Apple Updates Apple TV with Up Next and Bluetooth Keyboard, New 'AppleTV3,2' Model Revealed

[MacRumors]

Alongside today's release of iOS 6.1, Apple also issued an update for the Apple TV. The new 5.2 software update includes a number of enhancements including direct iTunes in the Cloud music streaming, Bluetooth keyboard support, Up Next support, and more.

- iTunes in the Cloud: Browse and play your purchased iTunes music directly from iCloud.
- Bluetooth keyboard: Use your Apple Wireless Keyboard to control your Apple TV. See this article for more information.
- AirPlay audio for videos: Send stereo audio from movies, TV shows, and other videos on Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs).
- Stability and performance: Includes performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired Ethernet connections.

Curiously, Apple has released three versions of the Apple TV update, covering not only the second-generation (AppleTV2,1) and third-generation (AppleTV3,1) boxes but also a new AppleTV3,2 box. It is unclear exactly what the difference is with the new box, but the numbering scheme suggests that it is a relatively minor change.

Three versions of Apple TV 5.2 update (Source: e-lite.org)

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted earlier this month that Apple was preparing to launch an updated Apple TV this quarter, although it was anticipated to be a minor upgrade. Apple has not, however, made any public announcements regarding an updated Apple TV.

Update: Apple appears to be referring to the new Apple TV model with a code name of J33I, compared to the J33 code name used on the third-generation Apple TV. While we have no direct evidence, it is possible that the "I" simply refers to an international variation of the current box. Just last month, Apple launched iTunes movies in nearly four dozen new countries.

Article Link: Apple Updates Apple TV with Up Next and Bluetooth Keyboard, New 'AppleTV3,2' Model Revealed

[green94]

Needs MORE Apps!

[Dwalls90]

Was gonna pick up an Apple TV, glad I waited!

Hopefully we see this refresh with the iPad 5 in March.

[840quadra]

Some nice touches in this update, The keyboard support will be nice, though I use my iPad and iPhone for this mostly now.

Adding more applications, and a browser are highly requested (by myself )

[Wild-Bill]

Meh....

I want to see NAS support so I don't have to have my main Mac on all the time, just to watch a movie. It's not an unusual request, Apple.

Virtually every other network streaming player out there does this.

[Dagless]

More Apple TV's on the way? I've always wondered how well they sell, especially in the UK. Everyone I seem to bump into has an iPhone (or Android these days), everyone in my industry has an Apple computer somewhere, but nobody has an Apple TV for personal reasons (work reasons yeah).

[ouimetnick]

Is the 2nd generation Apple TV compatible with the Bluetooth Keyboard? I believe it has BT (iFixit) but Apple is known to lie and say the hardware just can't support it when it can.

[ThisIsNotMe]

How about an actual feature that was promised last year like I don't know Airplay Direct???

[x13gamer]

Do most people have more than one icloud account in their home? If everyone in your house has their own then what? How about some support for those who do. It goes back to the multiple apple ID issue that will not be fixed anytime soon.

[TsMkLg068426]

Next Mac OS X 10.8.3?

[x13gamer]

Originally Posted by Dagless

More Apple TV's on the way? I've always wondered how well they sell, especially in the UK. Everyone I seem to bump into has an iPhone (or Android these days), everyone in my industry has an Apple computer somewhere, but nobody has an Apple TV for personal reasons (work reasons yeah).

They seem popular where I am in the US midwest. Especially in schools where there is an iPad initiative.

[iMikeT]

Bluetooth Keyboard finally!

Although, I've grown very accustomed to controlling my TV with my iPhone. Nevertheless, still a great feature for everyone else who has access to my TV and doesn't have an iOS device with them.

[nia820]

about time they enabled keyboard use. i felt like pulling out my hair when i have to search for something and select letter by letter.

[ck2875]

Originally Posted by x13gamer

Do most people have more than one icloud account in their home? If everyone in your house has their own then what? How about some support for those who do. It goes back to the multiple apple ID issue that will not be fixed anytime soon.

The Apple TV allows you to login with multiple iTunes accounts in the settings.

[scott911]

I'm like to be able to scroll (with just the remote) to an artist who's name starts with a "s" and not have it take three minutes...

[jessica.]

Originally Posted by ouimetnick

Is the 2nd generation Apple TV compatible with the Bluetooth Keyboard? I believe it has BT (iFixit) but Apple is known to lie and say the hardware just can't support it when it can.

I too hope it is supported.

[gmanist1000]

The bluetooth keyboard support is sweet, I need to pick up that new Logitech Easy Switch Keyboard now.... that would be a perfect match!

[840quadra]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

Meh....

I want to see NAS support so I don't have to have my main Mac on all the time, just to watch a movie. It's not an unusual request, Apple.

Virtually every other network streaming player out there does this.

I assume they want you to utilize iCloud as opposed to your local system for this. I know it doesn't fix the issue of ripped movies, since they don't yet match our own personal video content at this time.

Would be nice for Apple to at least offer that option too.

[matteusclement]

Downloading now.
Pumped on the bluetooth keyboard. Harder to lose a keyboard than that tiny remote.

Also, my classroom can now tuck away the apple tv box into the rafters.

[MacBoobsPro]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

Meh....

I want to see NAS support so I don't have to have my main Mac on all the time, just to watch a movie. It's not an unusual request, Apple.

Virtually every other network streaming player out there does this.

It would be better if they just put a freakin hardrive back in. Stupid move taking out.

[Farid1983]

Love iOS updates regardless!

[matteusclement]

Originally Posted by ck2875

The Apple TV allows you to login with multiple iTunes accounts in the settings.

are you sure about that? where do you do that?

[jaw04005]

Originally Posted by Wild-Bill

Meh....

I want to see NAS support so I don't have to have my main Mac on all the time, just to watch a movie. It's not an unusual request, Apple.

Virtually every other network streaming player out there does this.

They'll never support a basic NAS, but it would be nice if they would at least support a hard drive connected to an AirPort Base Station.

Sounds like a processor bump and not much more.

[jarrodjob]

In iTunes 11, I marked about 300 home videos as such. Now when scrolling on the AppleTV, there are co-mingled with full-length movies. My old work around is that I used to use TV show sorting for home movies, but its weird that iTunes 11 lets you sort this way, but then does not translate to ATV.

Apple: It just works[...but it doesn't].

-JJ

[bassanoclapper]

Originally Posted by Dagless

More Apple TV's on the way? I've always wondered how well they sell, especially in the UK. Everyone I seem to bump into has an iPhone (or Android these days), everyone in my industry has an Apple computer somewhere, but nobody has an Apple TV for personal reasons (work reasons yeah).

I have 2, living room and bedroom