That two-week wait for the new-generation Apple TV software is turning out to be a month at best. Steve Jobs unveiled the box's new capabilities at MacWord -- same time as the iTunes movie rental announcement -- but now the free software download is coming "in another week or so." The update is "not quite finished," today's Apple press release … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2008
Vudu cuts price as Apple TV v.2 looms
The Vudu set-top box has come down to $295 in a probable response to Apple TV's new price and upgrades. The Vudu box had sold for $399, although last fall you could get one for $250 as a special deal. The new price includes shipping. Vudu's "Bourne Identity" special continues, for now: buy a box and get the first two movies in the trilogy on … [Read more...]
Hulu: network TV streaming via a gourd
The mystery of the Hulu has been solved, sort of. The streaming video site's name means a Chinese gourd that holds precious things. Or from the Chinese words for "interactive recording." That's Hu and Lu, to you. This inside info comes from the NBC Universal-News Corp. site's chief tech man, Eric Feng. The CTO unveiled a lot of interesting … [Read more...]
Apple TV already taking a beating
The knives came right away for the Apple TV relaunch. But if the box works as Steve Jobs and Co. intend -- movies flow directly to the widescreen, along with whatever Internet video content you're scooping up -- the device could go from embarrassment to standard gear. If the audio-video quality comes up short then the early adopters will flee. … [Read more...]
Good Jobs: Big 6 studios go for iTunes rentals
Meet me at the Apple retail store in two weeks. I'll be picking up the new-generation Apple TV box, which appears to be where it should have been a year ago. Steve Jobs didn't bust out with "one last thing" to electrify the geek masses this morning, but for online video synergists it was a very good day. Here's what came out of the MacWorld … [Read more...]