With every new software update, Apple is making its Apple TV set-top boxes more and more entertaining. The company has now released a software update for its second and third generation iterations of Apple TV.

The new Apple TV software 5.3 brings applications like HBO Go and WatchESPN to the Apple TV. The arrival of these two applications will enable the users of Apple TV to watch videos from HBO and ESPN. However, in order to enjoy the services of these two applications, the customers must have subscriptions of HBO and ESPN through their cable operators.

The new software brings new features to the Apple TV, but Apple doesn't discontinue anything to accommodate the new applications.

"HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "We continue to offer Apple TV users great new programming options, combined with access to all of the incredible content they can purchase from the iTunes Store."

In addition to HBO and ESPN, Apple has also tied up with SKY News, Crunchyroll and Quello for live news, sports and other TV programs.

In the last Apple TV software update, Apple didn't bring any new applications to the set-top boxes but it fixed many issues related to the Apple TV with the new update.

The 5.2.1 update solved the synching issue related to Netflix episodes. The update also patched the earlier jailbreak for the Apple TV.

The 5.2.1 firmware update patched the evasi0n exploit used in Apple TV 5.2 jailbreak, but people whose Apple TV was running on Seas0nPass that supported the Apple TV 5.2 and wanted to keep the jailbreak stayed away from the Apple TV 5.2.1 update.

The new Apple TV 5.3 update can be flashed both, the native and iTune ways. The native way lets you flash the new software within the Apple TV interface, but if you wish to install the new update using iTunes, then here are the download links for you: Apple TV 2G 5.3 (10B808) and Apple TV 3G 5.3 (10B809).