[Joshua Ochs @ Mar 29th 2007 2:48AM]

Before anyone flies off the handle, look into how the Tivo handles things (it's similarly a UNIX-ish system underneath a lovely UI). By default, it checksums everything on the disk at startup, and if anything is found modified, it resets it back to defaults. It sounds like Apple is doing something similar, but maybe only every few reboots, or as suggested, on a timer. I'd say a software update or "phone home" is less likely, but whatever the cause, I'm sure we'll know by this time tomorrow.

No, Apple does NOT have access to your box (at the most basic level, they'd never be able to get around your router without a forwarded port - something you'd have to set up explicitly). So please, stop with the "OMG Apple's Haxxoring my boxen!" stuff right now.

To the hackers - start checking what launchd is up to, and see if the kernel is "stock" or not. I have a feeling within a month or so this box will be much better understood, and we'll have a LOT of very interesting hacks, plugins, and applications for the little beastie. :) Who knows - maybe I'll end up getting one after all instead of the Mini I've been wanting.

[Matt @ Mar 29th 2007 11:34AM]

Apple can theoretically still controll the ATV remotely even with out port forwarding if the device is requesting information from a remote server.