About Apple TV software updates
Summary
This article documents changes in Apple TV Software Update 2.0 and later.
Products Affected
Apple TV
Refer the table below for Apple TV Software Update 2.4 features:
Feature
Summary
Remote app directional control
Control your Apple TV with simple finger gestures via the Remote app. This feature requires Remote 1.3 running on an iPhone or iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0.
Flickr Search
Search Flickr photo tags to find recently updated photos of interest. Save searches to quickly find new photos or use as a screen saver for Apple TV.
New view options
View movies By Genre, By Movie, or Unwatched. View TV Shows and Podcasts By Date, By Show, or Unwatched.
Updated transport and chapter modes
During video playback, click right or left to fast forward or rewind. Additional clicks increase the speed. Click down to show chapter markers.
Refer the table below for Apple TV Software Update 2.3.1 features:
Feature
Summary
Network Test
Network Test sends information about your Internet connection to Apple in order to help improve download performance.
Refer the table below for Apple TV Software Update 2.3 features:
Feature
Summary
AirTunes Streaming from Apple TV
Music can be streamed via AirTunes to Airport Express speakers or other Apple TVs in your house.
Third-party Remote Controls
Apple TV can now learn other remote controls and use them in addition to the Apple Remote.
Playlists
Playlists in iTunes that contain Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, and Music Videos can now be seen on Apple TV.
Music Volume Control
Support for volume control in Music.
Refer the table below for Apple TV Software Update 2.2 features:
Feature
Summary
HD TV shows
Purchase the leading HD TV shows directly from the iTunes Store. (US only)
Movie browsing by actor and director
Browse movies on the iTunes store by actor and director. Select “More” on the movie page and browse the actor and director list on the left to see other movies for that individual.
Chapter selection, alternate audio and subtitles
While playing a movie, press and hold Play/Pause to access chapter selection, alternate audio and subtitle display. The display shows the options available for the current movie.
Movie description
Press Up when playing a movie to display a description of that movie.
Genius playlists
To create a Genius playlist based on the currently playing song, press and hold Play/Pause to bring up the contextual menu and select Start Genius. Note: The Genius feature must first be enabled in iTunes 8.0.1 and synced with Apple TV.
On-The-Go playlists
To add the currently playing song to the On-The-Go playlist, press and hold Play/Pause to bring up the contextual menu and select Add To On-The-Go.
Music videos in playlists
Make playlists in iTunes combining your favorite music videos and songs. Play them back on Apple TV and let them play continuously.
Apple TV standby mode
From the main menu, press Play/Pause for about three seconds (or go to Settings > Standby).
Security fixes
Details are available in this article.
Refer the table below for Apple TV Software Update 2.1 features:
Feature
Summary
Movie Wish List
Select More on the movie detail page then select Add to Wish List to mark a movie for rental or purchase at a later date.
Support for Remote application
Control your Apple TV playback via Remote, the free application for iPhone and iPod touch.
AirTunes receiver
Stream AirTunes to Apple TV from iTunes, including synchronized whole-house audio.
Photo browser
Browse your photos or photos from Flickr and MobileMe in a grid or in a full screen view.
MobileMe protected albums
Access MobileMe protected albums via Apple TV.
Podcasts browsable by video and audio
Podcasts on the iTunes Store are now browsable by video or audio allowing for quicker access to tens of thousands of podcasts.
Security fixes
Details are available in this article.
Apple TV Software Update 2.0 features:
- In the US, rent movies from the iTunes Store in Standard Definition and stunning High Definition with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound directly from Apple TV.
- Buy TV Shows, music and music videos on Apple TV. These automatically sync back to your computer.
- Browse and enjoy the iTunes Store podcast directory of over one hundred thousand video and audio podcasts.
- View photos from .Mac and Flickr galleries.
- Play your iTunes content on the audio system connected to your Apple TV via AirTunes.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
Related posts:
- How to tell if Software Update for Windows is working correctly when no updates are available
- How to update Apple TV software
- How to rent a movie from the iTunes Store on Apple TV
- Apple Keyboard: Use Software Update to install the latest keyboard software
- Apple TV Fast Start: The New User’s Guide for Apple TV (software version 1.x)