New Media Content Distribution System?

[EricNau]

i can't wait, frontrow will be the new cable television service. and itunes will be the new media shop :-D

no reason why these two services cannot co-exist together in perfect harmony

I think that is pushing it, Apple won't be able to replace Cable television. How are you going to watch your local news? Apple may be able to let you watch movies, but even if they make TV shows available, you'll be watching them atleast a day later than everyone else, not to mention, they will not be able to get all TV shows that people want. And if they started doing TV shows, no doubt you'd have to pay for this service, in which case, no one would.

 

[rosalindavenue]

Rosalindavenue's comment about movies not worth watching over and over again, was just so ridiculous, so lame, so not-thought-out, just so DUMB, that I had to reply with something that obnoxious.

Dude, you need to chill out. (You should also read the terms of service, and not call other posters, or their comments, ridiculous, lame or dumb. ) Use that USC education. We have a difference of opinion.

I stand by the basic premise of my post, which is as follows: I have no desire to own, or to re-watch, most of the the movies I watch. None. Not many films are worth watching more than once; fewer are worth owning. That being said, my kids have the Pixar films and a few others; I have some Gilliam films, Citizen Kane, Star Wars, LOTR. etc. I have some silents on VHS; which can't be rented. I did not endorse a blanket prohibition of film ownership; I just stated what Steve Jobs and I believe to be the case-- people do not want to own most of the films that they watch. Me having this opinion does not make me an idiot, or even a film-hater. I don't have much time to watch films and I prefer to read books. I buy a lot of books. To each his own.

 

[Super Dave]

<snip>

It's amazing how Apple always seems to start from ground zero with every new rumor or idea. Like they are newcomers, no track record, so failure is on the way.

Of course, afterwards, we saw it all coming. They must really be listening to us.

Carry on. This is fun as always.

Agreed. I think it's hilarious. Especially the one about it being the worst Apple move ever. I linked earlier to the original slashdot iPod article. Same predictions of doom and claims of stupidity. Apple hasn't done anything stupid since the Cube, and before that Copland. They're on a roll.

David

 

[Super Dave]

<snip>

The link to the 2001 Slashdot article showing people's clue-less (I would have been at the time, too, perhaps) responses to the announcement of the very first iPod should function as a slap upside the head for many of us here.

peace
terry

The funny thing is it's the same thing again: http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/02/2110234&tid=186&tid=3

Apple fans are funny. We all bash what Apple might do, and praise what they have already done. I think there are too many people like me who are still recovering from Copland. Microsoft users have Stockholm Syndrome and Mac users have Copland Syndrome™.

David

 

[DPazdanISU]

I noticed there were more people that posted this as negative than a positive. Obviously what we know right now is very little and whatever Apple is up to I'm sure will be amazing. So everyone just sit tight and be ready to be amazed in Jan.

 

[kcmac]

Apple fans are funny. We all bash what Apple might do, and praise what they have already done.

David

Yep. I can't wait for January with the Mactels, the media thing, new iWork, et al. And of course, the new rumors and bashing that will start up soon afterwards. Actually, it's hard to tell what is better.

 

[59031]

I don't have much time to watch films and I prefer to read books. I buy a lot of books. To each his own.

Wow.

Everyone knows that reading a book, be it fiction or non-fiction, cheap supermarket paperback or serious literature, is a more time consuming and involved process, than watching a film. You can sit down and watch a film in about an hour and a half to two hours. Yet you claim you "don't have much time to watch films." Well if you don't have time to watch a film, you certainly don't have time to be reading books. I guess you must prefer books, and buy a lot of books, but you must never read them, because if you don't have time to watch movies, then you certainly don't have the time to read all those books you prefer to buy. Unless of course you DO have time to watch films, but choose not to. However, that's not what you said.

And you're an attorney?

 

[beatle888]

Don't do this.......c'mon iDisk....WTF

relax, its a rumor.

 

[beatle888]

I don't know why some people are so upset.

its the macrumors mentality. remember how every geek here bitched and moaned about how intel will be the death of apple and jobs was a #%^$@@? there were posts with people saying they will never buy an apple with an intel processor.

now whenever theres a rumor about a possibility of apple releasing macs with intel processors earlier then anticipated EVERYBODY starts posting how they cant wait and that its the best move that apple could of ever made.

macrumors is a good place to catch up on what might happen but the member posts...well, best to ignore them when they respond to what apple might do.

on the other hand. members can be very helpful with troubleshooting advice.

 

[59031]

its the macrumors mentality. remember how every geek here bitched and moaned about how intel will be the death of apple and jobs was a #%^$@@? there were posts with people saying they will never buy an apple with an intel processor.

now whenever theres a rumor about a possibility of apple releasing macs with intel processors earlier then anticipated EVERYBODY starts posting how they cant wait and that its the best move that apple could of ever made.

I said basically the same thing in another thread. It's so true. I for one am NOT thrilled about Intel processors in Macs, and remain skeptical. X86 stinks. Intel had damn better have some good $#!% up their sleeves, and I want to keep ALL of my Open Firmware goodness, like holding down the "T" key, the "N" key or "Command + S" at start up, to site a few examples. And drop the fricken legacy support, OS X does NOT NEED IT. Make these "special" processors available only to Apple too. That also might control hacked versions of OS X running on non-Apple hardware.

on the other hand. members can be very helpful with troubleshooting advice.

This is true too.

 

[steve_hill4]

I said basically the same thing in another thread. It's so true. I for one am NOT thrilled about Intel processors in Macs, and remain skeptical. X86 stinks. Intel had damn better have so good $#!% up their sleeves, and I want to keep ALL of my Open Firmware goodness, like holding down the "T" key, the "N" key or "Command + S" at start up, to site a few examples. And drop the fricken legacy support, OS X does NOT NEED IT. Makes these "special" processors available only to Apple too. That also might control hacked versions of OS X running on non-Apple hardware..

I agree with a lot of what was said there, but I do think Apple need to continue perhaps producing some hardware/software for the next few years that helps the transition from Classic, for those who still desperately still need to use it.

 

[dernhelm]

I just stated what Steve Jobs and I believe to be the case-- people do not want to own most of the films that they watch. Me having this opinion does not make me an idiot, or even a film-hater.

I didn't catch the beginning of this thread, but I have to say that I'm in the same camp as you are. We belong to NetFlix precisely because we like to watch stuff that can't be found at our local Blockbuster's (e.g. Red Dwarf, and Ripping Yarns). We also don't care to _own_ any of this stuff, and have three movies out at any one time is MORE than enough for us.

That said, the following service (which could be something like what Steve Jobs is considering) could be a big hit. I'm sure it would be seen as taking on NetFlix head to head, which would be a pretty bold move, but it would certainly interest me! Anyway, here goes:

Offer a _subscription_ (yes I used the 'S' word) service at somewhere around $8-10 per month. Allow the user to "rent" whatever movies they would like by simply downloading them and streaming them. If you have the right hardware (say, mac-mini media center edition) you can have this content streamed directly to your HD TV screen. Otherwise you can watch them on the computer screen or use whatever video-out capabilities your computer has to view them on your TV.

The money Apple charges for this service can help them recoup the investment they will be making in their internet backbone. They do need to get most of the major studios on board, along with the BBC and getting the major american broadcasters (and cable stations) wouldn't hurt either.

The biggest gripe that you'll hear from most anyone who has NetFlix is either that they have to wait 3-4 days to get their movie, or that they've misplaced the stupid envelope to return the one they are done with. These are pretty minor hassles, but it is a point of differentiation that Jobs can point out....

 

[xsnightclub]

I think that is pushing it, Apple won't be able to replace Cable television. How are you going to watch your local news?

Have you heard of the internet?

There is already a good deal of content from local news online and it is growing rapidly. The local networks have realized advertising dollars from their websites. Instead of asking how would you watch loacl news, the question should be 'why do you watch the local news when they decide to air it on tv?' You can download the stories of interest to you and move on.

 

[conradzoo]

Its all ok to me all this speculations. But what does it mean to me in Europe?

 

[2nyRiggz]

not too fond of this being a .mac thing but its sounds alright.


Bless

 

[Mechcozmo]

Blinding Flash of Vision!

To make sure that your computer supports the demand a HD H.264 video will place on it, Front Row 2.0 only will allow you access to the video store thing.

Also, you can import your own DVDs+make them H.264 videos but not upload them to the .Mac servers. And who would want to, at standard upload speeds anyway?

"Front Row Video Store"

iPod Video users will be able to set what videos they want to sync in Front Row. Those will appear in iTunes with a special icon denoting they are really from Front Row, or something to that effect.

Windows users will be insanely jealous for quite some time, at least. Eventually, they will buy a Mac or Front Row for Windows comes out.

The DRM will be iTunes-like in nature.

Possibly, there will be a BitTorrent like way to download videos to increase your streaming download speed. So if you have a few videos downloaded, you can stream them up to others.

It will be linked into your Apple ID, so credit cards and money linked into iTunes will be applicable to the Front Row Video Store. FRVS is kinda catchy...

Those are my predictions insofar. I feel they fit Apple's ideals.

 

[poundsmack]

not sure if this has been mentioned yet but regardless of if the files are on a .Mac account or on the lacal machine people (if they truly wanted to) could still fle share them. video screen capture software can do this. but i guess most people wouldnt go to those lengths...

 

[GregA]

its the macrumors mentality. remember how every geek here bitched and moaned about how intel will be the death of apple and jobs was a #%^$@@? there were posts with people saying they will never buy an apple with an intel processor.

now whenever theres a rumor about a possibility of apple releasing macs with intel processors earlier then anticipated EVERYBODY starts posting how they cant wait and that its the best move that apple could of ever made.

I must say I don't follow individual users enough to say they're contradicting themselves. I'm sure some do, but I doubt it's as many as you imply.

I mean, they announce Intel macs, and everyone who cares about the processor gives their opinion... and alot of those are pro-PowerPC. But it's only everyone who CARES about the processor. Then there's the rumour of january Intel-Macs... and everyone who cares says "Sooner is better than later!". It may seem that "everyone" is contradicting what "everyone" said earlier, but you often have a different set of people responding.

 

[artifex]

As someone else said, some movies actually get better with repeated viewing, just like some music gets better with repeated listening and books with repeated reading, allowing you to appreciate all the subtle details and nuances and layers you may have missed the first time around, or to listen, read and hear things from different perspectives.

Yah, I think I agree with that person:

Forgot all about that. He's right, some films get better with repeated viewing, and some simply never lose their charm.

there's those eyes

 

[GregA]

Its all ok to me all this speculations. But what does it mean to me in Europe?

Or Australia!?

I think these are the first steps towards the country you are in being unimportant. It's not hard to imagine Disney retaining the worldwide Internet sales to a series (eg. Lost), and selling just the broadcast rights to local channels overseas. (Of course, when I can buy Lost directly from the internet the day after it shows in the US... I might not watch my local channel. Or the local channels might decide to show it at the same time as the US release instead of a year behind!).

Until then... well if Apple's device is a "TiVo killer" then it would need to record FTA stuff wouldn't it? Perhaps you will be able to browse your "library" of videos (either bought, or recorded off FTA?). I assume anything we recorded would be stuck on our own hard disks, not on iDisk.

 

[neutrino23]

There was a Joy of Tech cartoon which expressed it well. The Mac geek was all bummed out. His two friends were talking and one asked "Why is he bummed out? MacWorld just happened and all sorts of new things came out."

To which his friend replied "It wasn't a phaser."

Many here have very lofty opinions of the goals Apple should be shooting for. Apple's genius, on the other hand, is on finding specs which are a nice balance of what is possible at a reasonable price and what many people want and are willing to pay for.

The pundits were wrong about the iPod, the iPod Micro the Shuffle and more.

The genius of marketing is not designing a product with all of the top end geek features. The genius of marketing is in hitting the right note between features, simplicity, complexity, cost and functionality.

Having said all that, if Apple comes out with a service that supplies movies (and TV shows) on demand for either a per unit cost or a subscription cost I think it will be very popular. Convenience is the reason. You buy a Mac Mini, hook it up to your large screen TV, give Apple your credit card one time then after that you sit on your sofa with the remote and watch almost any movie ever made. No disks to worry about scratching or losing or warping in the sun or cataloging or returning. Just choose a program and view it. There is no need to make this run on windows. People will just treat the Mac Mini as a set top box. If the low end price is a few hundred dollars they will sell like hot cakes. DVD players sold in bunches for lots more. That is a fraction of the price of a wide screen TV.

Apple has put the whole package together and demonstrated this with iTMS. Credit card management, software for selecting programs, hardware for using digital programs, servers for supplying content, licensing agreements with content providers have all been demonstrated on a massive scale. As Steve pointed out recently Apple is the number two on line retailer only behind Amazon. No one else has all of these parts of the puzzle already in place.

 

[caccamolle]

if Apple can save me from cable TV, oh God Bless Apple !!! I'd do anything to get rid of it, .Mac or not .Mac.

 

[caccamolle]

I think that is pushing it, Apple won't be able to replace Cable television. How are you going to watch your local news? Apple may be able to let you watch movies, but even if they make TV shows available, you'll be watching them atleast a day later than everyone else, not to mention, they will not be able to get all TV shows that people want. And if they started doing TV shows, no doubt you'd have to pay for this service, in which case, no one would.

no one would ? wrong, I would.
I don't expect cable TV to be "replaced", but if anything at all is made available - even a day late except for news - that'd be a start, and I am all for it.

 

[Lynxpro]

You have to think differently. If you have today's DVR you get to watch your recorded content whenever you want. You can't archive it to another drive though. So what?! It's still yours. Now it will live on .Mac and Apple can deal with the storage issues instead of you. If this rolls out in Hi-Def as I expect it will, you won't want to be archiving this stuff unless you have TB's of HD space anyways

Uhm, TiVo-To-Go + *cough* DirectShow Dump *cough* pretty much makes it possible to "archive" your content on your own terms...

 

[Lynxpro]

Tivo stock took a big dive this week on the news that they're not going to get anymore new DirecTV subscribers, and this Apple news isn't going to help.
Tivo's market cap is now less than $500 million, or about a third of what Netflix is worth.

TiVo's market cap was slightly higher than $400 million a few months back when the rumors flew that Apple was going to acquire the company. It would be a wise strategic acquisition, even if it is only for the intellectual property...

And the DirecTV contract runs until 2007. The Comcast deal goes into effect mid-2006. And perhaps we'll see Dish Network pick up TiVo at the conclusion of whatever settlement the two parties come to in the next year over Dish's patent infringement.

In other news, ReplayTV still only has about 200,000 subscribers to TiVo's 4 million...