The Present and the Future
I really tried not to write an article about the revelations of this past Wednesday. but it turned out to be too hard. Every article I read seemed bent on discussing what was happening now and not what might happen in the future. Here are my thoughts on what has just occurred and what might be coming in the next few years.
The Present
iTunes 6
As soon as possible I downloaded iTunes 6 and began to put it through its paces. And it is a solid piece of software. Very clean and integrates its new movie playing features well, and yet, it still feels like Apple bolted the movie module onto iTunes. Now, they did it as well as can be expected but you can always tell that this was a program designed for music that happens to also play video. I am not complaining too much because I have a very good feeling that this situation will change come summer but I will delve into that more a little later on in the article. So, taking a look at iTunes 6 these are my impressions.
- Pros
- Storing and sorting movies is intuitive and easy
- Indicator beside title indicates which selections are movies, which is very helpful
- Movies can play in small space within main window or a larger, separate window
- Integration with the ITMS is seamless
- Now iTunes allows you to store any Quicktime compatible movies in your library
- Cons
- No way to force movies to play normal size in main window
- Only shows rating in list view
- Requires the Quicktime 7.0.3 update to play video
- Still feels like things could be done better
The New iMac
A thinner frame, remote control and a built in camera were the major improvements this time around. And you can get a good idea from Front Row where Apple wants to take this product line in the future. I like it and can’t wait to see where they take things.
- Pros
- Front Row looks to be an awesome piece of software
- The built in camera is a great idea
- Thinner is better
- The remote control is very sleek looking
- Thankfully the remote doesn’t have 54 buttons on it
- Cons
- Screen is still a little small when compared to a TV
- No scroll wheel on the remote?
The Video Enabled iPod
Well, it happened so everyone can now exhale. This newer iPod is very cool (aren’t they all?) and for watching short clips, music videos and maybe event TV shows it might work, but not with a feature length film. I can’t help but feel like this is just a stop gap measure till they can ship a player that is designed from the ground up to play movies and not as an add-on to an already perfect product.
- Pros
- Great as a portable digital media library
- Thinner is better
- Bigger screen is nice (though not as big or as nice as the PSP’s screen)
- Cons
- Once again it feels like they just bolted the movie module onto the iPod
- Bigger screen means less battery life
- Screen still to small for any realistic movie watching
ITMS With Movies
It is a start and they are definitely moving in the right direction but clearly there is a ways to go. As more movies, TV shows, short films and video podcast are added things will have to change to give both types of media equal billing.
- Pros
- Links from the ITMS main page easily direct you to the movies section
- It “looks” very cool
- Buying movies works just like buying songs, i.e. no learning curve
- Those Pixar mini-movies rock
- Cons
- Meager resolution at 320x240 what were they thinking?
- Can’t (or at least I couldn’t) preview TV episodes or music videos (though I could preview the Pixar films)
- Small selection of TV shows (I know, give it time)
- No movies (I know, I know, give it more time)
- Can’t burn movies to DVD
The Future
Movies
This new venture of Apple’s will be a success. And once it catches on the major movie studios will have no choice but to sign on with Apple or risk losing out to the competition. Once it proves to be successful it will look very attractive because it’s almost like free money. All the studios have to do is provide Apple the right to sell their material and sit back as Apple handles all of the technical challenges.
Cable & TV
If Apple is serious about making a move into the home entertainment space then they are going to have to figure out a way of dealing with TV and cable. I don’t see Apple installing a pair of rabbit ears on top of every new iMac so that leaves us with cable, specifically digital cable. I expect an input to appear sometime in the future that will allow you to run a connector from your cable box into your iMac allowing you to connect to the internet and watch all of your favorite cable programs. Say goodbye to TiVo.
The New Media Application
I think that Apple is going to have to make a decision in the near future if their new media download system is to take off. The first option is to split iTunes and make a second application which deals exclusively with movies, TV shows etc. I don’t really like this option because it means you will need to keep track of another program. A better solution would be to keep all of the functionality in one program but change it to better fit this new paradigm Apple has created. The most obvious move is to first rename iTunes something like iMedia. Then, in this new program have two different sections, one for dealing strictly with music the other for dealing with video. Think of it as a cross between iTunes and Quicktime player with the file management of, say, iPhoto.
The Media Store
Notice I didn’t call it the iTunes music store. In fact, as Apple adds more and more diverse types of content they are going to have to change the name just like they will have to rename iTunes. So, really, it is just a matter of when. Personally I think they will wait till the next major signing deal is reached and then re-christen it the Media Store dropping the music moniker permanently. Who knows, maybe they will roll out iMedia along with the new iMedia Online Store. Furthermore, why stop at movies? Why not offer ALL digital products via this new store? Wouldn’t it be great if Apple allowed you to buy their software online? Or better yet, other companies software? Why couldn’t it be done? If they can get most of the music artist, record labels, TV studios and movie studios on board for their new online venture why not take the next step and offer software for download as well? Apple has the potential to become the largest digital media and software retailer period with a move like that.
Games
Question, if Apple can make a remote control for an iMac what is to stop them from making a wireless gamepad? Or am I the only one who thinks that an iMac might make an interesting game machine? Why not? If it plays music and videos why can’t it play games? Apple could open up a game division just like Microsoft and start competing for the entire home entertainment experience.
Advertising
What will happen to traditional advertising if lots of people start buying TV episode online? I don’t think commercials will be included anytime soon so how will advertisers take advantage of this new medium? Renting ad space on the ITMS perhaps? Hum, I don’t think so either.
The True ViPod
Don’t let Jobs fool you with this new iPod because it isn’t here to stay. I assure you that Apple is working on a larger, more powerful device which will no doubt be powered by a nice, new Intel chip. Bulk discount anyone? Expect this new iPod to be built with viewing video as its primary function. As such a larger harddrive and a larger screen will be definite features to look for. Maybe with built in wireless, but that might be a bit much at the moment.
The iMac Evolution
Currently the 20” iMac, even with Front Row, can’t compare to a 40” flat screen plasma TV from Phillips. But imagine if that same iMac had a 40” screen, then would you be interested? I would. With a screen that large you are talking about a TV replacement. Of course, right now the price is too high for something like that to work, but in a couple of years it just might. With a screen that large you can replace a standard TV, you of course, have a computer built in, you can listen to music, watch movies, view online media content and maybe even play games. And that is the ultimate home entertainment media center device.
And those are my reviews and predictions for the future, I can’t wait to see what Apple rolls out next.
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Comments
It’s funny that you should mention the potential for renaming the iTunes Music Store as a couple of relatives that had inquired to me about the new iPod (I’m the only Apple user in the extended family) seemed completely confused that you would actually visit a music store to buy Tv shows and movies. I got to thinking about it and it really does make very little sense.
Though I don’t have a new iPod with video playback just yet, I did download two TV episodes - one of Night Stalker and one of Lost - to see what the quality and DRM were like. The DRM has the exact same feel as iTunes songs, not surprising. When I copied it to another Mac it simply asked for my iTunes password and then allowed me to resume viewing. I didn’t have much of a problem figuring out how to make the screen larger/full screen and frankly, given the 320x240 resolution, I was rather pleased with the full screen appearance. It wasn’t awful like I was expecting and though a far cry from HD it still looked better than a lot of DVD’s I own - at least on my iMac.
Speaking personally, I think that the new iPod is going to be the first new Apple item in a long time that I’m going to play the wait and see game with. I’m very anxious for a product to plug into the family plasma TV to watch shows with but this obviously isn’t it. I think Apple is more or less testing the waters with this product and agree, as mentioned above, that this all feels rather “tacked on” to the whole iTunes/iPod experience. Give it 640x480 resolution or better and I’m all over it. On the plus side of things though - I’ve been messing around with the new Quicktime to see just how efficient it is at converting content to work with the new iPod and have been very impressed with how easily it works and how broad the compatibility seems to be. Compared to other portable video players on the market (PSP, Creative Zen, etc.) this is a huge step in the right direction.
I think we should be more specific in the cons region:
- 320x240 clips is not “meager”, it is a joke, and a bad one at that. It is even worse a joke than 128kbps AAC.
- redesigning the iPod so you cannot use a great number of present accessories (headphone/remote port!) is going to make a number of people quite “unhappy”.
Actually, I think the box to watch in the future is the Mac mini. It would make an ideal component for those with giant TVs. If Apple slaps in a TV tuner, it will instantly become something that can drive a large screen, be hooked up to surround-sound speakers, and do video, audio, what-have-you.
The Video Enabled iPod
Con: NO MORE FIREWIRE SYNCING
Oliver, yes, I bitched about it before, WE LIKE OUR WIRE ON FIRE! *g*
YouKnow, of course, all we want in a mini is a *decent* VGA out (which you can then turn into component for TV use), HDMI, optical out, a nasty graphics card for HD, and a next gen drive. Perfect home entertainment system.
Storing and sorting movies is intuitive and easy
Other than the fact that it stores your purchased movies in your MUSIC folder on your HDD.
Personally, I don’t want a computer on the back of my TV. The Mac and Apple have been very clear it seems that the “Digital Hub” is the direction and it is both shocking and alarming they are taking this route. I don’t want an outdated machine that I can’t really upgrade on my TV in 5 yrs. The Mac should be connected to the TV via ports like any other stand alone system and thus replacing them. Frontrow seems like a great product, but it needs to be something that is available on all systems. I am actually very surprised that Apple released an iPod that has video capabilities. While true, it is a product I would want, just not necessarily in it’s current form-factor and I would have to agree Apple has something they are cooking up. What I can’t believe is that they released this video playing iPod without major movie support. I am sure that is direction they want to go and based on the direction of their computer line, a direction they are pursuing, it is just kinda curious. Then again it is holiday buying season coming up so they needed new hooks I suppose. While the Mac Mini would make a great home entertainment system with a few changes, I think those limitation as intentional. I would say what would be better is (the much rumored for years) a “top box” system that has all the best connections to your TV and sound system and with the OS/software integration to provide a great user experience in the living room. At that point there is some real basis to have a iMedia store with a full movie catalog so that you can watch your movies right there, move them on to your new iPod (with proper form-factor) to watch your travels and commutes, send them to iDVD and burn them DVDs with pre-developed menus for that movie that were included with the download, stream them to your bedroom via Airport Express Video. This is the paradigm that will ring in video to come. All-In-One systems are rarely efficient or effective and are not flexible enough to have any longevity.
walkingmac2, of course you’re right, it is nicer if you’re able to upgrade. But. Given the range of applications - DVD, HD content, Photos, Music, Web, Email - the current crop of computer is largely fit enough, if not overfit, for the purpose. I would rather be afraid of the thing breaking too early, or being too noisy. A 30” iMac capable of 1080p, with video inputs (*cough* also SCART *cough*) would make an excellent media base. As long as you’re happy hooking up your games console to it instead of using the machine itself for gaming - why would you want to upgrade it? All you might need is more storaga capacity.
All in ones being always the most conventient solution. Less flexible in a way, but most convenient.
The “media center” type system has more or less failed in the market because, IMHO, it is a convergent device. There is TOO much concentrated in single device. A 40” iMac would be in the same boat. I don’t care for convergent devices. I like my cell phone to do only phone stuff. I want my iPod optimized for music. I want my watch optimized to keep time. I DO NOT want them all in the same device convergent device.
The media center concept could be best done with divergent devices that recognize the existance of other divergent devices.
I would prefer to see an Airport Express like device that could stream this stuff from ANY computer, be it on the desk in my office or a laptop sitting where I left it last. I don’t want to spend big bucks on a computer and have to put it in an entertainment “center” where I can’t use it like a conventional computer.
If the computer is in a different room, then the remote is an issue that is easily solved. Simply make a USB connected IR dongle that can connect to a computer OR wireless interface device (like a new AXBS) that can send the IR commands back to the remote computer. The dongle, of course, sits at the location of the main TV. One could then leave the computer in the den or office and drive it from the couch.
The output from the computer then routes to the rest of a home entertainment center as just another audio/video input of some format so that the computer is a media device but NOT a “media center.”
Then there is is the TV tuner thing. Including one with every computer adds unnecessary costs. Take the USB modem for example. Many people, me included, don’t need or use modems anymore so that I don’t much care if my next computer comes with one. The lack of a modem in the upper end Mini’s is what we’ll see in most desktops. If you want a modem, go get the USB one. I’d rather use the cost of the modem to offset the cost of the iSight camera built in or some other more necessary goodie. The TV Tuner should be provided as an external device, maybe it could work over USB as well, the data rate is high enough for regular TV, maybe even HDTV. A USB tuner connected to a remote computer could also be controlled via Front Row and the remote. Front Row could then provide the PVR function as well.
The cable box is an issue because it would naturally want to be where the TV is. This makes the interface between the cable box and the remote computer a little problematic.
There’s lots of ways to go if one assumes that the comptuer is NOT a meda center but a media add-on.
- gws
My thoughts about the “media center” are similar to gwschreyer’s. And, like what walkingmac2 wrote, “Personally, I don’t want a computer on the back of my TV”.
On that topic, here’s a repost of what I wrote earlier in Re: Editors’ Notes Weblog: Mac mini needs a Front Row seat:
) and relatively low budget wireless media streaming solution:
Maybe I’m in the minority here as someone who’s not interested in having an overly extravagant “Apple/Mac Media Center” right in my living room since I’ve already implemented a fairly elegant (IMHO
• Computers, EyeTV, and media content are downstairs
• Audio/video components, EyeHome, and Airport Express are upstairs
802.11g has enough bandwidth to stream DVD quality MPEG-2 video and DTS audio, which is the upper limit of my current requirements. And I anticipate 802.11n (or other faster, higher bandwidth wireless protocol) and a suitable EyeHome replacement (maybe even an Apple product with Front Row functionality?) will be available by the time I’m ready to migrate to HD.
This setup lets me keep the living room components minimal, e.g. no content stored on hot-running hard drives, no noisy fans, fewer wife-irritating cables. Most limitations are with EyeTV/EyeHome, e.g. no remote program scheduling, no FairPlay DRM media playback (I prefer AirTunes for audio anyway), no H.264 support.
This bit of Robert X. Cringley’s Seeing Is Believing article caught my attention:
There’s an outfit called DVDstation that puts video distribution kiosks in stores and malls. As its name implies, you go to the DVDstation to pick out a movie and burn it on a DVD right there. Well, DVDstation just announced that you can plug your video-enabled iPod into their kiosk and download an HD movie in 90 seconds or less.
In the living room, I’d rather use something like a video-enabled iPod as a portable, removable media center component to provide certain types of external digital content (like Cringley’s DVDstation example) instead of having bulkier, fixed components that aren’t really necessary for my setup.
For now, Front Row and the video-enabled iPod are conceptually interesting rather than something I have an immediate use for. And I want to keep the content in my living room with as little hardware there as possible, like I’m currently doing.
[end-of-repost]
So ...
My ideal “media center” would be more a collection of several optimally located/connected, cost-efficient, easily replaceable/upgradable components instead of fewer awkwardly located/connected, higher cost, harder-to-justify-replacing all-in-one convergent devices. Uhh, something like that.
I agree with everything up to the 40” combo, that doesn’t make sense to me. I would like to see a video airport reciever for the TV, make it even cheaper to install a G5?!? mini as a media center.