last.fm integration was coming to jailbroken Apple TVs. Development on the suite has been proceeding steadily, and a few days ago a new video of the tweak in action surfaced showing support for HTML5 video inside Fire Core’s browser – all played smoothly by the Apple TV.
As wrote by the developers, some parts of the app like Last.fm integration and the installer are ready for beta, but the release of iOS 4.1 for Apple TV and support for additional video codecs are turning out to be more difficult tasks to accomplish. In the meantime, check out the demo video below, and get ready for aTV Flash to make your Apple TV a lot more useful in the upcoming weeks. [via 9to5Mac] Read more
Good roundup of what’s new in the latest Apple TV update over at iLounge.
With a support document posted a few hours ago, Apple confirmed that the latest 4.1 update for the 2nd gen Apple TV also includes fixes for vulnerabilities found in FreeType and the libpng library. Both of them could have lead to arbitrary code execution, much like this summer’s JailbreakMe security hole.
Together with iOS 4.2.1 for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, Apple also released an update to the 2nd gen Apple TV. Firmware seems to be iOS 4.2, build 8C150.
Here’s the direct link to download it.
This update enables AirPlay for video functionality, as announced this morning, although it’s not clear whether Apple managed to include a fix for color issues on Sony and Philips TVs or not.
Update: we’re getting reports from users about the Apple TV software update claiming an iOS 4.1 update is available, although the direct link version clearly says it’s iOS 4.2. Curious.
Update #2: We can confirm the built-in updater tool will install iOS 4.1 on the Apple TV. Guess someone messed up with version naming for direct download at Cupertino.
Together with the release of iOS 4.2 for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, today at approximately 10 AM PST Apple will also release the long awaited 4.1 for the second generation Apple TV, Macworld reports.
The 4.1 update introduces AirPlay for video support: users will be able to stream video from any iOS device or Mac running iTunes 10 to an Apple TV on a local network. AirPlay is a feature exclusive to iOS 4.2, so it makes sense for Apple to roll out the update together with iOS 4.2 later today. Read more
According to a thread on Apple Discussions that dates back to almost two months ago (October 2nd) which has received hundreds of replies, new Apple TV owners are reporting serious color issues when using the device with Sony and Philips televisions. The problems vary from “inverted color” issues to “green colors” and “black screen”.
Users reporting the issues suggest this is a problem with the Apple TV, the HDMI cable and certain models of Sony and Philips TVs. Models mentioned in the thread include the Bravia KDL-37S500, Philips 32PFL7404H/12, Philips 56PFL9954H. The same models worked fine with the first generation Apple TV. Read more
iTunes 10.1 just went live on Apple’s website. iTunes 10.1 is required to update your devices to iOS 4.2. You can download it here.
iTunes 10.1 introduces overall performance and stability improvements, sync support for iOS 4.2, video streaming to the Apple TV. After Mac OS X 10.6.5 and iTunes 10.1, iOS 4.2 is the next step.
Once I get my hands on an Apple TV you can stay assured this is exactly one of the things I’m going to test. As TUAW reports, developer and hacker Tom Cool has recompiled an old Wiimote-to-iPhone bluetooth implementation to work with the latest gen Apple TV.
The mod is based on a custom stack (from the popular BTstack) that makes sure the Apple TV activates its Bluetooth functionality. After that, a 3D render of a Wiimote is shown on screen and follows the movements of the actual Wiimote in your hands.
It’s a rough demo to show that Wiimote’s control can be passed along to the Apple TV, so if you think about Wiimote-powered gaming shouldn’t be too impossible to achieve, right?
