Following Apple's Event....
Just a very quick blogpost following the special event yesterday.
I thought the streaming was spectacular. Super high quality and very little break up. Thye had to deliver and I think they did.
So how did I do with my predictions....
iPod shuffle and Nano
Combining them to a single new form factor based on the square LED unit doing the rounds
Half right! I wasn't sure if they'd lose the Shuffle but I think the Nano is the new Shuffle. There are now two shuffles in my eyes
iPod Touch
A4 processor - Correct
3G Option - OK, not this time round
Gyroscope - Correct
No memory bumps - 64GB still the max- Correct
Retina display - Correct
Camera Options - Torn between two scenarios. Either:
Single FaceTime camera - To keep costs down, They may have just a single backward facing camera for FaceTime. Want two cameras - get an iPhone!
iPhone Camera configuration - Might be too expensive or not provide enough differentiation between the iPod touch and the iPhone
This was a bit of a cop out on my part so I'll not take any credit for the actual result
iPod Classic
No updates but still available - Correct
Apple iTV
Super Slim - Correct (although I did expect it to be even slimmer)
Unibody construction- like a wafer thin Mac Mini - Correct - OK, so it was Black!
HDMI Out - Correct
iOS powered - Correct (I'm led to believe but to be confirmed)
Full 720p resolution - Correct
Wired or Wireless Ethernet - Correct
No remote - uses iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
Can buy a standard Apple Remote as an extra - Wrong, they are bundling the remote with it
8 or 16GB local storage for Apps and Games - Wrong - No mention of storage
Update 30th September 2010 - The Apple TV has just started shipping and iFixit have down a teardown of the device. Lo and behold it has 8GB of local storage with a secondary slot for an additional memory chip - I'm going to claim my prediction as spot on!
Games can use mobile iOS devices as controller - Correct
Launch of iTV App store with some apps already available - Wrong but see below
Huge push towards big screen gaming - Wrong but see below
Local storage expandable via USB - Wrong but see below
Local iTunes Streaming - Correct
iPad
Description of huge sales and major success - Correct
Perhaps a view of iOS 4.1 for iPad plus release date - Correct (OK, so it's 4.2)
Reader Comments (6)
I don't think they'll add apps on the Apple TV as it has no local storage. I can't see how an app would work only with streaming.
If they got iplayer/4od etc onto the appletv I'd be sold. otherwise its a bit underwhelming for us UK peeps
Well, this has been the first Apple keynote I am really disappointed with for years.
Why? The Apple TV. I don't get the concept of this device. No storage? Only streaming? I don't "own" the content, but I have to rent it? Yes, it might be great in a perfect world with fantastic broadband internet and content available for streaming. Unfortunately, I do not live in this world.
Our situation in Germany: We do not have Netflix, nor do we have any comparable streaming options for the Apple TV. We have the option to rent movies at horrendous prices in iTunes (sometimes, DVD bargains are cheaper than the iTunes renting fee). That's it. Yes I could download content to my Mac and stream it to the Apple TV. But jeez! Why not connect my Mac to the TV directly in this szenario? Ok, I know. Steve told us that we do not want to do that. :(
Right now, I am stuck with my Mac mini as my multimedia center. I use EyeTV Sat to get my content. If only there was a decent solution to access the EyeTV library via Plesk (or is there a solution I do not know about?). And yes, I am happy with my Mac mini. But why doesn't Apple start promoting and USING the Mac mini as a multimedia platform? What about bringing Front Row to the next level? What about supporting options like EyeTV on a system level basis?
If I was located in the US, I would buy the Roku box. Amazing user interface. Same price point and guess what: for $0.99 Amazon will SELL you the TV episodes. They are yours...
I know, I sound angry and I do not like that. But I am disappointed. I want to like Apple's way, but I really can't right now.
Regarding the iPods: they are gorgeous and nice. But I have my iPhone 4... And it serves all my needs.
Regarding the previews of iOS 4.1 and 4.2: weird. They are previewing 4.2 in September and we will have to wait two more months...? What takes them so long to finally get iOS 4 onto the iPad?
P.S. The big data center they are building in North Carolina looks like an ugly beast to me right now. It is nice for the broadband world. But there is not broadband everywhere. Not even everywhere in the U.S. Streaming will not be feasible as the only option for everyone of us. The technology is not there yet.
The new ATV gives me a great reason to get the new Mac Mini instead. The limitations of the new product, especially the lack of local storage, is a great reason to make the switch. It seems like Apple is more concerned about making a buck through rentals than giving it's fan base flexibility to use it as they wish. I am not bashing Steve, et al., and the experience with the new ATV may be great. I like the flexibility to watch my own movies and pictures that are stored locally on my device, rather than having to pay everytime I want to watch a show or movie again.
Hulu + app would have been welcome, as that is streaming only
At least they have integrated Netflix for us in the USA
As for Mac Jury.... DonMc has interested so many folks that the website is now down
Sorry Don. Cannot listen to your ramblings for now
The TV is a perfect solution for me. I'm not interested in games. Don't care about owning movies. Addicted to Netflix and this makes the whole Netflix library (with certain reservations?) available instantly. Will use the connect with iPad and computer and gallery.me a LOT. In fact, I have ordered one and will probably buy another. Lot easier to "connect" iPad to TV with AppleTV. Price is right.
Steve is not satisfied with it. That's why it's still a "hobby". But I think they felt they had to establish at least some position to get some traction on content.