Dr. Dre's 'Vital Signs' TV Show Will Be Used to Promote Apple Music

[ThunderSkunk]

The steady decline in the quality and reliability of Apples software over the last few years is a growing concern.
The increasing amount of decisions that seem to be being made by a magic 8 ball is an even greater one.

 

[samcraig]

This makes even less sense than if they were producing it as original content for Apple TV

 

[2010mini]

Worst thing about the new Apple TV is that useless USB-C port... should allow you to hook up an external drive to it and playback files natively without having to keep a whole computer running just to access local media.

Blame Steve Jobs.

He was the one who directed Apple to do away with any local or attached HDDs for the Apple TV and focus instead on streaming.

 

[jmpage2]

Hypocritical Apple Social Justice Warriors using their big fat bankroll to create a show for confirmed woman beater Dr. Dre so that they can sell music subscriptions. Steve would probably be spinning in his grave if he hadn't been cremated.

Does the show have lots of illegal weapons use too? I understand that those California elites are big into guns when they can show criminals using them for mischief.

 

[attila]

Worst thing about the new Apple TV is that useless USB-C port... should allow you to hook up an external drive to it and playback files natively without having to keep a whole computer running just to access local media.

Personally, the worst thing about the new Apple TV is that the interface is white
[doublepost=1455630865][/doublepost]

No thank you. Already hungry for that UI from iPod Video 5.5. Makes you wonder how Apple could have ****ed up so much up to this point.

I remember when the Music app on iPhone was usable. It has long been replaced by Spotify, and my music library is on a backup drive because I have no use for it. I'm still sad about it.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Because the people working on this (if they're even Apple employees) are the same people working on software and hardware? Or Apple can only do one thing at a time?



I'm not defending this series and my views on Eddy Cue are well known but this argument that Apple should be doing [fill in the blank] instead is so annoying. Apple has tens of thousands of non-retail employees. 99.9% of them have nothing to do with this rumored series. And that's assuming this is even a real thing. The rumor started out as original TV programming bankrolled by Apple, now it's just content marketing and Music promotion. For all we know this is something Dre is doing on his own and Apple is just funding it/hosting it on Music.

Or for all we know it isn't.

 

[Rogifan]

This makes even less sense than if they were producing it as original content for Apple TV

I have a feeling the rumor mill turned this in to something bigger than it really is. Or maybe Apple is using this to dip it's toe into original content to see if it's a viable path the company should go down.

Or for all we know it isn't.

Even if Apple has involvement beyond funding it I think it's highly unlikely many Apple employees are involved. No one is missing Skylake Macs or a file system on their iPad Pro because of this rumored series.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Do you think apathy will be the reaction they are seeking?

Probably depends on whether it's a slow day on Twitter or not. Heh.

So should Apple not have gone into streaming music? Is that losing focus and getting lost? Or is streaming music fine but not original content to promote it? Btw I was never a fan of Apple buying Beats, I think Jimmy Iovine has been worthless (and a bit of an embarrassment) to Apple so far and I'm not the least bit interested in this rumored series.

Honestly, Apple [SJ] reinvented the music sales business to sell the iPod. Then they dominated the music sales business and music became a surprise profit center in its own right. But then consumers slowed on buying music and started renting it. SJ missed that one and Apple suffered for it, not because it eventually got them late to the game, but because when it finally came to market there was already great choices and iTunes Radio then Apple Music didn't offer anything better or less expensive, unless you have a family.

And I agree about Beats. I originally thought it was a good acquihire for Iovine to get Apple's streaming right using the Beats Radio platform and Beats headphones were a bonus. But doesn't look like Iovine's influence in the music industry has panned out. Taylor Swift out and out embarrassed him and Apple @ Apple Music's launch.

But back to my original point to you -- it just seems that Apple is going in so many different directions now and nothing they produces is insanely great out of the gate. Even the Apple die hards on iMore Show are lamenting the fact they can't trust Apple software these days. So, yes, personally, I wish Apple would dial it back a bit. TC is trying too hard for the fence and coming up with a lot of fouls. Gotta concentrate on the ball rather than trying to match Google run for run.

 

[samcraig]

I have a feeling the rumor mill turned this in to something bigger than it really is. Or maybe Apple is using this to dip it's toe into original content to see if it's a viable path the company should go down.

Who knows. Based on the description of the content filmed (and I know it's a rumor and out of context) - it seems like an odd choice for music service promotion. I guess we'll see how it's leveraged. For now, I find it peculiar.

 

[cdarlington1]

If it's just being used to promote AM, sounds dreadful to me.

 

[Vertigo50]

Personally, the worst thing about the new Apple TV is that the interface is white
[doublepost=1455630865][/doublepost]

I remember when the Music app on iPhone was usable. It has long been replaced by Spotify, and my music library is on a backup drive because I have no use for it. I'm still sad about it.

For your music library, why not upload it to Google Music? You don't have to subscribe to the monthly service to use your own music library. Chances are there is some music in your library that Spotify doesn't have, so you can access it anywhere just like with Spotify.

Also, I'm a big fan of Google Music as a subscription service, though I've liked Spotify in the past too. Give it a try if you're interested, then you have their full streaming library AND your own library all together in one place.

 

[rfrmac]

I'm honestly curious what's bugging you about it. My last complaint is being addressed in the next update with dictation for text fields. Otherwise, I feel like it's the best product Apple has released in a long time.

I'll tell you what "bugs" me about the Apple TV, not being able to search all of the movies and video's that I have in iTunes. When I ask for all of the adventure movies, I want that search to include those in my iTunes so I can select them. Is that too much to ask?

 

[vdgroodt]

The port is for developers. But I agree.

While updating my apple tv the power cord disconnected, with micro usb i could have restored it at home but as i don't own usb-c i needed to go to apple store for a simple restore...

 

[kingtj]

Yep... same here. Gave it an honest try during the trial period and paid for a couple months after that, but sorry. No deal. These new announcements just make me LESS interested in Apple Music since it feels like they're catering mostly to the rap music crowd.

Well, still not interested in Apple Music.

 

[8281]

Worst thing about the new Apple TV is that useless USB-C port... should allow you to hook up an external drive to it and playback files natively without having to keep a whole computer running just to access local media.

So you want a Roku then.

 

[bladerunner2000]

So you want a Roku then.

It too, has limitations. I'm currently using a Boxee Box. It's great.... but won't recognize hard drives larger than 2TB. Roku is limited to MP4 and MKV playback. The new Apple TV is cool because it allows you to install VLC and playback essentially anything. No need to convert files and lose quality (and if Apple expects people to do that, they're idiots).
[doublepost=1455634921][/doublepost]

Blame Steve Jobs.

He was the one who directed Apple to do away with any local or attached HDDs for the Apple TV and focus instead on streaming.

I've blamed the guy for a lot of things, and this too would be one of them. So many backwards decisions, it's unreal.
[doublepost=1455634966][/doublepost]

Can't you just plug it into your router?

I can, but what happens if a file has too high of a bitrate and playback chokes because the network isn't fast enough?

 

[Mackinjosh]

He apologized in public.

Yes, after years of dismissing criticism of it he "apologized" for it when he had a movie he produced to promote. How big of him.

 

[Pilgrim1099]

But back to my original point to you -- it just seems that Apple is going in so many different directions now and nothing they produces is insanely great out of the gate. Even the Apple die hards on iMore Show are lamenting the fact they can't trust Apple software these days. So, yes, personally, I wish Apple would dial it back a bit. TC is trying too hard for the fence and coming up with a lot of fouls. Gotta concentrate on the ball rather than trying to match Google run for run.

I'm starting to believe that TC has lost control over the executives' direction and in reeling them back. It does appear that he had been trying too hard for the last few years and may end up getting burnt out in the process. Or for anyone for that matter.

The use of Dre's show just to promote Apple Music is a colossal mistake. If this turns out to be some kind of lengthy rap video/tv series, this is going to be a mess. There is absolutely no need to use a show to promote the service as they already have advertisement to do that.

Apple just needs to shut the F up about Apple Music and let it do the 'talking' by getting it right, the first time already without Iovine, Dre and, I hate to say it, Trent "NIN" Treznor's touch. iTune, in the old days, was fantastic and got the job done and now when I look at it, it's a mess. They should spin out Apple Music as a separate app/service with Beats radio in a style similar to Spotify and keep iTunes out of it as an app for device consumption/syncing only. Mashing the two is a big UI nightmare.

Someone suggested Forstall to return but I don't think it's a good idea. For him to return, Tim Cook would certainly have to go. I don't think he would want to see his face again. Chances are extremely slim to none, he would return. I also heard that he doesn't get along with Ive, so that's another reason.

I certainly think TC is part of the problem along with a few other people. For the products to have improved focus and quality, a corporate shake up would be needed.

And it could require one phone call by certain Icahn. He's the last person TC wants to F with.

 

[Thunderhawks]

HE'S NOT EVEN A REAL DOCTOR!

...but I bet he stayed at a HOLIDAY INN (at least once)

 

[Ries]

The trailer already exists btw, "tidal" is Apples internal project name for "Apple Music"!

 

[crsh1976]

Really, this is nothing more than a glorified infomercial. With Dre, a known domestic violence offender, no less.

 

[Rogifan]

I'm starting to believe that TC has lost control over the executives' direction and in reeling them back. It does appear that he had been trying too hard for the last few years and may end up getting burnt out in the process. Or for anyone for that matter.

The use of Dre's show just to promote Apple Music is a colossal mistake. If this turns out to be some kind of lengthy rap video/tv series, this is going to be a mess. There is absolutely no need to use a show to promote the service as they already have advertisement to do that.

Apple just needs to shut the F up about Apple Music and let it do the 'talking' by getting it right, the first time already without Iovine, Dre and, I hate to say it, Trent "NIN" Treznor's touch. iTune, in the old days, was fantastic and got the job done and now when I look at it, it's a mess. They should spin out Apple Music as a separate app/service with Beats radio in a style similar to Spotify and keep iTunes out of it as an app for device consumption/syncing only. Mashing the two is a big UI nightmare.

Someone suggested Forstall to return but I don't think it's a good idea. For him to return, Tim Cook would certainly have to go. I don't think he would want to see his face again. Chances are extremely slim to none, he would return. I also heard that he doesn't get along with Ive, so that's another reason.

I certainly think TC is part of the problem along with a few other people. For the products to have improved focus and quality, a corporate shake up would be needed.

And it could require one phone call by certain Icahn. He's the last person TC wants to F with.

According to John Gruber the person inside Apple pushing for the Beats acquisition was Eddy Cue. Someone on Twitter who works for NBCUniversal and seems in the know (@eric_analytics) says the Music app was built by the Beats team in LA, not by the iTunes team in Cupertino. Personally I think Tim Cook needs to hire another SVP to take over iCloud, Maps and Siri and find another home for Apple's pro software (maybe under Phil Schiller). Just running Apple's content businesses (plus Pay) would be a full time job for Eddy Cue.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Really, this is nothing more than a glorified infomercial. With Dre, a known domestic violence offender, no less.

Yes, but apparently in the hip hop and pro sports world that is known as "street cred," and is a positive. Look at all the women dancing to songs glorifying girlfriends getting smacked up and called derogatory "terms of affection," and sports leagues looking the other way to the extent they can when players have "incidents." Odd Apple would want a piece of that action given TC's morality plays on human rights, but there you go.

 

[robjulo]

What, 20 years later? After taking heat. You can't possibly be taking that apology seriously are you?

He apologized in public.

 

[VulchR]

Because the people working on this (if they're even Apple employees) are the same people working on software and hardware? Or Apple can only do one thing at a time?

I don't know how many people Apple has working on various project sand services. I just want better software and hardware, but, yes, sometimes it seems as though Apple can only work on one thing at a time. I am still waiting for the finder windows in OS X to auto-size columns to fit the relevant information....