Apple today released Apple TV Software Update 5.1 with features including:
• Shared Photo Streams: Accept invitations for Shared Photo Streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content.
• AirPlay: Send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use AirPlay with your Apple TV.
• iTunes account switching: Save multiple iTunes accounts and switch quickly between them.
• Trailers: Search movie trailers. In the United States, see show times for local theaters.
• Screen savers: New Cascade, Shrinking Tiles, and Sliding Panels screen savers.
• Main menu: Reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote.
• Subtitles: SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles.
• Network configuration: Support for setting up advanced network options using configuration profiles. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5437 for more information.
• Stability and performance: Includes general performance and stability improvements.
To update your Apple TV to the current software version:
1. Select Settings > General > Update Software. Apple TV checks to see if an update is available and a download message should appear if an update is available.
2. Click Download and Install to start the download process (or Download Now on an Apple TV 1st generation with Apple TV software 1.x).
Important: Do not disconnect your Apple TV during the update process. The Apple TV status light may flash slowly during the update and restart process; this is expected behavior.
I love Apple TV. Have three around the home… Just wish they would have Netflix Type service with better content. I hate paying Cable 85 a month…I would rather put that money into Apple TV.
Killed cable in my house months ago, and I don’t miss it in the least. AppleTV does all I need, between iTunes, Netflix and Hulu I am covered.
Im more into new movie releases. Would like to have same time releases as the standalone stores for DVD/BR.
Way to go Apple! “SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles”
No sign of the ad-hoc wireless from iPad to AppleTV to skirt the issues of both being on a wireless system together?? That’s what I needed…
Yup! That’s what I want to!
The article makes it sound like you can update your first gen Apple TV (I wish).
Still trying to find out what’s different about the subtitles option….
My Apple TV stopped during the update and required syncing with iTunes. Fortunately I have a micro USB. My brother’s also had a problem and has a black screen. He tried restoring it with my cable, but to no avail. He’s bringing it to me and I’ll try, but we may have to get this one to the Apple store. I thought mine was a fluke, but 2 out of 2 with a problem? Troubling…
iTunes account switching, nice!
iTunes switching and air-tunes speaker options like airport expresses nice!
Funny, the first appletv had airtunes speaker options and I have greatly missed that feature in the current appletv. Glad to see they’ve finally caught up to gen1. 🙂
All of the other features sound pretty sweet. Looking forward to playing with it.
Reorganizing a dozen icons? Why would Apple add this feature unless we will see more “channels” that one may need to organize? Here is hopping for HBOGO and others?
Or something bigger on the way… like apps