We thought maybe the lil’ guy had reached the end of its days (it’s a big discussion every year) but Apple revealed today the Mac mini will live on. The mini packs twice the graphics performance, HDMI support, and better energy efficiency with an integrated power supply. Overall system volume is reduced by 20-percent, and the unibody aluminum construction just 1.4 inches thin. Full Story
With Comcast and Time-Warner now moving forward with video paywalls, are the cable companies doing what Hollywood and the music industry couldn’t do? Profit from the Internet… by forcing viewers to keep their cable subscriptions? That reality is coming sooner than you think.
Apple has redesigned its Apple TV user interface, launching Apple TV 3.0 which is designed to make navigation quicker and easier. Purchased and rented content can now be accessed on the main menu, and additional features have been added. The software update download is free to Apple TV owners. Full Story
Apple’s iTunes started offering a limited number of HD movies for rent or purchase yesterday. While iTunes has been offering TV shows in hi-def since Sept. ‘08, the addition of movie titles has got to get you excited. High-definition movies are priced at $19.99, and new release rentals at $4.99. Other films from the iTunes library will be $3.99 to rent. Full Story
Apple TV announced new HD content in the iTunes library today. ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC shows are now all available in high definition. As expected, HD episodes are a dollar more than standard-def episodes at $2.99 each.
Maybe this is why Apple’s Steve Jobs deflected the MacBook Blu-ray integration question at this week’s keynote address by saying “the licensing of the tech is so complex.” It seems they have their own HD thing going on. Full Story
I would like to know how Apple counts? When HDTV first came out there was 1080p as HD and 720/780p as ED. Apple TV is Enhanced Definition not High Definition. If ATV were 1080p then there would be something to shout about. As it is, it will be a long time before it is a household device. I have heard this from many others but let’s hear it from Apple!! - Jens24 Full Story
Will Blu-ray prices come down as quickly as they did when HD DVD was around? No. Will consumers buy high definition Blu-ray discs at $29.99 and higher for new releases? No way.
Sure you have the early adopters, the one who bought players for $1200 and didn’t mind paying $35 for a disc. And, you have some who were waiting for the format war decision to be made, and are now willing to pay $399(Sony BDP-S300) for a player. But for the mass consumer, Blu-ray is still too expensive. Full Story
Now you can rent HD movies from Apple for $4.99. The high definition format is apparently 720p, which is upconverted to 1080p. The sound format is Dolby Digital 5.1 surround. The download takes forever though, unless you have cable internet or Verizon Fios (fiber optic). Apple claims that at 6mbsp you can start watching in a minute. At 2mbsp you’re looking at 2 hours. At dial-up speed forget it, you may as well go to bed.
If you don’t want to wait for HD, you can always download an SD version of the movie with stereo sound for $3.99. Download speed, unless you are on dial-up, isn’t a factor.
Apple TV is supported by all the major studios including Fox, Lionsgate, MGM, Miramax, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Sony, Touchstone Pictures, Universal, Disney and Warner Bros.
- Limited Time
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