What I do see, is possibilities.

An Apple TV that is a “TV” would have to be more than just a media box like the 1st and 2nd versions of the Apple TV.  I think this device would have to be a media center or iTunes Server.  We know that Apple can make beautiful displays and fantastic hardware.  My vision is that this iTunes Server would need to have a few things to make it work.  It would need to contain a very large hard drive, Seagate recently announced a 4Tb hard drive, and the ability to update the software and hard drive.   The rest of the hardware might stand the test of time or need to be upgradeable over time.  That is the problem, it doesn’t fit Apple’s model.  Not only that but FaceTime Hd camera would have to be capable of upgrades also.

I understand where people want this to go and I have seen the videos’ of Alan Kay’s visionary tablet and Apple’s knowledge navigator.  I also ‘see’ how AirPlay is making some of the sharing possible with a combination of Apple devices.  My first thoughts and impressions are that they will be making a 3rd generation Apple TV that will allow and manage the ‘Cord Free’ connecting and syncing between iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.  My vision is 2 devices, one that has a large hard drive and one that is like the 2nd generation Apple TV.  My other feeling is that they are working with TV manufacturers to get  AirPlay working on TVs.  This could work as a widget or as an always on service running and ready to receive streams.

I really see a new Apple TV being an iTunes Server … I know I have said it a few times already.  It is the only thing that make sense to me.

ironwil

I was listening to a recent netcast, probably MacBreak Weekly #214 or Windows Weekly #176, and they were discussing the USB port on the back of the Apple TV.  I really started to think about that port and and the iTunes software.  I also felt that my iTunes Server could be met with Apple activating that port for external hard drives.  This could make the Apple TV an iTunes Server IF they add the ability to manage Accounts, Purchase Content, and allow iTunes to act as the intermediary.  Personal Profiles would allow one iTunes Account to manage multiple users (or device profiles) with Bonjour running Apple could enable Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Syncing.  This would solve the iTunes Server issue mentioned below.

I have noticed that a few videos and articles have surfaced over the last [thinking] 3 years and they are all pointing to the future of where Apple said it was going in the 80′s.  The Newton was their first attempt at a mobile product that would fill the space of the ‘hand-held communicator’ or Dynabook that was talked about by Alan Kay.  In my recent post, the video shared by TUAW, talks about being able to stream media on the fly.  To have total access to your books, music, movies, and documents no matter where an individual is located … they only need access to the internet.

Today we have 2 ubiquitous internet devices from Apple, the iPad and iPhone.  These two devices deliver the majority of the internet to you on the go.  We know that we can buy, rent, listen, and watch content as long as we are connected to the internet.  Yeah for 3G and GSM!!!  We now know that Apple is working on “The Orchard” a large data center in North Carolina.  Apple has now released the updated Apple TV that delivers all of your iTunes content to your TV plus NetFlix and hopefully much more as they continue to work on this platform.  I have heard some discussion for the Apple TV where we can push Hulu, MLB, or even games to our living room or bedroom TVs via AirPlay (or Apps).

With Apple rolling Apple TV and AirPlay out to their 160 million registered iTunes customers they have an instant [upon purchase] test bed.  To play with and work through all the bugs and legal issues.  They have a willing audience of “Fan Boys” that have already ordered their new Apple TV‘s.  They have users like me that will be purchasing one after they start shipping.

Now, what is missing?  One huge thing I think is missing is an iTunes server.  Yeah, I know that HP’s MediaSmart running Windows Home Server with the plug-in will act in this fashion.  What I am looking for is … think a Mac Mini Server form factor that we can add external hard drives to for increased capacity!  [The one extra cool feature would be that we could add more iTunes Servers and they would span the network.  I am thinking of a Drobo + AirPort Wireless Network Extender + SAN.]  We could stream right from that instead of from the family iMac.  It would function as the iTunes back-up for the whole family, accounts for each user.  This would then be coupled with “The Orchard” so that we have 3 copies of our media and we can then stream anything we own to anywhere! Now hold on and don’t forget that Apple purchased Lala.com and they had a really good balance of being able to push music that you already own for 10¢ each track and the ability to buy new music.

So,  if I have a DVD or digital copy of a movie, then I have to pay the 30¢ licensing fee and Apple drops a copy in my Orchard account.  Then if something happens to our Mac we have a copy of everything in the “Cloud”.  The way I see this service really being delivered is via MobileMe.  I am not sure if it would be 99$ still or if it would be free.  I think that free would ‘force’ people to move their content there because there is no barrier to entry.  I know that I would start right away.  I know that it would cost me; but if I could have the guarantee … I would be compelled to do it right away.  We have 2 Macs and 2 iPhones and it would be a no brainer for my wife and I to jump on that right away.

It is very clear to my mind what this will look like and how it will work.  Unfortunately, I don’t actually know and if I did, I wouldn’t be able to write this.

iron wil

After watching this video and seeing the September iPod announcements and the new Apple TV; it really solidifies even more the direction that I think Apple is headed.  If they get there watch out, it will be amazing!!  Think of ubiquitous computing to the next level.  Your TV is connected to your network and you can push video or anything else to it.

I can use my iPad to push a Keynote that I am working on to the TV to check the scale and get an idea of how it will look.  I will be able to put up a spreadsheet and a website I am working from and other resources.  Using the Apple TV and the iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone.  It allows for a family or coworkers to share and collaborate in the office.  It moves us closer to the Star Trek interface.  Where the screen changes and we can use voice commands to navigate, work, and interact with the computers that will surround us.

What really surprised me was that the TUAW writer didn’t even get to these points.  He missed the kid pushing his project to the ‘chalk board’ from his hand-held device.

The future is coming and Apple is bringing it!!!

iron wil

I love this device.  I really like the 802.11n and I really like the Price Point!  I can afford the 99$ and that makes this an easy buy.  Having access to NetFlix and my iTunes Library in the same place really makes me love this.  I see 3 things that will happen to the device over the next year or two:

1. The Orchard will hold and deliver personal content to any iPhone, iTouch, iPad, and Apple TV.
2. Apple will develop a home iTunes server that will allow for several accounts and multiple account access.  Think HP’s Windows Home Server with the iTunes plug-in.
3. Apple will allow for App development which will bring in more content and some games.  This may require a new Apple TV to handle multiple iPhones, iTouchs, and iPads … to act as game controllers.

Once, Apple puts these pieces into place, it defines the paradigm and concept of what that device in the living room is that handles TV Shows, Movies, Music, and Gaming!

I need to pre-order mine.

iron wil

P.S.

Others Thoughts

1. Wired’s Epicenter, How Apple Just Disrupted the Cable Guys.
2. Ars Technica, No longer a hobby? $99 Apple TV drops storage, integrates Netflix.
3. Fortune Tech, Apple TV swings hard but misses.

I  have to disagree with Fortune, I think that they are wanting a solution to a problem that everyone is searching for.  Wired & Ars, I think are on the same train of thought as I am and Apple.  It isn’t the answer yet … another step or iteration on the path to getting it right.  I look forward to seeing what comes next.  I hope they see and realize that this can’t be a stand alone box; it has to have a robust back-end of content.

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jason Calacanis, Ryan Block, and Loren Feldman

TechCrunch50, Dr. Horrible’s Emmy, gadget theft, iPod Nano, Facebook, Skype, and more.

Show Notes

MacBreak Weekly 158: They Don’t Have That in the US

Hosts: Leo Laporte,Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Wil Harris

Zune HD, iPod Nano camera, cameraless Touch, Apple TV price drop, dream acquisitions, and more.

Show Notes

Security Now 214: Listener Feedback 75

Hosts: Steve Gibson with Leo Laporte

Steve addresses feedback on GSM security, cookies, router admin passwords, proxy servers, and more.

Show Notes

Windows Weekly 123: There Might Be Shrimp

Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte

Zune HD, student pricing for Windows 7, Microsoft Office web application, Bing visual search, and more.

Show Notes

This Week In Google 8: Freckly States

Hosts: Leo Laporte, Gina Trapani, Jeff Jarvis, and Clint Boulton

Google book settlement, Brightcove rumor, Android Click/Hero, Mint, Skype, and more.

Show Notes

iron wil

Google Chrome, set-top box wars, Xbox 360 price cuts, PicasaWeb, and more.

• Chrome: Google’s full frontal assault on Microsoft
• Xbox 360 price cuts
• Office Live Workspace users reach one million mark; software and services vs. cloud computing
• Battle of the set-top boxes: Apple TV, Media Center Extenders, Roku (Netflix), Popcorn Hour, and New Xbox 360 (60 GB)
• Amazon Video On Demand

Tips of the week:

• Using Chrome for Web applications
• Standalone gMail and Google Calendar (also, PicasaWeb, etc.)

Software of the week:

• Google Picasa 3 Beta (and Picasa Web Albums update)
• Roboform
• Microsoft AutoCollage 2008

Audible pick of the week: All the President’s Men, Unabridged, By Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, Narrated by Richard Poe. For a free audiobook, visit Audible.com/windows.

Check out Paul’s blog at http://www.internet-nexus.com and the SuperSite for Windows http://winsupersite.com for more information.

get yours here.

iron wil

Hosts: Paul Thurrott and Leo Laporte

Topics:

• MacBook Air
• iPhone update
• NY Times River
• Apple TV2 vs. Xbox Live
• Office: Mac 2008
• Windows 7
• (PRODUCT) RED
• NPR On Point podcasts
• Rome HD Video Podcast
• London HD Video Podcast – London Landscape TV

Audible Pick of the Week: Stephen King’s Duma Key

Software Pick of the Week

• GOM Player
• Tip: Change Explorer Views in Vista

Ultimate Dream Machine

Mac Pro fully loaded with Dual 30″ Displays; I am beginning to wonder if I really need something this powerful.

Everyday Things

AirPort Express – I need to put some power in another part of my home.

Samsung Galaxy Tab – I just want to see if it is as good as it appears to be.

iPad 3G – this will totally replace my MacBook for 90% of what I use it for!

BookArc – this will go great with my MacBook.

27″ iMac – fully loaded to replace the family iMac.

Drobo – forget building a Linux File Server, I really WANT this!!!

AirPort Extreme – updated again, will update when I need it.

Got It!

37″ HDTV, Vizio – contemplating for media center; thanks Mom and Dad!

Apple TV – I acquired a 1st Gen Apple TV and we are loving it.  I would have to buy a 2nd Gen if Hulu got an App on it like NetFlix.

Logitech Performance Mouse MX – got it & love it!

iPhone – w00t w00t!  We got our iPhones this weekend [2009.09.19] 3GS baby!!!

24″ Apple Cinema Display – got it [kinda], decided to go with an ACER 24″.

BlueAnt X5i Stereo Headset – got it, love it!

Jabra BT620s & A125s – got it, sold it, and reviewed.

Call of Duty 2 – got it, sold it.

13″ MacBook Black – got it!

BlueAnt Z9 Mobile Headset – got it, broke it.

Logitech Cordless Desktop s530 – got it!

AirPort Extreme – got it!

Duds

BT600 Bluetooth Mouse, reviewed.

In the course of conversation, we talked about what movies and tv shows we are watching, and what things we are doing. We focused on what tv shows we are looking forward to [like Heroes, CSI, and Eureka]. And since he mentioned buying Season 1 of Heroes, I mentioned the Apple TV [which I would love to have] and how it would be great since we watch a lot of movies & we hate commercials. We also don’t mind watching something a day or two later. Well, she mentioned her Zune and how wonderful it is.

I decided to market Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch. [We just got Treo's last summer and can't justify the expense this year - but we are getting iPhones.] I was just having fun with the situation and they started to tout the compatibility between the Zune, XBox 360, and Windows. I just chuckled to myself and continued to be antagonistic. I even asked if she bought the pink Zune, she had and then she showed it to us.

The best part is after we were done, my wife said, “I have never heard of the Zune, who makes it?” I laughed the more and told her who made it. We got home and my sister, who watched our boy, had never heard of it either. That was great! Considering that Apple sold as many iPhones as Microsoft has sold Zunes – the difference, Apple did it in 2 months.

iron wil

Download it now.

This is a major release. The changes cannot really all be summed up, but here’s a try:

• User experience is improved through a re-envisioned Mac interface and a Windows interface that’s been rebuilt from the ground up.
• Picture quality is improved through better image scaling, better deinterlacing, new filters for denoising, deblocking, inverse telecine, and new presets devoted to high quality settings.
• Speed improvements due to updated copies of x264 and ffmpeg. This includes improved multi-threaded encoding for the iPod.
• Compatibility is improved through new presets for devices like the iPhone and PSP. As well, HandBrake now supports DTS as an audio source and has limited support for .VOB and .TS file containers as input. Most excitingly, HandBrake can now output to the Matroska (MKV) file container.
• Stability has been improved due to countless bug fixes. (Including audio drop and mp2 issues). HandBrake also has optional support for MP4 files larger than 4 gigabytes.

This is my favorite DVD ripper for putting content on my Mac or iPod.

iron wil