AppleInsider StaffApple TV received little attention during Worldwide Developers Conference, but the diminutive set-top box still has the Cupertino company's attention, as new videos reveal iTunes Radio and a new Conference Room mode in the works for its forthcoming software update.
As Apple promised when it announced iTunes Radio at WWDC 2013, the Internet radio service has arrived on Apple TV as part of a new software beta. Users can now stream music from the device's built-in app, with the same accessibility seen on iPhones running the iOS 7 beta.
The development gives Apple yet another platform on which to push its new radio service. iRadio will compete directly with both Google's new music streaming service and the already well-established Pandora. Industry observers note that Pandora is likely to face a rougher road with Apple entering the radio market.
The update also adds a Conference Room Display mode meant mainly for sharing content in meeting rooms. The display mode gives attendees on-screen instructions telling them how they can connect their iOS devices to the Apple TV using AirPlay.
In addition to those features, the update will give users the ability to customize the style of their subtitles. As the software is still in the beta stage, Apple may add or remove additional features before a final release.
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Great updates. AppleTV is a great device, and priced appropriately. Lots of small businesses love the AppleTV for the conf room. Sure, Google, Microsoft, Sony, et. al. may want into the home market, but the only real competitor for Apple is Roku, which can't compete with Apple's offerings in many ways ...though there are things the Roku can do in my experience (have both RokuHD and AppleTV2) it doesn't do it nearly as well as the AppleTV.
Pandora is screwed. The added value of having one-click (maybe a couple) purchases for streamed radio will be proven to be a dream come true for the labels. Hopefully sales figures will push the networks and studios in Apple's direction. Apple can line up on-demand no-stupid-Hulu-or-whatever-t-f app shows for iOS (existing hardware) before a full-fledged TV hardware product. The little Apple TV box makes a great reverse media-hub whereby distributed content can be viewed from one place. Given broad accessibility to users' purchased content or created content from multiple devices, Apple TV becomes a shared interactive display hub with value no other company can reproduce.
The local ALoft hotel has an Apple TV in every room. Your cloud with you, on the road. Brilliant.
I don't want an Apple TV, just the little black Apple box to control all of my TV, a bit more Apple TV content, throw in a miniMac & wireless keyboard. I'd pay $1000.00 plus for that
" . . .iRadio will compete directly with both Google's new music streaming service and . . ."
Boy, Apple is beginning to look the bully. Bully for Apple bullying the Ogre that stuffs its mattress with mean. And the Bing thing still cracks me up.
The gloves are off and bloody noses will become common in the streets. Get used to the new Apple. A dance of terror like we've never seen before, and yet it will be innovative with a style all its own, like Great Opera in costume and song, dance and merriment.
The show is just beginning as the lights dim and the Great Shining Apple emblem rises.
In the words of the great philosopher, Neson—
ha, ha