Many people have assumed that the Apple TV unit was merely just a hobby for Apple and that is doesn't take away their focus from their important products such as the iPhone and the iPad. It does seem thought that Apple are paying more attention to this little black set top box and this is going to become even more evident with the next iOS update. The next iOS software update is going to see the addition of Bluetooth support for the Apple TV set top box.
It was almost twelve months ago when the code for this was discovered in the Apple TV iOS code base and this alerted us to the fact that Apple was planning on adding support to allow users to connect Bluetooth devices to the Apple TV. It now seems that this is about to become a reality. The lastest beta release of iOS for the Apple TV brings with it a dedicated Bluetooth menu that wasn't in previous releases. It also allows users to connect Bluetooth enabled wireless keyboards directly to the unit which negates the need for using the infrared controller.
When you take into consideration that a lot of Apple TV owners also own a Mac and will have one of Apple's official Bluetooth wireless keyboards, it comes as a very welcome surprize to see official connectivity support coming in the next release of iOS for the device. Now rather than having to fiddle with the small silver remote that comes with the Apple TV, users will be able to use the navigation keys on the keyboard to whizz through the menu. More importantly though, they will be able to type directly on the keyboard for text entry rather than having to rely on the software based keyword or using the Apple Remote app from an iOS device.
Early testing of the iOS beta for the Apple TV has shown the Apple has only added the ability to pair Bluetooth keyboards with the unit and it doesn't allow the connect from bluetooth speakers or headphones. We don't yet know if Apple plan to open the Bluetooth protocol up to additional devices or whether they want to keep it only for their wireless keyboards. Either way though, we see it as a step in the right direction and as welcome news for all Apple TV owners.
