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Boxee / XBMC now available on Apple TV

by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2008 at 8:00AM


If you were curious as to why Boxee suddenly became available for OS X 10.4 users, here's your sign. The underpinnings of the Apple TV are indeed based on Tiger, thus paving the way for Scott Davilla, a developer for the aTV-bootloader project, to announce that Boxee and XMBC can now be installed on Apple's set-top-box. In order to take advantage, you'll need the aTV Flash bootloader on a bootable USB drive, an Apple TV and the software in the links below. Currently, things are setup to run on Mac only, though PC / Linux versions are promised for next week. After signing up for a Boxee invite, jump on past the break for the step-by-step guide to getting this going.

Gallery: Boxee / XMBC now available on Apple TV



Read - ATV Bootloader site
Read - Boxee Alpha signup

Continue reading Boxee / XBMC now available on Apple TV

Apple patent application hints at iTunes broadcasting service

by Darren Murph posted Aug 1st 2008 at 2:23PM


Before you get all excited, we must remember that more often than not, Apple patent applications never amount to anything. That being said, this one is certainly within the realm of feasibility. A recent app dug up over at MacNN details an iTunes TV broadcast service that would theoretically beam out content to your iPod or iPhone via an adapter. The somewhat vague verbiage also mentions a "tagging" system of sorts, possibly one that could fetch content based on what you enjoy. In all honesty, we can't say we'd be champing at the bit to have some gaudy dongle hanging from our dock connector just to catch up on TV -- after all, there are far superior TV-friendly products out there than those from Cupertino -- but we can't deny that it would probably be a hit. Stay tuned, this one could get interesting.

Apple brings HD rentals to UK and Canada

by Darren Murph posted Jun 4th 2008 at 5:15PM


In case you hadn't heard, Apple finally got around to bringing movie rentals to folks camped out in Canada and the UK. Flicks from 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment, MGM, Sony and Lionsgate are now available on the iTunes store, with Maple Pictures thrown in for Canadians. Of course, any HD rentals will require an Apple TV set-top-box, but you totally expected that anyway, right? As for pricing, Canucks will be asked to hand over CAN$9.99 for catalog title purchases, CAN$14.99 for recent releases and CAN$19.99 for new releases, while rentals run CAN$3.99 for library titles and CAN$4.99 for new releases, with high-definition rentals priced one dollar more. UKers can purchase titles for £6.99 (library) / £10.99 (new release) or rent 'em for £2.49 (library) / £3.49 (new release), with HD versions costing one pound more. Let us know how things look, won't you?

Read - Apple brings movies to Canada
Read - Apple brings movies to UK

Apple looses minor Apple TV 2.0.1 update

by Darren Murph posted Mar 31st 2008 at 1:55PM


While VUDU has unleashed a couple of updates for its movie STB of late, Apple has just let slip the first point update since the Take 2 upgrade. Dubbed version 2.0.1, the update adds a "Genres" tab in the My Movies list among other small tweaks. Anything particularly useful added here? Toss in your input below.

[Via TUAW, thanks Ryan]

Poll: So, are you buying an Apple TV now?

by Darren Murph posted Jan 19th 2008 at 12:00PM


Although the MacBook Air sucked the proverbial wind out of the Apple TV relaunch sails, we here at Engadget HD still find that aspect of Steve's keynote quite intriguing. At first listen, we were blown away by the promise of "HD downloads with Dolby 5.1 audio," but after digging in a little further, we found quite a bit of red tape stuck to those lofty claims. Still, many HD aficionados didn't give the original Apple TV a passing glance due to its general disregard for high-definition content, and while the so-called Take 2 effort isn't an HD junkie's dream, it's far and away more appealing than what we were dealing with just last week. So, dear readers, now that Cupertino has taken the first step and recognized the desire for easy to obtain downloadable HD content, are you biting?

So, are you buying an Apple TV now?

Apple TV, take 2 brings HD movie rentals to the living room

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2008 at 12:58PM Breaking News


After waiting for what seems like ages, Apple has finally admitted that the Apple TV wasn't exactly a hit. Better yet, it's hitting back with the Apple TV, take 2 (same box, new firmware), which enables users to rent movies directly on their HDTVs in high-definition with full 5.1-channel Dolby surround sound (but only on "select" films). Announced today at Macworld, owners will be able to rent HD movies (still no 1080i/p) for $3.99 and $4.99, and there are reportedly 100 HD titles to choose from starting today. So, what's the admission price? $229 and shipping in two weeks, but best of all, existing Apple TV owners will be entitled to all the fancy extras as well courtesy of a free update that'll be available as a free automatic download in a fortnight.




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