Apple Unveils New Set-Top Box

SAN FRANCISCO: The new Apple TV device unveiled yesterday allows users to watch movies and TV shows purchased and rented from the iTunes Store, as well as content streamed from Netflix and YouTube, directly on the television set.

Apple TV, now retailing for $99, delivers first-run movie rentals—with a library of about 7,000 titles, almost half in HD—at $4.99 from the iTunes Store. In addition, TV shows from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America are now available for rent for 99 cents an episode. Users have up to 30 days to start watching and then 48 hours to finish. Apple TV also streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe, as well as music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs to an HD TV.

“The new Apple TV, paired with the largest selection of online HD movie and TV show rentals, lets users watch Hollywood content on their HD TV whenever they want,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “This tiny, silent box costing just $99 lets users watch thousands of HD movies and TV shows, and makes all of their music, photos and videos effortlessly available on their home entertainment system.”

iTunes TV show rentals are only available in the U.S. iTunes movies rentals are only available in the U.S. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the U.K.