Bringing magic back
to couch potatoes

Apple TV's latest software update enables owners to rent movies on iTunes without having to use a computer.

Some videos available for rent are in HD, a welcome to users that have upgraded to flat screen televisions.

iTunes currently provides 81 HD quality movies, with plans to reach 100 at the end of February. The other 280 rentals are in DVD resolution, which the Boston Globe claims "look mushier."

The update follows a software update from Apple TV rival Vudu. And in January Netflix, which already offers unlimited streaming of movies from its website, began selling proprietary set-top boxes for direct-to-TV rentals.