Here it is, the new Apple TV. Secretly, we’d hoped it’d be even smaller than this, but compared to its predecessor and most other media streaming set top boxes, it’s still tiny. The question is, what is there to watch?
We definitely like the look of the new Apple TV. It’s just wide enough to house the bare minimum of ports on the back (HDMI, power and Ethernet, but WiFi is built in too), and the only sign of life on the front is a small power button. We’re also taken with the graphite colour: it’s not silver and shiny like the latest Mac Mini, and so won’t distract form what you’re watching.
The UI of the new Apple TV was pleasant enough, almost like a more polished XMB. We flicked through with a remote, and had a butchers at video streamed from the web. As you’d expect, it’s all pretty smooth, but we’re pleased to report it’s incredibly quiet too.
Unfortunately, the new Apple TV might not be as enticing an option in the UK on launch as it will be in the US. It’s £99 rather than $99, and there’s no Netflix support obviously, but also apparently no TV rentals either. We’ve also confirmed that Appe is sticking with its typical iOS video format for playing files off your computer: H.264 MP4/MOV, and MPEG-4, capped at 720p resolution. Yup, if you wanted to play full HD MKV files on the new Apple TV, that’s not going to happen, at least until someone jailbreaks the thing.
Have a look at the new Apple TV up close here in our photo gallery. Will you be buying one?
Out September | £99 | Apple
