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Apple gives sneak peek of ‘iTV’ set-top box to debut Q1 2007

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 · 3:59 pm · 69 Comments

Apple CEO Steve Jobs today previewed a half-size Mac mini-like set top box codenamed “iTV” that is slated for release in the first quarter of 2007.

“Enjoy your media on big screen TV, works with PCs or Macs, Coming in Q1 2007, $299.”

The “iTV” is connected to your TV and allows you to access all of the media (movies, TV shows, music, photos, and podcasts) that’s on your Mac or Windows PC running iTunes.

The $299 “iTV” will feature a next-gen Front Row interface the box with the following announced features:
• Built-in power supply (no power brick)
• USB 2.0
• Optical Audio
• HDMI port
• Component Video RCA stereo audio ports (for older sets)
• Apple Remote compatible
• Ethernet
• 802.11 wireless networking

Steve Jobs gives sneak peek of Apple’s “iTV” wireless set-top box:

Steve Jobs begins talking about iTV in the QuickTime video of today’s presentation at the 52:25 mark here.

Related article:
Apple’s QuickTime stream of Steve Jobs special event now live – September 12, 2006

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Comment Feed

69 Comments

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tamra

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:08 pm · Reply

USB2? WTF happened to the superior FW800 ?
Gadget freek

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:09 pm · Reply

Dribble
Want new shiney toy now
jostiman

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:09 pm · Reply

Nice, nice but again NO FIREWIRE. Apple is killing it’s own offspring.
I still think it is a major setback for the iPod Nano to also not have FireWire. USB 2 sux.
AH...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:09 pm · Reply

It looks just like Media Center except without the DVR. The layout is the same, the look is the same way to take a book from Microsoft.
G-Man in B'ham

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:11 pm · Reply

Wow, the iTV is almost as cool as Steve’s new shirt.

MDN Magic Word: ‘like’ as in ‘me like’
war

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:13 pm · Reply

All the media outlets are focusing on the iPod or the movie store and merely mentioning this device (and its implications). Apple unveiled it’s media strategy for your home and life today and no one seems to realize this. Instead of a Media PC hooked up to the TV, your mac/PC is a server that distributes the media to everything. Why are none of the so called “journalists” putting things together? If this takes off Apple will have total control of your personal media. This is the real story not the new nano. MS should be very concerned.
Jeff

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:15 pm · Reply

No HD?
UndercoverMacBrother

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:16 pm · Reply

Wow, I will this.
Jay

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:16 pm · Reply

How much? $299?
JohnE

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:17 pm · Reply

I WANT NOW
Jeff

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:18 pm · Reply

By HD I meant Hard disk. Where’s the Hard Disk? Do I have to run both iTV and my Mac to watch stuff?
IT guy

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:18 pm · Reply

I think they should add a DVD drive to that device. That will take out one DVD player that I have in the setup. I don’t think it should be that hard for them to do that.

If they are able to do that much, then, all they need is to integrate this device into an existing plasma TV, and release a new iMac like iTV that has a built-in processor, DVD player. That’s all one is asking for.
max

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:20 pm · Reply

Apple will have to buy elgato if they want to get away with iTV – too close to eyeTV – even for Apple’s lawyers!
UndercoverMacBrother

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:20 pm · Reply

Wow. I like this.
wings2sky

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:21 pm · Reply

Why, when Apple is usually so secret, did they bring this out now since in won’t be available until after Christmas? Are they trying to stake a claim or something? Was there not enough ‘wow’ in the special event? I don’t get it.
me

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:23 pm · Reply

USB2 vs. Firewire – are you all nuts? There is no “brain” in the device. It doesn’t need an external drive to store media. It doesn’t need a DVD-RAM to burn it. This is an Airport Express with more ports and a different form factor.

Now it’s cool, don’t get me wrong, but I’m getting a Mac mini for my entertainment center because HDTV’s 1080p makes for a happy monitor.
rasterbator

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:24 pm · Reply

News to FireWire lovers: Even though it is superior, there are many more USB2 devices in the world than FireWire. Maybe Dr. Bot can come up with something to give FireWire users a reason to cheer.
Jeffrey

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:25 pm · Reply

Let the wars begin!

Yes… a good first step into the living room. Looks like it’s a box that can connect your computer to your TV wirelessly, so that if your computer is not near your TV(mine isn’t) you’ll now have an easy way to get media from your computer to your TV.

Nice!

What would be NICER would be some type of set top box that would:

1. Get digital & analog cable
2. Get Over the Air digital and analog broadcasts
3. Record and save shows for playback later
4. Send data TO a computer for burning or archiving
5. Be controlled by an interface on your computer
6. Gotta’ be HiDef
7. Front Row Interface to control and connect TO your computer from your TV room.
[MDN word - types, as in]
8. Handle all type of media
Tommy Boy

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:25 pm · Reply

802.11 not 802.11n networking? No FireWire 400 (okay 800 fans, camcorders use FW400)?

No hard drive?
Tommo_UK

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:26 pm · Reply

Errrr.. just put the DVD in the Mac, dummies, and play it back over the iTV … why do you need a snad-alone DVD player if you have an iTV that is, by definition, connected to a DVD player already – the one built into every Mac.

Good lord, use your brains.
MacMaster

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:28 pm · Reply

This probably just a preview. The real version may have FW800.
MDN Magic Word: “Modern” as in “This is way more modern that anything currently on the market”
hmmm

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:29 pm · Reply

no hard drive?!?!?!?!

no optional ipod dock?!
bond co. stooge

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:29 pm · Reply

Me: “USB2 vs. Firewire – are you all nuts? There is no “brain” in the device.”

THANK you.

This thing ROCKS! Component out, too!

“won’t be available until after Christmas?”

Don’t bet on it.
Short Bus Driver

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:29 pm · Reply

The hard drive is in your Mac (or, if your a ‘tard, your Windows PC) you morons.

Your computer is your Digital Hub. Get it, yet?

Now back on the bus, all of you!
Tommy Boy

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 4:30 pm · Reply

Wait, wait…Did Apple just announce, vaporware?