Apple Special Event September 1st

[kjk]

http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/apple-event-september/

While Apple will only say that this is a “special event,” the image above makes it clear that just as with their events every September, this one will be mainly about music — or at least the iTunes ecosystem. At this event, Apple is widely expected to unveil (or at least talk about) their new iTV device — the next-generation Apple TV. And they may have a thing or two to say about an iTunes television show rental service.

And of course, you should also expect new iPod touches at this event. Maybe some with the shiny “retina” displays and front and back cameras — perfect for FaceTime.

I hope they introduce a 5" iPod touch with a battery that lasts as advertised. My current touch is a tad too small and the iPad is too big (and expensive).

Scuttlebut seems to be they will introduce iTV, but I cannot imagine much enthusiasm for that considering how Apple TV flopped. Besides, with cable, satellite, etc. offering DVRs, and with other options available for smartphones already established I wonder if that many people would be interested in a system undoubtedly only good for use on Apple hardware.

[Bluebaize]

I agree, I can't see that many people ever being interested in the Apple TV stuff - except the Apple fanatics out there of course.

I would love to see a new iPod Touch with the retina display, forward and back facing cameras along with a built in microphone.

I make lot of recorded notes and having the headphones plugged in just for the mic is a real pain. The iPad has a built in mic so I see no reason technical or otherwise not to move this feature over to an iPod.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Bluebaize

I agree, I can't see that many people ever being interested in the Apple TV stuff - except the Apple fanatics out there of course.

There are certainly much better media streaming devices available, I agree. Still, a new Apple offering would be more choice in the field, and that's always good.

[kjk]

Personally, I'd be happy with no new hardware announcements, just an iPad 4.1 release. Alas, that does not seem to be in the offing.

[tbergman]

Since the apple TV seems to have earned universal disdain, I'm wondering what you would suggest for someone that want near instant rental access to the latest releases of movies?
Something that avoids going out to Blockbuster or waiting for a Netflix dvd to arrive?

Tom

[kjk]

Originally Posted by tbergman

Since the apple TV seems to have earned universal disdain, I'm wondering what you would suggest for someone that want near instant rental access to the latest releases of movies?
Something that avoids going out to Blockbuster or waiting for a Netflix dvd to arrive?

Tom

Latest releases..I'm not sure. But Netflix Watch Instantly on the iPad/iPhone has been great for us...we've used the $9 Netflix DVD account for years, but most of my watching lately has been on the Watch Instantly thing. Might be worth browsing their site to see if any films available there interest you. http://www.netflix.com/BrowseGenres/Watch_Instantly/gev


(and of course, who knows what comes up Sept. 1st )

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by tbergman

Since the apple TV seems to have earned universal disdain, I'm wondering what you would suggest for someone that want near instant rental access to the latest releases of movies?
Something that avoids going out to Blockbuster or waiting for a Netflix dvd to arrive?

Tom

I wouldn't say that the Apple TV has earned universal disdain. I have one and it does most of the job that I need it to. If all you want is rental access, then apple TV works just fine. Heck, most cable networks have decent rental now. The real issue is content. Studios have not release a lot of their backlist in a digital format for downloading, thus there are quite a few movies that no one has. As far as I can tell, iTunes and Netflix digital download have fairly similar catalogs.

My only issue with Apple TV is two fold. First, it doesn't support audible audio books and second it doesn't support Pandora.