Steve Jobs announced the 40GB Apple TV alongside new iPods at one of its press events on September 12, 2006 (yes, it's really been that long). Since then, it has experienced one storage increase, two major software upgrades, and support for a handful of new media sources such as YouTube, HD rentals and purchases from iTunes Store, photo galleries from MobileMe and Flickr, and access to the iTunes Store's podcast directory.

The core purpose of the Apple TV, however, has remained the same since its debut: it's an "iPod for your TV," anchored--for better and worse--to iTunes. Its simple goal is to make it easier to bridge the gap between your computer and your living room TV. If your iTunes library happens to be smaller than the original 40GB or current 160GB models, the Apple TV can indeed act as a faithful iPod for your TV. But if you just happen to watch a lot of video on your TV, and your iTunes library has ballooned in size over the year, you probably have had to play the "what should I sync" game of iTunes musical chairs on more than one occasion. That, or you need to leave the computer with your iTunes content on for streaming all the time.

Of course, if you're looking for more from the Apple TV--you prefer to rent or subscribe to your video content, say--you probably haven't bought an Apple TV. Which means you are a prime target for the latest wave of the Apple TV's competition for the living room.