Apple has just released Apple TV software update 5.2 for the 2nd and 3rd generation Apple TV, adding Bluetooth keyboard support, iTunes in the Cloud and AirPlay audio for videos. The update also includes some performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired Ethernet connections.

Apple TV 2 users waiting for iOS 6.1 jailbreak should not upgrade until evad3rs team says the update is safe. We will keep you updated.

Here is what’s new in 5.2:

• iTunes in the Cloud: Browse and play your purchased iTunes music directly from iCloud.
• Bluetooth keyboard: Use your Apple Wireless Keyboard to control your Apple TV. See this article for more information.
• AirPlay audio for videos: Send stereo audio from movies, TV shows, and other videos on Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs).
• Stability and performance: Includes performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired Ethernet connections.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ to be first to know when the untethered jailbreak for Apple TV 2 5.2 comes out.

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Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Are you one of the many unfortunate people to attempt Apple’s latest update on your Apple TV? Did you click the update button only to be met with an error message, an incomplete download, or a completely useless little black puck like all the folks on Apple Forums? Well, if this is not you, breathe a sigh of relief. If this is you, have no fear, Apple TV Hacks is here!

We have come across a fix posted by the folks at TidBITS, and the likely cause, of this little blunder. As usual, you can blame CABLE! No, not Comcast or Time Warner but the Ethernet cable! It would seem that this is happening to those of you whom are attempting to do the update via an Ethernet connection. To fix the problem, follow the steps below:

ITEMS NEEDED:

• Apple TV
• WIFI

STEPS

• Use WiFi instead of Ethernet to update your Apple TV to 5.1.1

According to TidBITS:

The solution is to unplug the Ethernet cable and update over Wi-Fi. That has worked for many people for whom the update wouldn’t install. However, if your install failed such that the Apple TV won’t boot at all, you can manually restore the Apple TV by unplugging the power and HDMI cables, and connecting it to your computer with a micro USB cable (for a third-generation Apple TV, you’ll have to reconnect the power cable after this).

It is so easy, that it is insulting.

As always: if you are on jailbroken ATV2, stay away from this update for now if you don’t want to lose your jailbreak.

The iOS 5.1.1 firmware build number is 10A831.

You can download the firmware directly from here.

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Following today’s launch of iTunes 11, Apple has rolled out 5.1.1 software update for Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3 that adds support for Up Next with iTunes 11 or iTunes Match and includes some performance and stability improvements.

Here is what’s new in 5.1.1:

iTunes Up Next
Adds support for Up Next with iTunes 11 or iTunes Match. See upcoming songs when playing music on your Apple TV. Add new songs and edit what’s queued with your Remote or with the Remote app.

Stability and performance
Includes performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired Ethernet connections.

Unfortunately, it looks like an issue which caused serious problems to some users after updating their Apple TVs (2nd and 3rd generation) to the latest Apple TV 5.1 software remains unfixed.

As always: if you are on jailbroken ATV2, stay away from this update for now if you don’t want to lose your jailbreak.

The iOS 5.1.1 firmware build number is 10A831.

You can download the firmware directly from here.

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

iTunes in the Cloud for movies is finally available outside of the United States. Apple has just rolled out the service to over 35 new countries. iTunes Movies in the Cloud gives users the ability to access previously purchased movies and TV shows right from iCloud on the Apple TV.

With movies in the iCloud, users can buy movies and TV shows on Apple TV and watch them on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC. When finished watching a film, they can just delete it and the redownload it on the same or other iDevice again when necessary.

Here you can find out which content types are supported for iTunes in the Cloud by country, as well as where iTunes Match is available.

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Hot on the heels of Apple’s latest announcement introducing the iPad 3 to the world people quickly forgot all about the new Apple HDTV hype. Prior to the announcement, if you’ll recall, there was great speculation as to what Apple would be announcing regarding its Apple TV line. It had been speculated that what Steve Jobs once mentioned as a hobby of Apple’s would soon become one of its next “big things”. Needless to say, we were all more than a little disappointed to learn that they not only weren’t releasing a new HDTV, but they were merely rolling out a “newish” Apple TV 3 packed into the same little black box.

It seemed all hope was lost until we discovered one of the latest patents filings from our favorite Cupertino giant. Patently Apple has released the specs and images from Apples filings for an Advanced TV Remote. One of the more noteworthy features of this remote is its ability to use a camera, iCloud, and Apples Servers to learn your current remote. Buried in the filing is an explanation on how Apple’s new remote will let you:

Simply take a photo of your current TV remote and it sends it up to iCloud for analysis. It then sends a “virtual copy” of your remote, functionality and all, to your iPhone. You’re now able to control your current TV with Apple’s advanced universal remote and enjoy all of Apple’s TV remote features and likely tie-in products and services.

If this is a sign of things to come… we may be satisfied yet. After all Tim Cook did claim that we should keep on the lookout for the things to come in 2012!

Read the detailed description of the new Apple patent on Patantly Apple.

umOuch (Andrew Brasher)

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Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

FireCore has released a new version of its Apple TV supercharger – aTV Flash (black). Version 1.4 brings support for M3U and PLS playlists, TrueHD audio, EyeTV folder detection and a bunch of improvements and bug fixes. Additinally, aTV Flash (black) is now available also in Finnish, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, and Swedish.

aTV Flash (black) is currently only compatible with AppleTV versions 4.2 – 4.4.4. FireCore has announced that they are already working on the new version that will be compatible with recently released Apple TV software version 5.0.

Based on our past experiences and progress thus far we’re confident we can put the pieces in place to make it happen. Once an updated version is ready we’ll be rolling these changes into an aTV Flash (black) update, which will result in a universal application that is compatible with both the ATV2 and ATV3.

FireCore is also working on the new version of Seas0npass that will bring untethered jailbreak for Apple TV 5.0. But there is a lot of work to be done here, so don’t expect it soon.

What’s new in aTV Flash (black) 1.4?

• NEW: Center channel audio boost (+6dB and +12dB) for 5.0 and 5.1 audio tracks
• NEW: Finnish, German, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, and Swedish translations
• NEW: ’4:3 Crop’ and ’4:3 Stretch’ zoom options
• NEW: Support for M3U and PLS playlists
• NEW: EyeTV folder detection
• NEW: TrueHD audio (downmixed)
• NEW: 24-bit and 32-bit audio (downmixed)
• NEW: Enhanced downmixing for 5.1 AC3 audio (Dolby Pro Logic II)
• NEW: Support for embedded MP3 covers
• NEW: Automatic EXIF-based image rotation
• NEW: MP4s embedded subtitles
• NEW: Clock added to main menu
• IMPROVED: Poster art quality in list and grid view
• IMPROVED: Buffering logic for DVD files
• IMPROVED: Cover art fetching from Last.fm
• IMPROVED: DVD menu highlighting
• IMPROVED: Photo viewer & slideshow
• IMPROVED: Adjusted slideshow to match native Flickr style
• IMPROVED: Danish, Dutch, French, Greek, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish translations
• IMPROVED: Minor UI improvements
• FIXED: Downmixing issues for specific audio tracks
• FIXED: Playback issues for single ISO files in a folder
• FXIED: Increased AFP login timeout to 30 sec
• FIXED: Metadata issues for files that contain ‘/’ in folder or file name
• FIXED: Operation of the photo slideshow on iOS 4.x
• FXIED: Issue with favorites removal when share password is changed
• FIXED: Incorrect navigation in grid view on iOS 4.*
• FIXED: Issue with DVD marked as watched after viewing menu
• FIXED: Rare issue with incorrect pre-playback screen layout
• FIXED: Rare crash in libdvdnav when playing DVD files
• FIXED: Rare DVD playback error
• FIXED: Rare ‘Bad URL’ error
• FIXED: Other miscellaneous bug fixes

If you’re already running a version of aTV Flash (black) the new 1.4 version can be installed through the Maintenance –> Manage Extras menu. Links for the new version can also be found in your FireCore account under the Downloads tab.

If you’re not yet using aTV Flash (black) you can get started here.

You may also want to read:
Apple TV software update 5.0 (9B179b) now available worldwide
New Apple TV announced: 1080p, $99, arrives March 16th
All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Released yesterday along with a new, third-generation Apple’s set-top box, Apple TV software update 5.0 (9B179b) is now available worldwide for all Apple TV 2 users. The update brings new, redesigned, icon-based user interface, support for buying movies on Apple TV and playing back purchased movies from iCloud, new National Geographic photos built-in for screensaver and on-device sign up for content partners on Apple TV using your Apple ID (like Netflix).

As always, stay away from this update if you don’t want to lose your jailbreak. Although @nitotv has already been able to jailbreak and restore the new firmware and he’s working with FireCore on the new version of Seas0npass, there is a lot of work to be done until the untethered jailbreak for Apple TV 5.0 is released, so don’t expect it soon.

At the event held yesterday in San Francisco, Apple announced the new, third-generation Apple TV. It supports full 1080p video playback, comes with a simpler, redesigned, icon-based user interface and runs on Apple single-core A5 chip.

The updated Apple TV features 1080p programming including iTunes movies and TV shows, Netflix, Vimeo, photos and live sports from MLB, NBA and NHL in HD. Apple has expanded its iTunes in the Cloud functionality in iCloud, giving users the ability to access purchased movies and TV shows right from iCloud on the Apple TV

Following the new Apple TV unveiling, Netflix has announced that, starting today, users can sign-up for Netflix directly on the Apple TV and pay via an iTunes account.

The new Apple TV will be available on March 16th for $99. But if you want to get your hands on the Apple’s brand new set-top box without spending a buck, check out this this blog post where we are hosting a giveaway of the brand new 1080p Apple TV.

You may also want to read:
Apple TV software update with new user interface available today for Apple TV 2
New Apple TV announced: 1080p, $99, arrives March 16th
All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV (updated)

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Well, the above title says it all: we are giving away a brand new, 1080p-capable Apple TV. Announced yesterday, Apple’s third-generation hockey puck comes with a redesigned, icon-based user interface and runs on Apple A5 chip. Users have now the ability to access purchased movies and TV shows right from iCloud on the Apple TV. With iCloud, users can buy movies and TV shows on Apple TV and watch them on their iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac or PC. Also, Netlfix users will be able to watch movies and TV streaming on Apple TV in 1080p and pay directly via an iTunes account.

So, if you want to get your hands on the Apple’s brand new set-top box without spending a buck, check out the following rules on how to enter our giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You may also want to read:
Apple TV software update with new user interface available today for Apple TV 2
New Apple TV announced: 1080p, $99, arrives March 16th
All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV (updated)

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

Following today’s new Apple TV unveiling, Netflix has just announced that, starting today, users can sign-up for Netflix directly on the Apple TV and pay via an iTunes account. Also, with the new, third-generation Apple TV, users will be able to watch movies and television streaming on Netflix in 1080p high definition and with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

With a software update on your Apple TV, this seamless sign up and billing experience extends to the second generation Apple TV. The new features are available wherever Netflix is, including in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

You may also want to read:
Apple TV software update with new user interface available today for Apple TV 2
New Apple TV announced: 1080p, $99, arrives March 16th
All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV (updated)
Munster: Apple TV set will be the biggest thing in consumer electronics since the smartphone

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!

At the event held today in San Francisco, Apple announced the new, third-generation Apple TV with a brand new user interface. According to Apple’s press release, second generation Apple TV users can install the new Apple TV UI via a free software update, available today. Third generation Apple TV hardware is required to play 1080p video.

At today’s event, Apple unveiled the new Apple TV that supports full 1080p video playback and allows to stream movie purchases from iCloud.

The new model will be available next week (Friday, March 16th) for $99. Pre-orders start today.

You may also want to read:
All you need to know about the new, third-generation Apple TV (updated)
Munster: Apple TV set will be the biggest thing in consumer electronics since the smartphone
AirPlay Mirror your Mac’s screen to Apple TV with AirParrot

Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!
Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!