Mac as media center with Front Row, video iPods, and video downloads
October 12, 2005 - 6:12pm — bmann
So, I was completely wrong about Airport Express Video (but wouldn't be surprised to see it at some time in the future).
Thanks to the UK magazine Stuff, I was getting real time updates about the big Apple event today. The three announcements were:
- new iMacs, with built in iSight and Front Row app including remote: a 10ft UI for Macs; yes, I do want to get this for my home machine
- The video iPod: 30GB for $299, $60GB $399, comes with a video out port to connect directly to your TV; score one for my long-ago predictions
- iTunes 6, which includes for-pay video downloads: today this is only music videos and some short Pixar ones for $1.99; I expect licensing to be a real PITA for Apple, but I also expect them to announce other licensed video content over time. Would I pay $1.99 per TV show? Well, since I don't have cable, yes I would -- that would be 2 hours per week of only the shows *I* want to watch. And this makes easy, legal
Am I going to get a video iPod? Well, I'll be consuming video on my computer at home, with its big LCD TV screen. And, as Graham said, I actually don't find mobile video on the iPod compelling. Now, if they did a deal with Sony to have it on the PSP...
But video downloads are a *big deal*. There will be lots more about this over the coming days, I'm sure.
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Tried building a Media Center? We did.
Melbourne Australia, Dec. 1, 2005 -- www.Geniecommands.com, Delivering a complete Programmable Media Center Solution. Software company Geniecommands today introduced an exciting new Macintosh software program designed to give consumers more control and fun over their digital entertainment experiences in their lounge room. GenieCommands is a unique programmable software application that allows you to control all your applications and media via simple menus, in a theatre or lounge room environment. The Media Center is a computer like the Mac Mini combined with the Geniecommands software that provides an all-in-one entertainment system for your entire family. While attached to your television screen it allows you to enjoy your favorite entertainment such as; watch DVDs, record TV or pause TV, listen to music, share your digital photos, access the internet and more We have provided a complete set of demo menus to get you started, with links on where to download additional software. These menus can then be edited to suit your lifestyle or create a new one. GenieCommands provides a kiosk push button environment where users can get easier access to the best of what the industry has to offer in software. This is achieved through simple user defined graphic menus, to access all the scripts and to control almost any application.
Front Row
I need to look into Front Row more carefully. The iPod Video announcement got all the press. I'm a little out of things here in China.
Good luck on your presentation at the Vancouver Enterprise Forum, I'll have to get to another of their events when I get back from Beijing. Say "Hi" to Brent for me. He might remember me, he was suppose to speak to the UBC MBA Entrepreneurship Club but then he hurt his knee. I have no idea if Peter Chow has followed up on this like I asked him to do months ago...
Media center, here we come...
While the video iPod is pretty cool, I don't think I'll be getting one anytime soon. What I am most impressed about is where all of the new gadgets/software are going to lead us.
As soon as I saw screenshots of Front Row, I started daydreaming about a remote-controlled Mac Mini (with recording capabilities) hooked up to a home entertainment system and the net. Imagine if they eventually added access to Dashboard Widgets, and RSS reader, etc....
Is that YOU?!?!
Jason Landry ... How the holy-heck are you?!?!?
~ "jaggedbite"
Wow, quel surprise.
iPod Video, whoda thunk it? The big thing here if you don't find the video interesting is the new specs: these things are a lot slimmer, even the 60GB version is slimmer than the old iPod 20GB, which is an impressive feat.
The other accomplishment that I was wrong on was battery life: bigger screen, but now 20 hour battery life too.
The only other puzzle is that MacCentral said Apple also introduced a 40GB and 80GB regular iPod without video capabilities, but I see no mention of that on Apple's site. That is a far more compelling update, but there's no mention.
Either it didn't happen, or Apple is holding off on these models to try and boost iPod Video sales initially to spread costs and increase unit sales of these more expensive models.
Another surprise is that the screen was increased TO 2.5", instead of anything bigger. Remember video on the net from 1995-1997? Two inches, grainy, good for 30 seconds, or less.
Remote control for the Mac - they finally caught on. This is something I was pushing to Ken Bereskin several years ago, because it isn't a digital hub without a remote control.
Lastly, still no sign that Apple has stopped drooling over iPod fever. It looks like they are trying to create the portable digital hub. Might as well call the new iPods Mac Micros, and attach a big "Playback Only" sticker to them.
I still believe that Apple is missing out on applying the iPod treatment to recording devices, namely a digital camera, and digital video camcorder.