AppleInsider Staff
The Apple TV set-top box was updated to software version 5.2 on Monday, adding enhanced support for iTunes in the Cloud and the ability to connect a Bluetooth keyboard, while also hinting at a minor hardware refresh.
Users can download the update directly to their device by choosing the Settings application on the Apple TV, then choosing "General," and "Software Update." The full list of changes in the update, according to Apple, are:
- iTunes in the Cloud: Brows and play your purchased iTunes music directly from iCloud.
- Up Next: See upcoming songs when playing music, and easily choose what plays next.
- Bluetooth Keyboard: Use your Apple Wireless Keyboard to control your Apple TV.
The company also strangely released three versions of the software update on Monday, including one intended for a previously unknown hardware revision referred to as "AppleTV3,2." Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities revealed earlier this month that the Apple TV would receive a refresh this quarter, but details on the rumored hardware were not provided.
The Apple TV was last updated a year ago with a single-core A5 processor. The faster chip allows the device to output 1080p video, while its predecessor was limited to 720p.
Also on Monday, Apple updated Xcode to version 4.6, adding support for iOS 6.1. The update is available through the Mac App Store.
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
64 Comments
Nice! Love how the AppleTV is constantly getting more capable. Now if they through it a basic web-browser, would be pretty cool. But I understand why they wouldn't.
Awesome.
I would have assumed it already could do BT typing. Guess not. Good addition. A little $30 BT mini-keyboard by the couch would be tempting, just for easier searching. Whatever this new version is... I'm in! Time to finally get an AppleTV and be able to stream video from my iPhone 5. AppleTV doesn't cost all that much more than the Lightning Digital AV cable after all. And does much more.
1) Does this include streaming iTunes Match from iCloud? 2) This addition so late to the Apple TV makes me think there is some major changes for this device category coming up shortly.
I would love to see that myself, along with a way to add iTunes cards would be nice, I'm for getting myself a MacBook air or iPad though I think that if it could do at lease the basics, from my tv that would make me love my Apple TV a bit more, they can't say they can't block Hulu, and sites like that since Hulu and they've done before on other devices :)