Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Paul Sakuma/AP/Press Association Images
Apple

New Apple TV and music social network announced

Big changes coming to an i-device near you.

APPLE HAS ANNOUNCED A new smaller version of Apple TV for streaming movies and TV shows which will cost just $99.

Users will only be able to rent content with TV shows priced at $0.99, and new HD films available on the day of their DVD release for $4.99.

The previous Apple TV device, first released in 2007, retailed significantly higher, at $229. The new Apple TV unit is just a quarter of the size of the old version.

Steve Jobs announced the device this evening in San Francisco, but neglected to mention which film studios had signed up for streaming. So far, Fox and ABC have agreed to licence their shows for streaming via Apple TV.

Anyone who currently uses Netflix, will be able to use it through Apple TV.

But Steve wasn’t finished there – he had a few other announcements to make.

A new iOS 4.2 operating system for the iPad will be out in November, and three new generation iPods were unveiled.

The new iPod touch will facilitate FaceTime and runs on the same speed as the iPhone 4.

The latest iTunes version is out today, iTunes 10, and carries a new social feature called Ping which gives users a music news feed and tailored updates.

In a similar way to Twitter, users will also be able to follow other Ping users, and be followed.