Apple today introduced new Apple TV 3.0 software featuring a redesigned main menu for easier navigation and on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases, HD TV shows, music and podcasts from the iTunes Store.

The new Apple TV software is available free of charge to existing Apple TV owners, and Apple TV with 160GB capacity is available for just $229.

"The new software for Apple TV features a simpler and faster interface that gives you instant access to your favorite content," said Eddy Cue, Apple?s vice president of Internet Services. "HD movies and HD TV shows from iTunes have been a huge hit with Apple TV customers, and with Apple TV 3.0 they get great new features including iTunes Extras, Genius Mixes and Internet radio."

The redesigned main menu on Apple TV gives users instant access to their favorite content. Recently rented or purchased movies, as well as other content including TV shows, music, podcasts, photos and YouTube, are accessible directly from the new main menu. The new software also allows Apple TV users to enjoy fullscreen iTunes Extras and iTunes LP, including great new movie titles such as "Star Trek" and albums. iTunes Extras gives movie fans additional content such as deleted scenes, interviews and interactive galleries. iTunes LP combines design with expanded visual features like live performance videos, lyrics, artwork, liner notes, interviews, photos, album credits and more.

Now Apple TV users can also enjoy Genius Mixes through their home theater system and listen to up to 12 endless mixes of songs that go great together, automatically generated from their iTunes library. Users can also enjoy Internet radio, allowing them to browse and listen to Internet radio stations, as well as tag favorite stations to listen to later. Apple TV?s support of HD photos is enhanced with iPhoto Events, which simplifies finding photos on Apple TV, as well as iPhoto Faces, which gives access to photos organized by people identified in iPhoto.

Apple TV users have direct access to Hollywood films on iTunes including over 2,000 in HD video available for rent or purchase. Users can also choose from a selection of 11 million songs, 10,000 music videos and over 50,000 TV episodes to purchase directly from their Apple TV or browse the iTunes Store podcast directory of over 175,000 free video and audio podcasts. Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user?s computer for enjoyment on their Mac or PC or all current generation iPods or iPhones. iPod touch or iPhone?users can download the free Remote app from the App Store to control their Apple TV with a simple tap or flick of the finger.

The new Apple TV software is available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers. The 160GB Apple TV is available from the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple?s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $229 (US). Apple TV requires an 802.11b/g/n wireless network or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition widescreen TV. Video availability varies by country.

Apple TV connects to widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports.