Apple TV update 5.1 brings shared photo streams and iTunes account swapping, available now

Apple TVs of the second and third-gen variety are getting update 5.1 today, which brings two long-awaited features. Both shared photo streaming and iTunes account switching are now part of Apple's set-top box -- the combination of those two finally freeing parents from the potential nightmare of discovering their child's "not safe for parents" photo streams, of course. The update, spotted by MacRumors, also adds some new AirPlay functionality, enabling users to "send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs)." Beyond those two biggies, however, the rest of the update is rather nuts and bolts oriented -- head below for the full list.

• Shared Photo Streams: Accept invitations for Shared Photo Streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content.

• AirPlay: Send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use AirPlay with your Apple TV.

• iTunes account switching: Save multiple iTunes accounts and switch quickly between them.

• Trailers: Search movie trailers. In the United States, see show times for local theaters.

• Screen savers: New Cascade, Shrinking Tiles, and Sliding Panels screen savers.

• Main menu: Reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote.

• Subtitles: SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles.

• Network configuration: Support for setting up advanced network options using configuration profiles. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5437 for more information.

• Stability and performance: Includes general performance and stability improvements.