iTunes 7.7 includes Remote Capabilities

June 26, 2008   0 Comments
When the iPhone SDK 8 beta was released today, it included a pre-released version of iTunes 7.7. Closely inspecting the iTunes 7.7 documentation, it appears that the new version will include remote control features, built-in to the software.

Once iTunes App Store has been opened (July 12th), Apple will have a free remote control download for your iPhone and iPod Touch, that will interact with iTunes 7.7. This functionality is similar to RemoteBuddy and Telekinessis. However we find it unlikely it will include all the same features such as FrontRow control, system browsing, and mouse & keyboard controls. Based on the documentation, it appears the capabilities will be executed over your home wireless network.

Here's the incriminating evidence in the iTunes 7.7 Read Me file:

Labels: Apple, AppleTV, iTunes, Remote, Remote Buddy

NBC and Apple trying to reconcile?

January 26, 2008   0 Comments
The rumor floating around the internet tubes, is that NBC and Apple are working to resolve their differences and bring NBC content back to iTunes. A healthy NBC/Apple relationship benefits both parties, so despite their tiff last year, most anticipated discussions once the air cleared. The most encouraging worlds came from NBC's Zucker last monday, stating: 'We've said all along that we admire Apple, that we want to be in business with Apple... ...We're great fans of Steve Jobs.'"

We are curious what is sparking these conversations. Perhaps NBC has realized that launching their own video download service is not as easy as it looks. We assume that NBC did not retain their local customers when switching to Hulu or Amazon, and thus lost money pulling their shows from iTunes.

NBC was one of Apple's first studios to provide downloadable content for $1.99 per episode. Episodes of NBC's The Office, Law and Order, Heros, House, and My Name is Earl, were consistently some of the more popular titles on iTunes at the time. NBC wanted to make more money and suggested raising the price per episode for a test run. Apple stuck with their fixed price point model and rejected the suggestion. Apple and NBC would but heads for the next few months, resulting in NBC not renewing their iTunes contract, and pulling all NBC Studio content from the iTunes Store, where we are today.

Labels: Apple, Hulu, iTunes, NBC

Black Friday HTPC Deals...

November 23, 2007   0 Comments The holiday shopping season is officially in full swing, and there are plenty of HTPC products receiving the sale price treatment. Always enticed by a good deal, here are some of the deals we've been able to round up. Take advantage of them, most are only available for one day!


Amazon.com
Free Shipping, $1 Gift Wrapping, Ends 6PM PST
Online Store

Apple
All items include Free shipping, some available in store only.
Online Store

MacBooks: From $1048 (Up to $101 off)
iMacs: From $1048 (Up to $101 off)
Airport Extreme: $158 (Save $21)
Airport Express: $88 (Save $11)
Wireless Mighty Mouse: $58 (Save $11)
LaCie Mini Harddrive: $178 (Save $32)

ElGato
All items include Free shipping.
Online Store

EyeTv Hybrid + Gadget Bag - $129.95 (Save $35)
turbo.264 + Gadget Bag - $79.95 (Save $35)
EyeTV Hybrid + turbo.264 + Gadget Bag - $199.95 (Save $65)

Other World Computing
First come first serve!
Tips & Deals | Clearance Page

EyeTV EZ - $59.00
Genuine Apple 1GB Mac Pro (512MB x 2) FB-DIMM Memory Upgrade Kits $65.00
Apple MacBook/iMac/Mac mini Intel 512MB and 1GB modules $7.75 and $23.75
Apple SATA 2.5" Notebook drives from $29.99
Desktop 3.5" Drives up to 750GB from $44.00, 300GB for $59.00
USB 2.0 Hard Drive enclosure kits from $25.00
FireWire Enclosure Kits from $27.50
G4 Processors Duals & Singles up to 1.7GHz from $79.00; 1.0GHz $109.00!
ATI Radeon Video Cards from $49.99
SuperDrives DVD/CD Burners from $20.00

More to come as we find them. This post will be updated throughout the day.

Labels: Apple, Turbo.264

HD Radio tagged for iTunes

November 5, 2007   0 Comments
Apple and Clear Channel communications are coming together to introduce digital tagging for digital radio manufacturers. The hope is that by tagging the individual songs played over HD radio, listeners will purchase the music later through the iTunes store.

The concept is quite brilliant, and somewhat similar to what Apple is already doing with Starbucks. After purchasing a HD Radio capable of picking up these tagged songs, the listener can press a button to save the song information. Later when you sync your ipod, these songs will appear in your iTunes shopping cart so you may purchase them. It still unclear how the information gets from your radio to your ipod, unless its an OEM stereo designed to work with the iPod.

This concept will allow radio manufacturers and radio stations a fighting chance to compete with the growing MP3 player market. The broadcasters, would also see a percentage of the songs sold through this method.

It would be great if they could extend this method to Internet Radio stations as well. With the way that they have been struggling in the last years, it might give them a fighting chance as well.

Labels: Apple, Internet Radio

NBC/Apple End Negotiations

October 25, 2007   0 Comments
NBC and Apple have decided to end their negotiations regarding the studio's television programming. As we reported last month, NBC has pulled all their Television shows from iTunes, despite their early success with iTunes. The fued is over iTunes pricing, where television shows appear at $1.99.

On December 1st, Apple's contract with NBC expires, and at that point all NBC shows including shows from SciFi, USA, and Bravo will be pulled from the iTunes Music Store. NBC sent a breach of contract letter on October 9, but no legal action will follow. NBC has already worked out deals with Amazon to distribute their shows through their Amazon Unboxed service, packed with DRM.

Reactions from the fans seemed to be mixed. Several want the two to work out the details and renew the contract, others are boycotting NBC, while others simply suggest using torrents to get their shows. If you can't live without your NBC content we recommend getting a mac tv capture device, and record for your personal library.

Labels: Apple, iTunes, iTunes Store, NBC, TV Shows

Oct 26th - Leopard Release Day

October 16, 2007   0 Comments
Apple has announced that Leopard will infact be released on October 26th at 6:00PM. Within the last week there have been rumors flying that leopard would hit the selves soon, just nobody could confirm it. You may already pre-order leopard from Amazon and now you may do it through Apple as well. $129 for a single user license and $199 for the family pack.

Ten days and counting...
We hate waiting to, so here are a few suggestions to kill the 10 days until OS-X Leopard's release.

• Day 1: Qualify your system requirements. Make sure you meet the new 10.5 Standard.
• Day 2: Rip DVD's - FrontRow2 will play video_ts folders, meaning you don't need to rip your movies as mp4 anymore!
• Day 3: Backup... This is going to be a huge update, so make sure you have everything backed up or run the risk of loss.
• Day 4: Devise a way to get Leopard installed on a G3 B&W... you would be ubercool.
• Day 5: Break out your camping gear. Shop for non-perishable food.
• Day 6: Purchase an external harddrive. TimeMachine requires an additional drive if you want to make backups.
• Day 7: Find yourself a comfy spot on the sidewalk infront of the Apple Store. Set up camp.
• Day 8: Start making excuses to why your missing a halloween party to install an operating system.
• Day 9: Invite the local new to video you infront of the Apple Store. Tell him you've been a die hard fan since 2005, and show off bounty from the last time you waited in an Apple line.
• Day 10: Buy OS-X, Cheer, Turn Cartwheels, and Go home to be the first to install it. Spend the next 24 hrs writing reviews and complaining about 'missing features'

With 350+ new features, this will be one of the most anticipated releases in Apple OS history. We'll see you inline!

Labels: Apple, FrontRow, Leopard

iTunes 7.4? sometime today...

September 5, 2007   0 Comments
With Apple's Special Event this morning, they have announced the addition of Ring Tones to iTunes. This will prompt a new version of iTunes that will be released later today.

Apple has also introduced new iPod Shuffles, Nano's with Video, iPod Classics, and iPod Touch (iPhone style!)

Stay Tuned for more updates from the Special Event...

Labels: Apple, Event, iTunes, Software Update

MacMini not Dead, Just Refreshed!

August 7, 2007   0 Comments
We are excited to report that the MacMini is not Dead! From what we can tell the refresher centers around the introduction of the 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor now seated in the MacMini's. Compliment this with up to a 160GB hard drive (up from 80GB) and you got a nice little HTPC in the making. The one downside, it it still lists the old 802.11g Airport Extreme card for wireless networking. We were hoping to get that upgrade, like the rest of the Apple line-up.

Features:
- 1.83GHz or 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
- Apple Remote with Front Row
- Up to 160GB hard drive
- iLife ’08, Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger (included with every new mac purchase)

The MacMini is available for customization and purchase starting at $599.00, just like the previous models.

We knew something was up when after presentation during the Q&A after the Mac Press Event today, that there was no mention of the MacMini.... to which Tim replied:

"We're refreshing the Mac mini today."

Labels: Apple, Event, Hardware, MacMini

'Mac' Event Predictions

0 Comments
We feel like kids in a candy store anytime Apple has something new to announce and the rest of the world really has no clue what it is. What can we expect during the 'Mac' event at TownHall? Apple could say they are killing off the entire line-up, or introducing 5 new models. You just never know. So here are
EntertainMac's predictions for today's 'Mac' Event.

What We Expect:

• New iMacs: 2.2-2.4GHz, 23in Model, New Look (Brushed Silver?)
• MacBooks/Pro: Bump in speed
• New Keyboard designs
• .Mac Update
• No MacMini News

Wishful thinking:

• New MacMini: LONG overdue
• DVD-Add on for AppleTV
• New Cinema Displays with iSight (at reasonable pricing!)

Well thats about it right now... see you in 45min or so. For live coverage check out:
Engadget, Gizmodo, or MacNN

Labels: Apple, Event

'Mac' Press event on Aug 7.

August 1, 2007   0 Comments
Apple is contacting the press about a 'Product presentation for Mac' that will be held in the Apple Town Hall, August 7th. The news organizations that were contacted, have indicated that the meeting will be strictly about Mac products.

If we were the betting type, we would look towards new iMacs to be released. A new generation has been long rumored and long over due. A new revamped MacMini (or MacNano?), perhaps with the slightly larger foot print the AppleTV and Airport Extreme are using. As you may recall the Intel-based Mac Mini's were released in an Apple Town Hall meeting.

Labels: Apple, Event, Hardware