The AppleTV Take 2 isn’t a second AppleTV, it’s just the first AppleTV with a wonderful little software update. This in my opinion is the most important part of this years Macworld. This announcement will really put Apple where they should have been with last years release of the AppleTV, but no matter at least they’ll be getting there.
So here is a rundown of the features:
- Completely new user interface that looks gorgeous
- No computer required for the AppleTV now
- Rent movies directly from the AppleTV in DVD quality and HD (more on that in a minute)
- Buy TV shows directly from the AppleTV
- Buy music directy from the AppleTV
- Stream and download podcasts from the iTunes podcast directory without having to download them on your computer.
- Look at Flickr and .mac photos as a screen saver or just for browsing
- All content purchased on AppleTV will be synced back to your computer (except the HD movies)
- The software upgrade will be free for current owners and all new AppleTV owners will get it when it ships in two weeks.
There will be 100 HD titles with more presumably coming soon. The pricing for everything will be the same pricing as if you were purchasing it on your computer. HD titles will be priced at $3.99 for library titles and $4.99 for new releases. Now with all of this new stuff also comes a price drop for the AppleTV itself, it will now be priced at $229 for the 40GB model and $329 for the 160GB model.
The HD movies will be 720p with 5.1 dolby digital surround sound, but the HD movies WILL NOT sync back to your computer and CANNOT be rented through the regular iTunes store, they will only be available on the AppleTV.
I’m really glad I got an AppleTV this Christmas!