Apple Updates

DonDaddy

Video on an iPod was the worst-kept secret on The Internets, so when Jobs made his announcment yesterday, there was much more head-nodding than fist-pumping.

What was very exciting, and has the most potential, however, was the deal Apple inked with ABC to sell episodes of ABC television shows through the iTunes Music Store for 1.99 each.

So how does it look? The Unofficial Apple Weblog picked up an episode of Lost, and says,

"If you are just looking for some TV that you can watch while typing up a report or on your new iPod during the morning commute, it's honestly not too shabby."

Their full story has a screen cap that you can click and analyze, as well as an in-depth review of the iPod viewing expereince.

"artifacts . . . start showing up as you try to watch these shows on anything larger than an iPod's screen. There is quite a bit of fuzziness and . . . on shows like Lost where many of the scenes are so dark that they have an almost chiaroscuro effect, there will be multiple block artifacts in particularly dark scenes, when watching the video at larger than its default size. At regular size and even in the little window embedded in iTunes, it looks crystal clear, with no noticeable or distracting artifacts even in fast moving scenes with lots of action. At double normal size, you will start seeing a few artifacts, comparable to the compression artifacts you'll see when watching shows recorded on popular PVRs like TiVo and ReplayTV. Full-screen is much more like watching a VHS tape. Actually, it's more like watching an old VHS tape that has been watched one too many times."

There is much, much more at TUAW, including what you can and can't do with the episode you buy, and their final verdict:

"n conclusion, the $1.99 per episode is good for what it is, and it is even good enough to the point where I am actually considering buying the first season of Lost on the iTMS for $34.99 rather than grabbing it on DVD for $10 to $15 more."

In line with the new iPods, Apple rolled out iTunes 6, which includes a revamped iTunes store with the option of purchasing more than 2,000 music videos, as well as five television programs from ABC and Disney, and six Pixar short films -- all for $1.99 a piece.

In an announcement that caught many off guard, Apple rolled out an upgraded iMac G5. The new iMacs include a built-in iSight video camera and Front Row, a new "media experience that "gives users a simple, intuitive and powerful way to play their music, enjoy their photo slideshows, and watch their DVDs and iMovies, as well as popular movie trailers from apple.com and music videos and television shows purchased from the iTunes Music Store, on their iMac from up to 30 feet away using the new bundled Apple Remote." A new application called Photo Booth allows users to play with images captured from the iSight camera.
veradis

Man, I really need an ipod now. I was planning on getting one before I head off to school next summer, but I don't know if I can wait now that these mac-daddy's are out. Oh, has anyone seen one of those Rocker cell phones with itunes?
Eon

I need a new bloody iPod, I'm guessing it won't run on my shitty G2 black and white thing...bah. Sounds cool though.
Ou Be Low hoo

I've got a 30G iPod Photo and I have sex with it most nights, but I think I may need to get a new bed-fellow...Those things are hot!
Mr. Hacker Dude

I just got an iPod nano for my birthday. Hey, when did Ou Be Low Who get back on the forums?
DonDaddy

I am not certain about all the specifics like what it will or wont work with but Im sure they have all of that over at the Apple site.
DPD

For a while now I've been contemplating getting an MP3 player, and now I think I'm finally over the edge for getting one. When these things come out, hopefully there'll be a decent sized price drop in either the iPods or Nomads or something, because frankly, I'm not a big fan of iTunes, the Pods are okay, and while it would be pretty awesome to have, I don't really need TV/Video on my music player. The only video I'd really want to put on there is funny clips from a computer or something like that. All in all, though, I think I can suffice just fine with purely music on my 30 minute walks to and from class. There's enough visual stimulation already to keep me occupied. I think a much better investment is gonna be down the line when they improve the MP3 player capacities on cell phones.
DonDaddy

If you needed another reason to buy one of the new video iPods, you've got it: The World Famous SuicideGirls.com has just launched SGTV, with a video podcast of ten 3-to-5 minute episodes currently available for free download.

New episodes profiling one of the current SuicideGirls will be posted weekly. The episodes will feature video sets, interviews, and candid moments with the SuicideGirls, and will be available for free download at http://suicidegirls.com/ipod/.

The free downloads are made using Apple specifications (with the new H.264 codec, for all you curious tech geeks out there), so there are no special programs needed to get your SuicideGirl video fix.

"SuicideGirls is thrilled to offer the first independently produced content for the video iPod. Fans around the globe have embraced our revolutionary take on sexy entertainment and with the development of the new iTunes technology they can listen to their favorite tunes and watch their favorite SuicideGirl videos wherever they are in the world," stated Missy Suicide, co-founder of SuicideGirls. "We are excited to utilize this new tool that enables us to distribute exclusive content from our site."

If you don't have a video iPod yet, you can also watch SGTV in iTunes. You can also download podcast versions of the weekly SG Radio Show that airs live on Los Angeles station Indie103.1 FM every Sunday night.
mazman

Does anyone else think that Apple is milking this just a little? I've had an iPod mini for about a year now and I'm perfectly happy with it, since it plays music and has plently of storage space. Now out comes the Nano, immediately followed by an updated iPod photo. Whats the point?
ZeroOne

Well, I have a Creative Zen Micro, and it is awesome! Apple is OK, but I like the fact that when my battery dies on my Zen, I can swap it with a spare LiON battery.

Oh and the 'point' is to make money...lots of money. :)
DonDaddy

PCWorld reports that iPods have finally taken their rightful place next to candy bars and school girls' panties:

Since spring, . . . San Francisco company [Zoom Systems] has been selling IPods across the U.S. in "robotic product delivery systems" (don't say the words "vending machine" around Zoom Systems executives; they find the term archaic). The first IPods were sold in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and the players can now be found in "Zoom Shop" machines operating in malls, hotels and grocery stores across the country, the company said.

Though Zoom Shops sell plenty of other products, including digital cameras and snacks, the IPod is the top seller, said Rick Cusick, Zoom Systems' executive vice president of merchandising. "It seems to unleash an incredible impulse opportunity," he said. "You can walk up and buy and IPod in 20 seconds."

If you buy the iPod in the airport, without realizing that there is no music on it, so it's useless for your flight, don't worry. Zoom Systems offers a 30 day return. There are about 100 iPod vending machines all over the country now, with 600 planned for next year.

View Full Version : Apple Updates


AOL Getting Bigger? - Binary Dice



Thank you for visiting the home of The Matrix - archive home.