Update (9/22): During the past weekend Apple TV users have been reporting that the latest 6.0 update was bricking devices. Even though this is not happening to everyone, with many users able to successfully update and enjoy the newly added features post-upgrade, Apple has decided not to risk it anymore and pulled the update from the automated Software Update. Now, users with bricked Apple TVs will be forced to connect their devices to a PC and restore from iTunes, which is a process Apple has tried to skip altogether before.
In fact, Apple has released a software update for their Apple TV set-top box including a number of new features and services. The most popular one is iTunes Radio, the streaming music service that debuted alongside iOS 7 some days ago.
Other new features are AirPlay from iCloud, iCloud Photos and Videos which replaces Photo Stream, iTunes Music Store and conference room mode. The AirPlay from iCloud feature works quite similar to Google’s Chromecast since it allows users to utilize iOS devices to play videos from iTunes in the Cloud. So, content will be streamed directly to Apple TV rather than going through an iOS device.
iCloud Photos and Videos allow users to see media that has been added to a shared photo stream on their TV. Now, podcasts are also available via the set-top box with the ability to synchronize playlists and favorite stations between the box and other iOS devices.
iTunes Music Store support permits Apple TV owners to browse music downloads, purchase tracks and play them directly through the set-top box as well.
It can be predictet, that this isn’t the last we will be hearing about Apple TV this year since a hardware refresh is also expected in the next weeks.
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