Apple Media Event Scheduled for September 1st

[WLS]

Sept 1 is kind of an unusual date to pick. Absolutely no leaks about this being the date which leads me to think that it was picked at the last minute.
It could be that they had several false dates planted with suspected leakers to see who was doing it and what else they might be leaking but it could also be that they picked this date to get the drop on Samsung's new 7 inch device introduction. Coming out first with with a 7 inch Touch or iPad device would establish a claim to that size tablet turf and scare off some of the competition.
That's what I am hoping for.

 

[dulcimer47]

Music on new iTV?

Does anyone have any reason to suspect that Apple would "disable" the ability to play (stream) music on the new iTV through HDMI out? With all the focus on video for the new device, I'm wondering if Apple might take out the music function, believing that in general, people do not use the device for music.

Seems unlikely, but it's just the kind of thing Apple does sometimes (see: removal of ExpressCard from 15" MBP)

Thanks.

 

[Repo]

All our other iOS devices have wifi, but the magic in those devices is too old.

Truer hypothetical words never spoken.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Does anyone have any reason to suspect that Apple would "disable" the ability to play (stream) music on the new iTV through HDMI out? With all the focus on video for the new device, I'm wondering if Apple might take out the music function, believing that in general, people do not use the device for music.

I can't see how they could make that decision. It's supposed to be your conduit for iTunes to your living room. That's actually one of the best features of the current version.

Furthermore, if it's supposed to be the hardware link to some kind of iTunes cloud, iTunes subscription service, etc, letting it deliver all iTunes media would just be a way to make more money on rentals/subscriptions.

It makes a lot of sense that iTV rumors would show a lot of focus on the TV part, but I wouldn't think it would kill the generally great benefits of the TV in it's replacement. If somehow it did happen, the whining would fly and a software update would bring it back (probably presented as a 'magical' new feature).

 

[dulcimer47]

I can't see how they could make that decision. It's supposed to be your conduit for iTunes to your living room. That's actually one of the best features of the current version.

Furthermore, if it's supposed to be the hardware link to some kind of iTunes cloud, iTunes subscription service, etc, letting it deliver all iTunes media would just be a way to make more money on rentals/subscriptions.

It makes a lot of sense that iTV rumors would show a lot of focus on the TV part, but I wouldn't think it would kill the generally great benefits of the TV in it's replacement. If somehow it did happen, the whining would fly and a software update would bring it back (probably presented as a 'magical' new feature).

Makes sense.

What about one of the new iTV apps being Safari?

Would Apple allow a web browser on the iTV? If so, and combined with the other media playback apps, it would likely eliminate the Mac mini-as-HTPC market... $700 Minis are a lot more expensive than the rumored new iTV...

Thoughts?

 

[mBox]

Yup, looks like Martin HD-28 to me, actually one is standing right next to me

Im jealous

 

[jonlanghoff]

Please gimme:

1) 1080p output
2) Use of external storage (NAS support)
3) DVB-C MPEG-4 tuner
4) World wide movie rentals

Then I'm good to go, pretty much no matter the price. ****** blu-ray.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Makes sense.

What about one of the new iTV apps being Safari?

Would Apple allow a web browser on the iTV? If so, and combined with the other media playback apps, it would likely eliminate the Mac mini-as-HTPC market... $700 Minis are a lot more expensive than the rumored new iTV...

Thoughts?

If it's going to be another iDevice, I don't see why they leave out common functionality on iDevices. Of course, there's some issues to address with software like Safari- and Mail, etc- such as how to cover the text input since you won't have a touch keyboard appear on your big screen TV that you can then go and input your info (boy that would be some big virtual keys- type with your elbows?).

But, maybe the remote apps on iDevices would cover that, and maybe it will have bluetooth for wireless keyboards (it will be fun keeping those on/near the couch)?

In any event, if it run iOS, and it's going to have third party apps, Apple might as well ship it with their browser and their mail app and their <other such iOS apps> rather than leaving them out and opening the door for Chrome, Firefox etc. to gain a bigger foothold.

See how just the concept of third party apps significantly pressures this to really be a game changer? Apple can't arbitrarily hold back anything in software, else third parties fill the gap. You might say that Apple will then block approvals, but if Apple doesn't want to include Safari, why block a third party browser? If Apple doesn't want to include Mail, why block a third party email client? Etc.

Ultimately, if Apple gimps the app side, and rejects third party apps to fill the gaps, there will probably just be a thriving jailbreak-type market. And Apple knows this.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Please gimme:

1) 1080p output
2) Use of external storage (NAS support)
3) DVB-C MPEG-4 tuner
4) World wide movie rentals

Then I'm good to go, pretty much no matter the price. ****** blu-ray.

1. 1080p
2. third party apps
3. normal USB port or two (accessible by third party apps)

You can pretty much get everything else that just about anyone desires if those 3 features are in iTV.

 

[longball11]

Please gimme:

1) 1080p output
2) Use of external storage (NAS support)
3) DVB-C MPEG-4 tuner
4) World wide movie rentals

Then I'm good to go, pretty much no matter the price. ****** blu-ray.

That's where you will be disappointed. Blu-Ray > "iTV" gg. Look forward to your rant on Wednesday

 

[2005CTS]

Please gimme:

1) 1080p output
2) Use of external storage (NAS support)
3) DVB-C MPEG-4 tuner
4) World wide movie rentals

Then I'm good to go, pretty much no matter the price. ****** blu-ray.

What good is 1080P output if the data you are streaming is mostly 720P and 1080i? Besides - the audio tracks on these HD streaming videos are compressed and not presented in lossless format as they are on blu-ray. Personally I think that Jobs crusade against blu-ray goes against what he has stood for since the beginning - and that was offering the best alternative to a PC. Streaming videos or buying from iTunes is good for big business - and ultimately for Steve Jobs wallet - but does not provide the same video and sound quality as a blu-ray disc does. He knows this...but wants to push iTunes on the masses that don't know any different. If a person wants true high definition (picture and sound)...then they need to get a blu-ray player. Streaming HD content with today's technology is a fail.

The fact that my beautiful new 27" iMac has a greater than 1080P resolution screen and I can't utilize it for watching video content is criminal. But yeah...I bought it anyway. Still - Jobs sucks when it comes to anything he didn't think up first. And blu-ray adoption is one thing Apple has screwed up.

 

[hitekalex]

The fact that my beautiful new 27" iMac has a greater than 1080P resolution screen and I can't utilize it for watching video content is criminal. But yeah...I bought it anyway. Still - Jobs sucks when it comes to anything he didn't think up first. And blu-ray adoption is one thing Apple has screwed up.

Get an USB-attached BluRay drive and download MakeMKV software.. and bingo - you can play BluRay movies on your 27" iMac.

If people only put 10% of the time spent complaining on doing a little bit of research..

 

[Wild-Bill]

Update the Macbook Air already!

 

[unclejamaal]

White IPhone 4?

 

[Dr McKay]

What good is 1080P output if the data you are streaming is mostly 720P and 1080i? Besides - the audio tracks on these HD streaming videos are compressed and not presented in lossless format as they are on blu-ray. Personally I think that Jobs crusade against blu-ray goes against what he has stood for since the beginning - and that was offering the best alternative to a PC. Streaming videos or buying from iTunes is good for big business - and ultimately for Steve Jobs wallet - but does not provide the same video and sound quality as a blu-ray disc does. He knows this...but wants to push iTunes on the masses that don't know any different. If a person wants true high definition (picture and sound)...then they need to get a blu-ray player. Streaming HD content with today's technology is a fail.

The fact that my beautiful new 27" iMac has a greater than 1080P resolution screen and I can't utilize it for watching video content is criminal. But yeah...I bought it anyway. Still - Jobs sucks when it comes to anything he didn't think up first. And blu-ray adoption is one thing Apple has screwed up.

Microsoft took the same route on the Xbox 360, pushing Digital Downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace,although they do offer full 1080p Movies for rental via download; unsure if its on par with Blu-Ray quality. They almost didnt put a DVD Drive on the Xbox Slim. I wish they'd swallow their pride and join the Blu-Ray Group of Businesses. Hopefully for the next console when Blu-Ray is more optimized for gaming.... 2x speed on the PS3 with MANDATORY installs? No thanks.

 

[2005CTS]

Get an USB-attached BluRay drive and download MakeMKV software.. and bingo - you can play BluRay movies on your 27" iMac.

If people only put 10% of the time spent complaining on doing a little bit of research..

I am fully aware that you can spend more money and clutter up my desk all the more to create a work around...but for nearly $3,000 I shouldn't have to do that. This is just a Steve Jobs ego thing and we the consumer pay for it.

 

[MCIowaRulz]

Will the new iPod Touch have 802.N Wi-fi?
in other words be just like the iPhone 4?

You know it's funny I was going to order a MacbookPro i7 15 Today for School but now, I'm waiting to pick up a iPod Touch 128 GB, A Free Ipod touch 8GB and a Elgato TV tuner next week!

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

Just because we're young doesn't mean we are completely stupid, you know that right? Just like because you're probably old doesn't mean you're completely slow and out of touch with the youth ?

Well its hard when most of todays kids go around being disrespectful and listen to garbage.

Uhh, I beg to differ. I'm 18 and I have met so many people around my age who have no idea about The Beatles or about any other of the world's greatest musicians that have since finished. Not to mention how bad their history of everything else is, geography, grammar and common sense.

I certainly don't feel like I'm living in the smartest generation.

Exactly. I'm 20 but I know a few others who are just like that. Hell an old friend of mine whos 19 acts and talks like a 13 year old. its pathetic and funny at the same time,

 

[hitekalex]

I am fully aware that you can spend more money and clutter up my desk all the more to create a work around...but for nearly $3,000 I shouldn't have to do that. This is just a Steve Jobs ego thing and we the consumer pay for it.

Sounds like you shouldn't have bought a Mac then.. and instead bought a Windows 7 machine with built-in BluRay.. would have cost you heck of a lot less than $3K too

BTW, I do agree that some of Apple / Steve Jobs choices are just plain silly, and continuing to ship high end Mac desktops without BD drivers is one of them.. But on the other hand, no one is forcing us to buy Apple products. Like I couldn't put up with locked down App Store crap any more, so I switched to Android.

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

Sounds like you shouldn't have bought a Mac then.. and instead bought a Windows 7 machine with built-in BluRay.. would have cost you heck of a lot less than $3K too

There some some Windows based systems with blu-ray that are bellow $1,000.

 

[Eidorian]

There some some Windows based systems with blu-ray that are bellow $1,000.

There was a Samsung notebook at Best Buy this week with Blu-ray for $649.

Intel GMA HD is enough for that but I strive for more.

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

There was a Samsung notebook at Best Buy this week with Blu-ray for $649.

Intel GMA HD is enough for that but I strive for more.

Yeah. I saw that in the ad.

Streaming is nice, the the quality wont come close to 1080p. (and trust me, I have 1080p at the house and I've seen 720p and n1080p beats it out of the water.

 

[Eidorian]

Yeah. I saw that in the ad.

Streaming is nice, the the quality wont come close to 1080p. (and trust me, I have 1080p at the house and I've seen 720p and n1080p beats it out of the water.

720p is all that I have patience for right now. I'm still puttering along on 768 kbps.

Getting a Blu-ray drive in my tower is a bit of work since I don't have playback software for it. I don't have a HDTV either so a standalone player is somewhat irrelevant unless I plug it into my monitor.

Maybe I'll be more interested when the library starts carrying Blu-rays. DVDs look great on the huge CRT DTV I have though.

 

[codewrangler]

Wireless Syncing

Hmm....to me, I see an acoustic guitar with an Apple Logo. This makes me think, "Apple Unplugged". Or in other words, wireless syncing.

Does anybody else see this in the imagery?

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

Well its hard when most of todays kids go around being disrespectful and listen to garbage.

+1

I'm only 17 but I couldn't agree more with you. Most music in the charts is trash (my opinion, mainly artists like Justin Bieber and Lady GaGa) and the grammar of most teens is appalling, especially when you look at posts made on Facebook with no capital letters and every second word has been shortened to something like 'lyk' (like) or 'kl' (cool).

[/RANT]

Back on topic, I'd really quite like to see iWork on the iPhone. I have a spreadsheet dedicated to a trip I'm going on next year and it would be great to be able to update and add ideas to it while I'm on the go, as I'm likely to have forgotten by the time I got home.