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AppleTV gets a stealth update

by Mel Martin Feb 25th 2009 at 11:00AM

Apple didn't just update Safari's beta yesterday. While no one was looking, the Apple TV was updated to version 2.3.1. We checked, and there was no update note published and no specific information on the Apple web site. The most recent software note is from November 19, 2008 and refers to the version 2.3 update.

I prowled around the menus in the new version a bit, and found a Network Test function. It asked me what my bandwidth was, or allowed me to say I didn't know. Then after a few seconds a progress bar showed that something was downloading. The test ended and I received no information about my download speed, so I assume the information went to Apple to help diagnose any connectivity problems.

There may be some other changes or fixes, but I didn't see anything and Apple is so far silent on what else may be in this update. After my update the AppleTV page on iTunes was missing all the media tabs except for 'Photos'. I dropped the connection between iTunes and the AppleTV and re-linked them, and all the tabs came back. I did have to sync again. Whether that was caused by the firmware update or a problem I had and didn't notice is unknown. I suspect it is the former, but no harm was done, other than the bother of doing a fresh sync.

Apple would do well to open up a bit about these stealth updates. I hate updating firmware without knowing the benefits, if any, the update gives me. Then again, if a bandwidth tester is the stealthy scout for the rumored iTunes Replay streaming-on-demand service, that's probably a good thing.

Of course, if you have modified your Apple TV to run boxee you will notice that the update sends it into the netherworlds. Users tell us re-applying the patchstick for boxee puts everything back where it was.

Thanks to TUAW reader Nate and others for the heads up.

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Apple didn't just update Safari's beta yesterday. While no one was looking, the Apple TV was updated to version 2.3.1. We checked, and...
 

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21 Comments

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Dean

An not only that has introduced a whole swag of syncing issues that were never had before!!

I agree, stupid.

March 29 2009 at 4:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rogério Rocha

I'm using my AppleTV in Brazil with a US Store account.

Recently Apple updated the Store User Agreement to include a clause that forbids anyone to use Store services outside the Store region (which includes me, of course) and also allows Apple to use technologies to detect in-proper usage. I'm expecting to be banned any moment now. :-P

What this update signals me, is that this "Network Test" gathers info about my connection INCLUDING country usage from IP addresses.

Clever Apple.

February 26 2009 at 2:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bruce Taylor

Since the update I can no longer watch purchased movies through my Appletv. I get the HDCP error. I have a HDMI to DVI connector to a monitor. Any ideas about how to get around this?????

February 25 2009 at 8:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cambridgeJason

I'm looking forward to a much more substantial software update. My AppleTV's menus are so painfully sluggish that it's unusable much of the time. I'll click the remote and nothing will happen for the longest time! Sometimes, the screen goes black and I can't do a thing about it (I believe this is while it's syncing to iTunes). This is over what's supposed to be a fast N WiFi network connected to Time Capsule.

It's great for some things but overall, it's been a very frustrating product. I should have got a Mac Mini instead--too bad they're $600.

February 25 2009 at 4:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to cambridgeJason's comment
Jason

I had the same lag on the menus - it seemed to be a problem when connecting to the Time Capsule and the awful delay when Time Capsule spins up. I tested my theory by connecting to a regular wireless router, delay disappeared.

February 25 2009 at 10:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Zach Everson

That probably explains the strange error message I saw and ignored when I fired up the Apple TV last night.

February 25 2009 at 4:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gee-Zee

Who cares? Just update those Mac minis!

February 25 2009 at 2:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dbs143

ahh! i got so excited that it was the apple tv update that i was long awaiting!!

turns out it was just a petty software update...

February 25 2009 at 1:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
now4real954

and i have to say...i hadnt updated the living room apple tv to 2.3 yet and reapply the patchstick so does everything still work correctly with this new update? (atvfiles, nitotv, sapphire, boxee, xbmc...etc?)

please let me know if anyone has any info for me on this

February 25 2009 at 1:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
now4real954

ok well here is my problem with updating my apple tv's is that it worries me because i have a nice amount of restricted type movies saved directly on the appletv and accessible thru NitoTV to watch...first because i dont want the kids to be able to see them on the living room appletv so being in itunes isnt an option and i am low on hard drive space so since i stream both of my apple tv's i have the dead space on the 160gb in the bedroom so it makes sense to me to have them saved on that hard drive

does an update erase what is on the hard drive or does it just update the operating system? anyone have any ideas on this?

February 25 2009 at 1:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
balls

Apple, you stupid piece of shit.

February 25 2009 at 1:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to balls's comment
Cy

That would actually be, "Apple, you ignorant slut!"

May 11 2009 at 9:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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