Apple TV has already been hacked to run on an Intel based Mac. There is actually a web site called AppleTVhacks.com. Basically they say AppleTV uses a shrunk version of OSX and a new version of FrontRow. They hacked the Finder file so it doesn't check for the AppleTV hardware and were up and running.
I don't know the immediate benefit for doing this but I guess it is to further figure out how AppleTV works internally so that it can be modified to do additional things like DVR.
I just thought it was amazing that someone has already done this. The site is afraid of Apple legal coming down hard on them, so they do not post the hacked Finder file but it seems others have been able to access it.
Personally I don't see the point. You could have easily created a Linux based TV server if you are really into complete control of the system. I know many have done this already so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. I think AppleTV is for the majority of people who don't want to hack or don't know how to hack.
2 comments:
I read that they even can show you how to install a 160 GB hard drive in place of the paltry 40 Gb. Makes sense! I also read that you can make Apple TV into basically a very inexpensive Apple computer - it would cost even less than the Mac mini.
On macnn.com they reported that someone has been able to get OSX running on the Apple TV itself. Yes this would be a cheaper Mac than the mini. But from the specs I saw, you get what you paid for. A 40GB hard drive, 256MB of RAM, no CD/DVD drive, and an outer date Intel processor.
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