Notes From Today's Showtime Event

[Chupa Chupa]

Why don't they just put a HDMI socket on a Mac Mini? This would let you use Front Row on your flat screen TV, this gives you the option of DVD's, USB TV cards (and video recording), etc

1) The mini is 2x as expensive as iTV
2) The mini would cost even more with HDMI (at least right now)
3) A lot of consumers just want the simplicity of a set-top box.
4) Others don't want to waste the power of a full computer just as a media center.

 

[Evangelion]

If you've see the keynote stream, then you'll of come across the part where Steve asked some of his employees (marketing, engineer etc..) to stand up and receive a round of applause.

I thought this was quite a nice gesture and it's the first time I have seen this from them.

Good things!! :claps:

I think he does that in just about every keynote. Still a nice thing to do though

 

[iGary]

I think he does that in just about every keynote. Still a nice thing to do though

He drives them like slaves the rest of the time - he needs to me nice every once and a while.

 

[Willis]

no one seems to be pointing out that they got rid of educational pricing for iPods... that's a bummer.

I checked the UK Edu Store, and the 30Gb was the same price, however.... the 80GB was 1p more lol. Yeah, that makes sense!

 

[jamieg]

1) The mini is 2x as expensive as iTV
2) The mini would cost even more with HDMI (at least right now)
3) A lot of consumers just want the simplicity of a set-top box.
4) Others don't want to waste the power of a full computer just as a media center.

Yeah, but if Apple want to compete in the media center market, they will have to produce a small box that will do all....ie put HDMI in Mac Mini (iTV could be a cut down version of this??)

 

[tolby]

OF course you do - need to repurchase. Do you really expect Apple to give away higher resolution content to those that already have the 320x versions?

If so, you need a reality check. Really.

You have posed a question and not provided an answer, merely a remark questioning my understanding of reality.

I provided a response to a member's question - do you need to repurchase? The answer is, for me at least, yes. I suggested, perhaps too forcefully, that I did not appreciate this requirement.

This is a very 'real' issue. If broadband uptake and speeds continue to rise, and consumer acceptance of digital media increases, than higher quality content will be more readily demanded and easier to supply. However, if quality enhancements are too quick, and a consumer must repurchase his or her entire collection (or favourite parts of) too regularly than disatisfaction is felt. It is felt in the frustration of having to spend more time and money re-downloading something that a consumer perceives he or she already owns.

How can Apple avoid this. One is communication of value. The problem with this approach is that it is very subjective - a consumer could heavily discount the quality enhancement when compared to the additional time and money spent. In other words, a consumer values his or her time and money more than the quality. Another is discounting; that is, offering discounts to those customers who already own the pre iTunes 7.0 versions. This is still subjective, but offers a consumer something tangible (dollars saved).

 

[Trekkie]

Actually I think that all intel macbooks ( including pro) 's airport card is 802.11g and draft N... the problem is that they cant advertise it, because n is still in draft status at IEEE... so you can't really say hey this is an N... because N doesn't really exist as a satandard ( making a standard is a lenghty process takes about 5 to 6 years for the whole process...) if anyone has a draft n wifi router, please try and check the conection speed on you mactel macbook.. would be good to know if this is just a rumor, or if its really a fact.. i know i read it before buying my blackbook.. but alas.. i dont have a n draft router...

When the Airport Extreme came out it was before G was approved, they later flashed it up to the standard because it was close.

There are many Pre-N routers out there. All you have to say is 'Pre-N' and you're good to go.

 

[bARTs]

Dvi = Hdmi

Yeah, but if Apple want to compete in the media center market, they will have to produce a small box that will do all....ie put HDMI in Mac Mini (iTV could be a cut down version of this??)

DVI and HDMI are almost the same thing (do a search on Google for "dvi hdmi").
Well, HDMI also carries the audio signal, but you can get a cheap cable or converter to hook up your Mac Mini to a HDMI TV and use another cable for audio.

 

[milo]

I don't think the shuffles ever had special educational pricing, and I'm not sure the nanos ever did either.

The nanos were all $20 off. I was expecting to get one for $179, looks like $199 now. I bet they bring it back at some point, but I probably won't wait that long.

Is there a software update for the 1G shuffle? I was hoping to see gapless playback and skip count/last skipped. Did I miss it, or did they just not update it? Backward sync doesn't seem to work on the shuffle either. I hope they don't drop support already, they haven't even shipped the 2G yet.

And anyone else not seeing their iPod's playlist in iTunes after the update? The unit still shows up in devices, but I can't actually see the list of what's on it.

Call me crazy, but I would like Apple Computer, Inc. to release a new computer line.

They just released two last week. But let me guess, they didn't release the one you wanted? MBP will get updated in the next week or so.

Can you burn movies to DVD? That is the real question.

And it's been answered a bunch of times. You can back up to DVD, but not burn a dvd that will play in a dvd player.

How does that work? The movies have 640x480 resolution while the iPod has 320x240 screen. iPod specs-page specificly mention that it can play back those movies. So how does it work?

It just displays at a lower resolution. Anyone know if you get 640 via the AV cable to TV?

Why wanna wait for a 300$ iTV half a year when you can have a 24" iMac now?!?!?!?!? And I'm laughing: WIRELESS... but Ethernet Port etc. p.p.... very helpful! No thanks guys, I'm gonna buy the Cinema-iMac!!!

Are you kidding? $1999 for a TV?? And what's so funny about wireless and ethernet? I don't get it.

Yeah, but if Apple want to compete in the media center market, they will have to produce a small box that will do all....ie put HDMI in Mac Mini (iTV could be a cut down version of this??)

The media center market is a dismal failure. And that's because a computer is too expensive for the living room. A few people will use things like minis, but it's impossible to make it cheap enough to be a mainstream solution.

 

[calculus]

And anyone else not seeing their iPod's playlist in iTunes after the update? The unit still shows up in devices, but I can't actually see the list of what's on it.



.

Same for me - the shuffle is there under devices but the list of tracks has gone.

 

[tny]

OF course you do - need to repurchase. Do you really expect Apple to give away higher resolution content to those that already have the 320x versions?

If so, you need a reality check. Really.

I rather expected to be able to upgrade to higher resolution for a low price (say $.50/per video).

 

[tiramisu]

macbook pro update

oh boy, how 'bout that. sure it wasn't fit for this event.
let's do something for the pros ;-)
hopefully a very very silent update....

 

[Stella]

I rather expected to be able to upgrade to higher resolution for a low price (say $.50/per video).

It is not Apple's decison. Do you think the content owner would allow this? I doubt it - they would want to charge again.

Anyway, think yourself lucky - the majority of the planet cannot get movies or series content from iTunes.

 

[pmckenzie]

Glad I saw the software updates, ordered a 30G black refurb, but it's a 5G, so, I can get the higher res videos and play games. that works for me. Couldnt beat it for $199 + tax.

I did the exact same thing! Its awesome!

 

[Chris L]

The 5G iPods still can't display any more than 320 x 240 pixels; the only way you'll be able to see the full 640 x 480 resolution is to output it to a TV or watch it on your computer.

I'm hoping that Apple will announce at MacWorld Expo that it's putting digital TV tuners in the 24" iMac. The tuners are cheap now and do NTSC, ATSC, and QAM (digital cable). Now that would be a good use for that big screen!

 

[Trekkie]

Anyway, think yourself lucky - the majority of the planet cannot get movies or series content from iTunes.

Find the local representative for the hollywood theaters in your country, write em a note and let them know how happy you are with that.

For that matter if you have local television, write them and let them know that you want their shows on iTunes as well.

Apple isn't the holdout here, it's the greed of the studios. They'll come around once they see how much disney starts making from all of us wanting to try one out.

Just think, if the number of people who buy music, 50% of them buy a movie to check it out only the spike in revenue for something or other. I mean $9.99 is no more than a CD you've been buying...

Personally I'm tempted to buy Toy Story 1&2 because my kid has destroyed two DVDs in the last three years. He loves the movie, and no matter how hard I try to hide the DVDs when they are not in use he'll find them and bring them too you to have you put them in. This alone appeals to me in that I could get all the Pixar favorites, play them to an iTV, and never have to worry about him damaging a semi fragile optical disk.

 

[baleensavage]

This is a very 'real' issue. If broadband uptake and speeds continue to rise, and consumer acceptance of digital media increases, than higher quality content will be more readily demanded and easier to supply. However, if quality enhancements are too quick, and a consumer must repurchase his or her entire collection (or favourite parts of) too regularly than disatisfaction is felt. It is felt in the frustration of having to spend more time and money re-downloading something that a consumer perceives he or she already owns.

I agree with this statement entirely. While I didn't really expect them to give us free upgrades, I wish they would. What's going to happen when in 6 months they start offering hi-def to go with the iTV? Do they really expect people to buy things three times? If they aren't going to at least offer a discount now, then why should I even buy from their store? Ultimately they never should have released stuff at that bad resolution in the first place. I guess it's just shame on those of us who bought stuff at the low resolution. I don't think it's asking too much for them to offer updates or discounts on already purchased content.

 

[IlluminatedSage]

am i the only one a little disappointed at the Apple announcements?

Here's why:
1- only 1 studio signed on for movies, they are purchases, not rentals also.
2- ipod changes are not dramatic, more like minor tweaks. Ipod nano even is using an older case design. video ipod is a serious letdown, looks like they can't get the 16:9 model working.
3- no ipod/smartphone/treo type device.

it is like apple knew they didnt have great announcements so they announced the Itv device.

Some positives though:
1- Updated Itunes 7 Looks alot nicer, runs better. Hell i even have the pics for all of my owned cd's i ripped now.
2- movies are starting, nice thing for apple. hope they get more studios under contract.
3- games on ipod. this seems nice, but these games are hardly killer app's. i imagine more games over time. like there will be movies

Apple, you really need to start

 

[longofest]

Yeah, Steve did only say 802.11 which strikes me as odd, but why would they use n in the set top box, when all of the current Macs have g? I don't see Apple telling everyone who just bought a new Mac "too bad"

Unless recent Macs have 802.11n which just needs a firmware update to unlock it.

The 802.11n spec is not finalized yet, so it is doubtfull that they would be able to just firmware update new macs to have the spec.

Either Apple has drastically enhanced/streamlined their streaming protocol, or they are going to have to use 802.11n to stream videos over a wireless network. MacWorld has reviewed the current FrontRow setup (using bonjour), and has said that you can't rely on a 802.11G stream for a long movie (you pretty much have to use a wired connection).

Note that all of the iTV's in yesterday's demo were hooked up with Ethernet.

am i the only one a little disappointed at the Apple announcements?

Here's why:
1- only 1 studio signed on for movies, they are purchases, not rentals also.
2- ipod changes are not dramatic, more like minor tweaks. Ipod nano even is using an older case design. video ipod is a serious letdown, looks like they can't get the 16:9 model working.
3- no ipod/smartphone/treo type device.

it is like apple knew they didnt have great announcements so they announced the Itv device.

Some positives though:
1- Updated Itunes 7 Looks alot nicer, runs better. Hell i even have the pics for all of my owned cd's i ripped now.
2- movies are starting, nice thing for apple. hope they get more studios under contract.
3- games on ipod. this seems nice, but these games are hardly killer app's. i imagine more games over time. like there will be movies

Apple, you really need to start

You may have had your expectations too high. Apple did exactly what rumors had predicted, and a little more (updated shuffle, and we weren't 100% on the iTV).

 

[Fabs85]

iTunes 7 Phone Driver

Hello All
I was just reading the main post on the homepage and I have realized the Phone Drivers have been found within the iTunes7 installation package. I have dived inside the packaged and I know something more about it, it says:

iTunes 4.9 or later features the ability to transfer music to mobile phones. This driver is required for iTunes to communicate with these supported mobile phones.

-----

I have found this explanation inside the package, if you are a bit curious you can try yourselves by doing:
right-click "iTunes7.mpkg" -> Show package Content;
Content -> Resources -> Right-Click "iTunesPhoneDriver.pkg" -> Show Package Content;
Contents -> Resources -> English.lproj -> SUDescription.html

-----

Just posted this so people won't get excited just by thinking that this will be an extra feature for new Apple Mobile Phone(s) - but who knows

Thanks for reading

 

[Frobozz]

"- Many users have noted the iTunes 7 standalone installer includes a greyed-out custom option for "iTunes Phone Driver". It is not clear whether this driver is for the rumored iPhone or for already iTunes compatible phones from Motorola."

No, actually I there's no confusion here. There's been an iTunes Phone Driver in the iPod updaters ever since the Motorola iTunes phone was introduced. Since iTunes now handles iPod updates, this is perfectly logical and a non-news item.

 

[baleensavage]

You may have had your expectations too high. Apple did exactly what rumors had predicted, and a little more (updated shuffle, and we weren't 100% on the iTV).

I for one am not upset that they only have Disney on board. I would rather them do that then cave in to the movie execs on DRM. Have you seen Amazon's DRM restrictions? They're even worse than Fairplay. I also think their prices go higher. I would rather iTunes start small and prove to be successful then it would be the movie companies who cave in not Apple.

 

[tny]

It is not Apple's decison. Do you think the content owner would allow this? I doubt it - they would want to charge again.

Anyway, think yourself lucky - the majority of the planet cannot get movies or series content from iTunes.

I'm not so sure about that . . . after all, Apple has replaced all the old 320x240 content with 640x480 content, right? And there's nothing stopping you from having two copies of any given video file, only a mechanism to prevent you from using those files on more than a limited number of devices. There would have to be explicit language saying that Apple couldn't sell an upgrade to a higher resolution, or at least language saying Apple couldn't allow free/discounted downloads of a work that the downloader had previously purchased.

 

[Frobozz]

am i the only one a little disappointed at the Apple announcements?

Here's why:
1- only 1 studio signed on for movies, they are purchases, not rentals also.

This is to be expected. Once these take off like wildfire, other studios will fall in line when the realize how much money they're losing. There is precedent for this with Apple's music purchases, so it make sense.

2- ipod changes are not dramatic, more like minor tweaks. Ipod nano even is using an older case design. video ipod is a serious letdown, looks like they can't get the 16:9 model working.

I disagree here. While I think the iPod Nano design is less sexy than before, it's also 1000% less scratchable. While it doesn't bother me much, my black Nano looks more beat up than either of my mini's.

As for the "true video iPod"-- this is Apple waiting to strike until the iron is hot. You can't release all your hot stuff in one go. They have to let it trickle out to maintain momentum. iTV was a good pre-release product and the regular iPods added searching and games that are a VERY NICE new feature.

3- no ipod/smartphone/treo type device.

... nor did anyone think one of these was coming. Maybe an iPhone, but that is clearly not coming until 2007 the last I heard. A lot of people wanted to believe it might come out earlier, but that was just unrealistic.

it is like apple knew they didnt have great announcements so they announced the Itv device.

Well, that is an interesting take on it. You might have something there. However, this was an important thing to pre-announce given the movie announcement. Apple needs people who are purchasing movies to know they can play them on a TV in an easy way. This is buyer's security. They know if they start buying them now they will be able to play them on something other than their iPod or Mac. It also was foreshadowing concerning Apple's HD solutions. Right now you can buy movies and shows in ED (enhanced definition / DVD), whereas previously you could only buy in SD (standard defintion / NTSC.)

To support their movie download and playback strategy, Apple without saying it outright, admitted to having an HD solution which will work with upcoming movie downloads at native HD resolutions, using 802.11n for wireless streaming.

 

[slate1]

Gapless playback on my 60GB 5G now works. Thank you apple. Finally.

... unfortunately Apple decided to not afford us lowly Nano owners the same courtesy

I certainly hope they decide to do the right thing and issue a firmware update that will allow gapless playback on the Nano – what a shame…