Comments on: Apple’s missing link

By: Graham Sanders

Graham Sanders — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 23:57:15 +0000

I think Aperture is the next big thing myself:
http://www.apple.com/aperture

Will be saving my penny’s for this, looks really, really nice. Take the time to listen to the profiles too:
http://www.apple.com/aperture/profiles/?kluetmeier

By: Mark Boulton

Mark Boulton — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 20:02:11 +0000

I think so, at least for the short term. Not sure if that will be a direct result of the video iPod’s though. I think it will probably be more to do with the Apple’s general market strength at the moment just continuing to rise.

By: With Interest

With Interest — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:57:27 +0000

Do you think Apple’s stocks will go up as a result of the video upgrades they are making?

By: some guy

some guy — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 12:15:32 +0000

i haven’t watched TV in eight years, and i don’t want a TV tuner in my Mac for the same reason i don’t want a radio in my iPod.

By: matgorb

matgorb — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 04:49:18 +0000

At least in Europe, there is a problem about integrating a TV tuner, it is called TV licence.

If Apple decided to put one in every iMac, it would mean that in theory every iMac owner would have to pay it even if they don’t use the TV.
This is why I think the TV will stay an option and right now Apple is probably happy to have others doing it.

In Finland, the licence is 200?/year, and in the UK I believe it is 120? (then again BBC is nice), a lot to ask from people on top of the price of the machine.

By: Vodstock

Vodstock — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 15:05:10 +0000

Another good article, Mark - thank you - but all this focus on Apple is starting to concern me, even though it may be justified.

Internet TV and related entertainment seems to be ending up in the hands of one company with few other players on the scene. Yes, there is competition (Archos, Orb, etc. are heading in the same direction, I believe), but they need to step up a gear. Your article tells Apple what they need to do, but I’d also like to see others listen to your advice.

As much as I love Apple for their uniqueness and progress in this area, I don’t think anyone wants to see another IT monopoly.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 00:53:53 +0000

For me, Apple needs to be supplying the video content in HD - especially considering LOST is so easily downloaded via P2P in what passes for HD in the States, also minus ad breaks!

When that happens, I’d use it.

I would desperately love Apple to release a media streamer that could wirelessly couple to a TV, PC, Projector and Audio System - allowing you to choose what got sent where using wireless tech and a single simple remote!

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 23:39:47 +0000

Mac have seemed a bit slow on the uptake of this – MCE from microsoft has been around since 2001. The latest version is very good – provided your prepared to curse and swear loads to get it working. So why haven’t Apple made a product to compete with MS. Then they really would change the way we do home entertainment.

By: Mark Boulton

Mark Boulton — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 18:00:44 +0000

Kev - You’re absolutely right, TV is a very different environment to design for, but we are going to see those boundries continue to blur if you believe all the convergence hype.

Personally I don’t see it as too much of a problem. As a designer you should familiarise yourself with the technology of the media you are designing for and also how the product will be used.

Lode - I think you’re right, this kind of this isn’t too far off from a hardware point of view. What is lacking is the infrastructure (such as iTunes Store and all of the associated DRM issues). It’ll come, but not for a year or so.

By: Lode

Lode — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:58:17 +0000

Indeed, a TV tuner would be nice.

One thing I loved about the presentation was the comparison between the Apple remote (6 buttons) and the Windows Media Center remote (40+). “That’s what Apple is all about”, Jobs said.. and I think he’s absolutely right.

What disappointed me is the resolution of the downloaded shows. 320x240? I thought this was supposed to be ‘the year of HD’, Steve? Even the video stream of his presentation was in a higher resolution.

When I’m moving out of my parents’ nest I really can see me buying an iMac+TV Tuner instead of a TV. Now if Apple would release a nice DVR-like add-on (be it built-in or a small, Apple-like device). I don’t care much for Windows Media Center (and neither does the rest of the world, or so it seems), but an iTunes-like way of watching tv and managing recorded programs sounds great. Given that Jobs explicitely mentioned the Microsoft media platform when introducing FrontRow, I don’t think this can be too far away. (Unless he wants us to buy every program trough ITMS, even though I’ve already paid for my cable.)

For the Belgian readers: wouldn’t it be great if this was integrated with the Telenet Digital Platform (sucky as they may be)?

By: Kev Mears

Kev Mears — Thu, 13 Oct 2005 15:20:33 +0000

Does this mean that another input device that you have to consider when designing interfaces has arrived?

Along with the “Nintendo Revolution controller”:http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000077059062/ the apple remote heralds a genre of input devices that have characteristics quite different to design for.

My son now has the dilemma of what to save for.

a PSP

an Xbox 360

or THE ipod (as they are naming it)

He’ll need to get a few more paper rounds to stump up for all that equipment!