Wynton played notes not heard before? Right there on the stage? That's even more impressive than any of the new Apple announcements. To think that after hundreds of years, Wynton came up with entirely new musical notes - that's amazing.

-Devout Wynton-Hater

Apple is more and more become so "control" oriented that they are forgetting their loyal customer base. The motto, "the customer is always right" means little in the new, "profits mean everything," Apple. It is sad that Apple fails to do the little things that would really set it apart from others. Instead, Apple expects unwaivering loyalty from its customers while doing little to earn that loyalty. Apple is just as arrogant, if not more so, than Microsoft!

Lets see... If I can wait, then I can get the DVD of a 21 episode season of most shows in the $35-$50 range. And DVD quality is much higher, and the "DRM" of a DVD is quite reasonable (in that it is quite easy to make a backup and/or convert to a new format).

$2 * 21 = $42 for a complete season. OK, not far off, but much lower qaulity, DRM heavy and without "bonus" content. I guess it is good if you demand instant gratification.

At least a $9.99 for a full music album was significantly cheaper than a new CD. I don't see this with the video store.

It seems Apple couldn't control everyone. I got all the updates live here

http://www.stuffmag.co.uk/hotstuffarticle.asp?de_id=594

First of all, Apple doesn't LOCK YOU into any system. Yes, there are those updates that specifically enable the quick to adopt. However, unlike Microsloft, you don't *have* to buy the next new update in order to maintain your machine. Ever.

Indeed, the user interfaces that Apple continues to present to the public is proof enough that they do "get it", and they get what we want.

I have yet to be able to say that about Microsoft.

I'm loyal not because apple forced me to sign a loyalty agreement, subscribe to Apple Loyal maillist, or buy the Loyal System to run my machine. I'm loyal because they keep building stuff that's useful, beautiful, and stays the hell outta my way when I need to get sh1t done.

Again, I've never been able to honestly say that about Microsoft.

In terms of DRM: well, there are so many ways around it to begin with, and, second, it's in place due to music corps pigs being scared crapless about their poor ass future. Microsoft EAGERLY puts protection into all it's crap because Microsoft's philosophy is in part based on a subscription service. They made their mark in the office/business world and apparently the only way they can view consumers in the non-commercial world is through the same lens.

God, how many times do we have to go over this?

Lame lame lame lame lame.

Not only that but there is no "preview" button for television shows like there is for music videos and Pixar. An oversight? I think NOT!

It's true that macs and the Mac OS don't have that intimate feel that they used to.

"Apple is more and more become so "control" oriented that they are forgetting their loyal customer base. "

Adding controls and DRM to something has nothing to do with loyal customer base. It has to do with having to control it on behalf of the people who OWN THE CONTENT you idiot. Consider this. The next time you or one of your dweeb friends rips off a song or movie from the internet or each other, just look in the mirror because THATS why they have to put these controls in, not because they are unloyal or are control freaks. Blame the people stealing the stuff.

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Guest wrote:
Apple is more and more become so "control" oriented that they are forgetting their loyal customer base. The motto, "the customer is always right" means little in the new, "profits mean everything," Apple. It is sad that Apple fails to do the little things that would really set it apart from others. Instead, Apple expects unwaivering loyalty from its customers while doing little to earn that loyalty. Apple is just as arrogant, if not more so, than Microsoft!

WTF? What "control" are you talking about? Customers have been clamoring for a video iPod for quite a while, despite the fact that it doesn't make much sense to watch videos on such a tiny screen. Consumer Reports and others have suggested that a 7-inch (widescreen format) display is the smallest that is really usable for video.

As for 320x240 resolution: while that is pretty lame for a computer, it's half a normal TV's resolution--the equivalent of seeing only the odd or even lines. (In normal TVs, each frame is traced twice--it's "interlaced;" one of the things that makes HDTV so much better is that it can use progressive scan--the entire frame is painted at once.) 320 x 240 is used by several video capture devices, as well, and it is the resolution of Video CDs. In quality, it's roughly like the slow speed of VHS.

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It's true that macs and the Mac OS don't have that intimate feel that they used to.

Again, what do you mean? If you want an "intimate feel," go get an old DOS PC or an Apple II, where you can type commands directly to the OS. ooooo--INTIMATE! I'm concerned about how easily I can do what I want to do, not what the interface "feels" like.

What I want to know is how I can get Photo Booth and Front Row (with one of those neat remotes) for use with my PowerMac and iSight. So far, it looks like these items may only be available with the iMac, which is strange, since Front Row + Mac Mini + TV hookup looks like Apple's Media Center PC killer. More importantly, if I (and my kid) can't play with Photo Booth, on my own Mac, I am going to have a major hissy!

Shutting off the live event updates was as bonehead as it gets. Actually, I can see some rationale for it... you want big media there and you want an event for them and want them to feel appreciated, it kinda ruins the exclusivity when everyone is watching along via browser reload. BUT, and this is a big BUT (bigger than the average BUTT at a Whiskey Tango truck stop, in fact)... the people hiding out in their offices, not taking phone calls, not getting work done, etc. are interested in the exact specs of the new toys. The big media are looking for the strategic story (e.g. convergence finally cometh). The big media aren't scooped on this in any way (except for a few thoughtful commenters like me on hole in the wall forums like TMO).

If this were The Apprentice (which I sincerely hope will make it to iTMS in the next few weeks), and The Steve were The Donald, he should fire the bonehead who decided no live blogging. As for the rest of us, I am calling for a voluntary boycott of the new iPod until next week. That should show them.

Hopefully an iMac won't be the only ticket to enjoying Front Row and the Apple Remote. Who'd think that they wouldn't want to not sell gizmos and videos to Power Mac and Mini users?? I'd think they're too smart for that.

......and that built in iSight camera will be looking into millions of trousers and blouses any minute now, eh?

Hopefully an iMac won't be the only ticket to enjoying Front Row and the Apple Remote. Who'd think that they wouldn't want to not sell gizmos and videos to Power Mac and Mini users?? I'd think they're too smart for that.

......and that built in iSight camera will be looking into millions of trousers and blouses any minute now, eh?

Apple could have included the rest of us in the "announcement" by offering a live QuickTime feed of the proceedings. No, arrogant Apple chose to block live reports from the event. What were they trying to hide—err control anyway?

Reports that Apple includes a case with the new iPod (video) is not consistent with the tech specs on the Apple web site. No mention of a case included. Perhaps they're going to toss in a sock. Wow. Like that will prevent scratches.

So, are the screens on these bigger nanos safe? Crack, crack, crack.

Where can I trade in my PowerBook, PowerMac, Newton, and iPods. I'm done. Too many worms in the Apple. Wall Street has figured it out.

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Guest wrote:
Apple could have included the rest of us in the "announcement" by offering a live QuickTime feed of the proceedings. No, arrogant Apple chose to block live reports from the event. What were they trying to hide—err control anyway?

Reports that Apple includes a case with the new iPod (video) is not consistent with the tech specs on the Apple web site. No mention of a case included. Perhaps they're going to toss in a sock. Wow. Like that will prevent scratches.

So, are the screens on these bigger nanos safe? Crack, crack, crack.

Where can I trade in my PowerBook, PowerMac, Newton, and iPods. I'm done. Too many worms in the Apple. Wall Street has figured it out.

Oh NOOOO... I couldn't watch the event live. I have to watch it a little later, for free at http://stream.apple.akadns.net/ ... I'm SOOO deprived. And, DOUBLE OH NOOOO... they're throwing in a case with the video iPod. MORE stuff for me to bitch about!

Dude, shut the #@!$ up and go back to being a Dell fanboy or whatever you were before, mmkay? And while you're at it, get a life, mmkay?

Skog won't log in.

Any thing to whine about... Apple's secrecy makes them money. This last summer has seen a couple leaks. If you like to open your presents early, that's up to you. Me, I want them on the day they''re supposed to be given and I ant the batteries with them. : )

I don't know of any other company that makes as much off the debut of products as Apple does, if you're upset that Apple made you wait another two hours, that's your beef. Maybe you should get rid of your Apple equipment, but keep the Newton, it'll be a real collector's item.

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MOSiX Man wrote:
What I want to know is how I can get Photo Booth and Front Row (with one of those neat remotes) for use with my PowerMac and iSight. So far, it looks like these items may only be available with the iMac, which is strange, since Front Row + Mac Mini + TV hookup looks like Apple's Media Center PC killer. More importantly, if I (and my kid) can't play with Photo Booth, on my own Mac, I am going to have a major hissy!

Another article suggested that both pieces of software will be available only on the new iMac, but, hey, who knows? If there is enough demand, Apple could probably sell the remote and the software to anyone with a Bluetooth-equipped Mac. It would be really nice for traveling, for example, if you could use your PB or iBook to play videos through a hotel TV.

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Anonymous wrote:
Something to think about... Apple's secrecy makes them money. This last summer has seen a couple leaks in their iMac logic boards, creating disasters. If you like to open your presents early, that's up to you. Me, I want defective 1st generation Apple products supposed to be available today and I ate the batteries with my Shuffle. : )

I don't know of any other company that makes as much off secrecy as Apple does, if you're upset that Apple made you wait another two hours, then update your silly .Mac blog. Maybe you should get rid of your Apple equipment, but keep the Norton, as OS X viruses are on the way.

The new Apple Remote is an IR remote. The iMac hides the IR receiver behind the logo on the front of the machine. I personally believe the remote would be better as a BlueTooth device, that way the computer could be stored in a cabinet or in another room and still receive the signal. Hopefully they will sell a USB receiver that can connect to any Mac. And I suppose that if all of this new video functionality is successful, we should expect the AirPort Video by next xmas.

Time will tell...

My only queary is how they are going to launch 'front row' in the UK as that moniker is already used for Telewest's movie on demand service.

Hey what ever happened with that whole BBC thing? Wasn't there supposed to be some event in London at the same time? Have they got BBC video content for customers in the UK or something? Or did that turn out just to be a rumor?