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
USB2? WTF happened to the superior FW800 ?
Dribble
Want new shiney toy now
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.
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.
Wow, the iTV is almost as cool as Steve’s new shirt.
MDN Magic Word: ‘like’ as in ‘me like’
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.
No HD?
Wow, I will this.
How much? $299?
I WANT NOW
By HD I meant Hard disk. Where’s the Hard Disk? Do I have to run both iTV and my Mac to watch stuff?
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.
Apple will have to buy elgato if they want to get away with iTV – too close to eyeTV – even for Apple’s lawyers!
Wow. I like this.
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.