Apple TV fans will like this (or maybe they’ll hate it?). Apple made a couple of major announcements with regards to the Apple TV product line. First, Apple will be offering a new Apple TV build to order option with a 160GB hard drive. Apparently someone at Apple finally realized that the 40GB HDD just isn’t enough. Of course this is a real pisser for those out there that actually bought the 40GB version like myself. Then again – maybe I’ll sell my 40GB or just use it for hacking experiments now.

Anyhow, back to the 160GB Apple TV device. The new model will be available starting tomorrow and will have a suggested retail price of $399. The 40GB model will still be available for $299. 100 dollars basically buys you 4x the space although the real price differential between the 40GB HDD and the 160GB HDD is much less in reality. Everything else about the Apple TV 160GB edition is the same as before.

Now onto the other “major news” which I honestly don’t care much about. Apple and YouTube have reached an agreement where Apple will be bringing YouTube content straight to the Apple TV device. You’ll be able to use the Apple TV interface and the Apple remote to browse, find, and watch free videos from YouTube right in the comfort of your living room television set. YouTube support will launch in mid-June with thousands of videos being made available via the Internet. According to Apple, thousands of additional videos will be added each week until the entire YouTube catalog will be available on Apple TV. You’ll even be able to log into your YouTube account from Apple TV and call up your saved videos. It’s not clear how the videos are being made available to Apple TV although it does sound like YouTube is somehow converting the content into an Apple TV compatible format. While I do recognize this as a possible inflection point in digital living room history… I can’t help but wonder how many people will actually watch YouTube videos during prime time hours over what’s available on TV or cable. More importantly – YouTube videos are great on the Internet.. but come on.. 46 inch TV’s? Video resolutions are going to suffer if you ask me. Perhaps I’m being a pessimist here.

I must say.. kudos for Apple for trying something different with the Apple TV. On the other hand – what the hell Apple.. why didn’t you release the 160GB HDD to begin with??

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