14 DAY TRIAL // In a very uncharacteristic move, Apple previewed a brand new product at the 'Showtime' event. The yet to be named device, but currently referred to as 'iTV,' is similar to a mini device in shape, only it is much thinner. It connects to your TV and it allows wireless access to all your digital media that is stored on your Macs or PCs.
Announced at a price point of $299, the "iTV" will feature a next-gen Front Row interface and the box with the following announced features: ￭ Built-in power supply (no power brick) ￭ USB 2.0 ￭ Optical Audio ￭ HDMI port ￭ Component Video RCA stereo audio ports (for older sets) ￭ Apple Remote compatible ￭ Ethernet ￭ 802.11 wireless networking
It may not seem like much at first glance, but this device will enable anyone who currently has a computer to turn it into a "Media Center" without actually having to do much more than plug everything in and turn it on. The iTV is less of a device and more of an appliance, which simply ties in everything around the house and links it to your TV. This is a great concept, and a very interesting move by Apple. Why spend money buying another computer to link to your TV, when you probably already have one? And if you have several TVs, why buy a separate computer for each? The iTV lets you aggregate all the content available on the computers around the house and pour them into the TV, via a Front Row interface and an Apple Remote.