Overshadowed a bit by the iPhone's debut (and though it was already announced last September), Apple TV ($299) is a device that holds its own in the growing shift to (finally) get the internet out of the confines of the PC. For complete coverage including gratuitous photos, check Gizmodo and Engadget. What follows are the standout details.
Like the iPhone and .Mac, one of the most clever aspects of Apple TV is its ability to auto-sync with the content on your computer. That means every time a new episode of Cool Hunting Video comes out (or you download a TV show, movie, music or photos), it will automatically be uploaded to Apple TV (either via WiFi or a wired network) for optimum viewing on a widescreen.
With a remote, a USB port, ethernet, component video and stereo audio inputs, the system is ready to be wired into an existing home theater and computer system—televisions need to have widescreen capabilities and enhanced definition or HD with an HDMI, DVI or component input. Apple TV's 720p output reportedly looks sharp too, which means it will put pricey HD TVs to good use.
Featuring an Intel processor and a 40GB hard drive, Apple TV can store up to 50 hours of video, but—also capable of streaming wirelessly from up to five PCs—you can watch media from other computers without storing it on the hard drive.