Apple debuted its new Apple TV at the iPad 3 event today in San Francisco after rumors of stock shortages in retail stores nationwide. The new Apple TV will be available on March 16th for $99.
It finally has 1080p output, which was a given. It was previously limited to 720p and that, quite frankly, sucked if you had a big beautiful full HD television in your living room. Alongside 1080p support, the new Apple TV comes with extended iCloud support for streaming video content. If you purchase a movie or TV show on your Mac or iOS device, you’ll be able to access that content on your Apple TV. This is a feature that has long been overdue, but now that it’s here, it is certainly welcome.
On the lower end of priorities for this new model is a slightly revamped UI that’s now more icon-based. I know what you’re thinking, but unfortunately, it’s not quite on the same level as iOS just yet.
Overall it’s just a small update to Apple’s favorite “hobby” and there’s no real reason to rush out and buy one if you already own an Apple TV, unless you are dying for 1080p. Features like iCloud should presumably be available to current Apple TV owners via software update.