milo
Sep 6, 07:52 AM
This is what I had anticipated a while back, but Apple went and invested in the Mini as the quasi-set-top-box. I'm not saying it's not possible, but I wonder if they would change horses mid stream, as it were. I think the video AE would be cool, but it's not quite mainstream enough for regular folk. The Mini, on the other hand, would be sufficiently mainstream if Apple cut the price a little bit and made Front Row a little more robust (and included a DVI to HDMI cable ;)).
The mini isn't really any more of a set top box than any other mac, other than it being small. I don't see going with an airport as a change in direction, they've been pretty adamant that it's not a set top box all along. For a TV unit to become mainstream, it would have to be $200 tops, and even that is pretty high. A mini will never get that cheap - and even if it was, it would still be a waste to have a whole computer used for just TV when a cheap, simple streaming device would do the job.
I agree with everyone here who says that when Apple starts their own movie store they should also release a new Application along with it.
Playing video in iTunes is pretty bad.
They don't need a new app, they just need to fix iTunes.
I guess I was thinking if they up the resolution too much on the movie it may look better on the big screen, but it will no longer be compatible on the ipod.
I don't think the problem would be fixable in the firmware either. How big are we going to make these files?
Right now, I can rip a DVD (that I own of course) and crunch it down to my iPOD's size 320x240 (roughly 600MB for a couple of hours) . Now... it supports up to 640x480, but that turns it into a pretty hefty file.
I don't see apple changing the resolution for movies unless you want rediculous download times. Just downloading some of these HD trailers takes forever, and they look terrible on the displays at the apple store (tried it there only because I thought it was my computer, not the technology).
I guess I would rather see an on demand viewing solution for the hi-def stuff, which I can already do through comcast, and stick to low res for my iPod Video when I am traveling.
Either way... like I said in another post... you are going to see an updated iPod Nano, upgraded processors for some of models still using the first generation intel chips, and a worthless video streamer that lets you feed your video to a TV without hooking your computer up to it lo res (which will look terrible on a 1080p television)... oh and the Movie downloads - probably from Disney Pixar only at first.
This would suck for me because the last thing I want to do is tie up my computer so somebody in my house can watch INCREDIBLES with bad picture and average sound in my living room.
My guess would be that they'd offer two versions of the movie, one for TV and one for iPod (either giving the user a choice or letting them have both). If download time is an issue, another option is having the user's computer render out the smaller version, if the machine is fast enough.
They pretty much have to up the quality if they want to sell movies and promote them for watching on a TV. I assume they'll go NTSC and not HD, the size for that is still managable for people with high speed connections.
I disagree that the airport will be "worthless", because I don't think they will ship one that is low rez. NTSC (dvd quality) at minimum. I don't think low rez is even an option for TV viewing, apple wouldn't release something they'd know was doomed to fail.
The mini isn't really any more of a set top box than any other mac, other than it being small. I don't see going with an airport as a change in direction, they've been pretty adamant that it's not a set top box all along. For a TV unit to become mainstream, it would have to be $200 tops, and even that is pretty high. A mini will never get that cheap - and even if it was, it would still be a waste to have a whole computer used for just TV when a cheap, simple streaming device would do the job.
I agree with everyone here who says that when Apple starts their own movie store they should also release a new Application along with it.
Playing video in iTunes is pretty bad.
They don't need a new app, they just need to fix iTunes.
I guess I was thinking if they up the resolution too much on the movie it may look better on the big screen, but it will no longer be compatible on the ipod.
I don't think the problem would be fixable in the firmware either. How big are we going to make these files?
Right now, I can rip a DVD (that I own of course) and crunch it down to my iPOD's size 320x240 (roughly 600MB for a couple of hours) . Now... it supports up to 640x480, but that turns it into a pretty hefty file.
I don't see apple changing the resolution for movies unless you want rediculous download times. Just downloading some of these HD trailers takes forever, and they look terrible on the displays at the apple store (tried it there only because I thought it was my computer, not the technology).
I guess I would rather see an on demand viewing solution for the hi-def stuff, which I can already do through comcast, and stick to low res for my iPod Video when I am traveling.
Either way... like I said in another post... you are going to see an updated iPod Nano, upgraded processors for some of models still using the first generation intel chips, and a worthless video streamer that lets you feed your video to a TV without hooking your computer up to it lo res (which will look terrible on a 1080p television)... oh and the Movie downloads - probably from Disney Pixar only at first.
This would suck for me because the last thing I want to do is tie up my computer so somebody in my house can watch INCREDIBLES with bad picture and average sound in my living room.
My guess would be that they'd offer two versions of the movie, one for TV and one for iPod (either giving the user a choice or letting them have both). If download time is an issue, another option is having the user's computer render out the smaller version, if the machine is fast enough.
They pretty much have to up the quality if they want to sell movies and promote them for watching on a TV. I assume they'll go NTSC and not HD, the size for that is still managable for people with high speed connections.
I disagree that the airport will be "worthless", because I don't think they will ship one that is low rez. NTSC (dvd quality) at minimum. I don't think low rez is even an option for TV viewing, apple wouldn't release something they'd know was doomed to fail.
manu chao
Apr 11, 05:56 AM
Care to actually show me what app that will actually do what I was talking about? :rolleyes:
I want to play music from iTunes on my Mac as the source, and multiple airplay devices as the target. Currently I can only play to Airport Expresses and Apple TVs (and upcoming Airplay certified speakers). I want Apple to include all iOS devices to that list of target devices.
As mentioned multiple times in this thread: Airfoil
Airfoil runs on your Mac, Airfoil Speakers on your iOS devices. Start Airfoil Speakers (which is a free app) on your iOS devices and then select inside Airfoil on the Mac on which devices you want your sound being played. You can let it play on multiple devices at the same time and the app does a decent job of synchronising the sound. In addition to iOS devices any Airport Expresses and Apple TVs can also be selected. And you can select to broadcast the sound of individual applications on the Mac only (eg, iTunes only to avoid other system sounds being transmitted).
Or, for simpler needs, just enable Home Sharing in iTunes and play your Mac's iTunes content directly from your iOS device.
I want to play music from iTunes on my Mac as the source, and multiple airplay devices as the target. Currently I can only play to Airport Expresses and Apple TVs (and upcoming Airplay certified speakers). I want Apple to include all iOS devices to that list of target devices.
As mentioned multiple times in this thread: Airfoil
Airfoil runs on your Mac, Airfoil Speakers on your iOS devices. Start Airfoil Speakers (which is a free app) on your iOS devices and then select inside Airfoil on the Mac on which devices you want your sound being played. You can let it play on multiple devices at the same time and the app does a decent job of synchronising the sound. In addition to iOS devices any Airport Expresses and Apple TVs can also be selected. And you can select to broadcast the sound of individual applications on the Mac only (eg, iTunes only to avoid other system sounds being transmitted).
Or, for simpler needs, just enable Home Sharing in iTunes and play your Mac's iTunes content directly from your iOS device.
GFLPraxis
Mar 23, 04:57 PM
I think Apple's app-approval process is pretty arbitrary, so how much do they care about precedent in the first place? Apple giveth, and Apple taketh away. There is much bile spilled over it, but Apple's sales continue to soar.
I personally think passing around checkpoint info is protected under free speech. But, to repeat myself, anyone who is over the legal limit and uses an app to avoid a DUI is a selfish, irresponsible *******.
Agreed. But Trapster is primarily for speed traps, DUI traps is just a secondary function.
I personally think passing around checkpoint info is protected under free speech. But, to repeat myself, anyone who is over the legal limit and uses an app to avoid a DUI is a selfish, irresponsible *******.
Agreed. But Trapster is primarily for speed traps, DUI traps is just a secondary function.
PetMac
Sep 5, 12:15 PM
I want an iTunes Movie Store, but to me it would be a lot better if you had the choice between a $9.99 download and a $2 or $3 rental that expired after a couple days. I honestly don't buy very many movies at all, because I rarely watch a movie twice. I do like to rent them though, and anything that made that more convenient would be great.
I couldn't agree more. Steve was right when he said people don't want to rent their music, they want to own it. The opposite is true about movies. Besides who has that kind of HDD space? I almost never buy movies but we do use Netflix. How about a model just like that. A monthly fee based on how many active movies you can have a one time. You can watch them as long as you like but when you download another you have to give one up.
I couldn't agree more. Steve was right when he said people don't want to rent their music, they want to own it. The opposite is true about movies. Besides who has that kind of HDD space? I almost never buy movies but we do use Netflix. How about a model just like that. A monthly fee based on how many active movies you can have a one time. You can watch them as long as you like but when you download another you have to give one up.
Ampidire
Apr 22, 01:43 PM
I've decided the SB refresh on this machine will be my next purchase, it's perfect for me in school and I no longer need the powerhouse MBP I have now.
I just didn't wanna buy a C2D, the nVidia IGP is nice yes, but I don't game on my MBP as it is, so what do I have to lose other than weight..
I just didn't wanna buy a C2D, the nVidia IGP is nice yes, but I don't game on my MBP as it is, so what do I have to lose other than weight..
cleric
Apr 22, 01:55 PM
Youtube is a problem. The Intel 3000HD still isn't supported by the Video Decode Acceleration Framework (VDA for short) that Apple released in 2010 to enable Adobe to implement hardware decoding of H.264 video. So right now, a MBA is offloading decoding to the nVidia 320M, while a new SB MBA would revert to standard CPU decoding, throwing us back to the dark ages of ****** Flash, where we now have passable Flash.
If thats the case it pretty much makes it useless, especially when there is an official version of VLC with h264 acceleration.
If thats the case it pretty much makes it useless, especially when there is an official version of VLC with h264 acceleration.
iCrizzo
Apr 20, 10:59 AM
Um.. if someone gets my phone or MB then they are going to get a lot more useful information than what cities I have visited in the last 6 months. How is that useful?:confused:
ten-oak-druid
Apr 4, 01:01 PM
So no one would have been able to shoot the 19 people who were shot (and 20 injured) in Tucson? Perhaps not the first one or two or even three, but eventually someone would have been able pull out their gun and take out the guy before he got to 5 let alone 19 or 20.
It happens quite often when there are people with CC permits around, it just isn't reported as often as the nut job - who already was a criminal - pulls out a gun and kills innocents.
It might have just happened here too - the who knows where three armed robbers were headed next. They found the 2 in a residential area and closed schools near there.
And for the people wondering, Chula Vista isn't a very nice area and I'm not surprised that guards who are guarding the area (it is not a completely inside mall if memory serves) were carrying guns at night.
Yes if five people in the area all pulled out loaded weapons and started shooting, they all would have hit the killer and no one else.
No one could prevent what happened simply by carrying a gun. He intended to kill and struck without warning.
What actually happens successfully is that criminals who do not intend to kill but threaten get thwarted. Actual killers or criminals who do not care about taking a life in the process are not actually stopped that often. It is a fantasy story concocted by wanna be heros.
Look I am not arguing to take your gun away. I want to keep my gun too. But don't tell me these fantasy stories about how we'll all save the day with our concealed weapon. And don't tell me the story about the big bad liberal who wants to take our guns away either. Its just a wedge issue.
It happens quite often when there are people with CC permits around, it just isn't reported as often as the nut job - who already was a criminal - pulls out a gun and kills innocents.
It might have just happened here too - the who knows where three armed robbers were headed next. They found the 2 in a residential area and closed schools near there.
And for the people wondering, Chula Vista isn't a very nice area and I'm not surprised that guards who are guarding the area (it is not a completely inside mall if memory serves) were carrying guns at night.
Yes if five people in the area all pulled out loaded weapons and started shooting, they all would have hit the killer and no one else.
No one could prevent what happened simply by carrying a gun. He intended to kill and struck without warning.
What actually happens successfully is that criminals who do not intend to kill but threaten get thwarted. Actual killers or criminals who do not care about taking a life in the process are not actually stopped that often. It is a fantasy story concocted by wanna be heros.
Look I am not arguing to take your gun away. I want to keep my gun too. But don't tell me these fantasy stories about how we'll all save the day with our concealed weapon. And don't tell me the story about the big bad liberal who wants to take our guns away either. Its just a wedge issue.
balamw
Sep 5, 04:43 PM
And DVD's don't have ads even if you rent them (other than trailers, which is pretty standard).
The recent Peter Jackson version of King Kong had a "special feature" that was little else but an ad for the VW Touareg. This kind of prouct-placement/cross-marketing is becoming more prevalent, and plenty of Disney movies I have bought recently come with inserts in the DVD case that are ads for minivans, junk food, books, etc... etc...
B
The recent Peter Jackson version of King Kong had a "special feature" that was little else but an ad for the VW Touareg. This kind of prouct-placement/cross-marketing is becoming more prevalent, and plenty of Disney movies I have bought recently come with inserts in the DVD case that are ads for minivans, junk food, books, etc... etc...
B
Tommyg117
Sep 15, 06:07 PM
ok, but what cell phone provider are they going to use? Cingular? Verizon? I have verizon and really want them to have it.
aristotle
Nov 13, 09:08 PM
To be fair, that's quite possibly a limitation imposed on them by navteq/teleatlas.
That is irrelevant. It is still someone's IP and Google is bound by law to honour their license agreement with that other company. It is also possible that Apple could be bound by an agreement for their system icons. Not likely but it is possible. I know that icon factory created a lot of the XP and Vista icons for MSFT.
I have no problem with people using fair use for justifying their own personal use but publishing apps on the app store whether for free or for profit crosses that line where fair use cannot be used as an argument. These apps are not a commentary or piece of journalism but rather a product offered to promote a commercial product called Airfoil which is available for the mac and windows.
Are you trying to tell us that you promote ripping off icons from other people? Is it only ok if they are stealing from other companies? What if someone has a custom icon set installed? Did they creator of that icon set consent to this iPhone/iPod Touch app having access to those icons?
That is irrelevant. It is still someone's IP and Google is bound by law to honour their license agreement with that other company. It is also possible that Apple could be bound by an agreement for their system icons. Not likely but it is possible. I know that icon factory created a lot of the XP and Vista icons for MSFT.
I have no problem with people using fair use for justifying their own personal use but publishing apps on the app store whether for free or for profit crosses that line where fair use cannot be used as an argument. These apps are not a commentary or piece of journalism but rather a product offered to promote a commercial product called Airfoil which is available for the mac and windows.
Are you trying to tell us that you promote ripping off icons from other people? Is it only ok if they are stealing from other companies? What if someone has a custom icon set installed? Did they creator of that icon set consent to this iPhone/iPod Touch app having access to those icons?
TC400
Apr 30, 02:11 PM
Isn't this iMac design from fall of 2009? That's less than two years.
I seen it as more of a mid model refresh.
TECHNICALLY been the same since 2008.
I seen it as more of a mid model refresh.
TECHNICALLY been the same since 2008.
justinLONG
Mar 22, 03:56 PM
I bought a refurbished a month ago. I needed one and couldn't go with out a
computer any longer.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC509LL/A?mco=MjEwNTc0ODc
meh.
computer any longer.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC509LL/A?mco=MjEwNTc0ODc
meh.
le sacre
Sep 12, 09:20 PM
i'm sorry but the 30G iPod has a stupid price. If someone is that tight and has to get an iPod, they would probably buy used.
there are plenty of reasons people might avoid buying a used ipod, or simply want a new one.
speaking for those of us who are, as you put it, "tight," i for one would appreciate it if you... didn't.
$350 is 40% more than $250. to some of us, that's a lot. i think apple understands that, and probably has some pretty damn good data behind their pricing scheme.
i have to say, reading all these whiny complaints, everyone sounds like Comic Book Store Guy from the simpsons. i don't get where exactly the sense of entitlement comes from? i mean, obviously they're doing the best they can... what, are they holding back some awesome features, just to piss you off?
there are plenty of reasons people might avoid buying a used ipod, or simply want a new one.
speaking for those of us who are, as you put it, "tight," i for one would appreciate it if you... didn't.
$350 is 40% more than $250. to some of us, that's a lot. i think apple understands that, and probably has some pretty damn good data behind their pricing scheme.
i have to say, reading all these whiny complaints, everyone sounds like Comic Book Store Guy from the simpsons. i don't get where exactly the sense of entitlement comes from? i mean, obviously they're doing the best they can... what, are they holding back some awesome features, just to piss you off?
sciwizam
Apr 19, 01:16 PM
Not sure if everyone's already seen it but this is a great read from Nilay Patel: http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/19/apple-sues-samsung-analysis/
From Nilay's post:
Hardware and software trade dress claims
free clip art flowers borders.
free clip art flowers borders.
Clipart images - free black
free clip art flowers borders.
From Nilay's post:
Hardware and software trade dress claims
Howardchief
Mar 23, 05:47 PM
Do a poll macrumors.... Us 6 want them pulled Now!!... the others not quoted want them to stay on the App Store for no real good or beneficial reason
I haven't decided either way.. but I also want a poll! Polls are fun.
I haven't decided either way.. but I also want a poll! Polls are fun.
yojitani
Sep 13, 12:32 AM
This is probably old news by now, but the new ipods/nanos don't qualify for the $179 return apple is giving students when the buy an ipod with a computer... bummer.
spicyapple
Sep 10, 08:31 AM
Things have certainly changed after the PPC ->x86 transition.
Mac resale value will go down the drain, but that's great if you're the buyer not the seller. It's still much more exciting to be getting these furious CPU upgrades.
Mac resale value will go down the drain, but that's great if you're the buyer not the seller. It's still much more exciting to be getting these furious CPU upgrades.
cmaier
Nov 13, 05:05 PM
You may be right, but we haven't seen the emails or the actual rejected programs.
Furthermore, "The Client Is Always Right", not because they are, but as a matter of principle. The client is in command.
And I insist, Apple's model makes them the client, which I have to admit brings many benefits to the end user and the platform in general -not so many to the suppliers or developers, except maybe for the fact that it makes the end user more confident to part with their money, of which Apple has the numbers to prove.
I don't see Apple as the client. After all, they didn't ask for the app. They didn't provide any kind of spec, or put out an RFP, or specify any guidelines as to what it should do. To me they are more of an unwanted kibbutzer looking over my shoulder. On more than one occasion I've had Apple reject updates that did things my customers really wanted, for dumb reasons (usually reasons that they could have asserted for the 20 updates I did prior to that point).
Furthermore, "The Client Is Always Right", not because they are, but as a matter of principle. The client is in command.
And I insist, Apple's model makes them the client, which I have to admit brings many benefits to the end user and the platform in general -not so many to the suppliers or developers, except maybe for the fact that it makes the end user more confident to part with their money, of which Apple has the numbers to prove.
I don't see Apple as the client. After all, they didn't ask for the app. They didn't provide any kind of spec, or put out an RFP, or specify any guidelines as to what it should do. To me they are more of an unwanted kibbutzer looking over my shoulder. On more than one occasion I've had Apple reject updates that did things my customers really wanted, for dumb reasons (usually reasons that they could have asserted for the 20 updates I did prior to that point).
dops7107
Sep 12, 04:49 PM
They mention battery life, but music is still 20 hours rated, so I think they only list more battery life because they have the "BRIGHTNESS" setting now! ha-ha. So I think my battery is just as good too?
That's a good point. I thought maybe they put a higher capacity battery in, and I wondered if it could be replaced, but perhaps it is all due to the screen brightness. I thought the most energy sapping thing was the hard drive though, not the display.
That's a good point. I thought maybe they put a higher capacity battery in, and I wondered if it could be replaced, but perhaps it is all due to the screen brightness. I thought the most energy sapping thing was the hard drive though, not the display.
Cougarcat
Apr 30, 08:24 PM
IF Apple starts supporting more desktop cards for the Pro...then well see demanding games shine on a Mac.
Not to get off topic, but Apple's poor graphics drivers are more of an issue than their OK cards.
Not to get off topic, but Apple's poor graphics drivers are more of an issue than their OK cards.
Unorthodox
Aug 31, 05:09 PM
Is the Pope German? :rolleyes:
I don't know.
Is he?
I thought he was Italian...
And I also thought the saying was "Is the pope Catholic?".
I don't know what I am but what are you?!?
I don't know.
Is he?
I thought he was Italian...
And I also thought the saying was "Is the pope Catholic?".
I don't know what I am but what are you?!?
rtharper
Sep 14, 09:54 AM
You guys are just delusional at this point.
No, follow our "logic" (I'll use the term loosely and admit to doing so).
1. Merom is out.
2. Other laptop makers have release Merom machines, or will do so in the very near future.
3. IF Apple wants to stay competitive with other laptop makes THEN it must also release a Merom laptop line within a similar timeframe.
4. Apple wants to competitive with other laptop makers
Therefore, Apple will release a Merom laptop line within a similar timeframe.
Now, using a little precedence we know there are two ways Apple really releases products. "Silent" updates accompanied by a change on their website plus a press release. The other is at a media event with a keynote. As we don't know how much of an upgrade this will be (just chip or case redesign?) it is not unreasonable to assume that the next major even may involve this release, given that the MacBook Pro is a product line at least tangential to photography for a lot of people. Neither is it unreasonable to think they would release them the week before as they did with the iMac.
No, follow our "logic" (I'll use the term loosely and admit to doing so).
1. Merom is out.
2. Other laptop makers have release Merom machines, or will do so in the very near future.
3. IF Apple wants to stay competitive with other laptop makes THEN it must also release a Merom laptop line within a similar timeframe.
4. Apple wants to competitive with other laptop makers
Therefore, Apple will release a Merom laptop line within a similar timeframe.
Now, using a little precedence we know there are two ways Apple really releases products. "Silent" updates accompanied by a change on their website plus a press release. The other is at a media event with a keynote. As we don't know how much of an upgrade this will be (just chip or case redesign?) it is not unreasonable to assume that the next major even may involve this release, given that the MacBook Pro is a product line at least tangential to photography for a lot of people. Neither is it unreasonable to think they would release them the week before as they did with the iMac.
mobi
Mar 29, 11:23 AM
Thank you for the chuckle during the lunch hour :D