I want my iTV NOW!

Hot off da intarweb, Apple has announced -- among other iPod-type things -- the new iTV (tentative name), a set-top box that lets you stream all your movies, music, photos, podcasts, etc. from your Macintosh or Windows computer to the television set of your choice. All for a reasonable $299.

While it's not exactly the set-top box I was hoping for, it's sufficiently user-friendly for me to want one immediately -- I've got a fair load of digital media that my techno-phobic family doesn't have easy access to, especially photos, and this is the perfect solution for them.

Unfortunately, according to Da Steve, the iTV won't be available until the first quarter of 2007. Agggh! Why tease me with such lickable toys when I can't buy it now???

Oh well, time to start saving the pennies...

(Image courtesy of the Engadget event coverage)