Doubts Cast on Revived Rumors of Subscription TV Packages from Apple

[divinox]

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That's one of the oldest concepts still sitting on the shelf. Though it will most likely use RFD chips that send info to the fridge or some other device. The vision is already there. We're just waiting for the technology.

I've got an original one though, how about the flying iCar? I bet no ones thought of that!

Closing my eyes, I can see the keynote already: "I am really excited today to tell you about this new technology that we have invented, a technology that will revolutionize your everyday life. We call it -- the iCar... and boy have we patented it!"

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first of all wall street journal has a great track record so I believe them. however I don't think they are talking about delivering content as in from Apple to the customer. I think they are talking delivering content from MAC to tv. as in a wireless display technology which explains why the WiFi in the new time capsule has been upgraded as well as the WiFi in the newer macbook pros. Apple did this silently but I feel the reason is to allow wireless transmission of 1080p content from mac to tv.

Yeah, i mean its not like Apple will comply to standards and thus offer choice. I think you're spot on here. Assuming Apple still refuses to join the DLNA, they need to be able to stand on that stage and say that they've invented a new technology called wireless-streaming (after all, everyone else has it already). Of course, like face-time, you will never be able to connect to anything not made.. err designed by Apple. But hey, "it just works" - right?

Thanks for reminding me why i dont like Apple (must say, i do like their Macs though).

 

[Storto]

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That's one of the oldest concepts still sitting on the shelf. Though it will most likely use RFD chips that send info to the fridge or some other device. The vision is already there. We're just waiting for the technology.

I've got an original one though, how about the flying iCar? I bet no ones thought of that!

I was thinking more along the lines of a camera in the TV (like iSight) but really high def. This way you wouldn't have to bring the empty to the TV, it would just do it in the background. It's not a perfect idea, just an idea.
But yes it has been around for a long time. Why aren't the masses using it? I'd say because it hasn't been standardized (by apple) .

 

[Nickraphael]

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They pulled the rentals because more ppl buy the shows they want, but more importantly because they plan on streaming those episodes in their future apple tv.

 

[charlituna]

Dumb question.

What's the difference between a subscription and a season pass ?

The way the companies pay the subscription gig is that you only have access if you are paying. So the system is set to call out on a regular basis to verify you still have access. If you stop paying, the report back is no

The whole season pass is a preorder system were you pay for all the episodes and get them as they are available. But the files are yours. There is no call outs to make sure you are paying a system etc

 

[charlituna]

They pulled the rentals because more ppl buy the shows they want, but more importantly because they plan on streaming those episodes in their future apple tv.

streaming can happen regardless of buying, renting, subscription a la Netflix

I suspect the real reason they pulled it is as it was said, it wasn't working and people were still buying episodes. So with luck they are working on reducing the price to buy, say to $1 and $2 an ep. Perhaps also getting all shows in HD and day after airing not when the DVDs come out. Increasing the quality of the HD to something closer to blu-ray and pulling a 'Plus' upgrade like they did with music would be awesome but I double we would be that lucky

 

[sennekuyl]

I was thinking more along the lines of a camera in the TV (like iSight) but really high def. This way you wouldn't have to bring the empty to the TV, it would just do it in the background. It's not a perfect idea, just an idea.
But yes it has been around for a long time. Why aren't the masses using it? I'd say because it hasn't been standardized (by apple) .

At least in Australia, the masses aren't using it because you are tied to 1 store to use online shopping (and even then it is usually badly done). You can't easily show the bar-code to device x and have it add it to a shopping list. What would then be needed is that at the end/beginning of the week ShoppingApp searches for the best prices at all stores and orders from the store that give the best price overall. And sends you an invoice with a pickup time. (Assuming you can't get delivered.)

Just tried to use their (Coles and Woolworths --- Australia's main supermarkets) online store; guess what! you have to 'log in' to be able to even see the products. Sheesh. Make me login only to pay, for pete's sake!

 

[charcourt]

I would be cautious of Season Passes

I know there a lot of hype here in relation to Season Passes and the iCloud. But my recent experience with iTunes has left me thinking DVDs are the way to go and watch it on HULU if I miss a show.

I bought two seasons last year, and I am missing some episodes from the iCloud on my Apple TV. When I told Apple - this is what I was told:

The Cloud allows download of past app, music, movie and book purchases without incurring additional charges as long as what you want to download is still showing on your Purchased page. If you don't see what you want to download in the list, there are two reasons:

- it may have been removed or modified since you purchased it by the vendors, and
- the item is no longer available for download.​

They were kind enough to provide me with information on how I can stream from my computer to my AppleTV.

 

[accessoriesguy]

Even with all it's influence, I can't see convincing the TV studios for a subscription model, they're still arguing over Hulu. Then again, crazier things have happened in the Tech World.

I read in the newspaper yesterday that comcast lost couple of hundred thousand subscriptions, and in the whole 2 million people have cut cable/satellite, in the last year (? don't recall exactly in how much time). Here in California alone. People get most of their content online, typically for cheaper. Families have also been cutting home phone, since most families have cell phones, our only hope is that this squeeze continues and eventually they will have to give into our demands!