In Case You Were Wondering...

[Jeff Campbell]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gizmodo.com/5628595/old-appletvs-wont-get-netflix?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+gizmodo/full+(Gizmodo)' target='_blank'>http://gizmodo.com/5628595/old-appl.../full+(Gizmodo)</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Ars got the official word from an Apple spokesperson: there will be no new software update for old AppleTVs. That means no sexy Netflix, though you'll be able to keep on buying movies and TV shows instead of renting."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/adt/auto/1283430095.usr105634.jpg" /></p><p>It was kind of buried in the overview article at <a href="http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/09/hands-on-photos-questions-answered-about-new-ipods-apple-tv.ars" target="_blank">Ars Technica</a>&nbsp;where they note&nbsp;<em>"We confirmed with an Apple spokesperson that the maximum HD resolution of the Apple TV is 720p, consistent with recent rumors. Additionally, there will be no software update to bring the new features to older Apple TVs. Older Apple TVs will continue to work as they have been working up to this point, and they will continue to be able to purchase movies and TV shows even though the new Apple TV is rental-only."</em>&nbsp;It was also something that I wondered about since I have one of the original Apple TVs and now I know, I can't update my Apple TV so I'll have to buy one of the new ones to get the enhanced features. Disappointing but not entirely unexpected with new devices, backward compatibility has to end at some point yes?</p>

[Macguy59]

I was completely uninterested in the new ATV until he started talking about Airplay. That got my attention. Just last week I was bemoaning not having a way to stream content from my iPad to the ATV. It will probably be limited to iTunes content but it would be nice to be able to stream HULU and HBO Go video to.

[Dyvim]

We have 2 TV's and 1 AppleTV. I've always intended on getting a 2nd AppleTV, so I guess I'll probably get one eventually, but it won't be replacing my existing model, but rather supplementing it. NetFlix streaming will be nice. I've been enjoying it on my iPad and would be nice to do it on the TV too (I know I can get other boxes to do it but that's not the point). The AirPlay stuff looks nice as well, esp. if it's dead simple and just works. I was disappointed to still see only 100Mbs ethernet on the new box, but not surprised.

Not too thrilled about TV show rentals. I've been buying TV seasons but only when the price approaches $1.25 / episode for HD. So renting HD for $1 sounds like too much for me. Although they're right that most TV episodes you only want to watch once anyway.