Tag Archive for 'Apple TV'

Imagined Apple Inc 2008 Product Roadmap

Published
by
christian
on January 4, 2008
in Technology
. 3 Comments

The imagined 2008 Product Roadmap covers only the major products in Apple’s arsenal and ignores peripheral devices. A full breakdown of each product specifications is available below.

Mac Portables

Macbook Touch - Large Multitouch screen 20cm X 12cm X 1.5cm, Flash Storage (32GB -128GB), Memory (1-2GB), Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, MAC OS X v10.5x, USB, Firewire, Bluetooth, Wifi.

Macbook - The technical specifications remain much the same (albeit faster processors), however a new chassis, 4mm thinner than the 2007 model and a Multitouch keyboard radically change the Macbook’s appearance and functionality. The Multitouch keyboard is effectively a flat surface area covering the area previously occupied by the keyboard. The track pad is gone. The area switches between keyboard mode and mouse by pressing a key or using a Multitouch finger gesture. The keys are lit for use in the dark (similar to the Macbook Pro), and printed on the flat surface area, with raised lines on F and J key. No more sticky fingers on the screen!

Macbook Pro - The Macbook Pro also makes use of the Multitouch keyboard, with faster CPU, Memory and a larger HD.

Mac Desktops

Mac TV - The Mac TV is the evolution of the Mac Mini and Apple TV of 2007. In 2008 we see these two devices merge, creating Mac TV. The Mac TV is equally comfortable connected to a computer monitor as it is an LCD TV, but either way its been designed to be conceivably the only household computer you will need.

Roughly twice the size as the Mac Mini, Mac TV incorporates many of the connections found on both the Mini and the Apple TV, with some notable additions and exceptions. Although composite connectors have gone in favour of two HDMI slots and one DV they are available with a DVI to composite at extra cost.

One of the most interesting software additions coming with the Mac TV is an application called MultiSpaces. MultiSpaces is automatically activated when connecting two keyboards and or mice to the Mac TV. This is an extension of Leopards Spaces technology, which allows the users to have multiple desktops. Using MultiSpaces you can split the screen equally in two (or more if your screen is big enough) giving each user has their own desktop to do with as they want. In case you are wondering only one audio channel remains open at any time, on a first come first served basis. Now you can watch TV and surf the web.

Yes, PVR functionality is included.

iMac - iMac gets bigger! The range begins at 22”, with 24” in the middle and a new 32” model arriving in March. The 32” model is the thinnest, and is wall mountable. MultiSpaces is active on all models, but only the 32” model carries PVR functionality.

Mac Pro - The Mac Pro comes in two versions now, Mini Tower and Full Tower. There isn’t much difference between the two other than cost and expandability.

Peripherals

 Multitouch Input (combining keyboard and mouse functionality). Layed in a solid wood or  aluminium. Bluetooth conectivity. (think luxury Wacom tablet).

Mac Mini and Apple TV Combine to become Apple TV +. The Mac Plus debuts.

Published
by
christian
on December 19, 2007
in Technology
. 7 Comments

Apple TV+ I’ve been listening to what a few of you have been saying about the Mini and Apple TV, as i’ve had similar thoughts, seeing little reason why the two devices shouldn’t be combined, after all the Mini does everything the Apple TV can?

In fact there exists only one strong reason not to combine these two products. The cost of the Mini (£399) is two hundred pounds more expensive that the Apple TV in its current form. The question is, is the added functionality a fully fledged computer offers you worth it? In my opinion yes, absolutely.

I’ve been using a PC attached to my 37″ JVC LCD television for over a year now, and i can tell you, i will never go back to having the main TV separated from a computer, i would like all TV’s to have the functionality of a computer, and would be willing to bet that the first manufacturer to integrate computers and televisions on a mass scale at a competitive price will be a monumental success. The TV is generally the technical hub of any house, and a natural place to go for information. Todays LCD Televisions produce great resolutions, so your computer will look great on the TV. Add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and instead of just Movies and TV shows, you can surf the web, chat to your friends via Skype, read your emails and write that essay, all from the comfort of your lounge.

So the idea of the Apple TV or Pinnacle’s Showcenter is a great one, they just didn’t go far enough with the added functionality. Why do i want to spend £200 to stream movings from the computer to my TV, when a 20M VGA cable costs £15 add to that a 20M audio cable (£3.99) and you’ve done the same thing for £181 less.

The Apple TV + could limit functionality, adding only an internet browser, and an email Application. This would keep the costs down, but as a user, it greatly limits what i can do, should i need to quickly edit an email attachment in word, or touch up a photo before printing it, and considering we know the market is heading in the direction of combining the TV and computer, we really only have three options left;

1) Do we build a box to go under your TV
2) Do we combine the TV and computer ourselves (AKA iMac)
3) Do we do both?

I choose No.3.

So we now have two requirements

1) we need a combined Apple TV and Mac Mini product, that we are going to call (for the sake of discussion Apple TV +), and

2) we need to enlarge the screen size of the iMac from its current 24″ limit to beyond 40″ to compete with the TV manufacturers (whilst sliming its profile down).

This leaves us with a gap in our product line where previously the Mac Mini filled. What about a Smaller version of the Mac Pro. Call it the Mac Plus, and make it 2/3 size of the Mac Pro.

So our new Mac line up looks something like this;

1) Apple TV +

2) iMac

3) Mac Plus

4) Mac Pro

And for my next write up we will be investigating the possible specifications of these 4 products. Happy Holidays!

Update - JAN 2008 (POST MACWORLD 2008) -As i previously stated i believe the Mac Mini and Apple TV could be merged sucessfully. However based on Apple’s announcement of the software enhancements to the Apple TV, which allow content to be added directly rather than going through iTunes installed on a seperate computer, i would like to make a change to my original thoughts of the Apple TV+. I would keep the Apple TV, for those only interested in watching Movies and TV, listening to music or viewing their photos on their Television, the Apple TV makes perfect sense, and is priced accordingly. The Apple TV+ would in addition to everything the Apple TV does, be a fully fledged computer, running OSX, and include similar specs to the Mac Mini.

What has Apple got in store for the new year?

Published
by
christian
on December 9, 2007
in Technology
. 0 Comments

iphone iPhone

I would be surprised to see a new iPhone so soon after the first one, and would hope Apple spend their time improving the functionality of the first before moving on and launching the second. However the irresistible urge to improve their products and pressure from the mobile phone carriers may be too much. Hardware improvements in the new iPhone will be 3G (depending on battery life, something Apple wasn’t and still won’t be willing to sacrifice), improved camera on the phone, louder speakers, and more flash storage. Software improvements will bring the ability to save from safari to a folder on the phone, copy and paste functionality, and the ability to record using the microphone.

Apple TV+Mac Mini

Something going to happen here, otherwise you have to explain why Apple upgraded its MacBook to the Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, but kept the Mac Mini using the older Intel GMA 950 graphics processor. If i were a betting man, i’d bet a change is due, and they didn’t want to spend any more money upgrading the graphics processor with only 6 months before the newly redesigned Mac Mini arrives.

I’d add that the Mac Mini is in a prime position to replace the Apple TV as a functionally more rounded product. Giving you access to your email, internet, applications, music and video. The only thing its waiting for is a little more beef in the specs, and perhaps a fresh look, (by all means, call it the new Apple TV+), its no secret that Apple has been itching to get rid of the Mini in its current form.

itab mac with multitouchUltra-Portable MacBook

There has been a lot of talk about an Ultra-Portable from Apple in 2008. Based on the information from Toshiba, we should be seeing 32GB, 64GB and 128GB NAND Flash storage in 2008. With the 128GB module not coming out until May 2008, any ultra-portable Apple creates would most likely have a) two 32GB versions, or b) two 64GB versions, making a max of 128GB storage using the latter configuration. Based on the estimate that the iPhones’ multitouch technology costs $33.50 per phone, i wouldn’t be surprised to see the ultra-portable come equipped with that technology. How Apple plans on implementing a touchscreen on a portable, be it a swivel screen, or something unique, we will have to wait and see.