Live "It's Showtime" coverage
That's right, we will be providing "live" coverage of the Apple "It's Showtime" event...sorta. None of the TUAW team is actually at the event, but we'll be using our quick refresh skillz and super-typing-speed to relay you the information from sources like MacRumors, iLounge, and our buddies at Engadget.Of course, if that broadcast does in fact turn out to be live, we will be providing our own, up-to-the-minute coverage, for you folks stuck at work or on a computer/connection not suited for streaming video.
Click the "Continue reading..." link to see the updates, posted newest-at-the-top. Also check out Engadget for pictures and a build-up to The Big One.
11:17 - Apple website and store now up
11:07 - Q1 2007; compatible with PC or Mac iTunes; $299
11:06 - no TV tuner in the set-top it seems, unless I'm missing something
11:00 - pulls media from computer; access trailers and iTunes Store selected content
10:56 - demo; hook it to a set top box or TV; interface is next-gen Front Row; big images
10:54 - 1/2 size of Mac mini; works with Apple Remote
10:52 - "like a mac mini"; iTV is temp name; big screen flat TV; power cord in back; USB, Ethernet, 802.11 wireless; component video; optical audio; HDMI
10:52 - "you can take content to a computer or iPod...but now: TV"; Apple will release a wireless box for the TV
10:52 - "one last thing": Q1 of 2007 "completes the story"
10:51 - wrapping it up
10:46 - Bob Iger on stage, doing the usual pimping - movies on iPod is "breakthrough" (HandBrake, anyone?)
10:44 - usage rights the same as TV shows (no burning?)
10:40 - download manager in iTunes; watch movie as it downloads; international in 2007
10:39 - "iTunes Store" is the new name; better interface on the home page; "near DVD quality" 640x480 resolution (meh); 5-6mb broadband download in 30 minutes
10:38 - new releases, 12.99$ preorders; same day as DVD release, after that $14.99; most titles $9.99
10:37 - Adding movies to the iTunes Store; all Disney-owned; 75 films -- Pirates and Cars available
10:36 - One More Thing...
10:28 - move iTunes media between multiple computers with iPod as the conduit!
10:26 - iPod management inside iTunes with Installer and tabs ("beautiful visual representation")
10:25 - 640x480 resolution videos in the store for TV shows
10:23 - iTunes 7: most sig. update ever; source list includes library for all media; Store has own section, so do devices; Top has new views; iTunes will load missing cover art if you have an iTunes account; Cover flow view: rapidly find album art on timeline
10:18 - now onto iTunes: 88% share of legal US downloads; 1.5 billion songs purchased and downloaded
10:17 - USB 2 dock included; one model: 1GB, "World's smallest MP3 player"; 12 hour battery - $79; ships October
10: 15 - iPod shuffle: 2nd gen introduced; size of iPod Remote; metal body with white click wheel
10:14 - new iPod ads; colored silhouttes with "flat" backgrounds
10:12 - double nano storage for same price; 52% volume reduction in packaging; 40% smaller charger, new armband, new lanyard headphones
10:12 - 24 hour battery for nano; black color nano added; 3 models: 2GB silver, 4GB all colors (except black), 8GB model in black
10:11 - second generation nano: mini body; aluminum and thinner than first nano (they can make it thinner?!); colors just like the mini
10:10 - new 80GB iPod; 20000 songs, shipping today
10:09 - purchase games for $4.99 from iTunes; works on all 5G models; new iPod $249
10:07 - new software features: quick search using letter scroll; games added (bejeweled, cubis 2, Mahjong, Mini Golf, Pac man, tetris, texas hold em, vortex, zuma); sophisticated graphics, high resolution
10:04 - iPod updates: brighter, battery upped to 3.5 hours for video; new heaphones (changed shape); iPod now offers gapless playback
10:03 - Discussing iPod + car connectivity...70% of 2007 models supported. Nike + iPod sports kit...Foot Locker impressed with shoe sales ("blown away"); 450,000 kits sold in 90 says
10:02 - Steve comes on after some Dylan.
9:58 - Engadget reports it's a small event, maybe 300-400 people.
9:51 - It's almost time. Anticipation fills the air like...like...that sweaty smell you get after working out...or something...
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That's right, we will be providing "live" coverage of the Apple "It's Showtime" event...sorta. None of the TUAW team is actually at the...
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they should call the new itv the CineMac
September 13 2006 at 9:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBradley - you are wrong. Most DVDs run 480p content. While *some* old MPEG-2 encoded were interlaced, you'd be hard-pressed to find some now. Whether or not your cheap-ass DVD player is capable of displaying progressive-scan content is a different question.
Add to that the fact that the iTS video is compressed more than video on DVDs, and maybe you'll understand exactly why Jobs said "NEARLY DVD quality." Please understand what you're talking about before throwing around ridiculous claims.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD if you'd like to get a clue.
A sidenote for Keynote junkies out there, did anyone else notice the new transition effects in Steve's keynote deck?
September 12 2006 at 7:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt should be noted that DVDs run interlaced video, which is at best a little more than half the quality of the new iTunes videos. Take whatever resolution DVD claims to produce, divide it by half, and you have the resolution that can be directly compared with progressive scan content (iTunes movies).
September 12 2006 at 6:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply*yawn* it all a remake of the same old same old. Nanos with colours? Been there. Bigger storage space: expected. Games? Trivial. and the ipod shuffle is just the same thing that looks different and different is better. Until Steve ALLOWS us to have the video ipod obviously everyone wants, he's just playing with our wallets. I still haven't bought an iPod because I don't buy what isn't 1) what I want and 2) isn't what it could be. Touchscreens and bluetooth and four inch screens and lets-get-rid-of-all-the-gizmos-and-put-it-all-into-one-device-kind-of-thinking is thinking different and is techonologically possible. Sadly Steve is only catering to one consumer type, those under 25. Sure I want all the media stuff he is currently giving, but as a 30 year old, I also want and need some other stuff too, and small screens and no quickly Apple-smart integration with other aspects of my life just makes the iPod another thing to make me carry around. Sorry Steve, you're just reinventing what you've already done. That sounds to me like: Thinking Same.
September 12 2006 at 3:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyItunes 7 now "Determining Gapless Playback Information" on my iPod..1600 songs.. taking ages..
The app now allows to download automatically artwork for songs currently in the library and any new song every time it is added.
Billy K # 11 : Echo your sentiments, word to word!
Steve has to save his stage presence for the biggest launches, not product increments.
Its not going to be long before the zillion DAP companies come out with their improved versions that will ape all features talked about today.
They need something that breaks into another level of design, sophistication and performance. (Full screen Video iPod with Bluetooth and/or wi-fi)
The iPhone is definitely exciting, but I dont think it will ever come out, its not a market worth getting into.
I cant remember the last time Apple left its loyalists excited with something revolutionary. I AM SURE they have something coming, and I´ll wait :)
So the iTV is the reason why Elgato terminated current and future production of their EyeHome hardware?
September 12 2006 at 3:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHi, I've posted screens of iTunes 7 on the Flickr forum, hope it helps someone out
September 12 2006 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply"what is it with everyone and iphones? I want my phone to just be a working bloody phone!"
No one currently seems to be able to make a cell phone that "just works" in a stylish and usable form-factor. But Apple can, and that's why I want one so badly.
BTW - the new Shuffle seems to be a very nice piece of engineering. The thing *is* the clip. And the dock through headphone port is awesome. I don't need one, but it looks like somehting I'll buy anyway.
Also interesting that the new nanos went back to the styling of the mini.
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