Apple TV: The case for waiting
The first reviews of Apple TV are hitting the Web today, and there are, for the most part, no big surprises. (As for the CNET review: Apple has indicated that our review sample will be arriving on September 30; we'll have a full hands-on review with video soon after.) As expected, the new Apple TV delivers largely the same experience as the previous model, with the addition of an all-streaming rental service and Netflix compatibility, all crammed into a much smaller design. But it's the $99 price tag that's the real attraction here: at that price, the device is likely to become an impulse buy in a way its $229 predecessor never was.That's the idea, anyway. Unlike the weak competition the first Apple TV faced in 2007, the new one will be entering a far more mature market for Internet TV, with everything from game consoles to Blu-ray players to TiVo DVRs offering the same sort of video-on-demand functionality. Add to that the forthcoming Logitech and Sony products offering Google TV, and the long-awaited Boxee Box product. Already going head-to-head with the Apple TV, meanwhile, is a refreshed line of Roku boxes, with models available at an even cheaper $59 and $79.Roku got a big boost earlier today with the news that the Hulu Plus subscription service will soon be available on all of the company's existing and forthcoming models. On the surface, that strengthens Roku's pitch as an Apple TV alternative with far more choices. Roku lacks iTunes, of course, but it matches Apple TV's Netflix and Flickr support, plus adds Hulu, Amazon, Pandora, and MLB.TV--in addition to dozens of other, more niche-y "channels" available on its ever-growing roster.Roku: Up to $40 cheaper than Apple TV, and with Hulu Plus.Sarah Tew/CNETHulu Plus promises to deliver all current-season episodes of most ABC, Fox, and NBC shows (and quite a bit of legacy content) for a flat $9.99 monthly fee. That means--assuming you're interested in shows from those networks--that the Roku could save you a bundle versus Apple TV, where your best-case scenario (aside from Netflix) is to buy shows a la carte. Assuming a price of 99 cents, that's just 10 episodes on iTunes (say, two to three a week) versus an unlimited number on Hulu during the same month.Meanwhile, for shows not available on Hulu Plus, Roku users could rent or buy them on Amazon's service, which has matched Apple's 99-cent pricing on ABC and Fox shows. (We're leaving out a discussion of the Roku versus Apple hardware costs, and Netflix subscription is identical--if not less, if you opt for one of the cheaper Roku boxes. That's at least a wash between these two options.) So, game, set, match Roku, right?Maybe, maybe not.Apple starts with a huge brand advantage that the far more obscure Roku just doesn't have. But that's only the beginning of the story. The big wild card in the Apple TV equation is the forthcoming iOS 4.2 update--currently slated for November--that's scheduled to add AirPlay compatibility to iOS devices (iPads, iPhones, and iPod Touch models). As demonstrated during Steve Jobs' September 1 press conference--and highlighted on Apple's Web site--AirPlay is an evolution of the existing Apple Remote app that lets iOS devices control the Apple TV. But instead of just duplicating the features of a dedicated remote, AirPlay lets users stream media from their iPad or iPhone to the Apple TV. In other words, AirPlay could well be the killer app for the Apple TV. But the problem is that we still don't know the details, and they could make or break a feature like AirPlay. Is it a content-agnostic "screen scraper" that works with all iOS-based media, or is it only compatible with iTunes content? Does it stream the content directly from the iPad/iPhone, or does it merely "hand off" the viewing of a cloud-based source from the handheld product to the Apple TV? Will third-party app providers need to update their apps to be AirPlay compatible--and will the primo content providers like Hulu Plus, ABC, and Pandora be onboard with adding that functionality?That's a lot of question marks, to be sure. But if Apple sticks to its November time frame for the 4.2 update, we should have the answers in just a few weeks. And those weeks will be eventful indeed. During the same time, we'll be seeing the Google TV products from Logitech and Sony (neither of which currently have final pricing or availability details) as well as the $200 Boxee Box.In other words, the Internet TV space is more fluid than ever, with new services, options, and products sometimes only a firmware update away. Even at these tempting prices, we suggest sitting back and waiting a month or two, until we get a more informed picture of how this Internet TV battle royale is shaping up.That said: Have you already made up your mind? Are you buying an Apple TV or a Roku? Or are you holding out to see what Google TV and Boxee have to offer? Share your thoughts below.
More iPhone problems- Freezes, missing App Store categories, and charging issues
More iPhone problems: Freezes, missing App Store categories, and charging issues
After Apple introduced iPhone OS 3.1.3, complaints surfaced about the iPhone battery and problems with playlist syncing. Now, users are encountering a new set of problems and airing their complaints in Apple Discussions.Random freezes or shutdownsRandom freezes and shutdowns were a major complaint for some users after upgrading to iPhone OS 3.1 last fall. The problem was the source of heated discussions within a huge Apple discussion thread containing nearly 900 posts. This problem now seems to be making a comeback, although it may be less widespread this time.The problem seems to manifest itself whenever the iPhone goes to sleep, the user locks the display, or just randomly. The next time the user tries to use the phone, he or she will find it completely unresponsive--the display remains blank and pressing buttons won't wake it. The only recourse for the user is to perform a reset by holding down the sleep and home buttons until the Apple logo appears and releasing both buttons.Missing Categories content in App Store appUsers in countries outside of the U.S. have been complaining that their iPhone App Store app is no longer displaying content in categories including Games, Entertainment, Utilities, and Social Networking. These complaints appeared in three separate threads:App Store problemCannot browse the App Store by Category !! Can you please help?Categories tab in app store is not populating dataApp Store app Utilities categoryScreenshot by David MartinThe problem, according to users, is not happening in all regions. One user-suggested fix involves creating a new iTunes Account in the U.S. iTunes Store. Though this is a feasible workaround, it isn't without problems; if you inadvertently make a purchase under the new account you could end up with two accounts with recorded purchases. We think you're better off calling Applecare and hoping that Apple fixes the problems with your local App Store. So far, however, this problem hadn't been resolved, and calls to Apple haven't been returned. Unresponsive iPhone issues linked to chargingSome users are reporting that their iPhones are unresponsive after long-term use and especially when the battery charge is very low. The iPhone OS is designed to warn you when battery life reaches 20 percent charge. We strongly recommend that you heed this warning and place your iPhone on a charger as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, the iPhone's battery power will drop and it may reach a point where the iPhone will not start or even be recognized by a computer.At this point, many users panic, thinking that their iPhone is dead. It generally isn't, but it will appear to be so until it has had a chance to charge for at least 10 minutes. You can learn more about iPhone battery charging by reading iPhone and iPod Touch: Charging the battery on Apple's support Web site.
After Apple introduced iPhone OS 3.1.3, complaints surfaced about the iPhone battery and problems with playlist syncing. Now, users are encountering a new set of problems and airing their complaints in Apple Discussions.Random freezes or shutdownsRandom freezes and shutdowns were a major complaint for some users after upgrading to iPhone OS 3.1 last fall. The problem was the source of heated discussions within a huge Apple discussion thread containing nearly 900 posts. This problem now seems to be making a comeback, although it may be less widespread this time.The problem seems to manifest itself whenever the iPhone goes to sleep, the user locks the display, or just randomly. The next time the user tries to use the phone, he or she will find it completely unresponsive--the display remains blank and pressing buttons won't wake it. The only recourse for the user is to perform a reset by holding down the sleep and home buttons until the Apple logo appears and releasing both buttons.Missing Categories content in App Store appUsers in countries outside of the U.S. have been complaining that their iPhone App Store app is no longer displaying content in categories including Games, Entertainment, Utilities, and Social Networking. These complaints appeared in three separate threads:App Store problemCannot browse the App Store by Category !! Can you please help?Categories tab in app store is not populating dataApp Store app Utilities categoryScreenshot by David MartinThe problem, according to users, is not happening in all regions. One user-suggested fix involves creating a new iTunes Account in the U.S. iTunes Store. Though this is a feasible workaround, it isn't without problems; if you inadvertently make a purchase under the new account you could end up with two accounts with recorded purchases. We think you're better off calling Applecare and hoping that Apple fixes the problems with your local App Store. So far, however, this problem hadn't been resolved, and calls to Apple haven't been returned. Unresponsive iPhone issues linked to chargingSome users are reporting that their iPhones are unresponsive after long-term use and especially when the battery charge is very low. The iPhone OS is designed to warn you when battery life reaches 20 percent charge. We strongly recommend that you heed this warning and place your iPhone on a charger as soon as possible. If you fail to do so, the iPhone's battery power will drop and it may reach a point where the iPhone will not start or even be recognized by a computer.At this point, many users panic, thinking that their iPhone is dead. It generally isn't, but it will appear to be so until it has had a chance to charge for at least 10 minutes. You can learn more about iPhone battery charging by reading iPhone and iPod Touch: Charging the battery on Apple's support Web site.
At WWDC, more clues for those watching for Apple wristwear
At WWDC, more clues for those watching for Apple wristwear
Contrary to some expectations, an iWatch software development kit was not announced this week at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference.Alas.Even if such an SDK exists or is in the works, providing information about it would simply be too big a hint to drop in advance of hardware that might ship in the fall. However, more features and core technologies were announced at WWDC that could come into play in an Apple watch. These included: HealthKit and the Health app. The release of an OS function and attendant app to aggregate information from multiple vitals-monitoring devices such as the Jawbone UP may seem to indicate Apple is leaving this niche to third parties. However, it may be helpful to remember that the company originally introduced iTunes as a music hub, in part, to handle the transfer of music between the Mac and contemporary devices such as the pioneering Diamond Multimedia Rio and Creative Nomad Jukebox prior to the introduction of the iPod.While that device virtually wiped out the presence of competitors from iTunes (as well as in the market generally), HealthKit would likely accept input from an Apple wearable as well as from third parties. First off, one must remember that the iPhone itself is now a capable pedometer. If steps were all that Apple wanted to track, it wouldn't need HealthKit. Regardless of what an Apple watch might measure (the Basis watch provides some possible clues), it certainly won't measure something like food intake (at least precisely) or likely be able to measure multiple exercises by using devices in tandem like Moov bands. HomeKit. In addition to reaching out to any number of sensors on our person, Apple also announced its initiative to reach out to controls all around the home with HomeKit. The initiative promises to allow control of multiple objects around the house via an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad, putting further pressure on high-end home control vendors such as Crestron.What might this have to do with a watch? Not much per se, but it was during this portion of its presentation that Apple divulged it would enable the control via Siri. This -- combined with the news that Siri would be able to be activated hands-free by calling out, "Hey Siri" -- would obviate the need to scroll through a complex iPhone app in order to turn down the thermostat and set up an Apple watch to handle that and other tasks. We can expect Google Now to play a similar role on Android Wear and Cortana on a Microsoft smartwatch, should rumors about its existence prove true. New widgets and notification manager. When Apple introduced Dashboard, the idea of lightweight mini-apps in the tradition of Desk Accessories from the early days of Mac OS seemed like the kind of functionality ideal for a wearable device with a small display. Despite widgets being touted as a feature of the original iPhone, these were really just simple iPhone apps. Now, though, the move of widgets from dashboard to the notification area (with a striking resemblance to Windows Vista's sidebar "gadgets") has paved the way for them to show up on the iPad, the iPhone, and the iWatch. Similarly, the ability to take quick actions in response to notifications -- in part a competitive response to a similar Android feature -- would greatly improve the utility of notifications on Apple wristwear. Apparently, we'll have to use another device to mark time until the fall, when the new software may finally come to support the kind of new category that CEO Tim Cook has promised Apple will enter.
Contrary to some expectations, an iWatch software development kit was not announced this week at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference.Alas.Even if such an SDK exists or is in the works, providing information about it would simply be too big a hint to drop in advance of hardware that might ship in the fall. However, more features and core technologies were announced at WWDC that could come into play in an Apple watch. These included: HealthKit and the Health app. The release of an OS function and attendant app to aggregate information from multiple vitals-monitoring devices such as the Jawbone UP may seem to indicate Apple is leaving this niche to third parties. However, it may be helpful to remember that the company originally introduced iTunes as a music hub, in part, to handle the transfer of music between the Mac and contemporary devices such as the pioneering Diamond Multimedia Rio and Creative Nomad Jukebox prior to the introduction of the iPod.While that device virtually wiped out the presence of competitors from iTunes (as well as in the market generally), HealthKit would likely accept input from an Apple wearable as well as from third parties. First off, one must remember that the iPhone itself is now a capable pedometer. If steps were all that Apple wanted to track, it wouldn't need HealthKit. Regardless of what an Apple watch might measure (the Basis watch provides some possible clues), it certainly won't measure something like food intake (at least precisely) or likely be able to measure multiple exercises by using devices in tandem like Moov bands. HomeKit. In addition to reaching out to any number of sensors on our person, Apple also announced its initiative to reach out to controls all around the home with HomeKit. The initiative promises to allow control of multiple objects around the house via an iOS device such as an iPhone or iPad, putting further pressure on high-end home control vendors such as Crestron.What might this have to do with a watch? Not much per se, but it was during this portion of its presentation that Apple divulged it would enable the control via Siri. This -- combined with the news that Siri would be able to be activated hands-free by calling out, "Hey Siri" -- would obviate the need to scroll through a complex iPhone app in order to turn down the thermostat and set up an Apple watch to handle that and other tasks. We can expect Google Now to play a similar role on Android Wear and Cortana on a Microsoft smartwatch, should rumors about its existence prove true. New widgets and notification manager. When Apple introduced Dashboard, the idea of lightweight mini-apps in the tradition of Desk Accessories from the early days of Mac OS seemed like the kind of functionality ideal for a wearable device with a small display. Despite widgets being touted as a feature of the original iPhone, these were really just simple iPhone apps. Now, though, the move of widgets from dashboard to the notification area (with a striking resemblance to Windows Vista's sidebar "gadgets") has paved the way for them to show up on the iPad, the iPhone, and the iWatch. Similarly, the ability to take quick actions in response to notifications -- in part a competitive response to a similar Android feature -- would greatly improve the utility of notifications on Apple wristwear. Apparently, we'll have to use another device to mark time until the fall, when the new software may finally come to support the kind of new category that CEO Tim Cook has promised Apple will enter.
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