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Infuse helps you find fresh videos on Apple TV and iOS
Media portal and set-top box makers have tried any number of things to help you decide what to watch next, ranging from visual makeovers to voice recognition. However, the team at FireCore thinks it has a better way: filters. The new Infuse 4.2 for Apple TV and iOS has a redesigned library view that not only helps you find videos the old-fashioned way, but incorporates smart filters that automatically sift through your collection. You can quickly figure out which TV shows are kid-appropriate, for example, or look for just the movies that came out last year. Moreover, you can create home screen favorites that revolve around these filters -- you could always see what's new the moment you sit down for the evening.
Untethered jailbreak for second gen Apple TVs updated, puts XBMC next to HBO Go
The folks at Firecore are working on more than just the latest version of their Infuse media player, and just delivered an updated software package for jailbreaking second generation Apple TVs (the current third gen model has, so far, remained closed). Showing once again that jailbreaks aren't just for the iPhone and iPad, the new version of Seas0npass provides an untethered -- read: it still works after a reboot -- method for Apple TV players running the 5.3 software update that added access to channels like HBO Go and WatchESPN. That's still a step away from the most recent Apple TV 6.0 update that arrived this fall with iTunes Radio and AirPlay from iCloud features, but the team says it's made "some encouraging progress" there. The combination of Seas0npass and aTV Flash (black) lets your hockey puck play a number of new video/audio formats and run home theater software like Plex and XBMC, check out the site for instructions.
Infuse 1.3 for iOS adds AirPlay video streaming, web-based WiFi transfers
FireCore's Infuse app is already handy for iOS users who want to play less common video formats; with the 1.3 release, it might prove vital. The new version brings AirPlay, letting viewers push any of 14 video codecs to their Apple TV. Transfers should also be simple now that users can use a web browser or FTP client to copy videos over WiFi. There's even a social aspect to 1.3 -- Infuse now sends play counts and ratings to trakt.tv, and users can advertise what they're watching through Facebook and Twitter. If VLC for iOS isn't quite your cup of tea, you can spend $5 at the App Store to try FireCore's take on mobile movie playback.
FireCore releases updated Apple TV jailbreak tool
Jailbreak provider FireCore announced yesterday that it has released an update to the Seas0nPass jailbreak tool and aTV Flash (black) Apple TV software. The update supports the 5.2 Apple TV software released by Apple on January 28, 2013, which is essentially iOS 6.1 for the little black box. So what does FireCore's work do for Apple TV jailbreakers? Well, Apple added support for Bluetooth keyboards in Apple TV 5.2, so now aTV Flash (black) 2.2 works with a keyboard as well. FireCore also made "minor improvements" to backups and DVD playback, and also cleared up some earlier bugs. FireCore warns that third-party plugins like Plex, Remote HD, Rowmote and XBMC still won't work with Apple TV software newer than version 5.1. To update your device, FireCore suggests that you back up settings through the Maintenance > Manage Backups menu, then run the latest version of Seas0nPass to update your Apple TV to 5.2. Next, download and install version 2.2 of aTV Flash (black), install desired items through Maintenance > Manage Extras, and then restore your saved settings from the Maintenance > Manage Backups menu. Unfortunately, there's no jailbreak available for the third-generation Apple TV (2012, 1080p version), but if you have a second generation (2010, 720p version) box you can definitely jailbreak your device. Once all that is accomplished, sit back with your favorite Bluetooth keyboard and enjoy some mind-numbing video entertainment. [via iMore]
Seas0nPass jailbreak and aTV Flash (black) version arrive for Apple TV 5.2, bring Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
Cupertino finally saw fit to give users access to Bluetooth keyboards when it rolled out version 5.2 for Apple TV. It took a bit of time, but the folks at Firecore have finished up the Seas0nPass jailbreak for the new OS iteration. Along with the jailbreak, a revised version of its aTV Flash (black) software is also now available to give the new Bluetooth functionality to folks who prefer it to a stock Apple TV experience. Excited? Head on down to the source for the full how-to, and you'll have a wireless keyboard hooked up to your hacked Jobsian hockey puck in no time.
aTV Flash 2.1 (black) offers very specific favorites, TV shows in playlists
It's not hard to find a media app with some type of favorites system. It's tougher to find one that lets us be very specific on just what a favorite can be. The new aTV Flash (black) 2.1 update, however, will let Apple TV modders be as exacting as they'd like: they can favorite individual videos, whole seasons and even broader search terms. Catch-up viewers get their own treat in the form of TV show playlists that simplify watching episodes back-to-back. A slew of further tweaks are inside, including iOS 6 support, so there's every incentive to upgrade for those who rely on not-quite-official firmware for Apple's living room hub.
aTV Flash (black) version 1.6 for Apple TV will serve subtitles and more to your couch
Snared the video you want with aTV Flash (black), but still foraging for subtitles the old way? Version 1.6 of the $29.95 package will now hunt them down from OpenSubtitles.org and download 'em directly to your jailbroken Apple TV 2nd-gen. In addition, Firecore's undermining software now has more codecs and languages, smoother video playback, better networking and numerous refinements and bug fixes. Existing clients will score the upgrade gratis, and new orders won't pay for Apple TV 3rd-gen functionality when it comes out. If you want to say no mas to badly dubbed films, roll to the source for more details.
Absinthe 2.0 hits the download wire, jailbreaks all iOS 5.1.1 devices but the 32nm iPad 2
Absinthe's "so-easy-your-grandma-could-do-it" jailbreak tool just got an update to version 2.0, enabling support for a handful of Apple portables running iOS 5.1.1. Absinthe 2.0, which was developed by the "Jailbreak Dream Team" (Chronic-Dev and iPhone Dev) joins Redsn0w's tool, and will support all iPhone and iPad versions, with the exception of iPad2,4 -- the most recent iPad 2 variant, shipping with a 32nm A5 chip. The jailbreak tool can also be installed on iPod3,1 and 4,1 models. Assuming your iOS device is up and running with firmware 5.1.1, you can hit up the source link after the break to get your download on. AppleTV (second gen) users can get in on the fun too, with the latest version of Seas0npass for 5.0.1.
aTV Flash (black) for jailbroken Apple TVs updated with NFS support, more
FireCore just updated aTV Flash (black), an alternative software package for the second generation Apple TV. With a jailbroken Apple TV and the FireCore software, you can use the media device to surf the web, stream content from a NAS, play back popular media formats (MKV, AVI, MP4) and more. The latest version of the aTV Flash (black) package brings the software to release version 1.5. This version adds support for NFS streaming, subtitle timing settings, new language translations and a bunch of improvements and fixes. FireCore is still working on both the untethered version of aTV Flash (black) for the Apple TV2 and the version for the third generation Apple TV. You can grab the $30 software from FireCore's website and follow the instructions to install it to your jailbroken AppleTV. Current aTV Flash (black) users can update through the Maintenance --> Manage Extras menu. You can also download the update to your computer using the download link found in your account under the Downloads tab.
aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV hits version 1.5, brings new player, NFS streaming and more
Folks enjoying all the tidbits aTV Flash (black) brings to the 2nd-gen Apple TV will be happy to know there's a fresh update rolling out now. Inside v1.5, FireCore's added new features such as NFS streaming, as well as including other minor things like extra transitions, subtle timing settings and support for more languages. In addition, and what's perhaps the biggest enhancement, the $29.99 kit is also getting an all-new player, which promises a smoother playback regardless of the file type being used -- not to mention it's optimized for iOS 5. Of course, the refresh is gratis to those who've already shelled out the cash, and you can get to it by hitting the "Manage Extras" menu on Cupertino's miniature box. Not familiar with aTV Flash? Give the source link below a quick click to peruse all about it.
Seas0npass tethered jailbreak now available for Apple TV 2s running iOS 5.1
Apple TV owners no longer need to choose between jailbreaking or running the recently released iOS 5.1 update, now that FireCore has pushed new versions of Seas0nPass (0.8.3) and aTV Flash (black) (1.4.1). Currently, the jailbreak is still tethered, so if you should have to reboot your hockey puck, connecting it to a computer and repeating the process will be required. Unfortunately, the tools won't work on the new third generation Apple TVs yet, and even on supported hardware some plugins, like Plex and XBMC, are still listed as not working. All the details can be found beyond the source link for both the free Seas0nPass jailbreaker and $29.95 aTV Flash that adds more functionality.
aTV Flash update adds automatic backups, new playback options to jailbroken Apple TVs
The FireCore team has been busy updating its pay-to-play ($30) aTV Flash software package for jailbroken Apple TVs and just rolled out the latest bundle of updates in version 1.3. Now it can automatically perform backups, speaks more languages, supports more remote commands, reads more subtitles and the list goes on. You can check after the break for the full changelog, or just hit the Maintenance section if you're already running it to download the update. Take a peek at what it can do and let us know if this is a worthwhile alternative to XBMC, or any of the other media streaming platforms out there.
aTV Flash (black) leaves beta, grants your Apple TV media-playing super powers
We're definitely of the opinion that the dedicated devs who do all the heavy lifting so you can tweak and hack your pile of gadgets deserve a little something for their troubles. That being said, Firecore's aTV Flash (black) is still going to be a tough sell at $30 (now that it's left beta). But, before you go, perhaps you'd like to know what that chunk of cash will enable your 2nd-gen Apple TV to do. For one, it blesses Cupertino's hobby set-top with an all new media player that can open AVI, MKV, MP4, ISO and host of other file formats. There's also an HTML5 browser for surfing the web and streaming media. Want more apps? How about a Plex client and Last.FM radio? Perhaps best of all, though, it allows you to play back files stored on a PC, Mac or NAS without the need for iTunes. Check out the video demo after the break.
Seas0nPass for Mac now supports untethered AppleTV jailbreak
The folks over at FireCore LLC announced today that their Seas0nPass had been updated to include an untethered jailbreak for the AppleTV 4.1.1 (iOS 4.2.1). Currently it is only for Mac, but a Windows version "will be available soon." The FireCore folks credit the Chronic Dev Team for the jailbreak, and they added that the beta 3 version of aTV Flash (black) is compatible with Seas0nPass, GreenPois0n and Pwnage Tool. Full details can be found at the FireCore blog. Seas0nPass is available for the low, low price of free.
Seas0nPass jailbreak app for Apple TV now available
The folks at fireCore have released Seas0nPass, a jailbreak application for the second generation Apple TV. Seas0nPass is a tethered jailbreak solution that requires you to connect your Apple TV to your computer briefly during boot. Similar to the Pwnage tool app, the jailbreak application lets you load custom IPSW files onto your Apple TV. While Seas0nPass is new, fireCore is a name that should be familiar to Apple TV owners. This group also released aTV Flash, a software package that adds streaming services like Last.fm, an HTML 5 web browser and more to the Apple TV. The latest version aTV Flash (black) is in beta and is available as a pre-order for US$19.95. It requires a jailbroken second generation Apple TV. Unlike aTV Flash, which is available for a nominal fee, Seas0nPass is open source and available for free. The tool was designed for the second generation Apple TV only, so please don't try this with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. The current version of Seas0nPass is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 or later. A Windows version is under development and will be available soon. Interested Apple TV owners can grab the download and pertinent instructions at Seas0nPass.com. The source code is available here on Github. Remember, jailbreaking is inherently risky and the comments on fireCore's website suggest this tool may be riskier than normal. Jailbreaking is done at the sole discretion of the reader, and we assume no responsibility for bricked Apple TVs.
aTV Flash (black) now in beta, ready to equip your new Apple TV with a browser
It's always a bit of a funny business paying for hacks, but Fire Core's aTV Flash is a serious product and we can't blame them for trying to make a buck off the back of it. Now the sequel, aTV Flash (black), is here in beta form, bringing a subset of the aTV Flash's functionality to the brand new Apple TV, which runs that fancy new iOS-based 4.0 software. Most importantly, Fire Core brings a HTML5-compatible browser, but the Last.fm app and Plex Client are welcome tag alongs. "Coming soon" features include expanded media format support and networked storage support. The pre-order beta price is $20, while the final hack will retail for $30. For existing users, (black) is a free upgrade. [Thanks, Gustavo]
Fire Core teases aTV Flash for Apple TV 2G
The Apple TV jailbreaking scene is maturing at a significant pace. We've already seen our first third-party app following the greenp0ison jailbreak, which was quickly followed by a demo of the Plex media center and some experiments with making it work with Wiimotes. Now, respected hackers of the original model Apple TV Fire Core are showing off its modified software, aTV Flash, running on the Apple TV 2G. Our own TJ Luoma was impressed by aTV Flash when he tried it on an older model Apple TV; it adds support for streaming all sorts of media files that you can't normally play, some UI tweaks, an SSH server, and Boxee support. (Update: Fire Core's site has a blurb mentioning Boxee as an "extended feature" for aTV Flash, but the problem is, the way their site's laid out doesn't make it clear if that's talking about the old version of aTV Flash or the new version. A commenter on Fire Core's blog indicates Boxee support is dependent upon XBMC Core being ported to the ARM architecture powering the new Apple TV, and it's unclear if the XBMC development team will do so or not. Consequently, It turns out the state of Boxee support isn't 100% clear for the new Apple TV.) There is a big caveat though -- aTV Flash costs $50 for a license (which comes with one year of updates). Combined with the $100 cost of the Apple TV itself and you could almost have bought a Boxee Box, which would work without any modifications. Furthermore, it seems likely that other open source efforts will eventually bring most or all of these features to the Apple TV for free. Click through for videos demonstrating the new UI offered by aTV Flash and the new last.fm streaming support that is being added to the latest version of Fire Core's software.
Jailbroken Apple TVs getting Last.fm and a browser, for a price
There's something deep down inside of us that makes us want to believe Apple has some sort of app plan for Apple TV, and by "deep down inside" we mean "jailbreaking." Fire Core, the people behind the aTV Flash software package for older Apple TVs, has just shown off its work on aTV Flash (black), a port of its hackery to the new Apple TV. Basically, aTV Flash converts your Apple TV into most of the interesting parts of the Boxee Box, and we're particularly interested in the "Couch Surfer" browser aspect -- at least as far as it can fend off encroaching jealousy for Boxee and Google TV. Unfortunately, the current version of aTV Flash costs $50, and while $50 + $100 is less than a Boxee Box, you don't have to hack the Boxee to make it work. Hopefully Fire Core will reconsider that price by the time it launches aTV Flash (black), and in the meantime maybe some white knight hacker will get something like this working on Apple TVs gratis. Check out a video of the browser and Last.fm in action after the break.
FireCore console pre-loaded with Genesis games, plays carts
We don't do usually cover plug-and-play consoles, but this one was too cool to pass up. While Innex and AtGames' Firecore Classic Console is pre-loaded with 30 Genesis games like Sonic and Knuckles and Ecco the Dolphin, it can also play all your old Genesis carts. We're not sure where all it's available, though you can find it on Buy.com right now for $50. The console also supports wireless Firecore gamepads, though you'll have to buy them separately, and newly developed "Truecolor" games. Innex is also releasing a very cool portable system with 20 Genesis games playable on a 2.4-inch LCD screen. You can get a look at it right after the break.
