BackRow SDK unleashed for Apple TV

As if the Apple TV hasn't been hacked up enough in its infancy, Alan Quatermain is keeping the fun rolling with the unleashing of his BackRow software development kit. The completed SDK includes headers for the BackRow framework, iPhotoAccess framework, and QuartzComposer frameworks, which are reportedly all that's necessary in order to build and run your appliance plug-ins and the BackRow Test application. Additionally, you'll find a project template for Xcode, which "creates the Info.plist with the required elements, Appliance and ApplianceController classes, and links in the appropriate frameworks (Foundation and BackRow) for you." Of course, the possibilities are far too numerous to cover in this space, so do yourself a favor and hit the read link if you've managed to hold back your trigger finger 'til now for a detailed account at what the SDK entails.

[Via iLounge]

[Matt @ May 30th 2007 7:17AM]

oh heck yeah! time to get my FRApllicance on!

[Alan Quatermain @ May 30th 2007 9:01AM]

In plain-speak, then-- The BackRow Developers' Kit provides what developers need to create new plugins for the Apple TV. Plugins are the things which put menu items onto the Apple TV's main menu. Examples are Movies, Settings, and ATVFiles, ATVLoader, etc.

The kit provides the required header files (the declarations of the programming interfaces used to implement the Apple TV interface), a project template for Xcode (Xcode is the Apple development application, the project template creates a skeleton with a bunch of stuff already done for you, as a starting point), and an application which enables you to test your plugin in a facsimile of the Apple TV interface itself.

The last item does not include the Apple plugins or screensavers (although you can add them yourself, copying from your Apple TV), nor does it include the necessary things required for talking to iTunes or iPhoto. Those aren't in the shared BackRow framework, they're implemented within the Finder application on the Apple TV, and I'm not reverse-engineering that whole thing.

Hopefully that's a bit clearer now :o)

[Scooter @ May 30th 2007 4:45PM]

Thanks Alan. Thought of applying for those new jobs at Engadget?

[Tim @ May 30th 2007 9:25AM]

So, I guess the big question is...
Does this open up possibilities to stream media such as DivX files to the Apple TV?

[Don-Don @ May 30th 2007 10:40AM]

Does this mean XBMC on AppleTV?

[aagha @ May 30th 2007 2:02PM]

Neuros OSD (http://www.neurosaudio.com/osd/osd.asp). 'Nuff said.

[KirbyMeister @ May 30th 2007 10:00PM]

“This is the first time users can easily browse, find and watch YouTube videos right from their living room couch, and it’s really, really fun,”

Internet Channel. I've been doing Youtube to couch streaming since I got my Wii!

[Hyse @ Jun 16th 2007 8:40PM]

Could someone please come up with a GPS and TV plugin Apple TV would be fantastic in a car.