As of this writing, the US Apple Store was reporting mid-March shipment, but visitors to the UK and Australian sites were still being offered February delivery.
Although the company hasn't issued a media release on the matter, various US publications have been told by an Apple spokesperson that "Wrapping up Apple TV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected," but no detailed explanation was offered.
Apple TV is a draft 802.11n wireless device (an Ethernet interface is also included) with a hard drive that allows content - music, podcasts, TV shows, movies and photos - received or created on a Mac or PC to be played back on a widescreen TV set.
The hardware is reportedly based on a relatively low performance Intel CPU, and content from iTunes is cached onto the hard disk (in much the same way it can be synced to an iPod) allowing smooth playback regardless of network load.
The retail price of the Apple TV in the three countries is $US299, $A449 ($US356), £199 ($US390). At least some of the difference can be attributed to Goods and Services Tax in Australia and Value Added Tax in the UK.
