Apple Computers might have popularized the Apple TV but Hannspree, Inc. has already released a "similar" product 2 years back.

"So crisp, so pure, so enticing - like a bright ripe apple" goes the description of this LCD TV on Hannspree web site.  When closed, the TV looks just like a red shiny apple, complete with a stem and two leaves of green.  However, opening it reveals a 10" LCD screen, with 2 speakers (one on each door).  No, it doesn't sync with iTunes nor does it play any HDTV content.  But it sure looks cute.  It is available at Hannspree web site for $399.99

Read more 

ArsTechnica has reported that Apple TV is now available at Target retail stores but, not only that, it is also available at Costco Warehouses. The best thing is it is available for $289, which is $10 less than Apple's retail price. Knowing Costco's return policy, this might be the best place to buy Apple TV yet!

Read more

Michael Murphey of AppleGazette has finally completed his 30 Days with Apple TV review series. This is by far the most complete Apple TV review we've seen; it has to be because it took 30 days to complete!

Michael concluded that the Apple TV is a "great little device" with a "VAST" room for improvement. He mentioned that it is definitely not for everyone, especially for sports fans, channel flippers and videophyles. And, no, he's not going back to cable anymore.

Read more

As promised, SlingMedia, today, has finally announced the availability of its SlingPlayer for Mac. The best thing about this for us is that it also supports Apple TV. To do this, though, you also need a device called Slingbox HD Connect that connects to Apple TV's component video and analog stereo outputs.

Now you can watch your Apple TV shows while on your Hawaiian vacation.

Read more

Can this be the Apple TV Killer?  Gizmodo has some exclusive pictures of the Vudu, a set-top box that features direct movie download, and MPEG-4-to-HD upconversion.  The device connects to the service via ethernet and utilizes load-sharing network to minimize movie load time when streaming.

Based in Santa Clara, CA, Vudu, Inc. is run by major industry players like Alain Rossman of Apple and Phone.com and Tony Miranz of Tahoe Networks and AT&T Bell Labs.  The company spent the past two years negotiating with major content owners under the name Marquee.

We do see a lot of potential for this device.  Features like direct movie download has always been on our wishlist for the Apple TV.  Another nice touch is the inclusion of the S-video jack because most non-HDTVs still have this connection.

So, Apple, put iTunes on the Apple TV already! 

Read more  

The president of Neuros Audio, Joe Born, has issued an open letter to the Apple TV Hackers community to solicit help for improving their new set-top box, the Neuros OSD and other future products. Though each iteration of their products is more open they continue to "reply too heavily on licensed propriety code". They need people like you to help out.

The Neuros OSD is an open source, Linux-based, embedded media center and records video from any source and links to PC and other devices. Under the hood, the device runs on the TI DM320 Multimedia SOC with 200 MHz ARM 926, 120 MHz C54x DSP processor, created specifically by TI to handle multimedia applications. The heart of the device is Linux 2.6. Other features include MPEG4/MPEG2 encoding, Ethernet, SD/CF/MS card slots, USB host, IR Blaster and remote.

Read more

We are always looking for suggestions on what you, our readers, want. We would like really like your input on what you would like to see on the site. Let us know, all you have to do is leave some comments to this article.

In the mean time, we are already working on our first few product reviews: hardware and software. We are putting some final touches on the Gallery and Music Download sections, though we sure need more entries!!!

Thank you in advanced. 

Over at AppleTVBBS, mtech has a forum post on how to get Internet Radio working on his Apple TV using the Perlbin plugin. You also need to install VLC, by the way, to get it working.  But pretty simple hack this time.  Only three steps.

Thanks, mtech.

Read more  

The always-in-beta DVD ripper, HandBrake, now has presets for Apple TV and PS3. What this means is that the presets are optimized for outputing files for Apple TV. This makes the conversion much easier to deal with rather than fiddling around with HandBrake's parameters. We don't know much about the PS3 preset but we are very happy with the results from the Apple TV preset. Thanks, HandBrake!

Read more

Apple Gazette is has a series of articles in which the author, Michael Murphey, spends 30 days reviewing the Apple TV. His latest article on the series, Michael pitches the Apple TV against the Redmond Wonder, the Xbox 360.

There are 5 categories in which he compares the two: interface, content, noise, design, and price. Final score: Apple TV - 3, Xbox 360 - 2. Woo hoo!

Read more