Apple TV: The iPod of the Living Room
With the iPhone waiting in the wings, Apple said Wednesday it is shipping its long-awaited set-top box that can wirelessly play or download iTunes content from a PC or Mac on a TV.
Although Apple TV doesn’t bear the “i” prefix that characterizes many of its most popular products, it does promise to continue the Mac-maker’s tradition of sleek design and user friendliness. The slender, square, silver box will sell for $299. That’s $50 more than the 30-GB iPod and $50 less than the 80-GB iPod.
For that price, Apple TV buys the ability to play iTunes music and display movies, TV shows, photos, and podcasts purchased at the iTunes store. The included Apple Remote lets viewers browse their collection of digital content from the comfort of their sofa.
“Apple TV is like a DVD player for the Internet age — providing an easy and fun way to play all your favorite iTunes content from your PC or Mac on your widescreen TV,” Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, said in a statement.
Digital Content Is King
With its latest device, Apple is setting out to prove that digital content is king. The three-way hookup between a widescreen TV, Apple TV, and iTunes makes available over 400 movies, 350 TV shows, and 5,000 music videos in near DVD quality. Those who are too busy to sit and watch can listen to over four million songs, 100,000 podcasts, and 20,000 audiobooks as they roam about the home.
Apple TV also makes room for users to watch their favorite movie trailers right on their widescreen TV, listen to their favorite music on their home entertainment system, and view slideshows of their photo albums in high definition. The Apple Remote lets users change the channel, so to speak, from up to 30 feet…
