Apple TV jail broken using SHAtter

Apple released the first Apple TV iOS-based firmware today and the iPhone Dev Team was able to jailbreak it. Some developers already started to experiment with the files found on the firmware. It looks like the main Apple TV interface application is called “Lowtide”. The application is not signed and one of the developers was able to port it in a fourth generation iPod touch.

In a recent report it was found that Chronic Development Team member, ‘pod2g’, discovered a low-level boot ROM exploit that could be used as a potential jailbreak path for the iOS 4.x. The hacker since used his ‘SHAtter” tool to decrypt the iOS 4.1 firmaware version intended for the Apple TV. This was seen as the first step towards finding a reliable jailbreak method.

Hackers since issued warnings to fellow hackers that those interested in an Apple TV jailbreak should buy the device early, before Apple could patch the flaw that SHAtter uses at the factory.

Hacking the Apple TV could allow users access to additional sources of content or allow users to access video on a connected USB hard drive. Many users claim that games could also be run on the Apple TV, with an iOS device acting as a controller.

Whether the new Apple TV indeed was jailbroken remains pure speculation until confirmed instances of the device appears in the market.