Apple TV gets 160GB disk... and YouTube too

That's right, Google's YouTube is coming to Steve's little AppleTV "hobby" as he described it during his gig at D. The little treat Steve left out at the show is a new build-to-order 160GB disk; 4x the original capacity offered by Apple at launch. Of course both of these hacks were already available for you DIYers. Still, it's always good to get it via official channels, eh? The new AppleTV with beefier hard disk will be available tomorrow for $399 while the free YouTube update will be available in mid-June.

[Thanks, Nick]

[Fatima @ May 30th 2007 5:09PM]

Cool, but as steve said...its more of a hobby.
Not a core product.

I'll pass on Apple TV for now.

[atezun @ May 30th 2007 5:12PM]

160GB HD? You just sold yourself an AppleTV Steve-O.

[CT A @ May 30th 2007 5:13PM]

Just make it so I can "get" the videos from Youtube and store it on my Apple TV and I'll be good to go.

[andy @ May 30th 2007 7:18PM]

but why fill your hd when they are there, on the appletv via the net anyway? makes no sence

[Mark @ May 30th 2007 5:14PM]

$400 and no HD? So why would anyone buy this over an xbox 360?

[Galley @ May 30th 2007 5:18PM]

Wow, crappy, pixelated video blown up on my HDTV!

[Constable Odo @ May 30th 2007 5:19PM]

Decent upgrade, but I need it to be able to play XviD, DivX, plus the ability to read .srt, .idx and .sub subtitle files. I've got no choice for now but to stick with my trusty MacMini for now unless somebody says AppleTV can do this already.

[Pete @ May 30th 2007 5:22PM]

Who gives a f--k about Apple TV?! This product is stupid...I don't know anybody who wants one. You know the product is worthless when you have tech geeks like me not giving a shit about it. You have to DL stuff on iTunes (and now horrid quality stuff from YouTube I guess) just to stream it over to this thing? I just don't see the appeal. I'd rather DL straight from the set-top. The 360 is a much better set-top solution, and oh yeah you get a great gaming system with it.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ May 30th 2007 5:49PM]

Pete, how many times does the following statement have to be repeated? This product is not for a geek like you. Granted, plenty of geeks are playing with them (and doing some cool stuff), but the target audience is not geeks - it's iPod users. And, considering the numbers of iPods out there, I have to assume that not every iPod user is a geek.

[michael @ May 30th 2007 5:25PM]

That's neat, but YouTube videos are already low quality. Add that to the fact that the Apple TV doesn't show in HD makes it a real turn off to people.

[andy @ May 30th 2007 7:18PM]

appletv DOES show in hd, it is itunes store that doesnt sell hd, so if you diy you have hd, if you make home movies, its hd, if you look at pictures its hd

[mingistech @ May 30th 2007 5:26PM]

The AppleTV does do HD. It's 720p and it looks amazing. If you're "in the know" and know where to obtain these movies the AppleTV is perfect for any serious home theater junky. I have a dedicated 750GB drive just for this purpose. Here is my hint for anyone interested in obtaining some HD goodness.... "HDBits" :)

[TeddyN @ May 30th 2007 5:45PM]

Apparently, 'The Site is Full'....
Excuse me?

How do I get onto it?

[Matt @ May 30th 2007 6:36PM]

"...the AppleTV is perfect for any serious home theater junky."

What? It doesn't even do 5.1 sound. It's an entry level streamer and nothing more.

[ricosuave @ May 30th 2007 6:39PM]

how does one go about getting a invite to hdbits?

[patsy @ May 30th 2007 5:27PM]

I've really wanted to like the Apple TV, because it's so tiny and could disappear next to the TV, plus the GUI does look very nice. But you just can't do much with it (yet anyway), and the XBMC totally owns it in terms of functionality, if not looks, and is considerably cheaper even with modding. Ok, so it's not an "official" product, but I don't think too many in this crowd care about that anyway.

[disciple83 @ May 30th 2007 5:29PM]

AppleTV: 160GB HDD, plays Youtube, upconverts crappy YouTube res to huge crappy YouTube res, still no tuner.

XBox360, IPTV incoming, 120GB HDD, plays DVDs and games, Live Arcade, skinnable both on screen and on the case, easily modded.

Gonna hang with the 360 for now. But don't give up Apple, find a good tuner, throw a DVD player in it, and find some way to play games, (*giggle*, games...) and that classy styling to it, and we'll talk.

[Jeff @ May 30th 2007 6:27PM]

@ disciple83
"don't give up Apple, find a good tuner, throw a DVD player in it, and find some way to play games, (*giggle*, games...) and that classy styling to it, and we'll talk."

are you seriously suggesting that the 360 *looks* better? yikes. never thought i'd hear that one.

really, though, you're the opposite of the target market for this thing. Simplicity is Apple's strongpoint (how many times have you heard moron analysts say the iPod needs FM tuners / etc etc ?) Apple creates a device that does a limited set of things, simply and does them well. I kinda doubt you'll ever see an AppleTV that has a mile-long feature list, because most consumers don't give a crap about 90% of the features geeks want.

[kpfeif @ May 30th 2007 5:34PM]

Only Apple can add a whopping 80gb of drive space and expect another $100 for it. They'll get it, too.

[rich @ May 30th 2007 5:40PM]

kpfeif: "Only Apple can add a whopping 80gb of drive space and expect another $100 for it. They'll get it, too."

Only idiots on Engadget think that 160 - 40 = 80.

[Michael P McHugh @ May 30th 2007 5:41PM]

It's actually not a bad price considering the drive alone costs over $100!

[Ozbone @ May 30th 2007 5:41PM]

Maybe you should pull out your calculator before you open your flap - that's an additional 120GB.

[KR @ May 30th 2007 5:41PM]

@ kpfeif

They actually added a 'whopping' 120GB to it for $100.

[KR @ May 30th 2007 5:42PM]

Woops, seems I was a little late to the party with my comment.

[Jon @ May 30th 2007 5:44PM]

Why is the drive so expensive? I just got a 500 gig external for 125!

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ May 30th 2007 5:44PM]

The people who compare the Apple TV to the Xbox 360 forget they are different products, the Xbox doesn't even come with WiFi. The Apple TV is a streaming video player, which takes up virtually no space under your TV, it's design for non-techie people, and comes with a tiny, little, simple remote. The 360 is a console game maching, video is an after though. Essentially.. people who buy the Xbox 360 want to play games, people who buy the Apple TV want to watch videos.

[Ryan Devine @ May 30th 2007 6:05PM]

your external isn't a laptop sized hd. those in general are more expensive due to size limitations.

[Galley @ May 30th 2007 6:51PM]

Uh, because it's a 2.5" HDD.

[Zack @ May 30th 2007 5:49PM]

So, if you can watch YouTube videos on your AppleTV, and YouTube is owned by Google, and Google is making applets for the iPhone, it stands to reason that eventually, YouTube will be supported on the iPhone. Right? That's a fun way to waste time. :)

[cs32 @ May 30th 2007 5:51PM]

Apple: Add 120GB, charge $100 extra, and the Apple fans are running through the streets, praising the almighty Jobs.
Microsoft: Add 100GB (new 360 drive), charge $80 extra, and the Apple/Sony/anti-MS fans are running through the streets yelling that MS is raping their wallets.

Sigh.

[JT @ May 30th 2007 6:04PM]

MS distortion field at work there. The Apple fanboy reception of this news is lukewarm at best. Hardly running through the streets worthy. Lots more Xbox 360/XBMC praise here than Apple TV at moment.

[Ignacio @ May 30th 2007 6:56PM]

"Apple: Add 120GB, charge $100 extra, and the Apple fans are running through the streets, praising the almighty Jobs.
Microsoft: Add 100GB (new 360 drive), charge $80 extra, and the Apple/Sony/anti-MS fans are running through the streets yelling that MS is raping their wallets.

Sigh."

Perhaps because the xbox drive was **$179** for an extra 120GB? Also, I don't see Apple fans running in the streets... exaggerate much?

[Adam @ May 30th 2007 5:57PM]

Hmm... XBMC runs off my 320GB hard drive, and has had youtube support for years.

[cs32 @ May 30th 2007 6:10PM]

I see a lot of positive comments here. Is there a lot of negative comments on Mac-specific boards? Possibly, but I don't read those. But here, I do not see anybody criticizing over the price. Instead, it is "160GB HD? You just sold yourself an AppleTV Steve-O.", and people saying that you can get better features in another place being shot down.

Not anything near the rioting when they announced the price of the 360 120GB HD.

[Joe @ May 30th 2007 6:06PM]

Just a little comment for anyone wanting IPTV for the Xbox 360. You'll need an optical 35mbps phone/data line. Or no IPTV. LOL

Apple TV is growing. Looking better and better. HD content is on the way.

[BigD @ May 30th 2007 8:48PM]

I have the necessary bandwidth for IPTV (my cheap FTTH can handle the job)....just don't have an xbox 360.

[Joe @ May 30th 2007 9:57PM]

BigD - "I have the necessary bandwidth for IPTV (my cheap FTTH can handle the job)....just don't have an xbox 360."

Lucky you. Your in the 0.5% of internet users that has 12mbps or above.

[elliot h @ May 30th 2007 6:08PM]

Its not going to connect to youtube.com. the videos are going to be uploaded in waves, which probaly means that they will be much better quality with the option to download.

[JT @ May 30th 2007 6:59PM]

@cs32

No offense to atezun, but that one sale ain't exactly fanboys running through the streets. Most of the other "positive" comments here are just saying the Apple TV and the 360 are after very different markets. Which, in truth they are.

IMHO, alot more people were ticked off about the 360 hard drive because it affects a product that alot more people actually want (especially engadget's audience).

[Jean-Michel Decombe @ May 30th 2007 6:20PM]

If Apple kills the MacMini, I'm seriously gonna blow a fuse. That is such a sweet little computer, but they've got to release a new faster, more powerful rev. I think it's time to write a petition ;-).

[Roflgoat @ May 30th 2007 6:39PM]

I'm just wondering why the highest ranked post is of someone saying that they're going to buy an AppleTV. Go take a breather, fanboys.

[paul34 @ May 30th 2007 6:45PM]

Right, because most worthy content on YouTube gets deleted nearly instantaneously. The other video sites are no better.

I'm looking forward to the day (well, hopefully anyway) when The Pirate Bay gets their video service up and running. Free exchange of information.

[Roflgoat @ May 30th 2007 6:46PM]

I TOLD YOU!

Jeff Han is working with Microsoft.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217348.html

[cs32 @ May 30th 2007 7:03PM]

Apple added 120GB, they added $100. Microsoft added 100GB, they added $80.

Do you really think that the previous, smaller drive Apple TV did not count any price in the older price tag. This is exactly what I was talking about in my original post. Apple fans are defending this, but then criticize Microsoft selling an ***optional*** piece of hardware for a higher price and it is derided.


"Perhaps because the xbox drive was **$179** for an extra 120GB? Also, I don't see Apple fans running in the streets... exaggerate much?"

Wow, you have absolutely no F-ing concept of a sense of humor, do you?

[Ignacio @ May 30th 2007 7:10PM]

"Wow, you have absolutely no F-ing concept of a sense of humor, do you?"

If you think contributing to another yet another Apple vs. Microsoft pointless thread as "humor", no, I don't. I find it boring+annoying.

[Luigi193 @ May 30th 2007 7:16PM]

Uh, the 360s new dashboard update did away with OS X support, so that sorta won't work for OS X users........ (If i am wrong don't flame me, thats just what i read)

So yeah, maybe not the best for Windows users, but for a os x user its ok.

[Otimus @ May 30th 2007 7:41PM]

How can someone be against the folks saying that a 360 is a better choice? It frigging IS a better choice. It's no more difficult to stream stuff with it, than it is with the Apple TV. Chances are high, if someone can't figure out how to stream something with the 360, then they sure as hell can't do it with the Apple TV.

The 360 has BETTER video features than the Apple TV, so the asinine comments that the video on the 360 is an "afterthought" is Apple fanboy jibberish.

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ May 30th 2007 8:55PM]

I'll assume you are referring to me, yes i do own an iPod shuffle and a iMac, and no I don't own an Apple TV. Here's a surprise that will blow your judgemental comment out of the water though, I ALSO OWN A 360, I know shocking isn't it. I will confess I'll be switching to a PS3 when Sony gets further along in the online thing though.

[Evan Asano @ May 30th 2007 9:24PM]

I doubt that anyone posting negative comments on the apple TV has sampled on the in store. I checked one out the other day and was pretty impressed. The interface is apple-easy and it streams content like photos and music and stores videos and shows. Apple TV seems like a trivial release for fan-boys and hobby-ists, but considering how much network content they have and movies and the fact that there has been some 250 million + copies of itunes downloaded, I think we're going to be surprised where this product goes. Netflix and others are trying to get into the download market, but you still have the problem of getting from your computer to the tv, Apple has solved the problem and with iTunes on 250+ computers, you can see where this is leading.

[Marcos @ May 30th 2007 9:31PM]

It's so f***ing annoying that people keep comparing the Apple TV to the XBMC.

The target market is completely, absolutely, totally different.

When your mom can get, install and use XBMC all by herself, come back and keep writing comments.