One of the hottest rumors going around the Intertubes these days is that the Apple TV will be able to play games. The main cannon, or "smoking gun," if you will, used in defense of this theory is MacScoop's claim that an internal iTunes file provides clear evidence that the Apple TV will indeed be capable of playing games.

The iTunes file in question contains the strings that appear in dialog boxes. One string in particular reads, "Are you sure you want to sync games? All existing games on the Apple TV "^1" will be replaced with games from this iTunes library." MacUser, however, contends that this string of code is hardly any evidence.

According to MacUser, anybody who takes a quick look at the file /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/Resources/English.lproj/Localizable.strings will find that the section of strings that applies to the Apple TV is "pretty much identical to the section of strings for the iPod (with, of course, all instances of "iPod" replaced with "Apple TV")."

Hence, MacUser says, the only thing the whole "string theory" proves is that "the developer in charge of updating the strings knows how to use copy/paste and find/replace." Of course, Apple could still bring games to the Apple TV in the future, but as MacUser says, Apple is more likely to announce the feature with much fanfare, not hiding it in a text file.

Are you ready for an update, iTuners? Well and good, because iTunes' 7.1 update is now here. What's new in this version? Now you can enjoy your fave iTunes movies and TV shows as well as more goodies right in your own couch via the Apple TV.

Get to preview and purchase high-quality hit movies as well get new and classic games that were designed especially for the Fifth Generation iPod. With update 7.1. You'll also find that this new software supports a new full screen Cover Flow. Organize your iTunes according to how it will suit your preferences best through the improved sorting options on board.

Get the iTunes 7.1 update right here by clicking on the Download link below. Enjoy, folks!

Download: iTunes 7.1

 

On to some non-iPhone related news, for a change - although it could be because of all that lavish attention being, well, lavished on Apple's newest darling. Reuters reports that the launch of the Apple TV streaming box has been delayed from end-of-the-month expectations to mid-March.

We don't know what slipped. "Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected, and we now expect to begin shipments mid-March," an Apple spokesperson replied by email to queries from Reuters (Obviously the reply doesn't refer to wrapping the product up in shipping boxes...).

On the other hand, the delay is only a couple of weeks, so it's probably a so-not-the-drama reason. Unless there's another, unforeseen delay.

A lot of people have been desperately waiting for news regarding the release date of the Apple TV. Just to keep you on your toes (just kidding), here's a still-to-be-confirmed update on the little doodad's release.

Matt Buchanan of Gizmodo recently posted about his experience in the Soho Apple Store, where he "played the dumb consumer" in order to get some details on the Apple TV's actual ship date. According to Buchanan, store employees pointed towards a February 27 ship date, although an "if we get it then" comment from the very same employees keeps that date from being a lock.

Still, it looks like the Apple TV will definitely be making its way to retail stores sometime by the end of this month or the beginning of March. Keep checking back here at the QJ Apple blog for more updates.

Even though the iPhone made quite a bang at the recent MacWorld, it's still quite interesting how some other items have almost slipped quietly past everyone's attention. So, while you're all ogling at some iPhone images, let us divert your attention to the AirPort Extreme.

Shipping this February for US$ 179, the AirPort Extreme Base Station is a wireless router that provides a secure network for you and 50 other peers. It's five times faster and covers twice the range/distance of the previous 802.11g standard. The device is clocked at 802.11n wireless technology, but all the same, it's still compatible with other devices using the previous Wi-Fi standards.

Built with the same Mac philosophy as Apple's other products, the AirPort Extreme is easy enough to set up and find a place to tuck it into. In fact, this would go well with that new Apple TV that you might be planning to get.

For more info, tech specs, and/or to place your orders, click the "Read" link below.