Old Apple TV will NOT get new features

There may yet be a "functioning USB port" on the new ATVs...the micro-USB port that is meant for service diagnostics, according to Apple's documentation. The question everyone's waiting to have answered is whether this port is usable as a general-purpose USB port as well, say for hanging external HDs and...(dare I say it?) hacking, like on the old ATVs. Personally, I'm not getting my hopes up. With no storage, the traditional ways of hacking a system to enable new functionality becomes a lot more difficult. It remains to be seen whether a silicon-based OS can be taught new tricks...but I've learned never to say never...especially if the micro-port can be used for general purpose USB devices. Then things get interesting...can you say "hardware dongle"?

I really see all the different points of view written under this topic
In summary, I feel we have to have an open mind and be able to move forward with the new technology, b/c after all isn't that what technology does? MOVE US FORWARD? Advance our interests and transport us into new avenues and directions. If we were **** bent on keeping things the same and not progressing we'd still be using morse code to communicate

I realize we get comfortable with what we have and are used to, but people those of us on this board are not the run of the mill communicators... We are the explorers, gadget freaks, and techno geeks
Why are we so ready to dismiss the NEW, THE MORE ADVANCED AND the products taking us into another phase/plateau? What happened to Onward & Upward?!!!

jerseygoil wrote:
What happened to Onward & Upward?!!!

... the word HOBBY 😉

I have both the old and new Apple TV units and love them both. The thing with the old one, even though it is a storage device, you cannot access what is stored on it without a wireless network to connect to iTunes. With the new one, you are not limited to renting only. You can purchase movies, TV shows and music and stream it. The beauty of the new one is that it is so portable so if you travel you can take it with you. Also,with the upcoming update, you will be able to stream directly from your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, which means you can leave your computer behind. And the Netflix interface is now in an "iTunes" menu which is so much easier to navigate and search, especially with the new Remote App that Apple has provided for free. Get the new one, keep the old. They are both great!

Chad...Question: can the new ATV access a local network, like a home network hosting a NAS? Thx

I understand that you have an unstable Wireless Connection, and that ethernet is not suitable for you. The other option you have is whats called PowerLine. Its essentially an ethernet connection but it uses your existing power cables to send the signal. It works a treat for me. As long as all the power points are connected to the same fuse box you wont have any issues and the great thing is they can be set up in minutes with no software.

I would consider these if I was you they are the best thing to use for something like ATV

Llamano wrote:
I bought my Apple TV a few weeks before the new one was announced, while I appreciate the local storage in it, I am seethingly mad that I receive none of the new features.

So let me get this right. You are "seethingly mad" because the product that you bought does only what it was advertised as doing?

Just out of curiosity, would you be equally mad if, instead of "Apple TV," Apple had named it, say, "Apple Netflix adaptor"? After all, it is based upon completely different hardware, and does not do many of the things that your product will do.

If you really need a "rebate," why not just buy a Roku HD box? It does Netflix and internet rentals (from Amazon, not Apple, but who cares?), and it's $40 cheaper than Apple TV. Put the $40 bucks you saved in your pocket and consider it your rebate--and you don't even have to wait for the check to arrive in the mail!

My two cents:
I use my AppleTV V1 mainly for controlling iTunes and streaming to my TV and stereo. (I replaced an Airport Express) I never use the storage. My PC is on all the time anyway.

I greatly prefer Netflix over Apple - mainly because I pay a small flat monthly fee and can consume all I want. If I had to pay individually for my streaming and DVD rentals, it would cost me 10X or more what I pay now.
My Samsung BluRay handles Netflix & Pandora (and YouTube and Blockbuster but who cares?).

I had considered changing to AppleTV V2, but without storage, I don't think I can add hacks like I can with V1 - XBMC, Boxee, etc. There's a ton of stuff I can add to expand my viewing potential since V1 is basically a Mac Mini.

Can you expand Apple TV V2? I doubt it.
Can you surf the web and view content from a hundred other sites besides Apple? I doubt it.

If I'm wrong, please let me know, 'cause I'd prefer a smaller box, less heat, etc. Otherwise, i'm sticking with V1...