A final Apple surprise: iTV to stream video for TVs
updated 04:10 pm EDT, Tue September 12, 2006
Apple iTV Preview
Though it had been anticipated by some sources, many were surprised at Tuesday's Apple press event when the company gave an early demonstration of its first set-top box, known under the tentative name of iTV. The new media device has the appearance of a half-height Mac mini and is intended to stream iTunes audio, photos, and video to HDTV sets through an Ethernet or WiFi connection. Its current design includes the new HDMI 1.3 standard with support for "deep" color on compatible displays, component audio and video, and a USB port. Users will have access to all their media through an enhanced Front Row interface and can stream movie trailers as well as other content directly from the Internet. Apple hopes to ship the iTV in the first quarter of 2007 for $299.
