Apple TV firmware contains FaceTime, Remote DVD, Bluetooth code?

By IM Staff
last updated

Since Apple made the Apple TV iOS 4.1 firmware available on their website, developers and hackers alike have been scouring through with a fine toothed comb. What they have found so far is quite interesting - Facetime may be coming to Apple TV via your iPhone 4 using AirPlay, there could be DVD remote support, and the device does contain bluetooth code.

Perhaps the most exciting find has been what we touched on earlier today, Apple TV is capable of being jailbroken via the Shatter exploit.

Check out the source links below for more, including Erica Sadun's comprehensive article at TUAW. Should be pretty exciting to see what this little device will be capable of in the upcoming weeks.

[TUAW, forums.mactalk.com.au via 9to5Mac]

IM Staff
IM Staff

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18 Comments
  • I'll be holding out for Android TV. Thank you very much.
  • As soon as I see it do something cool other then what Apple said it does is when I'll consider buying one. Until then I'll keep my $99.
  • @Brian "than" not "then".....
  • Isn't remote DVD kind of a step backwards for Apple in terms of "Ease of Use"?
  • I'll take a punt on it for £99
    Add a jailbreak that does something cool, I'm down!
  • Roku still looks more appealing with lower price point for the same features and the same price point for more features.
  • Don't you all get it Apple is making the Apple Tv into an game console. iPod, iPad and iPhone will be game controllers, etc. Airplay is neutral name for being able to play your AppStore games from any device while veiwing on your tv screen. High Resolution games and all this jargon. COUNT ON IT.
  • @Michael it's "then", not "than". Then refers to time. Than does not.
  • Can anyone explain if it would be possible to hack the original AppleTV to install the new firmware?
  • @Nutter I think he means Brian's first "then" which should be "than" as in "is better than something".
  • The appletv should of had a camera in the unit itself. That sounds so silly. Use facetime on your phone but also look at it on a huge tv? Come on now. That's retarded. It's probably leftover code from iPhone/touch that never got removed.
  • FaceTime becoming visible on a tv screen is going to great for business users. Maybe FaceTime conference calling would be an addition.
  • Fandroids don't get it... even some Apple users don't get it. At first glance looks can be deceiving but ultimately products like Apple TV will start to piece together an even more game changing way to interact on your TV. (I say game changer because I know it bothers the Fandroids) Just hooked up my Apple TV. First impression that its well put together but needs to be able to play movies outside of iTunes. I also have a Boxee on order, but if Apple TV can be changed I'll stick with it as it will make way more sense in the bigger picture.
    My question is... what good will airplay from iPad or iPhone be if you don't see video full screen. I played a few videos formatted for the iPad right away and they take up only half my TV. I'm probably missing something.
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