You’ll soon be able to use a Bluetooth keyboard with the Apple TV, and there’s a good chance that devices like the iPad and iPhone will also serve as remotes for the set-top box in the near future.
Bluetooth support has been uncovered in the latest Apple TV model, and iOS 5 will also have this Bluetooth support when it’s released this Fall. Apple is clearly positioning the Apple TV as an all-in-one place for entertainment in the living room, and this Bluetooth discovery hints that the Apple TV will soon become a place for your favorite App Store apps.
9to5Mac uncovered this finding via a video of a jailbroken Apple TV paired with Apple’s own wireless keyboard.
As of right now, it looks like Apple is only intending this Bluetooth support with the Apple TV for keyboards, but this same functionality could be opened up to iDevices like the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Apple’s AirPlay technology will already let you interact with your Apple TV using an iPhone or iPad, but what about text input? There’s no reason that the iPad couldn’t be the ultimate remote for the Apple TV.
What’s really interesting about this Bluetooth support is that Apple could eventually bring long-awaited app support to the Apple TV. Users have been clamoring for App Store access on the Apple TV since the product’s launch in 2007. When Apple introduced the second generation Apple TV in 2010, everyone was shocked that Apple didn’t add the product to the App Store ecosystem.
With speculation running rampant about Apple’s upcoming event this Fall, there’s a chance that we could see an updated Apple TV alongside an new iPhone announcement. 1080p video playback, Bluetooth support, and a dual-core A5 processor would certainly the Apple TV a compelling product this holiday season.
What do you think? What features would you like to see in an Apple TV capable of running apps and hooking up with Bluetooth devices? Let us know.
