Apple Inc. has, for years, provided entertainment consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers; all of these have achieved widespread success and mass market adoption, so why not that be the case for Apple’s future in home entertainment with its desire to convert media to Apple TV-compatible formats?

Although Apple has yet to say for sure, the company plans to move into the world of home entertainment, as its TV sets do show evidence of this.

In 2007, this multinational company delivered its first generation of Apple TVs to the public. It was unveiled as a work in progress and intended to be used with one’s computer iTunes library allowing users to be able to stream audio and video files and record media to a hard drive storage unit. The product has gone through many changes since then and included new features, a higher resolution and a more user-friendly user interface as showed in two of its revisions: a second-generation version of the Apple TV hit the market in 2010 and a third version in 2012.

With the majority of U.S. households owning at least one television, there shall not be any reason why Apple should not be as successful in the home entertainment area as it has been with its well-liked consumer iOS devices.

Up to today, the third-generation Apple TV, which now supports 1080p – offering full HD video – runs iOS 6.1 and allows downloading/streaming of audio, video as well as podcasts via AirPlay, has been a real competitor in the market as seen by the growth in sales from the day it was released.

No other TV with similar features and functions is on the market. Therefore, it seems Apple has a future in home entertainment after all.

Apple’s third TV unit has been a major hit thus far mainly due to its ability to display photos from Flickr and iCloud, to allows users to download music, rent movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store as well as play YouTube and Vimeo videos. In addition, it provides full Internet radio support and features games.

Lately, there have been Apple TV rumors of a fourth-generation in the works to be released in the near future. It makes one wonder what will the company come up with next – more screen apps and other online media services available, maybe? How about Siri technology - will it be an integral part of the next Apple TV set as it has been for its iOS devices? Or what about including OLED television technology in the next unit? (Read here about Apple hiring an OLED expert.) Only time will tell. This could definitely set the Apple TV apart from its competitors.

At present, Apple consumers and commentators agree that the latest Apple TV set-top box is a top-notch video streamer, player and recorder that comes at an affordable price, $99, and delivers wanted home entertainment.

The Apple TV is a much admired unit from Apple fans; it has provided those who own it movies, TV shows, sports, music, photos and much more on their television. It has been an “indispensable living-room companion,” reveals the CNET Editors’ Rating.  

To find out more about the new Apple TV with 1080p HD, click here.