Apple has just announced the all new Apple TV. This new 2010 version of Apple TV is only one fourth the size of the original, and it comes in black matte finish. It supports HDMI output, 802.11 WiFi-N and optical audio. There is no local storage here, Apple TV completely depends on the cloud for streaming media content. Apart from iTunes, you will be able to access Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe services right from the comfort of your couch.
If you were expecting iOS to come to the big screen, you will be disappointed. While the hardware looks sexy and all, no iOS and no iOS apps for the big screen will be a deal breaker for many.
Apple TV is not a game changer as it was previously thought. All it does is what the competitors have been doing for years. PlayStation, Xbox and Windows Media Center boxes can all rent and stream music, videos and TV content from their respective stores. But it is that $99 price point here which in my opinion will make it a success.
Pre-orders for these little boxes starts today! Apple will start shipping the new Apple TV in about four weeks from now.
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