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How to Install a Bluetooth Keyboard to Use with Your Apple TV

June 16, 2013, 6:53 pm
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If you’re spending a lot of your time watching content and web browsing using your Apple TV, chances are you are going to need a keyboard, rather than using the remote. So we’ve decided to publish today a how-to article on how to install a Bluetooth keyboard to use with your Apple TV.
Remember though there isn’t native Bluetooth support on Apple TV 1, although there are ways around that, so this tutorial works with ATV 2 or 3, running 5.2 or newer. Also keep in mind that the original Apple wireless keyboard doesn’t work.
Bluetooth Keyboard Apple Tv
Step 1 – The first thing to do is pair up your devices. All you have to do is go to the Apple TV menu Settings > General > Bluetooth, turn on the keyboard and put it in the pairing mode. Wait for your Apple TV to search for compatible devices.

Step 2 – When the keyboard is identified by your Apple TV, use the remote to click it. You will now be asked to actually pair up your devices by entering a pairing code on your keyboard. Type the numbers the Apple TV displays.

Step 3 – Start enjoying a whole new side of Apple TV. Start emailing, blogging and whatever else from the comfort of your sofa.

Step 4 – If you want to disconnect your Bluetooth keyboard from your Apple TV, all you have to do is go to Settings > General > Bluetooth. Select the keyboard and then click “Forget this device”.

A few tips to remember. On the Bluetooth keyboard Enter stands for Select on your Remote, Esc equals the Back button, whereas you can use the up, down, right and left arrows for navigation. Media controls allow for easier music and video playback. You can also jump to items or names on the screen by typing the first few letters of the content you are looking for.


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With 13M Apple TVs Sold, the Future of Apple TV Looks Pretty Good

June 17, 2013, 1:43 am
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It wasn’t until last year that Apple TV really got popular, although there’s still a big difference when it comes to revenue figures from iPhone, iPod and iPad. Whereas Apple didn’t seem to be all that focused on Apple TV, recent figures show there might just be good-enough reason to invest billions in marketing for this product. With 13M Apple TVs sold and Tim Cook talking about the product’s importance, the future of Apple TV looks pretty good. 


Apple TV 3 is a huge step forward compared to the original device, although adding new channels still requires a jailbreak. While we’re working on that, the next generations of devices are bound to get better and better and as the device becomes more appealing to consumers, it is just a matter of time before new TV channels get added to the list. It might well be the case, seeing as in a recent interview Tim Cook declared Apple has a “grand vision” for the $99 box.

“This business has found many, many more customers that love the Apple TV experience. Great for customers and very good for an Apple learning point of view. Lots of us would agree that the TV space could be improved” Tim Cook said during the AllThingsD D11 conference. “I don’t want to go into more detail on this. There is a very grand vision for TV. I have nothing to announce, but it is an area of incredible interest” the Apple CEO added.

Tim Cook also addressed the main issue with the TV experience offered by the $99 box, which is hardly where it should be considering the technology and content available. “The TV experience is not an experience that many people love. It’s not an experience that you would say has been brought to date for this decade. It is like the experience from 10, 20 years and go”. But thanks to the increasing popularity, the company feels encouraged to invest more resources in this particular device.
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OS X Mavericks Will Allow You to Use Apple TV and AirPlay for Multi-Display

June 17, 2013, 1:46 am
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Part of the recent news Apple announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the new OS X Mavericks for Mac with features that allow for enhanced functionality of Apple TV and AirPlay. As of this fall, the OS X Mavericks will allow you to use your Apple TV and AirPlay for multi-display, basically turning your HDTV into a second display for your computer.


The upcoming OS X Mavericks features some exciting new features. Apple writes on its website the OS X Mavericks brings Mac to the iBooks party and is also getting an enhanced Maps experience. With the integration of iCloud Keychain, the OS X allows you to store user names and passwords on approved devices and keeps them safe from potential attacks thanks to the AES 256-bit encryption.

There’s also the new Password Generator that combined with the iCloud Keychain makes juggling passwords a lot easier.

But the feature that interests us most is being able to turn your HDTV into a second display for your Mac by using AirPlay and Apple TV. “OS X Mavericks takes full advantage of every display connected to your Mac, giving you even more flexibility to work the way you want” reads Apple’s website description for the new desktop OS.

“With AirPlay and Apple TV, your HDTV works as a fully functional display” reads the Apple website. “So while you’re using your TV to present a slideshow or stream a video lecture, you can take notes on your Mac or chat using Messages” the info reads for the AirPlay OS X Mavericks feature.

The feature is fully integrated, providing each display with its own menu bar and an available Dock. You can also run multiple app windows on each display with one showing a full-screen app at one time or at the same time. You’re also getting Mission Control with a bird’s-eye view of everything you are running on each display. You can customize the view by simply dragging app thumbnails between screens.
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How to Jailbreak Apple TV 1st Generation Using a Mac and the ATV USB Creator

June 17, 2013, 3:23 pm
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If you’re still sitting on an Apple TV 1st generation that has yet to enjoy the benefits of a jailbreak, maybe it is high time you take it for a spin. And then you could update to an Apple TV 2 or even better 3rd generation. So before purchasing a new device, maybe you should see what that Christmas gift you received a longtime ago can actually do.
For the jailbreak of Apple TV 1st generation you will need to create an SSH install patchstick, run the ATV USB Creator software and an USB Stick formatted to a single Mac OS Extended (Journaled) partition with a GUID Partition Table.
Apple TV USB Creator
Step 1: Download the ATV USB Creator software to your Mac’s desktop. The file is available for download from here: atvusb-creator.googlecode.com/files/atvusb-creator-1.0.b10.zip. Extract the archive and make sure there are no spaces in the folder name. It should be displayed as atvusb-creator1.0.b10.

Step 2: Connect the USB Stick to your Mac and launch the atvusb-creator app in the extracted folder on your desktop.

Step 3: The wizard will ask you to download the app from the Internet. Click Open to launch the installation process.

Step 4: In the first display window select “ATV-Patchstick” under the Choose an Installation dropdown menu. In the right part of the window, under the Installation Options, select “ssh tools” from the dropdown menu.

Step 5: Check to make sure the wizard has selected the right USB stick. Press Create Using and check for the USB.

Step 6: Now the wizard will begin the download process of the AppleTV Update DMG. Wait patiently until the jailbreak program informs the patchstick was installed successfully.

Step 7: The USB Stick you were using during the jailbreak installation has been renamed and is now called PATCHSTICK. You will also notice the USB now contains the jailbreak files. Now Eject the stick and connect it to your Apple TV 1st generation.

Step 8: You will have to reboot the device, holding down the Menu and – buttons on your remote. Wait patiently for the Patchstick on your USB to complete the SSH installation on your device. When that’s done with, remove the USB stick, then unplug and plug your Apple TV to reboot.

Step 9: Enjoy.
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Time Warner Cable Is Said to Add Channels to Apple TV

July 10, 2013, 10:39 am
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By far one of the most anticipated news when it comes to Apple TV is the addition of new TV channels, preferably without being required for a subscription. Earlier this year, the CW Network struck a deal with Apple to make their content available for Apple TV users too. It’s the beginning of July and a new TV deal is said to be on the roll. A Bloomberg report announced earlier this month that Time Warner Cable is about to cut a deal with Apple to bring new TV channels to your HDTVs via the $99 content streaming device.


With Apple TV 3 sales figures making an impressive stand, it seems Apple is finally taking the time to focus on their $99 device, one that has been getting less than a quarter of the financial and marketing resources invested in the promotion of iPhone, iPad and iPod. The first six months of 2013 had Apple announcing Time Warner’s HBO and Walt Disney’s ESPN will soon be available on Apple TV, whereas the CW network has separately announced their app will launch on ATV later this year.

From the looks of it, the future is bright for Apple TV. Just two years ago, a rumor about an upcoming deal for new TV channels on Apple TV wouldn’t have made it on Bloomberg. In 2012, Apple sold about 5 million units of the $99 content streaming box, and while it’s not even close to the 26 million iPhones and 17 million iPad sold in the Q4 alone, Apple’s hobby is gradually taking the spotlight.

It’s something analysts have long noticed about Apple TV. “It’s not necessary for Apple to remake the media industry to sell a great TV product” said Benedict Evans, Enders Analysis analyst based in London. “They are methodically adding to Apple TV”. And seeing as today’s TV experience is still a decade away compared to the level of consumer technology available today (just think smartphones and tablets), there’s more than enough room for innovation.

Jailbreakers have been adding new functionalities to Apple TV since day 1. There were more than 13 million Apple TVs sold since the original release in 2007 and the demand for newer and better is likely the result of the tweaks most users have enjoyed with ATV 1 and ATV 2. Don’t worry, Apple TV 3 will be enjoying the same perks. It has already begun!
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Apple TV Deal Alert: This Week Target Is Giving Away Gift Cards

July 10, 2013, 10:39 am
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Looking for a reason to drop by Target this week? Perhaps looking for a great tech gift for your friend? This Apple TV deal alert is the answer to both questions. This week, Target is giving away gift cards on all iPhone, iPad, iPod and… Apple TV purchases.

In its weekly ad, Target is giving away free gift cards with 5 Apple purchases, including the $99.99 Apple TV, which has been getting more and more popular lately. The value of the Target free gift cards varies from $10 to $50 and might just be the right incentive if you’re looking for a gift, are in urgent need of a new iPhone or have been waiting for a good reason to invest in an Apple TV 3.


The biggest gift card Target is offering this week is for every qualifying purchase of the $499.99 16GB iPad ($50), followed by the $329.99 16GB iPad mini which scores you a $40 gift card. If you purchase the $149.99 16GB iPhone 5 you will receive a $25 gift card and $20 for the 16GB iPod Touch that will set you back $229. The gift card offered for Apple TV might not be quite impressive, but then again this is the cheapest Apple product available. Buying the $99.99 Apple TV at Target this week will earn you a $10 gift card.

A $10 gift card on an Apple TV purchase might not look like it’s such a big deal, but it’s a great sign for all of us ATV fans and owners. The increasing interest for a better and more comprehensive digital content experience is slowly pushing the Apple TV under the spotlight. Recent statements by Apple CEO Tim Cook have expressed direct interest for the development of Apple TV, whereas for the year we already have three promising deals to add new TV channels to the platform.
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Firecore Updates aTV Flash (black) for Apple TV 5.3

July 11, 2013, 9:52 am
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The Apple TV 5.3 features quite the number of good reasons to update your software right now. Besides now being able to stream content from HBO GO and WatchESPN you are also getting a better aTV Flash, because Firecore released the update for Apple TV 5.3 earlier this month.

It was during the Worldwide Developer Conference that Apple has rolled out Apple TV Software Update 5.3 for its ATV 2nd and 3rd generations and it features such good news it would have been impossible not to cause a lot of buzz. In case you’ve missed out on the news, the new update brings tons of new channels on your $99 Apple TV, including HBO GO, ESPN, Sky News and Crunchyroll. Sure this is good news mostly for the US-based ATV owner, but Firecore launched something to appeal to all users, regardless of their location on the planet.


Firecore launched at the beginning of July an updated version of its aTV Flash (black), compatible with ATV 2nd and 3rd generation running Apple’s 5.3 software. And that’s not the only good news. The 5.3 aTV Flash features several changes and improvements to the overall user experience. Top of the list are improved Dolby (AC3) audio, metadata fetching, detection of subtitle encoding, reliability of settings backups and a bunch of fixes and performance improvements. By the way, if you’re looking for the Media Player, in the aTV Flash (black) for ATV 5.3 it’s called “Infuse for Apple TV”. Also, there’s added localizations for Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia.

Infuse, the aTV Flash (black) Media Player, features support for most media formats and keeps everything organized for you, including detailed info about your movies and TV series and even artwork. It also makes it easy to add and use subtitles and synch everything with trakt, so you’ll get TV and movie recommendations, based on what you’ve already watched and enjoyed.

You should have already been informed there is a new update available for Apple TV. If you haven’t already updated to version 5.3 or haven’t been notified of the release, you can check for it manually in the Check for Updates section (go to Settings in General Menu). Or you can download the update files separately and manually install them. This means you will have to connect your Apple TV to your computer and use iTunes to deliver the newest software version.
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Apple TV 3 Jailbreak Status Update: Yet another Call to Action, the $2500 Bounty Is Still a Go

August 30, 2013, 1:45 am
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For the past few months we’ve been all working really hard on finding the most secure exploit to inject the jailbreak for Apple TV 3. I wish I was giving you good news about the ATV 3 jailbreak project status, but despite not announcing a set date for the jailbreak’s public release, we are so much closer from where we were almost two months ago, the time when the $2500 bounty set off.

It’s been such a challenging time for the entire Apple TV 3 Jailbreak team and whenever we were too tired to try another hack, all you guys were here to cheer us up and give us the drive needed to give it another try. So once again, thank you for all the support, for all the donations, for all the help with files and ideas for exploits. It’s stuff like “keep the hacking efforts going guys”, “ONLY YOU CAN DO IT” and “IS IT DONE?” that keeps everyone focused. Our favorite by far is when all you guys offer to help us whenever we are stuck.

Help is much appreciated and intensely needed, reason why the $2500 Apple TV 3 jailbreak bounty is still on. If you ever have dwelt in puzzling hacking, have a love for fully optimized devices and you are basically a magnet for mind-boggling challenges, we are keen to welcome you on our team of devs. Or just send us your solution for the ATV 3 jailbreak and if it tests successfully you will become the lucky owner of $2500, not to mention Future Donations Credits and the appreciation of millions of ATV fans worldwide.

There’s been a lot going on with the Apple TV 3 jailbreak development. The recent release of the Plex Connect for ATV 3 and ATV 2 without requiring a jailbreak being injected into the root system, has opened new ways at looking at the jailbreak. We’ve been pondering a way to bypass Apple security using its very own software vulnerabilities, just like the Trailer app is being hijacked by Plex. We’re working with different coding languages and tools from Python and XML to XBMC and Airparrot, and the vulnerabilities are nothing but daunting, mind boggling and varied. I’d say with a few more people on board, we’d be able to do twice the work we’ve been doing for the past 5 months in half that time. \ 

A lot of you have argued that Plex Connect isn’t that much of a brilliant hack, but it is actually quite of a milestone in jailbreaking ATVs. Being able to use Plex on Apple TV without being required for a jailbreak was the best news many ATV users have received related to their content experience lately and was an eye-opener for the jailbreak community. It shows Apple’s latest OS is vulnerable and it gives us hope and inspiration to look even further for exploits. So, until we get back to you with the news about the jailbreak release, why shouldn’t you try to enjoy your Apple TV 3 to the fullest?

There’ still a lot of stuff to do with your Apple TV (3,2 or 1st generation) as the How To section of the website shows. Even if you’re not a Plex fan or having a hard time imagining an unjailbroken Apple TV as being more than a “useless brick”, try to implement the device to the optimum using all of its features. And it’s not like it can’t mirror all kinds of content. Try AirPlay Mirroring if you haven’t for a while. I’m sure you’ll remember how fun it was the first time you set it up! And if you haven’t ever used AirPlay Mirroring, we have a full guide and tutorial on how to do that.

That being said, keep up the positive thinking. We all need it and don't forget about the $2500 bounty for a successful Apple TV 3 jailbreak. We are serious about this. So if you know someone that's great at hacking into iOS and could use a fat paycheck, spread the message.
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With the Apple TV 3 Jailbreak Still in the Works, Here’s How to Make the Best out of it!

August 31, 2013, 5:45 am
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I know you are all eager to learn when the Apple TV 3 is coming out or that a new team of devs have joined the efforts, and while we’re all doing the best we can to deliver the good news as soon as possible, the fact remains: you own an Apple TV 3. So what can you do with it? What is it that it does so greatly you’ve opted to buy one of these, instead of a Roku? Or, if the decision to buy an ATV 3 wasn’t yours at all, and you’ve ended up owning one after your last birthday or  Christmas, then at least you should know what are the great perks of owning Apple’s $99 content streaming device.

Obviously, there’s nothing better like owning a jailbroken Apple TV 3, but don’t lose hope. There’s still a lot of fun things to do with your little device. First of all, there’s stuff like installing a Bluetooth keyboard to make browsing, chatting, writing and even gaming on your HDTV via AirPlay Mirroring. Even home sharing is a great perk, particularly when it comes to Wednesday’s movie time with your roommates and their girlfriends or watching that bad-ass action movie as loud as possible from the comfort of the couch without the bother of wires and stuff. Oh, and let’s not forget you can totally rip the benefits of the Plex Connect, the Plex version for ATV 3rd and 2nd generation that doesn’t require a jailbreak.



But first things first. If you haven’t even bothered to set up your device, you’d better start doing that just now, because the perks of using Apple TV with AirPlay Mirroring is the kind of experience that makes buying Apple devices so compelling. Using just a Wi-Fi network (specifically the same your ATV is currently connected to), AirPlay Mirroring transforms your HDTV into a second screen, making multitasking on your iPhone or iPad and even iPod so hassle-free. It requires iOS 5 or later, at least iPhone 4S, iPad 2, iPad mini or iPod Touch 5th generation, ATV 2nd or 3rd generation and a Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n network. If you don’t know how to set up AirPlay Mirroring on ATV, check out the tutorial right here.

Now that you’ve got AirPlay Mirroring all covered, it’s time to rip the benefits of owning a bad-ass HDTV and an Apple TV 3 (and 2). Whether it’s gaming, reading, browsing the internet or trying to do some actual work, if you’re looking at a long weekend on the couch, then for the comfort of your wrists and fingers, set up the Bluetooth keyboard. I’d say it proves of immense utility when you’re in for some late work, whether it’s a deadline on that performance report or on a term paper. Use AirPlay Mirroring to connect your iPad, iPod and iPhone to your HDTV and then pair up your Apple TV with the Bluetooth keyboard. We have a tutorial on that too!

Just recently, Plex has just become an alternative to the much anticipated ATV 3 jailbreak. It’s not exactly new to the jailbreak community, but the latest trick the Plex dev team has pulled off is now introducing Plex as a whole new opportunity for enhancing the Apple TV experience. By exploiting the Trailer app on Apple TV and changing the DNS, in less than 2 minutes, you are getting access to a lot of new content. The list of channels available on ATV 3 via PlexConnect is growing day by day. As of today, these are following channels you can run with Plex on your ATV 3 without being required for a jailbreak: ABC, Crackle, Funny or Die, History Channel, Icefilms, LetMeWatchThis, SSPlex, IMDB trailers, Justin TV, NASA, National Geographic, NBC, PBS, TedTalks, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show, Twit TV, Ustream, Vimeo, YouTube, Navi-X, A&E, CBC News, CBS, Food Network, HGTV, The CW, The WB and Netflix.

Although a lot of people are arguing that’s not exactly enhancing the user experience, our advice is to give it a try. You’re not losing anything, just gaining a new tool to improve your multimedia content experience, at least until we’ll announce the public release of the ATV 3 jailbreak tool. We published a tutorial on how to install Plex on Apple TV 2 and 3 some time ago and our writer is now looking into your requests to make Plex work with a NAS instead of a MAC, as well as a tutorial on how to install Plex with a PC on ATV3. There’s also a troubleshooting series coming up, so stay tuned and ask for help or report a problem via comments and we’ll try to answer as fast and as accurately as we can.



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Apple TV Rumors: Jobs Was Planning to Add a Fingerprint Wand Remote to Apple TV

July 16, 2013, 4:38 am
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When it comes down to Apple rumors, I have to be honest: they’ve rarely managed to pull me in, but now that Apple TV is getting more and more focus, each bit of information and speculation is so exciting. Even if the latest rumor might be just another talk about patents submitted years ago, I cannot help wondering if Steve Jobs’ planning to add a fingerprint wand remote to Apple TV would have speeded the device’s overall popularity.

Since 2013 has already been such a great year for Apple TV fans, well with the exception of those waiting for the jailbreak (still working on that, don’t worry), the media has been getting a lot more curious about the $99 box. So, one step at a time, helped by coverage by popular sources such as Bloomberg and Forbes, Apple TV has become important enough to speculate, dig up old patent filings or just talk about the device’s bright future.

The latest Apple TV news is linked to a 2009 patent application for remote that would be a “game changer”. Discovered by the Fierce Cable trade blog for cable executives, the innovative Apple TV remote could embed fingerprint sensors to deliver content and operate at the user’s request. “In response to detecting a thumbprint or fingerprint, wand or the electronic device may compare the detected print with a library of known prints to authenticate or log-in the user associated with the print” reads Apple’s patent filing.

Seeing as rumors point that iPhone 5 is going to feature fingerprint authentication technology, it might well be that the next step for Apple TV is a “magic wand” remote, which should definitely come in handy if you’re sharing your content. “In response to identifying the user, the electronic device may load content specific to the identified user (e.g., a user profile, or access to the user’s recordings), or provide the user with access to restricted content (e.g., content restricted by parental control options)” the patent application also notes. So you could rest assured your x-rated content will never be easy to stumble-upon, but will be under the safe lock of your fingerprint.

FierceCable notes that the Apple TV magic wand would also allow the user to use motion technology to “control an on-screen cursor to navigate video, similar to the MotionEngine technology that has been developed by Hillcrest Labs”.

It’s easy to get excited by a patent for a fingerprint remote for Apple TV (as geeky as that might sound), particularly when even Forbes starts speculating about it (the fingerprint sensor, if implemented with success, “will likely lead to a stronger hand for negotiating content deals in the future”). And with Walter Isaacson’s authorized biography of Steve Jobs quoting the former Apple CEO saying he has “finally cracked the code” to the simplest television interface, I cannot help wonder if the magic wand was what he had in mind… Perhaps Apple TV 4 might just elucidate that for us.


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Apple TV Users Get CanalPlay Infinity in France

July 16, 2013, 4:41 am
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Following the release of HBO GO and WatchESPN for Apple TV, just one month later there’s news about a new TV group that’s bringing content to Apple’s $99 digital media receiver. This time around, it’s users based in France that are ripping the benefits. The Canal+ Group has released CanalPlay Infinity in France on Apple TV.

Earlier this month, just a few weeks following Apple’s introduction of HBO GO and WatchESPN on Apple TV, the Canal+ Group is ready to offer about 5,000 headlines, varying from BBC to Sony and Disney productions, to popular TV series such as Gossip Girl and Breaking Bad, not to mention kids shows and obviously a lot of French movies.

Like most TV broadcasters and digital content providers, Canal+ Group has also released a branded app for Apple’s iPad, but the decision to extend its reach to Apple TV marks a first in the French Apple TV market. “Canal+ Group’s willingness to open its unlimited VOD offering to all connected TV devices” is definitely a good sign and could represent an opportunity to get more content while we’re working on the jailbreak for ATV 3.

If you’re an Apple TV owner based in France, you should at least give CanalPlay Infinity a try. The company is offering a free one-month trial that gives you access to their content via Apple TV, both your iPad and your personal computer; make sure you’re using your iTunes login though.

Although CanalPlay Infinity is a video on demand service that is priced at €9.99 per month, for the Apple TV user it should be a sign things are getting better and interesting. Recent news about PlexConnect, HBO GO, WatchESPN and now CanalPlay is proof that owning an Apple TV is an experience that’s soon bound to become more than just a hobby. As the smartphone and tablet technologies have evolved to such an extent innovation is so easy to achieve that it has become common, the TV experience is gradually stepping under the spotlight. 2013 seems to mark the beginning of a new and exciting era in digital content.

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