SaudiMac Saudi Apple Macintosh Users
During Wednesday’s Music Event Apple announced the Apple TV, smaller and cheaper. You can read more about it on Apple’s site.
The main features of the Apple TV are Netflix and iTunes rentals, features useless for customers in Saudi Arabia. So I would like to know from you dear reader, will you get this new Apple TV? What will you do with it?
And here’s Apple’s press release:
Apple Premieres New Apple TV for Breakthrough Price of $99
Rent Commercial Free HD TV Episodes for Just 99 Cents
SAN FRANCISCO—September 1, 2010—Apple® today announced the new Apple TV® which offers the simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows on your HD TV for the breakthrough price of just $99. Apple TV users can choose from the largest online selection of HD movies to rent, including first run movies for just $4.99, and the largest online selection of HD TV show episodes to rent* from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America for just 99 cents.
Apple TV also streams content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe™, as well as music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs to your HD TV. Enjoy gorgeous slideshows of your photos on your HD TV using Apple TV’s selection of built-in slideshows. Apple TV has built-in HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet and an internal power supply for easy set-up, and features silent, cool, very low power operation in an enclosure that’s less than four inches square—80 percent smaller than the previous generation.
“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.”
Apple TV users can now rent thousands of commercial free, HD TV episodes on iTunes® for just 99 cents, with up to 30 days to start watching and then 48 hours to finish—or watch multiple times. Users can also rent over 7,000 movies with over 3,400 available in HD, with most new releases available the same day they are released on DVD.
Apple TV also gives access to the Netflix streaming catalog for Netflix subscribers, and the ability to browse and search, rate content, add to or remove from your queue, or instantly stream straight to your HD TV. Apple TV users can also enjoy millions of YouTube videos, more than 200,000 podcasts, 4,000 Internet radio stations and personal photos from MobileMe and Flickr with several gorgeous new slideshow themes. Music, videos and photos can also be streamed from PCs and Macs, turning your HD TV into the hub of your home entertainment system.
Apple TV set-up is quick and easy with a single HDMI cable connection (HDMI cable sold separately). Just connect Apple TV to your HD TV, join a Wi-Fi network and with a few clicks on the seven-button aluminum Apple Remote, you have access to amazing content. Users can also control Apple TV with their iPhone®, iPad™ or iPod touch® using the Remote app, available as a free download on the App Store℠.
Pricing & Availability
Apple TV will be available late this month for a suggested retail price of $99 (US) and can be pre-ordered beginning today on Apple’s online store (www.apple.com). Apple TV, which comes standard with an aluminum Apple Remote, will be available through the Apple’s online store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple TV requires an 802.11b/g/n wireless network or Ethernet network, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition TV capable of 720p. iTunes TV show rentals and Netflix are only available in the US. Netflix features require account subscription. iTunes movies rentals are only available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
*99 cent HD TV rentals only available in the US.
Arabic version of this post on SaudiMac Arabic Edition.
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I didn’t read the article. But I’m here to answer the question in the title..
And my answer is Yes if it supports the common video formats used by Saudis and of course if it supports subtitles..
It’s a press release 😉
No Arabic subtitles and no formats.
See, I told you I didn’t read it 🙂
Well, if a workaround been found, then why wouldn’t we get it 😉
hmmm, would black vbn be a usable solution?
let’s wait and see
Saleh
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No way you can get that. To get that you first need an Apple Store. Do you think a well-off Saudi who will be informed about such a gadget and buy it, would also know how to troubleshoot such a thing if it does not work? He would surely need a “technically aware” personality to fine tune the channels according to his desire in his home.
That was my question earlier!
I immediately pre-order ATV after the press conference. But after giving NetFlix a try, I found out that VPN got me to the movie play screen yet still the movie kept giving my error code, I immediately cancelled my membership.
If someone can penetrate this NetFlix please share here how did you manage to do it.
If we cannot make use of NetFlix then I’d remain more than happy with my current white ATV… it serves me good.
Netflix and the TV rentals are not available to us here in Saudi, like some iphone apps (even if u download them from the US iTunes store) because they recognize that the internet connection is from outside the US e.g. Vevo.
So, I don’t see much use of this Apple TV. Except the awesome feature of pushing media from your iOS device or Mac to your HD TV through HDMI, also possibly speakers around the house, for example. That is fantastic 🙂
Other than that its useless for those living outside the US….disappointing really.
PS. the British don’t even get TV rental, either. Just renting movies (non Netflix).
I will actually get it, cuz first I get all my tv shows from the apple store since its really easy to do so, and now it will be even cheaper with the tv rental option. Also a great feature on the Apple TV is the  AirPlay to stream directly from the iPad. I have to say for around 400 riyals, this is a decent product and it will be great to have.
Guys
Netflix is expanding and considering international customers 🙂