Derik was amazed this morning at all the details Apple provided about the Apple TV 2.2 software update, but that was just the tip of the iceberg, my friends. Apple’s actually put up a whole knowledge base page with a carefully delineated table of the new features in this version. All this information? Out in the open? I think now we know what gave Steve Jobs a fake heart attack.
Besides the previously mentioned Genius features, the Apple TV now supports HD TV purchases—still no rentals, sadly—directly from the iTunes Store (in the US only); you can now browse iTunes movies by actor and director by selecting “more” on the movie page; and pressing and holding the Play/Pause button while playing a movie pops up a menu that gives you access to chapter selection, alternate audio tracks, and subtitle displays (those last two only on films where they’re available, naturally).
Wow, that’s pretty good; sounds like a nice set of improv—wait, there’s more? Huh. Seems you can also add a currently playing song to an On-The-Go playlist, and make mixed playlists of music videos and songs. And there’s also a standby mode that you can trigger by holding the Play/Pause button for about three seconds, or selecting from the menu by navigating to Settings > Standby.
It’s awfully thoughtful of Apple to put together this chart of feature changes. Is this a new age of transparency for our favorite company? Combined with the death of the [expletive] NDA earlier this week, it would seem like quite a shift. You’re on a roll guys—keep it up.
I love my Apple TV (owner since take two). Now, with this update, having the ability to create Genius playlists, buy HD TV shows and even sort movies out by director, actors (plus the additional chapter preview, closed caption, and movie info pane)it has become a better device.
I'm still hoping for new features by next January Conference. (hope)