Apple has sent out an email to developers saying that iTunes Match has updated alongside the release of iTunes 10.5.1 beta 2. The update includes a “number of important stability and performance improvements” and iTunes Match has now been made available for testing on the Apple TV.

Developers that have been using iTunes Match must update to iTunes 10.5.1 beta 2 to continue using the service. Once upgraded, iTunes Match can be enabled on all supported Apple devices. On the Apple TV, select “Music” and then “Turn on iTunes Match.” Your music will then be available for streaming on Apple’s set-top box.

It appears that Apple has had a Hulu Plus app for the Apple TV cooking in Cupertino for over a month, and the app is running on prototype Apple TV units inside Apple’s headquarters.

According to 9to5Mac’s sources, a Hulu Plus app is “ready to roll out” to current Apple TV users right now. Apple hasn’t pulled the trigger yet due to “political” reasons, like the fact that Hulu Plus directly competes with the TV section of iTunes.

Bloomberg reports that the original creator of iTunes, Jeff Robbin, is allegedly working on Apple’s upcoming TV set. Robbin also helped co-launch the original iPod with Tony Fadell.

The report cites “three people with knowledge of the project” and notes that Robbin’s involvement is “a sign of Apple’s commitment to extending its leadership in smartphones and tablets into the living room.”

The belief that Apple will enter the TV set market appears too good to let drop. One high-profile Apple analyst tells investors Monday the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant already has prototypes of a device worth $2.5 billion next year.

I went to bed last night and my Apple TV stated that the update was gong to take a whopping nine hours. I get up this morning only to find out that it wasn’t even close to being done or that it had even moved along any. It looked stuck. So I started over and guess what?!?!?! The time went from nine hours to an extra galactic 41 hours – I guess the download was coming from the Andromeda galaxy.

Here’s how to work around all this update drama and get the update done in under 15 minutes.

Among many other software releases, Apple issued an update to the Apple TV 2 today.

While the release can be included in the iOS 5-related slew of updates, this latest version actually brings the Apple TV to iOS 4.4. The update includes AirPlay mirroring for the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S, Photo Stream support, iTunes Move Trailers, NHL GameCenter, and Wall Street Journal Live.

References in Apple’s iOS 5 software sparked speculation over the weekend that suggested an upcoming refresh to the Apple TV could introduce the company’s latest dual-core processor. While that would allow the device to playback content in 1080p, it could also pave the way for a Siri assistant on our TVs.

Apple seems focused on marking its mark in Europe recently, what with the launch of its online store in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland; and the introduction of its iTunes movie store to new even more countries EU countries this week. However, its plans across the Atlantic don’t stop there: the company is also launching its Apple TV in another seven countries from Tuesday.

Alongside posting up iOS 5 Beta 6, Apple has released a few other goodies to registered developers: a new iTunes, new Apple TV software, Xcode 4.2 Developer Preview 6 and iWork for iOS Beta 2.

Man, it snuck up on everyone, but the second-gen Apple TV got a huge update in the last hour. The iOS 4.3.3 update for the Apple TV 2 does add some minor things like Vimeo support to the feature set of Apple’s set-top box, but here’s the real biggie: you can now buy any television show directly from your Apple TV, then access and stream them using your iTunes account.