Apple TV Update Brings Shared Photo Streams, AirPlay, iTunes Account Switching

Apple has released a new firmware update for the Apple TV. Both the Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 3 have been updated to iOS 5.1.

You can download the firmware by selecting Update Software from the General menu on your Apple TV. Direct download links can be found here.


WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION:


Shared Photo Streams
Accept invitations for Shared Photo Streams, browse photos and comments, and receive notifications of new content.

AirPlay
Send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices (including AirPort Express and other Apple TVs). Also includes the ability to require an onscreen code to use AirPlay with your Apple TV.

iTunes account switching
Save multiple iTunes accounts and switch quickly between them.

Trailers
Search movie trailers. In the United States, see show times for local theaters.


Screen savers
New Cascade, Shrinking Tiles, and Sliding Panels screen savers.

Main menu
Reorder icons on the second page by holding down the select button on the remote.

Subtitles
SDH support for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as improvements to viewing and selecting subtitles.

Network configuration
Support for setting up advanced network options using configuration profiles. See http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5437 for more information.

Stability and performance
Includes general performance and stability improvements.