Apple TV OS successfully booted on Macs
updated 10:55 am EDT, Tue March 27, 2007
Apple TV on Macs
The customized version of Mac OS X used on the Apple TV will boot on other Macs, users have confirmed today. Taking advantage of news that the customized version of Mac OS X is portable to other hardware, one owner of the media hub has successfully used the software on an external USB drive and run the OS from a MacBook rather than the Apple TV's native components -- including authorization and streaming. The launch indicates that many of Apple's drivers for graphics, networking, and other elements are intact. (More details and a video follow after the break)
The installation also reveals that most of the underlying interface of Mac OS remains in place, despite Apple's modifications. During the startup sequence, the Finder and much of its existing components are briefly visible before the Apple TV interface appears and reveal that the Apple TV's particular interface is a layer that automatically loads upon booting the system. [via MacOS X86]
Wow!
03/27, 11:46am reply
The f'ing excitement of it all!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
NO Finder
03/27, 12:01pm reply
Um, no - there is NOT a Finder there. The Dock and menubar, yes, but no Finder. Check ArsTechnica's excellent writeup for more details, or download a copy of the OS yourself and take a look.
diamondsw
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Leopard
03/27, 12:15pm reply
They will probably make it available for other OSes as part of Leopard anyway. I am sure they would rather sell a Mini over an AppleTV anyday, so why not just include it with the Mini? But then again, the AppleTV is so expensive, maybe their margin is just that much higher.
akatsukix
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
Re: no finder
03/27, 01:29pm reply
If there is no Finder then why is there a Finder icon in the dock?
garmonbosia
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
Re: no finder
03/27, 01:49pm reply
If there is no Finder then why is there a Finder icon in the dock?
Because the finder icon is hard-coded/forced into the dock. There's no way to remove it. That's why, when you quit the finder, it stays (although the little arrow will disappear)
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Re: leopard
03/27, 01:50pm reply
No, it won't. The software's been tested and designed to work with a specific piece of hardware. There's no reason to add the complexity to Leopard for the three people who, for some reason, don't want to use front-row with their mac.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
So......
03/27, 01:55pm reply
Would the converse hold true and allow the MacTV to boot up the full MacOS from a USB or modified internal drive? Enquiring minds want, nay NEED, to know...
SergioRS
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2004
photoshop
03/27, 02:18pm reply
totally fake
that was rendered with CS3 Photoshop extended version all the way .. ...
hehe
GO APPLE!!! GO APPLE TV!!! GO, UHH, APPLE TV HACKERS!!!
JEB
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
re: so.....
03/27, 02:45pm reply
Yeah I think that's the more interesting question. You'd essentially get a Mac Mini in an even thinner form factor, for half the price. Only HDMI output but hey, just put a 40" LCD on your desktop. Haha.
cmoney
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Sep 2000
Re:Re: no finder
03/27, 02:59pm reply
If the Finder has been removed, could you copy it back in? Could this version of OSX support other Apps?
garmonbosia
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002