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Apple TV 3.0 software is out

post #1 of 21
10/29/09 at 12:17pm
Thread Starter 
Apple's press release
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post #2 of 21
10/29/09 at 12:32pm
Now we need a hardware update.
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post #3 of 21
10/29/09 at 1:35pm
Any ideas as to when we might see new Apple TV hardware?

I am hearing rumors that it may be before American Thanksgiving.

While I would love to pick up one of these devices, I would rather wait for a newer model if it is around the corner as it may pack more processing power to stream HD movies.
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post #4 of 21
10/29/09 at 2:44pm
word on the street here (all talk - nobody knows for sure) - nothing new until next year - holiday slate of products is complete...

For those having ATV trouble - this new version fixed my problems of library loading - loads really fast now - Don't know yet on rebooting issues;

Interface is very much improved IMO - Also, a new iTunes version 9.0.2 couples to support the new ATV 3 software;

I'm back on ATV with this new software because my m4v HB files play surround - lost that in iTunes and can't seem to get it back...

ken
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post #5 of 21
10/29/09 at 10:43pm
update:
woohooo - new iTunes 9.0.2 fixed my m4v HB file passthrough on AC3; Works great both via AppleTV and now Mini-iTunes...

and so far the new interface is so much faster! love it... and no reboots yet - we'll see how it holds up over the weekend... those of you having ATV problems should definitely give it a try IMO..

ken
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post #6 of 21
10/30/09 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgarner View Post

Any ideas as to when we might see new Apple TV hardware?

I am hearing rumors that it may be before American Thanksgiving

Phil Schiller was quoted as saying no new products this year. It would also be bizarre to release a major software revision and then follow up with hardware a couple of weeks later. iPhone releases for instance are timed to coincide +- a couple of days with major iPhone OS software updates.

I have commented here before -- until the studios agree to provide Apple with 1080P content (which I strongly suspect they are currently refusing, out of fear of Apple killing Blu-ray dead and conquering the universe) there will be no AppleTV hardware upgrade.

The upgrade that most people are waiting for (and to me, inexplicably still hasn't appeared) is a dev API/App Store for casual gaming, etc., is strictly software -- that would do far more to sell AppleTVs than any 1080P hardware upgrade we can dream up here.
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post #7 of 21
10/30/09 at 8:43am
Thread Starter 
More on the video right's issue -- what Apple told a RBC analyst as reported today:
Quote:


After music, video content is expected to be the next "exploding" opportunity, but requires overcoming industry rights dysfunctionality, competing with subsidies (cable box, video), and developing the right consumer "offer". Apple TV, while still a "hobby", is well positioned to benefit from evolving market dynamics. Apple was less enthusiastic about the online book/newspaper market, given unattractive industry structure.

Translation: Whatever you aren't seeing on iTunes be it 1080P video or a broader selection of films, it is because rights holders are saying no Apple. When/if the movie industry allows Apple to sell 1080P movies, Apple will. Breath holding STRONGLY discouraged.
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post #8 of 21
10/30/09 at 9:34am
"The upgrade that most people are waiting for (and to me, inexplicably still hasn't appeared) is a dev API/App Store for casual gaming, etc., is strictly software -- that would do far more to sell AppleTVs than any 1080P hardware upgrade we can dream up here."

I was thinking the same thing... the only thing I can think of is they will couple it in with the Tablet early next year.. otherwise doesn't make a lot sense.

I will say though they did some homework on this 3.0 software version.. it's been rock solid for me so far and I'm running wireless... The interface is soooo much nicer and allows for an easy addition of AppStore and Games section. Apple remote updated to support it; Also Internet radio is much expanded quick and higher quality...

"
Whatever you aren't seeing on iTunes be it 1080P video or a broader selection of films, it is because rights holders are saying no Apple. When/if the movie industry allows Apple to sell 1080P movies, Apple will.
"

not too mention the cable industry holding up ala carte offering of shows...

ken
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post #9 of 21
10/30/09 at 11:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenliles View Post

not too mention the cable industry holding up ala carte offering of shows...

ken

Aren't individual episodes available by definition? (Yes, sure some shows are missing altogether, but most show are there). I download stuff that EyeTV missed for whatever reason all the time.

The main category that is missing that isn't sports is late night/daytime/prime time talk shows, which is what I love using EyeTV for, as I can just save the musical performances that interest me and discard the rest. Is the cable industry blocking talk shows from iTunes, or does Apple consider them not worth carrying?
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post #10 of 21
10/30/09 at 12:55pm
yes - good points all - It's becoming less of an issue with each passing season; They used to hold up almost all shows but the studios and content owners took back control with expiration of contracts on renewals... there are still some shows not in that category yet... A lot of the older syndicated shows are still a problem as they are on cable contracts; but I agree with you, it's becoming more of a non-issue... EyeTv provides a good stop gap until then...

ken
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post #11 of 21
10/31/09 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Todorov View Post

Is the cable industry blocking talk shows from iTunes, or does Apple consider them not worth carrying?

It is more complicated than that. Each show is a separate negotiation between the network and the studio.

There are some odd ones too. For example TrueBlood was on iTunes ahead of the DVD/BlueRay release but only in standard def.

This could get more interesting when Hulu starts charging.
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post #12 of 21
10/31/09 at 7:06am
Good point on Apple not upgrading the HW until 1080p content is available. That helps avoid an interim generation of semi-performing HW (assuming technology always becomes cheaper and higher-performing).
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post #13 of 21
10/31/09 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew535 View Post

It is more complicated than that. Each show is a separate negotiation between the network and the studio.
...
This could get more interesting when Hulu starts charging.

I understand that, but the fact that not a single talk show (unless you want stuff like the Daily Show to count as talk) has made it to iTunes leads me to believe that there is some additional obstacle/lack of interest from one side or the other.

This is the first I'm hearing of Hulu charging -- I thought they were strictly operating on the advertising model. Is this official? If it does come to pass, I'm sure Apple will be sending them cases of Champaign as it will drive all kinds of traffic back to iTunes.
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post #14 of 21
10/31/09 at 11:27am
hulu considers pay model:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n5415678.shtml

k-
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post #15 of 21
11/1/09 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Todorov View Post

I understand that, but the fact that not a single talk show (unless you want stuff like the Daily Show to count as talk) has made it to iTunes leads me to believe that there is some additional obstacle/lack of interest from one side or the other.

Weekly Highlights of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon are available in the US iTunes store at $1.99/$2.99 for each weekly highlight.

I can take some wild uniformed guesses why the rest of the talk shows aren't on -->

Take The Jay Leno Show as an example

The $1.99 price floor gets expensive at 5 eps a week. There may be contractual or cost reasons why Apple won't go < $1.99
iTunes revenue is a small portion of the revenue pie. Apple doesn't have the power to force a producer to agree to distribution.
If Leno doesn't want to be on iTunes it won't happen.
If NBC's advertisers don't want the show on iTunes it won't happen either.
Hulu. NBC Universal is one of the owners.
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post #16 of 21
11/1/09 at 12:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew535 View Post

The $1.99 price floor gets expensive at 5 eps a week. There may be contractual or cost reasons why Apple won't go < $1.99

Agreed. But if you cherry pick, it isn't that bad. Look at it this way -- late night talkers as a rule feature a band doing a complete song. A music video from iTunes costs the same $1.99 Of course the stupid DRM wouldn't let you edit out just the band the way I do from my EyeTV recordings.
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post #17 of 21
11/2/09 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
WSJ/AllThingsD report that Apple is working on a $30 a month cable replacement package via iTunes if they can get the networks to play ball.
One imagines the cable co.s will fight this tooth and nail.
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post #18 of 21
11/2/09 at 11:37am
i'd be interested in that...

you are right... they would fight it tooth and nail... not only by trying to stop apple from doing it, but by raising the rates on the broadband access we'd need to make it work...
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post #19 of 21
11/2/09 at 9:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ccotenj View Post

i'd be interested in that...

you are right... they would fight it tooth and nail... not only by trying to stop apple from doing it, but by raising the rates on the broadband access we'd need to make it work...

With Comcast buying NBC, part one is definitely happening. Raising broadband rates however may be politically untenable -- US broadband is already woefully inferior (and more expensive) then broadband in many European and Asian countries. Considering the quasi monopoly or at least duopoly they enjoy in most cities, they'd be skating on very thin ice if they attempted to make things even worse.
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post #20 of 21
11/3/09 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ted Todorov View Post

With Comcast buying NBC, part one is definitely happening. Raising broadband rates however may be politically untenable -- US broadband is already woefully inferior (and more expensive) then broadband in many European and Asian countries. Considering the quasi monopoly or at least duopoly they enjoy in most cities, they'd be skating on very thin ice if they attempted to make things even worse.

and in Finland it's become a legal right!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/1..._n_320481.html

Glad to see the FCC ruling of late enforcing open access - Telcos, Cablecos lobbying hard in congress against this FCC authority...

ken
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post #21 of 21
11/12/09 at 12:29am
So, to take it back to the topic, for a minute... does the patchstick hack to enable Boxee, Sapphire, etc. still work with the new version, or does it kill it until some bright hacker figures out a way around it again?
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