If anyone has already read any of my other Apple reviews, then you'll know I'm a bit of a fan to say the least. This gadget is called Apple TV. This is a very small smooth sided black box with the Apple TV Logo on the top. It's only around 10 centimeters squared, and only 2.3 centimetres high. This means it can sit absolutely anywhere without getting in the way or standing out too much that it takes away from your home cinema set up.

This little box works through a HDMI connection ( A HDMI cable is NOT included ) this means it needs to be plugged into a new high definition TV of at least 720p resolution. This is the second generation of Apple TV and is a much better version than the original model from a few years ago. The reason this little box needed to be plugged up to my flat screen TV was that it could then begin to stream content live directly from my iPod touch, my iPhone and most impressively and easily from my iPad2. Not only that I can also stream straight from my Mac and my iMac. Streaming means, I can send photos, videos, songs and movies wirelessly through the air straight to the Apple TV and straight up on to my large screen TV.

The box it's self can work independently from all the Apple devices. It can stream Internet channels like YouTube and Flicker without the need of any other device, so you actualy don't have to own any other Apple device to use and enjoy this gadget. To enjoy what this box has to offer I simply had to connect it to my wireless wifi network or you can also connect it via an Ethernet cable.
Once I had done this, all I had to do was enter my Apple account information just incase anyone in my family wanted to make any purchases and off I went. If you wish you can also connect an optical cable to the back and run this into your surround sound system as this supports 5.1 surround sound, and the results are really great. Their is a slim, heavy, sliver and black, quality remote included. This makes using the onscreen menus very easy. These menus are simple to understand and navigate. But this box really comes alive once you select the Internet tab. This instantly changes your TV into a computer screen. Now I can watch my favourite clips and shows that I've missed via YouTube and most are broadcast in full HD. Updates are sent regularly via the Internet to this magic box, so you will always have the most up to date firmware installed. Most recently iOS 5 was released and this has changed how I use my iPad and Apple TV together dramatically.

The rest of my family use this to occasionally rent movies through the box. And more times than not view their own Holiday photos, or friends Flicker pages. But if you connect through an iPad you then can access twitter, Facebook, play games and even Skype.

This is a small box with a lot of strength. It can be used for so many things and the number of uses is growing every day. It's discreet and stylish and can be purchased from amazon.co.uk for only £84.99 + shipping.