Super simple. Super useful. Super beautiful. For desktop and iOS. I love it.
Archive for August, 2010
FaceTime’s future
In episode 20 of The Bro Show, Myke, Terry and guest Patrick discussed something I want to expand upon. Namely, the future of FaceTime, the mobile video calling solution that Apple introduced with the iPhone 4. It’s certainly the device’s marquee feature.
Myke 1 made an astute observation: if you consider the television ads that have aired so far, you’ll notice that Apple hasn’t advertised the iPhone 4 per se. Instead, it’s advertised FaceTime. FaceTime is the product and the iPhone 4 is the delivery system. Of course that will change, but how and when? Here are my thoughts.
FaceTime for Mac
During The Bro Show, the guys suggested that iChat will be replaced with “FaceTime for Mac.” I agree and expect it to be a part of Mac OS 10.7. 2 It will allow those without an iPhone 4 to enjoy a FaceTime call with those who have one. Just consider the huge number of machines Apple has shipped with iSight cameras built in. To implement it, Apple can expand upon the video conferencing features that are already a part of iChat.
FaceTime for iPod touch
This is a logical evolution of the touch and I expect to see a demo at Apple’s September 1 press event. The addition of a front-facing camera should necessitate a redesign of the super-thin touch to accommodate the hardware. It will be interesting to see if Apple goes with a flat back and, if so, what it will be made of. As the guys pointed out in The Bro Show, there’s no need for a wrap-around antenna as the touch is Wi-Fi only.
The iPod nano is capable of video, but FaceTime will be restricted to the touch. The nano has long been the best-selling iPod model (as the mini was before it), and the low price is primarily responsible. Plus the screen is too small and adding the camera and Wi-Fi hardware would necessitate a redesign that would turn it essentially into a touch.
FaceTime for iPad
Here’s something that many people are looking forward to, myself included. However, I don’t expect to see it this year. Look for an announcement in January.
3G
You can blame this restriction on AT&T, but I think they’ll soon make this available. Now that the unlimited data plan no longer exists, 3 data-hungry customers switch from being a network-taxing hindrance to a new cost center. Do you plan on making lots of FaceTime calls? Then opt for the higher-priced data plan.
The main problem with FaceTime right now, aside from requiring Wi-Fi, is that both parties must have an iPhone 4 to participate. By significantly expanding the pool of participants, Apple will finally bring the “Jetsons phone” to the masses.
No NBC
Financial Times (subscription required):
“The new 99 cent price tag and deals for rentals from Disney’s ABC, News Corp’s Fox could come as soon as Wednesday at a just-scheduled a press event on its entertainment gadgets…other studios remain leery of Apple’s intentions.”
I’m sure NBC is among the nay-sayers. In 2007, the network pulled its content from the iTunes store, and today seems committed to making a go with Hulu Plus. Don’t expect “The Office” to be a part of the $0.99 rental program any time soon. 1
[Via MacDailyNews]
- Which is ironic, since iTunes all but saved “The Office” almost 5 years ago. ↩
Rumor: Apple press event on Sept. 7 [Updated]
Not entirely unlikely, as Apple has updated the iPod line in September very year since its introduction. But what else might be announced? According to Bloomberg, it’s a new way to rent TV shows and “…an updated line of entertainment products.” My prediction:
- iPod touch with front-facing camera and FaceTime support.
- All new Apple TV running the iOS and support for apps made specifically for it.
- Option to rent individual episodes of TV shows from the Mac, iPod touch, iPhone and iPad. Disney and ABC will be on board for sure. NBC will not.
See you on the 7th.
Update: It will take place on the 1st.
What I want from the new Apple TV [Updated]
Today Bloomberg suggested that Apple is prepping $0.99 TV show rentals. That’s half off the current cost of a single episode, which is great, but I’d still rather abandon the a-la-carte model for a subscription service.
Right now, the Apple TV has two main flaws. First, it’s a front end for the iTunes Store. If you want to watch an episode of a TV show, you must buy it. If I missed an episode of The Office and I want to catch up, I’ll be “punished” to the tune of 2 dollars just to see what I’ve missed. In that case, I’ll go over to Hulu and watch it for free. Note that I’m glad to buy shows I love. It’s just this scenario that’s a hassle.
The other issue is the tremendous amount of storage that’s required once you start buying TV shows and movies. I’ve got shows and movies spread across several disks. If I’m traveling, I’ve got to seach my Mac and external archive disks to find the shows I want to take with me 1. Also, it seems like iTunes wants to sync with my Apple TV almost every time I launch it. All of these issues could be eliminated with a subscription-based streaming service.
I’ve been waiting for Apple to announce an Apple TV subscription service a year. My idea was that I could stream any TV show or movie in Apple’s library to any approved device, like the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac or Apple TV for $X per month. That way I’m not charged for each individual episode, and the cloud storage would free up huge amounts of hard drive space. I’d be thrilled if my entire video purchase history was made availabe for streaming on day one.
One of the major hurdles, of course, will be from the cable providers as Apple assumes the role of distributor. Another will be the networks themselves. How do they generate ad revenue if I’m watching a show on my iPhone? Engadget has hinted at a potential solution.
Engadget reported that the new Apple TV (or “iTV”) will run iOS and, we assume, apps. By creating their own apps, unique to the Apple TV, the distributors and content providers will retain full control over what’s made available. ABC has a nice player out for the iPad right now. Hulu Plus is also rather nice, despite some flaws ($10 per month plus ads?). Also, Apple will continue to get paid and I get the cloud-based streaming that I’ve been after. Perhaps the cable companies and networks could get a cut of the subscription fee, or perhaps they could push ads. Perhaps a higher fee would eliminate ads. The point is there are enough options to make everyone happy 2.
Finally, let’s consider the new hardware. Removing the hard drive would make it considerably smaller. Replacing the IR remote with an iPhone or iPad app would eliminate the need for a direct line of sight to control the thing, so it could live anywhere 3. Lastly, killing the hard drive would reduce the size and the amount of heat the thing puts out. The current model gets hot.
With iOS, the time is right for Apple’s hobby to become a full-on product. I’ve got my fingers crossed and credit card ready.
Update: Ross Rubin agrees at Engadget: “…if Apple really wanted to avoid subscriptions per se, it could offer pre-paid access as it has for 3G on the iPad, with a lower fee offering a limited number of TV episode rentals per month and a higher number offering unlimited rentals during the month.” Good idea.
———-
- A first-world problem, I admit. ↩
- Scott McNulty makes a point about how developers get paid and why ad revenue alone won’t cut it for cable companies. He’s right, and unfortunately I don’t have an answer. ↩
- You’d probably need to keep the remote for those who don’t own another iOS device, but the option to hide it completely would be there. ↩
FaceTime on iTV
“I’m betting a FaceTime-equipped iTV device will create entire new legions of rabid, insane, Apple fans.”
Indeed. FaceTime’s biggest drawback today, besides being restricted to Wi-Fi, is that both parties must have an iPhone 4 to participate. As soon as Apple can expand that pool of people, its popularity will explode, not to mention the device that made it happen. Use FaceTime once and you’re instantly hooked.
[Via MacDailyNews]
Simplenote updated to version 3.0.2
Version 3.0.2 of Simplenote hit the App Store tonight with a slew of big changes, including a new web app, full iOS4 support, tags, “sticky” notes (keep important ones up top), improved sharing and search, fullscreen mode and much more.
Many of you suggested I try Simplenote after I wrote about using Notational Velocity and Write Room as my solution for the iPhone. I did and was impressed. This update kicks it into the stratosphere.
Simplenote is free, universal and available now.
Even more DODOcase usefulness
I use a DODOcase with my iPad (here’s my review at TUAW). Lately I’ve been using the inside front cover as a table for jotting notes while sifting through Reeder, making it combination iPad case/lap desk.
I bought the DODOcase the day after the iPad was released in the US and I’m still in love with it.
What to do if your iPhone falls in water
Great advice from HubPages. Years ago I had a Handspring Visor spend a rainy night in my front yard. I followed similar instructions and it survived.
[Via 37signals]
Facebook for iPhone highlights Places icon
I noticed this yesterday. Upon launching the app for the first time since updating, it prompted me to explore the Places feature by highlighting its icon. It’s similar to the highlighting Mac OS X offers when searching system preferences. I like it.
[Via 37signals]
