Firecore has released an updated version of Seas0nPass that includes an untethered jailbreak for the Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 (Apple TV 4.1.1). It’s Mac only for now (OSX 10.6 or later) but according to Firecore, Windows version is also being finalized with the untether and will be available soon. If you’ve already jailbroken with greenpois0n (RC 6 or RC 6.1) you do not need to re-jailbreak – both Seas0nPass and greenpois0n contain the same jailbreak components.

Seas0nPass is open source (the source code is available on Github) and is available for free.

Here are the instructions on how to use Seas0nPass to jailbreak the Apple TV 2:

Pre-launch checklist

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
2. Download Seas0nPass
3. A micro USB cable will be required to complete the jailbreak.

Jailbreaking

Step 1: Unzip the ‘Seas0nPass.zip’ file and launch Seas0nPass.

Step 2: Select ‘Create IPSW’ (“Boot Tethered” is for old, tethered jailbreak).Step 3: The latest AppleTV software will be downloaded and used to create a custom ‘jailbroken’ software file.

Step 4: When prompted, connect your AppleTV using a micro-USB cable (leave power disconnected), and hold both the ‘MENU’ and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ buttons for 7 seven seconds.

Step 5: iTunes will open automatically and start the restore process.

Step 6: iTunes will confirm the restore when complete – your AppleTV is now jailbroken.

You may also want to read:
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 with greenpois0n rc6
How to install XBMC on Apple TV 2
Seas0nPass Troubleshooting Tips
aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 2G Now Available (+giveaway)

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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!

Greenpois0n RC6 has finally been released by the fantastic Chronic Dev Team. This magical piece of software jailbreaks your Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 (Apple TV 4.1.1) in a flash. And this is untethered jailbreak, meaning you don’t have to connect your atv2 to your mac/pc every time you need to reboot it.

Here is the step-by-step tutorial on how to jailbreak your Apple TV 2 using greenpois0n rc6.

Step 1: Download greenpois0n rc6 for Mac or Windows.

Step 2: Run it and select “Yes” when asked if you’re jailbreaking an Apple TV.

Step 3: Click “Prepare to Jailbreak (DFU)”.

Step 4: Follow the onscreen instructions to enter DFU mode.

Many people report having problems entering DFU mode when following GP instructions; here is the alternative method that worked for me (after 3^rd or 4^th try):

-          Plug USB end power cables into atv before you even run GP.
-          When the program asks you to follow the instructions to enter DFU mode just hold down MENU and PLAY/PAUSE buttons for 17 seconds (7+3+7) (7 second should be enough but it’s better not to release the buttons earlier)
-          Release both buttons when the program says that.

You can find other alternative methods as well, one of them will work for sure.

Step 5: Click “Jailbreak!”. Greenpois0n will now begin jailbreaking your atv. It should not take more than a few minutes to complete.

Step 6: Your Apple TV is now jailbroken.

Note: do not unplug atv for at least 40 seconds to a minute after the “Jailbreak complete!” button appears (greenpois0n may be still finishing the process on your device).

Step 7: Unplug USB cable, connect the device to your TV, navigate to “greenpois0n”, select “Inject Software” and install Cydia package.

Step 8: After the installation is complete press MENU button to reboot.

Step 9: nitoTV will appear instead of “greenpois0n” heading. You can now install third-party software and plugins, such as XBMC, Exposed, Overflow, BTStack, Weather, etc. (NitoTV->Install Software).

Many users report having WiFi issues after jailbreaking. If it’s your case, you can try to fix it by restarting Lowtide (NitoTV->Settings)

(note: greenpois0n commands and onscreen notifications vary between mac and pc versions)

You may also want to read
How to install XBMC on Apple TV 2
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 with Seas0nPass
AirFlick Streams Non-iTunes Data to Apple TV 2 (video)

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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!

We’ve been waiting for this jailbreak since November, but it’s finally here: Chronic Dev Team, with great contributions from nitoTV, has released greenpois0n RC6 that allows you to perform an untethered jailbreak on your Apple TV 2 running iOS 4.2.1. It’s available for both Mac and Windows and can be grabbed from here.

Note: make sure you restore to fresh 4.2.1 before running greenpois0n rc6.

Let us know in the comments if you have any issues. A detailed how-to tutorial will be posted soon. Here is the step-by-step tutorial on how to jailbreak your Apple TV 2 with greenpois0n rc6.

You may also want to read:
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 with greenpois0n rc6
Patchstick.ca to Release Installer for Apple TV 2
How to install XBMC on Apple TV 2
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 with Seas0nPass

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!

XBMC has finally been released for the new Apple TV. Here you have all the instructions you need to get it working on your device.

NOTE: the following HOW-TO requires you to have Jailbroken ATV2 version 4.1 or 4.2.1.

Here is how to jailbreak your ATV2:
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 with Seas0nPass
How-To: Jailbreak Apple TV 2G on iOS 4.2.1 with PwnageTool

Installing XBMC

Step 1 (accessing the Apple TV): in the Terminal application on your Mac, enter the following:

ssh root@AppleTV.local

or

$ ssh root@<your ATV2 IP adress>

if AppleTV.local doesn’t work (find your atv IP address in Settings ->General -> Network).

Use “alpine” as your password if you haven’t changed it already.

• If you named your Apple TV something other than “AppleTV” then you need to replace the text above.
• The first time you do this, it might take a few moments to establish a connection.

Step 2: Paste the following code into Terminal (line by line; hit Enter after each line)

$ echo “deb http://mirrors.xbmc.org/apt/atv2 ./” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list

$ apt-get update

$ apt-get install org.xbmc.xbmc-atv2

After XBMC is successfully installed, Frontrow (ATV2 home screen) will restart and you will see XBMC in it.

Here is how to get XBMC if you have already installed aTV Flash or nitoTV:

• aTV Flash: download XBMC via Maintenance –> Manage Extras.
• nitoTV: install the latest nitoTV to auto-install XBMC

You may also want to read
XBMC for Apple TV 2 now available
How to Install Plex on Apple TV 2G
AirFlick Streams Non-iTunes Data to Apple TV 2 (video)

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!

XBMC, the fantastic media center you’ve been enjoying since it hit your old Apple TV in 2008, has finally been released for the second-generation Apple TV. XBMC supports a very complete spectrum of audio and video multimedia file formats and codecs right out-of-the-box. Today’s release is a full XBMC install, this is not a remote or thin client streamer. It features full hardware decode for 720p/1080p movies, network files sharing and “everything else you know and love about XBMC.”

In his conversation with TUAW’s Megan Lavey, Scott Davilla, the main developer behind the XBMC for iOS, said that XBMC’s add-ons and skins as well as Python scripting will work with XBMC for Apple TV. He also said that currently the built-in web server is disabled to focus on the base app and that there are plans to integrate AirPlay into all Apple-oriented (iOS, ATV2 and Mac OS X) versions of XBMC.

XBMC for ATV2 is available through an apt-get install and it requires the device to be already jailbroken. You can find all the instructions here.

You may also want to read
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 with Seas0nPass
How-To: Jailbreak Apple TV 2G on iOS 4.2.1 with PwnageTool
AirFlick Streams Non-iTunes Data to Apple TV 2 (video

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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!

Firecore has just posted a few notes for those having trouble using Seas0nPass to jailbreak the Apple TV 2.

Here are the tips:

1. Some users have reported issues with ‘wifi sync’ enabled. Disabling this (if currently in use) seems to resolve a number of issues related to restoring in iTunes.

2. If you’re getting errors when creating the IPSW, please try the fix found here: http://forum.firecore.com/topic/3761#comment-13581

3. During the JB/restore process, once the Apple TV is put into DFU mode a special script takes over to automate the iTunes restore process. This process can be interrupted if you click away from the iTunes window before the actual restore has begun. Once the AppleTV restore (in iTunes) is underway it is ok to click away from the iTunes window. Update: This process will be improved in the next version of Seas0nPass.

4. When performing a tethered boot timing seems to be important. You will want to ensure the power cable is not connected until you get the rapid flashing light. Also, the HDMI cable needs to be connected promptly once the tethered boot process is complete, and before the white light on the AppleTV stops flashing.

5. The bug relating to the AppleTV forgetting wireless networks has been a known issue in all AppleTV jailbreaks to this point. Update: The wifi bug was partially fixed in 0.6.6. The AppleTV will automatically rejoin networks after a full restart, however the wireless network may still drop off when returning from an extended sleep. We’re currently looking into a more complete fix.

Note: If after all this you’re still having trouble please open a support ticket and send us the Seas0nPass log file found at: ~/Library/Logs/SP_Debug.log.

[source: Firecore]

You may also want to read
How to jailbreak Apple TV 2 on iOS 4.2.1 with Seas0nPass
How-To: Jailbreak Apple TV 2G on iOS 4.2.1 with PwnageTool
AirFlick Streams Non-iTunes Data to Apple TV 2 (video)

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!

Seas0nPass is a new jailbreak tool designed by FireCore specifically and exclusively for the AppleTV 2 (no other iOS devices support). This magic piece of software allows you to jailbreak your atv2 with the latest 4.1.1 (iOS 4.2.1) software by creating custom AppleTV IPSW files and restoring them in iTunes (similar to the existing Pwnage Tool app). It also includes a simple ‘tethered boot’ option which aids in using newer AppleTV firmwares when an ‘un-tethered’ jailbreak is not yet available.

Seas0nPass is available for free, and is open source (the source code is available on Github). It’s Mac only (OSX 10.6 or later) for now but the Windows version should be released soon.

Here are the instructions on how to use Seas0nPass to jailbreak the Apple TV 2:

NOTE: users are experiencing many kinds of problems with jailbreaking using Seas0nPass. Read the comments on FireCore’s blog before you decide to try the software on your own device.

Pre-launch checklist

1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes (check for updates through Software Update located in Apple menu).
2. Download Seas0nPass
3. A micro USB cable will be required to complete the jailbreak.

Jailbreaking

Step 1: Unzip the ‘Seas0nPass.zip’ file and launch Seas0nPass.

Step 2: If your AppleTV is not yet jailbroken, select ‘Create IPSW’. (if already jailbroken, and you just need to do a ‘tethered boot’ scroll down).

Step 3: The latest AppleTV software will be downloaded and used to create a custom ‘jailbroken’ software file.

Step 4: When prompted, connect your AppleTV using a micro-USB cable (leave power disconnected), and hold both the ‘MENU’ and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ buttons for 7 seven seconds.

Step 5: iTunes will open automatically and start the restore process.

Step 6: iTunes will confirm the restore when complete – your AppleTV is now jailbroken. Please proceed to the ‘tethered boot’ section below.

Using Seas0nPass for a ‘tethered boot’

Some AppleTV software versions require a tethered boot. This means the AppleTV must be connected to a computer for a brief moment during startup.

Note: The AppleTV MUST be disconnected from the computer (for at least a brief moment) after restoring in iTunes for the tethered boot process below to work properly.

Step 1: Open Seas0nPass and select the ‘Boot Tethered’ option.

Step 2: When prompted, connect the AppleTV to your computer via USB. Wait for the rapid flashing light then connect the power. Once both are connected hold both the ‘MENU’ and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ buttons for 7 seven seconds.

Step 3: Seas0n Pass will complete the tethered boot automatically. Once complete, remove the USB cable and connect the HDMI cable.

You may also want to read:
How-To: Jailbreak Apple TV 2G on iOS 4.2.1 with PwnageTool
AirPlay Streaming Hacked into the Old Apple TV (updated: giveaway!)
AirFlick Streams Non-iTunes Data to Apple TV 2 (video)
AirVideoEnabler Allows AirPlay Video Streaming from Any App

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!

iOS 4.2.1 brought only some minor bug fixes related to resolution and download problems, so if you updated to 4.1.1 you are still able to jailbreak your Apple TV 2G with PwnageTool. All you’ll have to do is to use new PwnageTool bundle to jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 instead of iOS 4.2 PwageTool bundle. Note that this jailbreak is also tethered, which means you have to connect your Apple TV 2G with PC and use Redsn0w or PwnageBundle to boot it.

Here are the instructions from nitoTV

Disclaimer:
If you do not have your SHSH blobs backed up for your AppleTV at 4.1 I HIGHLY advise avoiding any upgrading whatsoever, tethered or not, until a real proper jailbreak is available.

If you don’t understand the above GO BACK NOW, do NOT attempt the following.

Made it this far? Another warning:
If you aren’t a developer or someone trying to tweak iOS 4.2.1 the following jailbreak is STRONGLY discouraged. Booting tethered on the AppleTV is an easy process, but it is still a PITA that a casual user would probably not have the desire to put up with.

Read the ENTIRE documentation at least once before running through the process.

You will need a computer that is close enough to your AppleTV that it can be plugged into USB, power and HDMI without any major movement of the AppleTV itself), if you don’t meet this requirement the following is impossible, unless your microUSB cable is REALLY long.

Required:
A MicroUSB cable
An Intel Apple laptop Running Snow Leopard (I say laptop because of reaching distance for the USB, power, HDMI)
AppleTV 4.2.1 ipsw AppleTV2,1_4.2.1_8C154_Restore.ipsw
PwnageTool 4.1.2 or 4.1.3
PwnageTool 4.2.1 Bundle for Apple TV 2G

1. Move this entire folder to the desktop and replace “AppleTV2,1_4.2_8C150.bundle” subfolder with this “AppleTV2,1_4.2.1_8C154.bundle” subfolder.

2. Open Terminal app (if you don’t know where this is, you REALLY shouldn’t be doing this.

3. Run the following commands (this will fail if you didn’t move this folder to the desktop, PwnageTool almost MUST be in your /Applications folder)

4. Run PwnageTool on the 4.2.1 ipsw (if you don’t know how to do this, again you REALLY shouldn’t be here) saving into the ~/Desktop/tethered folder with the default name PwnageTool gives it (AppleTV2,1_4.2.1_8C154_Custom_Restore.ipsw

5. Back in the terminal run the following:

unzip -j ~/Desktop/tethered/AppleTV2,1_4.2.1_8C154_Custom_Restore.ipsw Firmware/dfu/iBSS.k66ap.RELEASE.dfu kernelcache.release.k66 -d ~/Desktop/tethered/

6. Restore the AppleTV to the ~/Desktop/tethered/AppleTV2,1_4.2.1_8C154_Custom_Restore.ipsw firmware (your AppleTV SHOULD be in DFU mode after finishing up with PwnageTool)

NOTE: Do not install any packages through cydia in expert mode, this produced very unpredictable results.

7. Unplug and then replug the USB, after the AppleTV has finished started up (will be blinking steadily), plug in the power cable

8. Run the following commands in terminal:

cd ~/desktop/tethered

./tetheredboot -i iBSS.k66ap.RELEASE.dfu -k kernelcache.release.k66

NOTE:  it will loop a complaint re: DFU mode, just ignore this, once you are finished getting in DFU mode tetheredboot will take over.

9. MANUALLY put the AppleTV in DFU (*DO NOT USE PWNAGETOOL*)

- Disconnect power cable and connect your Apple TV with your computer via microUSB
- Now reboot your Apple TV by holding down Menu + Down buttons together for around 6 seconds.
- After reboot, immediately hold Menu + Play until you see the message in iTunes saying that Apple TV in recovery mode is detected

Successful output from tetheredboot looks like this:

Initializing libpois0n
No matching processes belonging to you were found
Waiting for device to enter DFU mode
Device must be in DFU mode to continue
opening device 05ac:1227…
Found device in DFU mode
Checking if device is compatible with this jailbreak
Checking the device type
Identified device as AppleTV2,1
Preparing to upload limera1n exploit
Resetting device counters
Sending chunk headers
Sending exploit payload
Sending fake data
libusb:error [darwin_transfer_status] transfer error: timed out
Exploit sent
Reconnecting to device
Waiting 2 seconds for the device to pop up…
opening device 05ac:1227…
Uploading iBSS.k66ap.RELEASE.dfu to device
[==================================================] 100.0%
libusb:error [darwin_reset_device] ResetDevice: device not responding
libusb:error [darwin_close] USBDeviceClose: no connection to an IOService
Waiting 10 seconds for the device to pop up…
opening device 05ac:1281…
Setting to configuration 1
Setting to interface 0:0
Uploading kernelcache.release.k66 to device
[==================================================] 100.0%
libusb:error [darwin_transfer_status] transfer error: device not responding (value = 0xe00002ed)

10. if all went well, unplug USB and plug in HDMI and your AppleTV should be ready to go. You will need to repeat 7-9 every time you restart your AppleTV, this isn’t a convenient process by any stretch!

11. To get nitoTV installed (I couldn’t get the cydia, or custompackage sot work in PT)

apt-get install wget
wget -O- http://apt.awkwardtv.org/awkwardtv.pub | apt-key add -
echo “deb http://apt.awkwardtv.org/ stable main” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/awkwardtv.list
apt-get update
apt-get install com.nito.nitotv

[source: @nitoTV]

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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!

Apple has just released a minor iOS 4.2.1 software update for the Apple TV 2G. It addresses an issue that causes some high-definition TVs to incorrectly display at 480p as well as an issue that may cause a movie or TV show to be re-downloaded. The build which is marked as iOS 4.2.1 (8C154) is reported by Apple TV as software version 4.1.1. The previous Apple TV iOS 4.2 was Build 8C150 and it was reported on the device as 4.1. According to nitoTV, it appears that SettingsAboutViewController grabs the “software version” number from the Info.plist inside of AppleTV.app rather than [ATVVersionInfo currentOSVersion] which is why it listed 4.2.1 in 4.2 and 4.1.1 in 4.2.1. NitoTV also confirmed that tethered Jailbreak for 4.1.1 still works “just fine”.

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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!