Some time ago we reported on a new hack discovered by an iOS hacker David Schuetz that let us put our own apps on Apple TV. By enabling an Apple TV OS feature called Add Site, Schuetz was able to add a custom site pointing at a Raspberry Pi media server which he added to the Apple TV. The hack quickly got closed as Apple disabled the Add Site feature. In a new post Schuetz explains what exactly happened and speculates on the future of his hack.

You can go through the article for the detailed explanation of what happened with the Add Site feature, here’s the conclusion:

If your ATV is on 6.x, and it doesn’t already have the Add Site profile loaded, then you can’t add it, unless you get a profile signed by Apple. And since the Apple TV program isn’t open to the public, you can’t get that profile. So, we’re pretty much stuck.

Great for Security. Lousy for DIY Apple TV hackers. Right?

Well, there is one workaround: If your ATV is on 5.2 or 5.3, you can still add the profile (you just won’t see the button), and then upgrade to 6.0, and, boom!, the Add Site application is available, and fully functional.

Unfortunately, Apple also introduced a signature test when using the Add Site feature. How to deal with this? Schuetz promised to discuss it in the next post.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more coverage of this topic.

The post Apple TV hacking: “Add Site” hack follow-up appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Apple has today released new support documentation for the newly implemented Apple TV setup feature that was introduced last week in the Apple TV 6.0 software update.

Owners of the third generation Apple TV running the new 6.0 firmware can use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch running iOS 7 to automatically transfer network settings, Apple ID information, and language preferences to the Apple TV.

The information exchange is done via Bluetooth by simply touching the iOS device to the Apple TV, which takes advantage of the Bluetooth LE built into all Apple devices after the iPhone 4.

Apple’s recently published support article offers further detailed instructions of the process:

1. Connect your Apple TV to your television and power and wait until your Apple TV displays the setup screen.

2. Unlock your iOS 7 device and ensure that Bluetooth is enabled. Also ensure that you are connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to use with Apple TV.

3. Touch your iOS device to your Apple TV and wait for the prompts to appear on your iOS device and Apple TV.

4. Enter your Apple ID and password on your iOS device.

5. Choose if you want Apple TV to remember your Apple ID password, and if you want Apple TV to send data to Apple.

Note: This does not change your iOS device preferences.

6. Your Apple TV will start the configuration process, including connecting to your Wi-Fi network, activating Apple TV, and setting up your iTunes Store account.

Setting up an Apple TV has also been a tedious task, using the infrared remote to slowly input your WiFi password and Apple ID account. Now, the setup procedure in Apple TV 6.0 is quick and easy.

The touch setup feature requires an iPhone 4S or later, a iPad 3rd Generation or later, an iPad Mini, or iPod Touch 5th Generation.

Let us know in the comments below if you’ve had a chance to try it out.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post How to: set up your Apple TV using an iOS 7 device [‘Touch Setup’ feature] appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

According to the nice intrusive update screen that just popped up on my Apple TV, and our lovely commenters, it seems Apple has fixed whatever the issue was and it’s go time again.

Apple has issued a new release of the 6.0 firmware with a build number of 11A502 which marks a substantial increase from the pulled 11A470e version.

Check out our thread highlighting the new features Apple TV 6.0 brings, which includes iTunes Radio, iTunes Music Store, AirPlay from iCloud and much more.

Apple TV 6.0 Download

Here’s some direct downloads if you’re that way inclined:

• AppleTV(2G) (AppleTV2,1) 6.0 (11A502)
• AppleTV3,1 (AppleTV3,1) 6.0 (11A502)
• AppleTV3,2 (AppleTV3,2) 6.0 (11A502)

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV 6.0 is back following a failed first attempt appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

It’s only been a few days since we posted about a new firmware bringing Apple TV to version 6.0 and an array of new features, but the update has since been pulled following a few issues including connectivity problems and even reports of bricking.

If you haven’t updated to Apple TV 6.0 then you’re going to have to wait since the update is no longer available. For most, Apple TV 6.0 brought iTunes Radio support, support for Shared Photo Streams, and an AirPlay update. However, for others their Apple TV got bricked and they were forced to grab a USB cable and connect it to a Mac or PC and restore it.

Apple haven’t come out with any official statement regarding pulling Apple TV 6.0 but checking for a software update shows Apple TV 5.3 as the latest version.

If you haven’t updated to Apple TV 6.0 yet, make sure you wait until a safer update has been issued with whatever issues were present fixed. Apple will activate a new Apple TV 6.0 when it is considered stable via the software update, so make sure you don’t download it from any other source, or you’ll be experiencing issues.

Drop us a comment if you had any issues with Apple TV 6.0.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV 6.0 pulled following bricking issues appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

On the back of Apple’s iOS 7 release this Wednesday, Apple TV 6.0 has been released, taking it out of beta finally, having been in that status since June. With it brings a number of new features from iTunes Radio, and as we previously reported AirPlay from iCloud which allows other users’ DRM’d content to be streamed from their iCloud to your Apple TV. Here’s the full rundown of what Apple included in the 6.0 update:

Of most significance is the AirPlay from iCloud feature, which mimics the Chromecast feature Google has implemented. Once turned on in the settings menu and enabled, it allows you to use your iOS device to play videos from iTunes in the Cloud, which basically means the content is streamed directly to your Apple TV rather than an iDevice.

There are some issues with this implementation – Apple TV likes to have a massive buffer on the content it is playing to improve user experience by not having the content buffer while it is playing. That’s all well and good, but if your connection isn’t the best, you could be waiting a long while before your content starts to play. Unlike AirPlay from your device, which begins instantly. This feature is only available with devices running iOS 7.

The new 6.0 software was actually called Apple TV 5.4 whilst in Beta, but it’s exactly the same code that was being tested during the Beta which has now been released as 6.0.

Remember, as always, if you’re jailbroken (atv2) do not update your Apple TV since you will lose the ability, and since there is currently no news on a new Jailbreak for 6.0, I’d steer well clear. Unless of course you have a burning desire for these new features.

But if you have installed the latest Apple TV 6.0, let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Apple TV software update 6.0 released with iTunes Radio, iTunes Music Store, AirPlay from iCloud and more appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.