AppleInsider StaffThe news shows that sales of the Apple TV, famously referred to as Apple's "hobby," have not slowed since the device was released in late September. Apple revealed in October that the set top box had sold more than 250,000 in its first six weeks of availability.
Strong demand for the Apple TV at launch led some to predict that the device would sell 1 million per quarter, thanks in part to its aggressive $99 price.
Apple also offered tighter integration with the iOS ecosystem when it updated the Apple TV in November, adding support for AirPlay. With AirPlay, users can instantly stream some videos from their iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to their TV set.
The new Apple TV also represented a shift for the company, as it pushed studios to allow 99 cent rentals of TV shows, rather than costlier permanent purchases. But some studios have been reluctant to participate, calling Apple's 99-cent model too inexpensive.
The newly updated Apple TV also managed to make Time magazine's list of the top 10 gadgets of 2010, coming in at No. 7. The iPad was the top gadget, while the new MacBook Air took fourth, and the iPhone 4 was sixth.
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65 Comments
Gathering momentum! I certainly enjoy mine and I have retired the Mk 1 to the spare room as an alternate audio only destination for iTunes.
Is this product being advertised much or is this word of mouth? I can't recall a TV ad.
BTW Apple perhaps should stop hiding ATV under 'iPod' on their web site!
Gathering momentum! I certainly enjoy mine and I have retired the Mk 1 to the spare room as an alternate audio only destination for iTunes.
Is this product being advertised much or is this word of mouth? I can't recall a TV ad.
BTW Apple perhaps should stop hiding ATV under 'iPod' on their web site!
I will most likely get one as soon as our local iTunes-store starts distributing Films with subtitles and original soundtrack.
It's good news. I normally don't buy things like this (preferring "serious" computing devices), but I got an ATV2 because it was so cheap, and had the potential to replace the spaghetti of cables and optical drive readers under my TV. And am quite impressed with it.
I wish I had one of the newer houses wired with ethernet though, because wireless is fine, but not snappy like wired, and don't really want a cable taped around the wall.
Any news on a hack for 1080p out? If it's taking it in and downconverting it, it should be easier to just make it fly straight through.
Now all we need is an iOS iTunes / Home Server / Cloud Server / Time Machine.