This just in from Engadget, the 2010 Apple TV plays 1080p content but scales it down to 720p. So if Apple or the hardware community can get this thing to output in 1080p will all the naysayers suddenly starting buying it? Probably not. They’ll just find some other reason to hate it.
Tag: Apple
Apple TV 2 units being delivered, reviews are coming in
Apple’s new (2010) Apple TV unit have shipped and some have been delivered. Reviews are starting to pop-up in various places. So far reviews seem positive.
iFixit has done a tear down of the new device revealing 256MB of ram, 8GB of storage and an A4 processor. These specs show that the Apple TV is basically the 8GB iPod touch sans screen. They also find that the board has a spot that is basically ready to accept the 30 pin dock connector. I’m sure it won’t be long before some daring soul manages to get one soldered to it.
One of the bigger complaints, that is if you want to listen to most commenters on Engadget, is the lack of 1080p playback. That the Apple TV is only 720p is a complete non-argument because there simply isn’t a source of real 1080p content other than blu-ray. Stolen stuff doesn’t count. If you record over the air HDTV you’re either going to get 1080i or 720p content and there is basically no reason not to deinterlace the 1080i content into 720p since the vast majority of HDTV sets around today are going to be flat panel based. Netflix and Amazon HD streams are both 720p. In fact, the only 1080p streaming source I’m aware of is Zune marketplace on the Xbox 360 and I’m not aware of any other set top box that is allowed to stream Zune marketplace material and only costs $99.
iPhone drops to 23.8% smartphone market share, Android jumps to 17%
iPhone drops to 23.8% smartphone market share, Android jumps to 17%: “New data shows Apple, RIM, and Microsoft continue to lose ground to Google in the U.S. smartphone market.
(Via AppleInsider.)
Interview with “The Man Who Makes Your iPhone”
Interesting interview with the guy who runs Foxconn, manufacturer of least one part in what ever eletronic device you have in your home. http://www.businessweek.com/print/magazine/content/10_38/b4195058423479.htm
Office 2011 for Mac has been released to market as well
Office 2011 is on track for its late October release as the MacBU is reporting they have signed off on final testing.
UPDATE: If Amazon is to be believed then Office 2011 is set to be released on October 26th – Amazon leaks Oct. 26 launch of Mac Office 2011
Restore window positions and sizes
Few weeks ago I was telling my co-workers how I wish there was an application that would put the windows of running applications back to “where they belong” when I plug my MacBook into a secondary monitor at work. Yesterday I finally found that app.
The Apple TV
I’ve been reading reactions to Apple’s latest major event and so far this piece on techcrunch has been the best I’ve seen yet. It hits all the points.
Today Apple will demonstrate why they don’t need flash for video
Apple announced yesterday that they will be streaming their September 1 event live. The catch? It’ll only work in Safari on Mac and on iOS devices. So in other words, only about 9/10’s of the internet will be able to view the live stream.
But that 9/10’s of the internet will be able to enjoy the exact same video stream no matter what device they are on, be it laptop or the tiny iPod touch. No need for a desktop optimized version and no need for a mobile optimized version. The same stream will play on any sized device.
Make no mistake, this is a giant stab at anyone who is arguing that flash is needed on Apple’s devices. If you need any further information about the state flash on Android you need only watch the video here and then read the comments. People love to rail on Apple while completely missing the point that having flash at all doesn’t mean flash works and a half-assed flash experience is not what Apple is willing to allow on their devices. Reading through the comments you’ll find a few people who argue that “at least it is there” and that “it doesn’t matter that flash sucks today because there are better phones coming out tomorrow.” That makes no sense.
Apple’s attention to detail
This is something I’ve actually noticed on their machines and I’ve always wondered why nobody else bothers to make a computer look like it is actually “sleeping.”
http://floodlite.tumblr.com/post/1011047822/apples-attention-to-detail
Verizon, LTE and iPhone
AppleInsider is running a story about a possible iPhone 4 launch on the Verizon network in 2011. This seems to jive with a bit of information from I got from a Verizon worker on the roll out of LTE beginning sometime in the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012. In fact, towers in the Fargo ND area are being upgraded to LTE capable equipment right now. I have my doubts we’ll see a CDMA only version of the iPhone on Verizon’s network and I am betting on a simultaneous iPhone and LTE launch. iPhone being the first LTE capable phone on Verizon’s network would be big marketing win for both the iPhone and Verizon.