Get to Know the Second Generation Apple TV
While the original Apple TV stored content locally–whether by syncing from a user’s iTunes library or via download from the iTunes Store—the second-generation model is almost entirely Internet-centric. Instead of syncing content, this device streams it from iTunes libraries via AirPlay, the iTunes Store, iCloud, or other online services using built-in apps like Netflix, Hulu, MLB.TV, YouTube, and more. Because it doesn’t need it, the device doesn’t offer much in the way of local storage. It does have 8 GB of Flash memory used for storing streamed content, however. This version of the Apple TV runs a modified version of the operating system Apple uses for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Specifically, the firmware is a variation of iOS 7. Future versions would continue to use a version of iOS until the fourth-generation hardware, which finally got its own framework: tvOS. Here are some more technical details from the second-generation Apple TV: From left to right, they are:
