It seems Apple has realized people may actually want to purchase content and watch it on their Apple TV devices instead of just stream content from a very limited set of suppliers. To facilitate this, the company issued an update to the Apple TV late yesterday that will allow users to stream purchased high-definition TV shows directly from iTunes.

Specifically, the update makes the following changes:

• iTunes TV Shows: Purchase your favorite TV shows directly from the iTunes Store and watch the shows you already own, commercial-free, in HD.

• Vimeo: Browse and play videos from Vimeo, access your video inbox, and mark videos you want to watch later.

You may recall that when the second generation Apple TV first launched it only allowed users to rent movies and shows and there was not an option to purchase titles for permanent ownership. Now, that’s changed — at least for TV programs.

For users in the U.S., Apple has also rolled out preliminary iCloud support with this update, allowing users to re-download some purchased television shows, though movie support is not yet available. We expect full iCloud support sometime in the next few months.

I guess its’s a good thing I decided not to cancel HBO. If you’re considering ditching your premium subsctiption to the HBO service, you might want to re-think it too. Why? Read on.

The long-anticipated HBO Go app just hit the iOS App Store and Android Market, bringing original HBO series and a variety of blockbuster films to your mobile device. You’ll need an HBO subscription with your cable or satellite provider to get past the login screen, but unlocking all that the service has to offer is a pretty easy experience.

Although, it doesn’t seem Time Warner Cable is participating so if you’ve got that cable service, you’re out of luck — at least for now.

However, as I’m both a Time Warner and DirecTV subsciber (don’t ask) I was able to authenticae using my DirecTV sibsctiption and was off and running. This app features a pretty amazing collection of programming including pretty much every episode of every show HBO has ever aired plus many of their movies as well. Plus, you can also watch these programs via your computer as well. But you’ve got that fancy iPad or iPhone so why not watch it on those instead, right?

So, if you’re an HBO subscriber, head on over to your iOS or Android stores and check this app out. It’s pretty cool.

For some reason tech companies seem to think everyone wants a tablet computer. Sure, Apple’s iPad and iPad2 have sold very well and many customers are very satisfied with their purchases. However, Apple, while a significant Tech company with worldwide influence, has had success with a tablet computer, that doesn’t mean everyone wants one or needs one.

Of course, that doesn’t stop companies like Sony from jumping on the bandwagon and coming out with tablets of their own. Really, when has Sony ever tried to miss a bandwagon or, in many cases, try to make one of its own (yes Betamax, MiniDisc and UMD I’m talking about you).

That said, the tablets in question — the S1 and S2 — do look okay and will probably work just fine for those of you not wanting to give Apple any more of your hard earned money for the superior iPad 2 experience. Although, I’m sure many fans would rather Sony spend its time fixing the Playstation Network and far less time putting out tablet computers that most people aren’t going to buy, much like the Motorola Xoom and the RIM Playbook.

However, if you’re still interested, check the video out after the jump.

iPhone users take note, your device is not the one that most people want anymore. How do we know? The Nielsen Company on Tuesday released the findings of its latest smartphone survey, which asked people planning to purchase new smartphones which platform they intended to use.

When asked that question between June and September of last year, 33% said iOS, 26% said Android and 13% said BlackBerry. When a new group was asked the same question between January and March of 2011, Android moved ahead of Apple’s iOS platform to become the most wanted.

In this new survey, 31% planned to purchase an Android phone, 30% planned to buy an iPhone and 11% were considering BlackBerry devices. So there you have it, the iPhone is dead.

Oh wait, its only 1%. I guess iPhone is probably going to be okay — at least for now.

In case you haven’t been keeping up with current iPhone location tracking events, it was recently revealed that cellular iOS devices such as the iPhone and 3G enabled iPad collect location data from where you are and store it in an unencrypted file on the device.

However, according to an email purported to be from Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Apple does not track anyone. Android, however, does. Here’s the exchange, according to a MacRumors reader:

Q: Steve,

Could you please explain the necessity of the passive location-tracking tool embedded in my iPhone? It’s kind of unnerving knowing that my exact location is being recorded at all times. Maybe you could shed some light on this for me before I switch to a Droid. They don’t track me.

A: Oh yes they do. We don’t track anyone. The info circulating around is false.

Sent from my iPhone

So, if this is really from Steve Jobs and you have a cellular iOS device, I guess you don’t need to worry about Apple tracking your every move. If you’ve got an Android-powered device, I guess you’re not out of the woods yet.

Of course, the question is if this email is really from Steve Jobs and if so, do we believe him? More on this as it develops. Meanwhile, I would bet we’ll see a software update sooner or later that addresses this “issue” which will either eliminate it all together or do a better job of hiding it.

Either way, the other big question is does anyone but a vocal minority actually care if their location data is being tracked? If you have an opinion one way or the other, be sure to sound off in the comments!

If you’re one of the people who love to video chat using your iPhone or Android device but often wish you could include a few more friends in the conversation, you’re in luck. Not because Apple is doing anything for you, at least not at the moment. No, it’s another company called fring to the rescue.

The company is working on a group video chat implementation for its iOS and Android apps. The update will eventually allow users to chat with up to four participants onscreen at once. For the moment this feature is in beta but the company’s developers are allowing users to sign up so they can test it out before it’s officially available in the App Store.

In a recent video, the company showcased its latest software running a group video chat session on iOS. Sadly, for whatever reason — beta software, poor wireless reception, slower iPhone 4 processor — the video is a tad choppy. Still, it’s nice to see a company taking something Apple started, building on it and trying to make it better.

Check out the video after the break.

Since last week I’ve been testing out the new Wi-Fi Finder App from Boingo. It’s been particularly handy the last day or so when, due to severe storms in LA and the apparently highly vulnerable Timer Warner infrastructure, my Internet went out and I was forced to seek alternative methods to connect and get my work done.

So, an application that’s purpose is to find and connect you to more than 325,000 hotspots (or more) should come in pretty handy in this situation. Not surprisingly, it did. The app was able to find several open Wi-Fi networks clost to my home that, if I wanted to, I could have connected to and used. It was also able to connect me quickly to a hotspot at a local Starbucks so I could get back online. All by launching one app and letting it do its thing.

But connecting you to hotspots isn’t the only thing this app does. It also boast these features:

• Connects to more than 325,000 hotspots from more than 125 network operators in 105 countries (I know, we covered that already, but its really cool)
• Connects to any open, free network that you may encounter
• Can determine the best available open network if more than one are present
• Can be configured to auto-connect to free networks

We know, you really, really, really wanted a new iPad 2. In fact, you even got in line for it and waited patiently. Sadly, as has happened in the past, Apple didn’t quite understand the demand for the new device (or didn’t care) so even though you waited in line, they sold out before you got one. Bummer, right?

Well, this news isn’t going to really cheer you up all that much, sorry. It seems demand for the new shiny bit of awesome is so great, Apple has pushed back estimated ship dates for new orders to a month (or more). Even though some Apple retail stores may be getting a second wave of iPad 2’s and releasing them to the public today, those of you wishing to avoid that insanity for the first (or more) times and who want to order online seem to be out of luck.

This new shipping estimate means orders placed today might not arrive for over a month. Apple’s shipping quotes do often overestimate the time it will take so orders might ship earlier than indicated. However, we wouldn’t suggest holding your breath for that one.

Still, there’s always Best Buy, WalMart or Target. They might have what you need. Well, probably don’t want to hold your breath for that either.

If you’ve been anxiously awaiting the chance to get your first experience with Apple’s latest slab of goodness or if you’re just tired of your iPad version 1.0, this announcement is for you. Apple, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless have all confirmed, via press releases, that tomorrow is the big day and the iPad 2 will be on sale.

Starting at 5PM local time, those of you with cash or credit card in hand can head on over to your nearest Apple, AT&T, or Verizon Wireless retail store and purchase the 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB iPad 2 in white or black.

If you go the AT&T route, here’s your data plan options:

• Monthly statements: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2GB. If you exceed your monthly data allotment you will be billed $14.99 for another 250MB on the $14.99 plan or $10 per 1 GB of overage on the 2 GB plan. You also get a free month of service with this plan.

• Credit card billing: $14.99 for 250 MB or $25 for 2 GB. If you exceed your monthly data allotment you may choose to purchase another 250 MB on the $14.99 plan or an additional 2 GB for $25 on the 2 GB plan.

As expected, Apple late yesterday released the latest version of its operating system for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, collectively known as iOS. This update brings the version of iOS to 4.3.

Important additions with this update include Apple’s new Personal Hotspot feature, which is now available on GSM versions of the iPhone 4. Previously, it had only been available to customers using Verizon’s CDMA iPhone. In addition, now available in iOS is AirPlay support for third-party apps.

This update is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, Apple TV and the third and fourth-generation iPod touch models. For full details on the update, head over to Apple’s website. If you do update, let us know how it goes in the comments.

As of yet, this update isn’t available for the Verizon iPhone 4. However, we expect that to drop in the next few days. At least we hope so or a few members of the staff are going to be a little cranky.