Filed under: Multimedia, Software
Open Front Row to third party developers
JC, writing for Mac Geekery, thinks Apple shouldn't add a PVR (that's
personal video recorder, folks) to Front Row like lots of Mac folks want. Nay, he thinks that Apple should include
hooks into Front Row to let third party developers get their content into it.These Front Row plugins could be anything from El Gato letting you watch your recorded shows, to NewNewsWire displaying your RSS feeds in a Front Row like fashion.
I think it is a great idea, what do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Chameleon02 said 12:17PM on 3-24-2006
I think it's a great idea. Plus, it would strengthen the mac mini as a media pc.
Then again, Apple might just be holding off on that idea as they prepair for some other sort of hyped up announcement.
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Aust said 12:22PM on 3-24-2006
I also think it's a great idea. It just makes sense. Apple can't build everything into front row, so let others!
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dio said 12:24PM on 3-24-2006
This would be soooo un-Applish... Although I have no idea where FR is heading to, I bet it'll stay proprietary.
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acr said 12:31PM on 3-24-2006
Yes... a great idea, and just the kind of XP (pardon, Vista) point of view. Make a "it just works" app into a compilation of plug-ins, patches, customisable toolbars, crash reports and security updates....
Remember the one saying that XP people spend most of the time looking for functions they don't have....
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Steve said 12:33PM on 3-24-2006
I've been waiting for this a long time. Front Row is useless to me without VLC integration. Not to mention, I'd love to read my RSS feeds and check out my web bookmarks with the remote from my bed. That would certainly motivate me to get a new mini.
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Steve said 12:36PM on 3-24-2006
2) I wouldn't say its un-applish. See openness of Dashboard and Spotlight for example. And I think Apple apps are easier to modify behavior than Windows ones, see Saft and so forth.
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Kevin said 12:36PM on 3-24-2006
Not gonna work. Currently there are four objects in the Front Row menu. Imagine if there are ten objects. Or twenty... As developers want their own little space on your screen, it will become too crowded and unattractive. Apple will never go for that.
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mr. Obsession said 12:44PM on 3-24-2006
"Front Row is useless to me without VLC integration"
Amen. QT is a poor substitute...especially with HD files from EyeTV.
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Brandon said 1:00PM on 3-24-2006
I mentioned this idea in a blog article back in October of last year. Without a doubt, I think NetNewsWire, Mail, Safari, and even iChat support would be killer. They can function like a normal app, just optimized for an "across the room" experience.
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BLACKOUT said 1:06PM on 3-24-2006
ok, how about a special apple trick, as they do, for example all of those keyboard shortcuts.
but yeah, also adding 1 option, like a 5th icon, and it going to all of your add ons, would be nice.
but then theres the limitations of that 6 button remote.
i
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bloodthirstyrobot said 1:32PM on 3-24-2006
Last thing we need is third-party trash littering Front Row. Who the hell wants to read RSS feeds via a remote?
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Pete said 1:35PM on 3-24-2006
Apple will never open up Front Row esp to add a PVR. Apple's selling TV episodes on their iTMS. Why would they want to canibalize sales by adding this feature?
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The Jeremy said 1:53PM on 3-24-2006
I am really tired of hearing about how Apple shouldn't add DVR/PVR functionality to Macs because it will jeopardize tv show sales through iTunes. Bull. Did Apple strip iTunes of the ability to rip audio CDs so that nothing would threaten sales of songs through the iTunes Store once it became operational? Nope. Same argument.
Just friggin buy TiVo, integrate their software, and bring out a Mac Mini with dual Cable Card slots. It would probably cost less than the $800 TiVo HD Series3 unit, without the monthly fees, and it would have a leg up against Microsoft's Windows Media Center platform since Cable Labs won't authorize that platform access with the CableCard standards.
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Jeff said 3:07PM on 3-24-2006
Forget Front Row. Let me know when MythTV supports the remote.
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BLACKOUT said 5:26PM on 3-24-2006
12) theyve gotta start pumping out some halfway decent quality video for me to want it.
until then im out.
all my hd videos will be viewed in frontrow, not my 320x240 videos.
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DrWho said 5:49PM on 3-24-2006
I'd love to be able to control my Sonos through FrontRow. Can't think of anything else I'd like.
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jbelkin said 5:58PM on 3-24-2006
Different world now 3 years later.
NO ONE would predict 1-BILLION songs sold. At best, people thought it would be a nice success but that it would take a while to get hold of - mainly because no one (again) would predict that people would swoop up 50 million ipods in 5 years so it's not the same scenario.
There isn't anyone who DOESN'T think video being sold online is NOT a major business or about to be very, very soon.
So, that's reason #1 and growing MORE important with every passing minute. As each day passes, the likelihood of an Apple DVR/PVR grows more remote for that very reason but I think more important - BE VERY CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU ASK FOR ...
Because an Apple one would have to have DRM.
So, when it comes out, I'll bet 99% of who are moaning for an Apple DVR will complain about that 5 minutes the specs are announced.
Right now, you have a bunch of choices ranging from FREE iRecord/iMovie (though not really DVR time shifting features) to a couple hundred bucks for full PVR/DVR's.
So, are you really willing to trade away your rights for DRM and/or having an extra boxes or two around your gear?
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lonewolf2222 said 8:14PM on 3-24-2006
I think it will be really nice to have VLC as the video player for FrontRow.
VLC is much better than QT and supports so many more codecs
without installing plug-ins.
I'm thinking of starting an online donation to get funds from people
who want the same thing. And then award the cash to the first person
to create such a good workable hack. Or can someone start this?
I can be the first contributor with $100.
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JMac said 3:01AM on 3-25-2006
A GOOD iDEA?
When Front Row first came out, one of the first things that me and others were talking about, were features we wanted added. In fact, there are probably tons of features that we weren't mentioning, that would also be great.
TOO MANY?
As far as Kevin's comment about this leading to too many that would just clutter up the space in Front Row, all he has to think about is Dashboard. Why would Apple allow developers to come up with any widgets, if their isn't enough room on our screens to fit them all? BECAUSE EVERYONE ISN'T GOING TO WANT THEM ALL! The user will have to deal with the space they have available, and what is most important to them to have open.
Which Ones & How?
There is no question as to how. Just keep it how Apple has it designed, but increase the number of our choices. Then, once the ball is rolling and the stage is set, I'm sure we'll start seeing tons of little add-ons to Front Row. Like a PDF/RSS viewer, VLC player, NetNews Wire, iChat, and others. Hey, who wouldn't love to check their email on a 60" to 120" screen? With a remote!
Getting It Done?
I also agree with LoneWolf's idea of starting a fund for the first person to this. Heck, look at the guy who got WinXP on the MacBookPro. If enough people want it, then it can be accomplished. Even if we have to hire someone to do it.
***JMac***
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Philip said 6:57AM on 3-25-2006
Plug-Ins for Frontrow would be so great! I could watch Tv with my Elgate 310 or read the news or emails without leaving the bed... Please do it!
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