Apple TV 2.3 update adds AirTunes streaming, support for other IR remotes

by Darren Murph posted Nov 19th 2008 at 11:20PM

For home theater junkies who've been having a difficult time taking the Apple TV seriously, you should definitely have a look at what the latest software update brings to the dinner table. First off, we should warn you that any non-Apple TV software (like, you know, Boxee) will be banished should you choose to update, but if you're kosher on that front, we'll continue on. Apple's changelog notes that AirTunes streaming is now enabled, meaning that tunes can be streamed from the STB to AirPort Express speakers or other ATV units nearby. Additionally, the box can now learn other remotes, meaning that you can probably get your universal remote to handle this bugger, too. The last big addition is that Playlists in iTunes can now be seen on Apple TV, and there's also support for volume control in Music. Grab the download from within your box now if you dare, and feel free to chime in with any other noteworthy changes you happen upon.

[Via TUAW]

Filed under: Media streamers, Set-top boxes, Apple

Tags: AirTunes, apple tv, AppleTv, boxee, digital downloads, DigitalDownloads, firmware, infrared, IR, movie set-top-box, MovieSet-top-box, software update, SoftwareUpdate, streaming, update

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

SMITHY1428 @ Nov 20th 2008 5:59AM

Well, downloaded the update - about 5 mins on an up to 8Gb ADSL line.

Restarted and all seems well.

The Volume control is a very nice update but needs to be switched on in the General Settings / Audio & Video field. As expected the control works in the same way as in iTunes & Remote App and does not actually control your TV (or Speakers).

Playlists are also a setting that is defaulted to music only and will need to to be switched on.

If only they would enable the Remote App to Navigate the Menus and we could ditch the Apple Remote completely. I love the little fellar but the Remote App on my iPhone and iPod Touch, with its graphical interface is oh so much better and perhaps the argument for this is more compelling now that the Apple TV can send out its wears to Airtunes rather than just being a client... Apple - please, pretty please?

Just off to set my speakers up... here's hoping it all works like the rest of my Apple kit - seemlessly. (Self-confessed Apple Fanboy)

Neutral

TK101 @ Nov 20th 2008 8:53AM

I'll admit, I'm excited by what this little box can do. I just wish the rental prices were cheaper, since Netflix is certainly a better bargain if you watch more than 2 movies a month. That, and there are no day-and-date releases, so if you do want to watch a movie that just came out, you're stuck with the DVD / BD version anyway.

Still, if given one of these as a gift, I'd be pretty happy :)

TK

Neutral

Galley @ Nov 20th 2008 9:42AM

Does the new update finally separate similarly-titled albums like the Remote app does?

Neutral

mikeyrogers @ Nov 21st 2008 4:49PM

Just a correction. The post says that Playlists in iTunes can now be seen on the Apple TV. What I think he means is Video Playlists, because Playlists in general have always been there.

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