Apple TV (take 2) update delayed

Well, the rumors are true, the Apple TV "take 2" update, which was due yesterday, is officially delayed. According to Apple, they are planning to "make the free software download available to existing Apple TV customers in another week or two." Not a deal-killer by any means, but certainly a temporary bummer for those who can't wait to start renting (HD) movies on their device.

[Optimus Rhyme @ Jan 30th 2008 12:33PM]

Awww maaaaaannnnn!

I was just thinking tha yuesterday was exactly 2 weeks since Jobsy said it would be 2 weeks for the update. Don't suppose they mean it's been delayed by a few hours? I want HD rentals and I want them NOW! (stomps feet)

[Andrew @ Jan 30th 2008 1:02PM]

Maybe this has something to do with Yahoos Flickr integration in the AppleTV? - When Steve demoed the AppleTV it was the Flickr part of the demo that that didnt work properly. Today Yahoo announced they are laying off 1,000 employees so I wonder if Yahoo is the culprit here.

I say release it without Flickr or turn to Google and add some Picasa on there for now.

[L @ Jan 30th 2008 2:26PM]

Andrew, just don't blame Apple, right?

Flickr has had open API's for about half an eternity now, why should they not work with the ATV unless Apple themself mess up the integration?

[Reid @ Jan 30th 2008 5:46PM]

I didn't watch that part of the demo, but I was under the impression that the photos just weren't loading from Flikr, not that the software Apple wrote, or the service Yahoo! provided was incompatible. Likely just some network hiccup. I don't think El Stevo felt like spending 10 minutes trying to troubleshoot something in the middle of his demo.

[LegendZ28 @ Jan 30th 2008 8:35PM]

I love that they wait till the very last moment to announce the delay, it's one thing if you wait cause you're trying to do it and it'll take a few days, but you have to see "a week or two" delay coming by more than one day.

[Steve C @ Jan 30th 2008 12:33PM]

BREAKING NEWS!!! AN APPLE PRODUCT IS DELAYED!!!

Honestly though, a post that's just "Apple TV (take 2) update delayed - Just in from Apple, more as we get it"? Is this really post-worthy? I normally enjoy Engadget's Apple coverage, but really, this?

[Bloobie @ Jan 30th 2008 1:16PM]

Even though I am a long-time Apple user, I have to agree. A post just to let us know that the update is delayed is rather ridiculous.

[Chroma @ Jan 30th 2008 1:26PM]

You may think that more times than not, but last night I was wondering why there was no update for my AppleTV.

Engadget is a tech blog as Apple is a tech company, and I for one, don't visit all my favorite manufacturer's new announcements page everyday.

[JimD @ Jan 30th 2008 3:07PM]

Well, if they didn't post it, you wouldn't have anything to bitch about. ;-)

[kyle @ Jan 30th 2008 12:39PM]

Yes it's post worthy, I was pretty excited about this and was wanting something to stream stuff to my tv in a very easy and simple way and bought the apple tv last weekend. It's been great actually so far, does exactly what I needed, but it's pretty discouraging that the update hasn't come out, I thought I'd only have to go a couple days without it. I've actually been watching engadget the last couple days and was surprised there wasn't any news on this yet as the update should have come yesterday.

[Blake @ Jan 30th 2008 12:42PM]

Yes it is necessary. I needed my "fourth leg" of the Apple chain yesterday. Now I have to wait another week or even TWO for my "leg."

This sucks.

[Scott Russell @ Jan 30th 2008 12:43PM]

The answer is: Yes, this is a much-appreciated post. I've been checking both the Apple-centric websites & engadget for news on this front. Thanks, Engadget, for keeping us posted on this. There are PLENTY of people who want to know.

[Bob @ Jan 30th 2008 12:54PM]

Agreed: Thanks for posting the update, Engadget. I've been scanning the intertubes for any info on this. I'm not really surprised since the original release of the Apple TV was two weeks late from when it was originally announced. I love my Apple TV, use it more than my DVD player and can't wait to directly download HD podcasts without my MacBook being the middle man.

[Joe V @ Jan 30th 2008 1:07PM]

Apple's really off the ball. I ordered a Mac Pro right after they were announced. One of the built-to-order components I got caused a 2 week delay, and I just got a notice this week that it would be delayed ANOTHER few weeks. Grrr...

[John Williams @ Jan 30th 2008 1:11PM]

So a vendor is delaying a part. That's Apple's fault how?

[Joe V @ Jan 30th 2008 1:41PM]

By that logic, any product delay is just "someone else's fault." Manufacturers are expected to give accurate ship dates. The fact that they didn't shore up their components before announcing ship dates speaks poorly of them.

[Jeff @ Jan 31st 2008 12:02AM]

I just ordered a Mac Pro (BTO with extra drives, wireless stuff, extra ram, 2 optical drives, and iWork and Final Cut pre-installed) last friday, and got it this morning at 7am.

No delay at all for me, but i didn't get a fiber channel card or anything.

[John Williams @ Jan 30th 2008 1:12PM]

On Topic, I'm bummed too. I really wanted to check it out. Patience sucks

[rtdunham @ Jan 30th 2008 1:26PM]

i'd "passed" on the original appleTV. The new software prompted me to buy one at MWSF and i've been looking forward to hooking it up--but only for the new features. So your post was news i needed (if not the news i wanted!). Yeah, it belongs here.

[Oinquer @ Jan 30th 2008 1:58PM]

am i the only one seeing that theyre developing the pay system for the update?
20 bucks plz... =P

[Jeff @ Jan 31st 2008 12:16AM]

i think you are the only one seeing that.

[snitch @ Jan 30th 2008 2:00PM]

well the current software on the apple tv has been real stable for me so as long as the new software its the same way the can take their time. theres not that much on the itunes rentals just yet so i don't see that being an issue

[Lanny Fisher @ Jan 30th 2008 2:05PM]

Is it true that the HD movies you can rent on Apple TV are only in 720p?

[sinai @ Jan 30th 2008 2:07PM]

seriously? HD Rentals?

how about something that will play some of the video files i actually have?

[fishbulb @ Jan 30th 2008 2:34PM]

So, it's not for you. It plays all of the video files I actually have, because I ripped them all into mp4 from the start.

[sinai @ Jan 30th 2008 4:02PM]

ripping, lulz. that's for people who actually buy things

[CapWKidd @ Jan 30th 2008 2:17PM]

This is a use full post for me as well, I had been wondering why the update was not out... Odd, the Engadget post makes it sound like the new software was just going to be for the new ApplTV's, and not the "old" (already purchased) ones .... Now, I wonder, how will the menu's look? Is there some place to see ALL the screens from the update for the AppleTV? I just went into Front Row the other day, and notice that Front Row looks just like AppleTV now, interesting, eh? I am curious, maybe we can have a poll, what size HD do you have in your AppleTV, and how many AppleTV's do you have? I have 1 40gb, and I could really use the space of the 160....

[Bob @ Jan 30th 2008 7:19PM]

I have the 40 GB model hooked up to a Sanyo Z3 projector on a 100" screen in my Home Theater with 7.1 Surround.

My dream come true would be if the new $99 DVD drive for the MPA plugs in to the USB port on the Apple TV. How great would that be (not to mention nice to look at)?

[Bob @ Jan 30th 2008 7:27PM]

By the way: you can view all of the screens here:
http://ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/what-to-expect-from-apple-tv-20-photos-and-details/

[CapWKidd @ Jan 31st 2008 5:54PM]

Looks like they removed the nice graphics (the giant icons), I like those...

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Jan 30th 2008 2:39PM]

I love my *hacked* AppleTV. As far as i'm concerned the original AppleTV is useless, but once you've hacked it's the best HD source ever, as it's very easy to dump downloaded SD or HD content onto it. I won't bother with the new release until I know for sure it can be hacked the same way the initial version can.

[Jake @ Jan 30th 2008 2:44PM]

Too bad I rented The Simpson's on the day of the Keynote and now only have 16 days left to watch it. Ughhh.

[DT @ Jan 30th 2008 3:02PM]

Well, that was a brilliant move.

[warrenpeace @ Jan 30th 2008 3:22PM]

Ok, so I won't compulsively click the tiny remote a hundred time to see if it's there. Not that rentals will work in Canada anyways.

/bitterness

[Joshua @ Jan 30th 2008 3:41PM]

I've been wondering if Apple is really stretching itself thin with their various projects in recent months. Folks are waiting for Mac OS X 10.5.2, iPhone SDK, Apple TV update, etc. maybe that is the reason for the delay? Apple seems to have taken a big bite and maybe they are having a hard time chewing it. What do you all think?

Just my $.02 ....

[Harley3k @ Jan 30th 2008 5:11PM]

I remember they were late on delivering the original product last year too.
At MacWorld they claimed a "February Release".
They took my pre-order which said "Ship by Feb 28".
Then actually shipped a week or so into March.

It has worked flawlessly since I got it though, so no commplaints...still drooling for the latest and greatest software :)

[justin @ Jan 30th 2008 5:35PM]

anyone know if the appleTV update will come with a matching front row update? for movie rentals via the mac mini, macbook... without having to open up iTunes.

[Mike @ Jan 30th 2008 5:40PM]

Why on earth do you people *WANT* to download movies in fake-HD?

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=962

I can understand downloading standard def movies for rent or buying standard def tv shows, but BUYING these super-compressed movies in "HD" is silly. Heck, even another $1 to rent in "HD" isn't worth it.

Anyone who thinks the masses want Download-To-Own movies is kidding themselves.

They don't hold a candle to Blu-ray and are barely as good as DVD. Oh, and they don't have any resale value either...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=962

[Mike @ Jan 30th 2008 5:52PM]

Yes. Badly compressed 720p.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=962

[Kizorblade @ Jan 31st 2008 2:16AM]

DVD are compressed using MPEG 2, which is really outdated
The one that Apple is using is more efficient (h.264 I believe)
Mp3s sound okayish at 128 kbps. However if you use another form of compression, then it may sound worse at 256kbps.

By the way:
1) No need for posting that link three times in your two posts. We can read.
2) Do you happen to be Mike as in, Mike the Windows lover?

[jeff g. @ Jan 30th 2008 6:17PM]

720p is all any HD is unless it's Blu-Ray or the now no-longer HD DVD. Vudu only does 720p most TV HD is only 720p.

1080i and 720p are the same.

HD is over used and used incorrectly. 480p is also HD.

[TiVolution @ Jan 30th 2008 7:38PM]

480p is not HD. That is DVD quality but is not considered. HD. Also, 1080i and 720p are different. Some Network TV is in 720p and some is in 1080i. Blu Ray and HD DVD are in 1080p.

But the rest of the info in your post is correct.

[Jeff @ Jan 31st 2008 12:23AM]

480p is considered "ED" (that's "extended definition" ... not the other "E.D.")

1080i has more raw pixels for greater clarity, but is only 30 frames per second (sort of; the "i" means interlaced.) 720p has fewer raw pixels, but the "P" means "Progressive Scan" which also means the screen is refreshed twice as fast, at 60 FPS, which would have less clarity but better detail for fast motion (preferable for sporting events, etc.)

[TNP @ Jan 30th 2008 8:55PM]

So... Take 3?

[jeff g. @ Jan 30th 2008 10:36PM]

720p progressive looks clearer than 1080i interlaced
But 720p looks great at 50" and below
1080p is needed for bigger screens.

[Jeff @ Jan 31st 2008 12:27AM]

that's really a bummer.

Apple: hire more people!