The first Apple TV shipments have started rolling out to customers in preparation for the device’s launch later this week. As seen in the screenshot above, users are now seeing their shipment statuses updated on Apple’s website.
At the same time, Apple has now enabled users with pre-release hardware to search for and find tvOS apps, though the platform’s dedicated App Store has yet to officially launch…
As you can see in the tweet below, app search is now fully functional despite the current lack of an actual store from which to install them. Search is powered by Siri and the new voice-controlled remote, making it accessible from anywhere, which means users won’t need to dive into the App Store to start buying software.
[tweet https://twitter.com/thejumpstarters/status/659816761370382336 align=’center’]
Apple has not yet released the official build of tvOS, which will include the store and other features not available in the developer version. It’s expected that it will be published this Friday when the Apple TV goes on sale. A GM seed can be downloaded from the developer center. Developers who got early access to the next-gen boxes will be able to download and install the update on their devices and continue using the shipping software.
Update: 15 minutes minutes after this article was published, Apple released the retail build of tvOS. It can be downloaded directly from the company’s servers and requires a full restore in iTunes to install.
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The link you provided is most definitely not to the company’s servers! (It also appears to be for the GM build, or at least has the same build number.)
It most definitely is the company’s servers. Check the download links.
Nope…third party site. Check them yourself.
No, the links are served directly from Apple. That’s why the download links are hosted on http://appldnld.apple.com/
I don’t know where you’re getting your info from but the main link is to ipsw.me and the download link on ipsw.me is to an api.ipsw.me URL. That URL may resolve to Apple’s servers, but there’s no need to link to ipsw.me at all and that’s the main thing I’m complaining about. If 9to5Mac wants to provide a link to “download directly from the company’s servers” then they should have posted exactly that: http://appldnld.apple.com/tvos9.0/031-24288-20151028-1BE4479A-7DDC-11E5-BDEE-974E5942017F/AppleTV5,3_9.0_13T396_Restore.ipsw
IPSW.me pulls URLs from Apple’s database and provides a way to download them, even when they are no longer being served as the shipping build by iTunes (Apple provides no front-end for this). It’s a pretty well-known service. None of the files are hosted by IPSW.me, they all come directly from Apple. It also doesn’t distribute any betas, only publicly-available builds, so the download being linked there is definitely the public build. Apple doesn’t have public download links for GM seeds. They require developer login.
Reread the last sentence of my previous comment.
If you’d like me to phrase my complain a little more clearly: 9to5Mac implied that they were providing a direct link to Apple’s servers but instead linked to an ad-supported third party site that had a tracked link to Apple’s servers.
Alright, if that’s your complaint, here’s my response: “K.”
Did a Wireshark trace on the site posted in the update, the link DOES NOT pull the ipsw from Apple servers. Downloaders beware.
Sorry, James, but that’s just nonsense. It absolutely does pull the IPSW from Apple’s server, and there is nothing at all to worry about from the link. Besides the fact that the URLs quite obviously point to Apple’s server, there isn’t any other source it could be pulling from. IPSW.me is a widely-known source and how it works is well documented. It calls Apple’s server every minute for the latest download links and signing status, then provides the links automatically on the IPSW site.
The developer of the site is @icj_. Talk to him if you don’t believe me. These downloads are coming directly from Apple, 100% guaranteed.
I’m sorry Mike but there is nothing to argue here. Downloaded Wiresharke and test it yourself (heck you can do it in Chrome or Safari if you like).
They may pull the IPSW from Apple and host it on his/her site but it is not being downloaded from Apple’s servers to your Mac or PC using their site.
BTW I could host the IPSW on my website if I wanted to, so yes there is a way to pull it from “other services” besides Apple severs.
I don’t care if the site is reputable or not the FACT is you ARE downloading this file from a server other than Apple’s own severs to you machine.
I just want to add that I’m not trying to be an A hole here, I just prefer that my files come direct from the OEM and not a 3rd party… In this case I feel like the wording is not representative of what is actually happening on that site. That is all I’m trying to point out.
Mike is right. Have you tried downloading it?
Yes. My point is that the link provided is to ipsw.me, not a direct link to Apple’s servers as stated.
And regardless, the App Store is now live.
Yep, looks like my app Video Explorer is also reachable via search! (A Plex / NAS /SMB Video Player)
Cool app. Works fine so far. I noticed a little mistake in the app. When i open a folder with a lot of items i can scroll thrue, and i scroll really quickly, the text wil cover other text. This way i can’t read all the names.
Thanks! It will be solved for the next update though :)
Surprised the store isn’t active and no update to the iOS Remote app so far. The route app has historically been updated every 6 months and is time for an update especially with the TV going on sell tomorrow.Really hoping the remote app features siri and don’t have to rely on the remote all the time.Not looking forward to spending $79 if i spill water or break the remote to get a replacement.
I kinda wonder if the Remote app will even be updated at all.
Why wouldn’t it be? It’s the best way to input text, as they idiotically decided to omit dictate thus far, and no one has Bluetooth keyboards, even if they were supported. The input of text on a tv is horrible. Even with swiping around with this new remote, as reviews have pointed out.
Yes I think they would and should. As nice as the new physical Apple Remote is it is still painfully difficult to do any kind of text entry with and Siri does not do voice dictation (at least not yet).
Don’t get me wrong, I think the SHOULD. But I think they’ll want to push their $80 remote. The remote is kind of a selling point, because it’s how you use Siri on the TV and stuff. While you COULD use the phone’s mic to do that, I think they’d rather highlight their “revolutionary” new input device by making it the only way you interact with the TV.
Since on cannot dictate to Siri in order to enter text, then yes, I do think they ought to update it by making it compatible for tvOS. In fact, I won’t be buying the new TV if the Remote app isn’t supported. I do know that email address are remembered, singing in once for Netflix will sign me in to other services and all that, but if you want to search for stuff (iTunes, YouTube) you need to use the redesigned soft keyboard. Which kinda sucks.
No Remote.ipa support = no sale. 💸
I don’t blame you. You’re totally right about text entry. I saw the new tvOS keyboard earlier today in a pic on Twitter and it looks terrible.
ordered an apple tv minutes after announcement still not shipped :( I should just buy it at the Apple store tomorrow
Shipped ~4hrs ago. My first AppleTV box, AppStore definitely is a game changer for me.
29 Oct 2015 20:07:59 Moscow Shipment Received At Tnt Location
For those getting the “Shipped” status: When was your estimated delivery date when it was “Preparing to ship”?
ChristianGeek, Take a deep breath. I know you wanted so much to be right….. But alas you’re wrong. You tried and failed, happy halloween.
Mine just got delivered!!! Can’t wait to try it out :)
I can see items in the App Store but can’t seem to download them yet :(
Check that, maybe it was an issue after restoring the pre-release hardware. Did a reboot and I can now download apps.