*Note* You are required to watch the videos on top of reading the instructions.  I suggest just sitting back and enjoying the watch and then attempting this.

UNTETHERED JAILBREAK RELEASED FOR Version 4.4.4, follow the exact guide below, however, before doing so, connect your Apple T.V 2 to iTunes and click “Restore” It will take it to factory settings and update it to 4.4.4 and then you can do the process as described below!

(skip to 4th paragraph to start JB)

I was completely underwhelmed with my purchase of an Apple T.V 2.  Shortly after picking up my iPad 2, I thought that I would be able to use AirPlay on a bunch of apps and view them on my HDTV.  Aside from a few select apps this is not possible! In fact all you need to do is purchase the $45 HDMI adaptor for mirroring (everything you do is put up on the big screen) that they sell, it is wired and you don’t need the Apple T.V for that.  I realize that in future updates to the iOS they may enable it so that every app can use AirPlay but until then my Apple TV 2 is useless.  I have a PS3, Xbox 360, and a WDTV, at $119.99 Canadian and $99.99 U.S for the ATV2 it is not what I consider to be a good buy especially with those other media devices!  That is until I discovered something known as JailBreak. I have Jail Broken my original iPhone, and almost everyone with an iPhone has at least heard of something called Cydia, but for those who Jail Broke the first iPhone know that it was a much more involved process that was risky.  I’m not saying that Jail Breaking the ATV2 is risky, but it’s not risk free either.  I’m not a computer programmer, but do consider my self tech savvy and thought I could add my take on how to go about Jail Breaking the ATV2. I decided to do some research on it and here’s what I found on the ATV2 and JB.

The ATV2 has an HDMI output only, granted this means only newer generation TV’s can support it, this shouldn’t be a huge factor as many people have this technology now, but something to know just in case. It supports 720P playback but trying to play that file wirelessly from your media server is next to impossible.  Playing YouTube videos and viewing your pictures is essentially all it does.   Here’s where JailBreaking comes in.  By JailBreaking you can begin installing third party apps that allow you to do many more things with your ATV2.  For my purposes I’m going to outline how to get from Jailbreak, to installing Nito, XBMC and then IceFilms.  After that you can search for some other cool third party apps to install, but at least with this you can have literally thousands of hours of T.V and movies to watch.

You need to have a micro USB cable for this to work.  If you have either a BlackBerry, Nokia, or most Android phones then you already have this cable.  The USB power cord that comes with most models it is the wire you require, just take it apart.  You’ll know instantly if it is the correct one.  (The other ones don’t come apart, lol) There are different types of Jail Break’s available, this covers version 4.4.4.

I was going to create my own video, but there are enough video’s out there that I just decided to use them along with some of my own.  I will try to help you to fill in the blanks as I believe there are some important instructions left out.

Do not plug in your ATV2 until instructed!

JailBreaking

Download “SeasOnPass” here

For those using a Mac, ensure that your file stays zipped as Mac’s will automatically unzip your file for you, when SSH’ing this file over to your Apple T.V 2 unzipped it will not be recognized, quick reference in comment  #2 how to fix that here.

AT Step 4 in the Youtube video below when it will ask you to put your ATV2 in DFU mode, without the power cord, plug the ATV2 to your PC with the Micro USB, now holding both PLAY/PAUSE buttons for approx. 7 seconds and then let go.  You should be in DFU mode.  I have JB a few ATV2’s, one time I was unable to get my ATV2 into DFU mode, searching the internet, a trick I learned was to plug in the power cord and power the unit with the micro USB plugged in to the PC and the ATV2, then unplug the power cord only and hold the Play/Pause buttons and it will enter DFU mode.  Remember this is only required if the standard method is not working for you.

AT Step 5 when iTunes opens you have to hold the Shift key and then click restore, then click on the file that was created by SeasonPass, it should be called something like this, “AppleTV2,1_SP_restore” or something similar.

Once completed your ATV2 is now JailBroken and you are now 1/4 of the way done.

Installing NitoTV

Connect your ATV2 to your T.V and turn it on now.

Download “Putty” here

To find your I.P address, connect your ATV2 to your T.V and turn it on, go to Settings, then General, and then About, your I.P address should be listed there.

Start Putty!

xtech’s has created a second more easier to use video, Does the same thing as above, but its a bit easier to follow.

In case you are having trouble following here is the commands he is typing out for you, you can copy and paste them one by one, but say yes to any prompts that come up!

Important Information:  Login: Root / Password: alpine

echo “deb http: //atp.awkwardtv.org ./” > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/awkwardtv.list

“echo space quote deb space http colon // atp dot awkwardtv dot org space dot / quote > space / etc / apt / sources dot list dot d / awkwardtv dot list” (thanks to Quasi_Mojo for clarity, this line is same as above but with spacing added for support)

apt-get update

apt-get install com.nito.nitoTV

killall Lowtide

Congrats, you are 2/4 of the way done!

Installing XBMC

Go back into Putty and run command

apt-get update

apt-get upgrade

This will make sure all your packages are up to date before you install xbmc and any other plugins you plan to add. Say yes to any prompts!

You have to wait until it is completed of course, I just skipped the final step because I already had it done!

Congrats, you are 3/4 of the way done!

Installing IceFilms

Now go here and complete Step 1, you have already done step 2 and most of Step 3.

Navi-X Repo (Just download the repo and do the same to it as your IceFilms repo)

Download WinSCP here.

Start WinSCP and put in your I.P address with the Username: root and Password: alpine

Click on Login and then Yes and a window like this will open. The left screen is your P.C and the right is the directory folder of your ATV2

You have to place the file you downloaded called repository.googlecode.anarchintosh-projects from your P.C (keep it zipped, some MAC’s automatically unzip the folder, make sure it stays zipped) into a folder called the “ /private/var/mobile/Media”  on your ATV2.

Now, start XBMC, and follow my video,

From there you should go to Add-ons, then click Get Add ON then click Anarchintosh Addons then click Video Add Ons then click Ice Films.  This should begin the install.  Once completed, go all the way out to where ‘system’ was and instead scroll up to go to Videos then click on Video Add-ons then click on IceFilms.

You will have to download ‘the pictures’ folder (automatically prompts you) and you should be good to go, feel free to rate and if you need assistance comment and I’ll try my best to help you!

Finished! Read below for issues that will occur inevitably and how to fix them.

Updated for corrections June 19th, 2011:  Sorry for some confusion, there were a few errors I made in the install process that I discovered while JB an APTV2 with a friend.  This new version is tested and proven.

Update July 23rd, 2011: Regarding a question below, after everything is said and done and going into the Anarchintosh addon and clicking it, there is nothing there.  You get there by going to System/Add-ons/ Get Add-on/ then Anarchintosh Addons but then there is nothing there where there should be Video-Add Ons and then Ice Films.  Taking the power plug off and waiting 5-10 minutes solved this problem when I encountered it.  Good luck!

Update July 31st, 2011: Added Video to show how to do a full IceFilms install after SSH’ing the repo over and how to fix the Missing IceFilms issue.

Update November 25th, 2011: Some minor changes, added support line to SSH Nito TV below original line for spacing.

Update January 4th, 2012: Added how to stop a Mac from automatically unzipping a file while being downloaded.

Update January 10th, 2012: Added new SSH video with simplified instructions.

Update February 21st, 2012: Added new instruction after installing XBMC (Thanks to  7-Endless from RFD forums for this information)

Part 1

Part 2

Update August 4th, 2011:  The problem for some is that Apple T.V keeps searching for updates and you keep getting kicked out what you are watching at the same point it feels like or 5 minutes into watching a show.  UpdateBeGone doesn’t work.  This is the SSH method.

This seems to be missed by allot of people and as a result some people are updating to 4.3 to stop XBMC from “crashing”…

SSH into your Apple TV 2 using either Putty if your a Windows user or the Mac/Linux terminal

For Linux/Mac users “ssh root@ipaddress” when prompted enter the password, probably alpine if you haven’t changed it.

Backup your hosts file:

cp /etc/hosts /etc/hosts.bak

If you need/want to restore the original hosts file do the reverse:

cp /etc/hosts.bak /etc/hosts

Paste the below commands, this adds entries to the hosts file that effectively block updates.

echo "127.0.0.1 appldnld.apple.com" >> /etc/hosts
echo "127.0.0.1 mesu.apple.com" >> /etc/hosts
echo "127.0.0.1 appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net" >> /etc/hosts

If you wish to undo these changes you can use a unix utility named sed via ssh using these 3 lines:

sed -i '/127.0.0.1 appldnld.apple.com/d' /etc/hosts
sed -i '/127.0.0.1 mesu.apple.com/d' /etc/hosts
sed -i '/127.0.0.1 appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/d' /etc/hosts

Thanks to ‘bircoe’ from the XBMC community forums for this info!

Update January 16th, 2012: Added a currently Known Bug/Issue Section (see right below)

Currently Known Issues

1. XBMC / IceFilms crashes after 1 hour or so of viewing.  (No known fix Problem has been reported on forums)

2. In IceFilms when playing a T.V show or Movie and cancelling it, will not be able to play another movie or film until restarting (power cycle) Apple T.V 2.  (No known fix)

3. MegaUpload down. IceFilms no longer works. (No fix for foreseeable future!)

4. XBMC Crashes after 3 seconds (Solution!) Upgrade to XBMC: EDEN Beta 2

Eden Beta

No more nightly builds! Eden beta 1 is here! If you installed for the first time today using the above instructions then you already have Beta 1. If not, either update through NitoTV or issue the following commands to update your Cydia copy:

Open up your terminal/ssh application and enter the following command to log in to your ATV2:

ssh root@YOUR.ATV2.IP.ADDRESS

You will be asked for a password: default password is alpine

Continue to enter the following commands:

apt-get update

apt-get install org.xbmc.xbmc-atv2

You should now have Eden Beta 2 for ATV2.

Now keep in mind this is a clever ploy by Apple to allow people to feel welcome at the Apple Store and not to mention the insanely free publicity.  I think I also saw an overweight Apple employee in the video…(So they do exist)

Watch Video here.

And the rumour mill keeps churning!  According to a few sources the next iPhone, whatever it will be called (4s, 5) will have 1700 MHz capability.  What that means is that it will be able to work on T-Mobile, which in turn means that we Canadians will have an iPhone that works on Wind / Mobilicity!  Of course we have heard many crazy things before and this is just the latest in the rumour mill.  But it would be great to have an iPhone to go along with that unlimited text, data, and chat plan you are holding.   Or at least you should be!

Which is why RIM is announcing layoffs, of course when your CEO’s vision fails to meet even basic expectations, it’s the working man (and woman) who faces the consequences. As of this writing RIM shares are taking a beating, it’s probably time for those who know how to trade to buy shares or to start making a move on their positions, but at what point does and how long can a company like Google or Apple stay away from buying out RIM not just for its mobile users but for its corporate enterprise software and for the highly touted QNX O.S that we keep hearing about? I don’t want to say it is the beginning of the end for RIM because realistically iMessage was that beginning and this is the most likely the ‘middle of the end.’

Not all of RIM’s issues are due to its tablet, in fact, its more likely due to the acceptance that they will not meet their revenues from the previous year and that going forward stiff competition from Google and Apple (Galaxy Tab 10.1, iPhone 5 etc.) will only further degrade revenue streams for RIM, whether or not layoffs and any potential restructuring will save shareholder value will be the concern going forward. What RIM should have learned from Samsung is that it’s okay to copy and get sued, as ‘plagiarism is the sincerest form of imitation’ especially when the product you can copy is an outright success. So why bother creating something that is untested and unproven in a smaller form factor when those before you have failed to obtain any significant market share (see other 7” tablets) and when the winning formula is there for you to copy. Oh, I know many of you won’t like that argument, but I say welcome to the real world, where you can’t reinvent the wheel and when you try to innovate something that someone else created 3 months ago and it takes you a year to get it to market and then they release a better version of it before you, this happens. Funny how real life works.

Now for those of you who don’t know Reddit, I warn you, this place can be very addicting, so I take no responsibility if you become addicted to other things while learning about your Touchpad.  So without further delay, I give you the link!

Now if you listen to the Apple camp, it’s the death march for Flash.  I have a different take on it.  Apple has basically designed their devices so that everyone who accesses it through their devices has a great and easy to use experience.  They may isolate some parts of the internet, but to the average user they will never notice. Google and its fans want everyone to have access to everything.  This sometimes causes compatibility issues and crashes.  Now it is easy to sit back and argue that within the confines of the mobile apparatus that it would be more efficient to have a device that works on demand and loads pages quickly and uses battery power efficiently but, and I’ll highlight that ‘but’ for emphasis, the onus should be on battery makers to develop more slim and powerful batteries and website developers to develop great content that loads quickly and easily.  I’m not talking mobile versions of browsers either, that in my opinion was like putting duck tape on a bullet wound.  I think the public wants smart phones that live up to their moniker and will give them access to the internet in whole.

If you’ve read my other blogs, I think I don’t have to defend my position on Apple.  I love their products and so do the people in my household.  What will come as a surprise is that I will defend Google today too.  Mark it on your calendar, 03/06/11!

Steve Jobs talks about his position on html as an ascending technology while Flash (he implies) is a descending technology.  In reality it’s about control, anyone who has ever read an Email from Jobs or heard about his legendary arrogance will know what I am talking about.  Its served Apple and its shareholders well to this point, so how do you argue with a man that 99/100 of his ideas are fantastic and that he is wrong about that 1.  The answer is you can’t!

Here’s where I think he’s wrong, according to Apple, the future is in Apps.  What happens if someone creates live T.V on the internet and it uses flash?  It makes sense that if I have a device like an iPad that if live T.V were available and I was somewhere where I didn’t have access to a T.V that I should be able to watch in on my iPad.  That’s the true direction of live T.V and mobile devices.  Here’s where this came to me.  I was stuck, well that’s not fair, we’ll say attending a wedding last Monday.  I have been known to put a buck or two on sporting events.  Having my Google phone, I quickly searched, “Watch NBA live”, I clicked on the first link and bam I was watching the Mavericks and Thunder playing live instantly.  I had a few people around me and they were all amazed that I could do this.  Someone with an iPhone tried and failed, and at that instant, I had made an Apple user feel inadequate.  I hope I didn’t distort his perception of reality and that he will be fine, but I think the writing was on the wall for the poor guy. (Just kidding, I’m sure he will be fine, it was an open bar after all.)  I’m sure you have all heard the jokes out there, that if Apple made Cars…if not, then here you go…

I’ve heard the technical reasons why Apple doesn’t use Flash I’ve heard the practical reasons why Apple doesn’t use flash but while I was doing a Wiki search on Shantanu Narayen it lists him starting his career at Apple and then moving on to pioneer the concept of digital photography with Pictra Inc. until he becomes CEO at Adobe. I think him being an former employee of Apple has more to do with Flash not being on iDevices then anything else, if you catch my drift.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/ipad-hd-announcement-updated-1140931/

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/07/apple-unveils-new-ipad-hd/

Or the other media various media outlets  that make fun of the iDevices we have in our home.  It begs the question, at what point are we buying technology products for their actual worth and are there really such things as Apple ‘sheep?’  Reading through internet forums and even having discussions with sales people buying non Apple products seems to easily solicit feelings on the subject.