AppleTV gets a stealth update

Apple didn't just update Safari's beta yesterday. While no one was looking, the Apple TV was updated to version 2.3.1. We checked, and there was no update note published and no specific information on the Apple web site. The most recent software note is from November 19, 2008 and refers to the version 2.3 update.

I prowled around the menus in the new version a bit, and found a Network Test function. It asked me what my bandwidth was, or allowed me to say I didn't know. Then after a few seconds a progress bar showed that something was downloading. The test ended and I received no information about my download speed, so I assume the information went to Apple to help diagnose any connectivity problems.

There may be some other changes or fixes, but I didn't see anything and Apple is so far silent on what else may be in this update. After my update the AppleTV page on iTunes was missing all the media tabs except for 'Photos'. I dropped the connection between iTunes and the AppleTV and re-linked them, and all the tabs came back. I did have to sync again. Whether that was caused by the firmware update or a problem I had and didn't notice is unknown. I suspect it is the former, but no harm was done, other than the bother of doing a fresh sync.

Apple would do well to open up a bit about these stealth updates. I hate updating firmware without knowing the benefits, if any, the update gives me. Then again, if a bandwidth tester is the stealthy scout for the rumored iTunes Replay streaming-on-demand service, that's probably a good thing.

Of course, if you have modified your Apple TV to run boxee you will notice that the update sends it into the netherworlds. Users tell us re-applying the patchstick for boxee puts everything back where it was.

Thanks to TUAW reader Nate and others for the heads up.