If the future of multimedia download and storage is this simple and cost-effective, DVD, Blu-ray, and CDs really are doomed. The O!Play offers buzz-word features like 1080p high-def video, high speed file transfers, easy playback of local, network, or internet content, and one-click music sharing at a price so low it makes Apple TV unreasonable.

The O!Play comes with its own remote control, along with HDMI, composite audio/video, and optical digital audio ports. Asus really went all out to ensure that every file format you can imagine is available, including all of Apple’s proprietary media formats and the pirate-friendly RMVB. High-def video output is handled via a powerful boost from eSATA tech.

Asus’ O!Play HDP-DR1 HD Media Player is on sale now.

Image: Asus.

Post from: EveryJoe

Asus delivers Apple TV killer

Apple just released a new decoder that is visually lossless and provides uncompressed HD quality at SD data rates. This means HD quality in a smaller file size, which has been one of the biggest obstacles listed for why there isn’t HD content on the iTunes store today.

Of course, Apple isn’t saying anything about this being a possibility, but smaller file sizes with the same lossless quality streamed straight to your Apple TV… It’s only a matter of time.

You can get the new decoder here. It’s available for Windows and Mac.

Post from: EveryJoe

HD Content Coming To The iTunes Store

The software update to Apple TV is now available. During MacWorld, Steve Jobs said that Apple will be releasing a software update to the Apple TV in order to give it more features. He publicly admitted that their first try with Apple TV wasn’t successful and the software update should make it better. Props to Apple for that.

What’s new with Apple TV? Well the big thing is a the movie rentals aspect. You’re now able to rent and buy movies, tv shows and other content via the Apple TV. Computer not required.

Apple TV 2.0 also has some new features that are quite interesting. Watch YouTube videos straight from the Apple TV. Access your .Mac of Flickr galleries. It also features a new slick interface to tie every thing together.

A few days ago I posted an entry with the link to the Apple TV 2.0 guided tour. Check that out as well to see Apple TV’s new features.

When Apple TV first came out I wasn’t really sold on it. However with this new software update it’s beginning to look really interesting. Especially since I’ve gotten a taste of movie rentals. Nothing beats instant gratification… well almost instant… There’s the thing about the waiting for the download. If you have great broadband and a nice widescreen TV, Apple TV looks mighty interesting. Especially when the movie library improves.

Here’s an interesting article about it on Apple Insider.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple TV Update Released

Apple has yet to release the software update for Apple TV but that hasn’t stopped Apple from putting up the guided tour ahead.

The guided tour is available in streaming format or as a download for both the iPod as well as a larger version.

Checking out the guided tour it really adds to the argument that the Apple TV 2.0 is a much better device that more people will probably give it a try. I really love the seamless integration with the iTunes Movie Rental Service. There’s only two things that suck about it right now. One, although not Apple’s fault, my broadband speed isn’t that fast that it still really takes awhile to download a movie. Two, the rental selections are still too little that you’ll probably run out of movies to watch in a month. So Apple, please release new movies soon.

Check out the guided tour here.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple Posts Apple TV 2.0 Guided Tour

On June 29th, a week from now, Apple will begin selling the iPhone. Included in the iPhone is the YouTube app that allows iPhone users to download and watch YouTube videos on the iPhone’s stunning 3.5 inch display.

To make this possible, YouTube has begun encoding their videos using the H.264 codec. On the iPhone’s launch there will be 10,000 YouTube videos available. More will be added each week until the whole YouTube library is encoded in the H.264 format.

Apple and Google are working more and more together on interesting products. Let’s see how this fares.

Post from: EveryJoe

YouTube Now Showing on Apple TV and Soon on the iPhone

Covered in this video are the upgrading of the Apple TV’s hard drive as well as cloning the system from the existing drive to the new one. The installation of SSH to access your Apple TV directly through your local network. Installing codecs to let you view your favorite media and not just the ones Apple restricted you to. Installing an RSS reader and RSS feed files. Well ok, the RSS reader sucks. I mean you can only read the summaries. You still need your computer to view the entire article. Might as well start on your computer. As for the rest of the hacks, they’re pretty much cool.

With these hacks, the Apple TV is looking just a little bit cooler.

Systm is a Revision3 program. It’s a good show, a little too much nerdy for me but I watch it from time to time.

Post from: EveryJoe

Systm: Apple TV Hacks

10. You have a fifth-generation iPod with video and a $20 bill in your pocket.
9. You don’t have a high-definition TV, or don’t use one as your primary set.
8. You have a large movie collection that isn’t in one of Apple TV’s two supported formats.
7. The iTunes Store doesn’t sell movies or TV shows in your country, or there’s nothing you want to buy.
6. You want to protest Apple’s pricing and bundling policies.
5. Apple TV doesn’t have a DVR – or you already have one.
4. It doesn’t have a DVD or other hi-def disc player.
3. You’re budgeting for another Apple purchase, like a Mac mini.
2. You want to hold out for a version with higher resolution or more hard disk space.
1. You want to wait until the reality distortion field dies down.

Read the explanations and the complete article from iLounge here.

Frankly there are only three reasons why I don’t have an Apple TV just yet.

3. It’s not available here yet.
2. I don’t have an HDTV yet.
and finally…..

1. I just don’ t have the spare change yet.

Otherwise I’d be lining up to buy one now. Call me stupid or something, I’m just a sucker for all things Apple.

Post from: EveryJoe

10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get Apple TV Just Yet

We’ve been testing Apple TV for the past 10 days or so, and our verdict is that it’s a beautifully designed, easy-to-use product that should be very attractive to people with widescreen TV sets and lots of music, videos, and photos stored on computers. It has some notable limitations, but we really liked it. It is classic Apple: simple and elegant.

That’s what Walt Mossberg and Katherine Boehret have to say about Apple TV.

Making things simple. That’s one of Apple’s criteria when creating products. The iPod made listening to music simple and now Apple hopes that it can make watching media on your large screen TV just as simple. From the looks of Walt’s and Katherine’s review it seems to have gotten the job done.

Post from: EveryJoe

WSJ Reviews the Apple TV

Apple started out as a computer company but ever since Steve Jobs returned and assumed the helm at Apple he has slowly transformed it from a computer company to a now more consumer focused tech and media company. Tech because of the Macs, iPods and other stuff that Apple sells and media because of the iTunes store that sells all the media.

With the recent announcements of both the iPhone and Apple TV, the company is also making more inroads to the consumer market. This was emphasized by Apple’s dropping of the “Computer” in their name. So the once “Apple Computer Inc.” is now known simply as “Apple Inc.”.

I think Apple will be the next Sony. We’re staring to see Apple every where in the tech/consumer markets. More and more people are wearing those iconic white earbuds. More people are slowly ditching Windows PCs in exchange for Macs. Soon we’ll be seeing Apple TVs in living rooms and people calling their friends via the iPhone. It’s just getting started. More consumer related products are coming from Apple.

At the heart of this is Apple’s wanting to change how we live our digital lives. Apple is helping us survive the digital age. Everything is now digital, from photos, music, documents all the way to videos, our lives are becoming bits and bytes. Apple wants to help us bring all of those together.

The computer was once a tool for geeks, engineers, designers, etc.. Now computers are for all. It’s not a business tool or luxury anymore, it is a necessity for living in the 21st century. It’s really now a consumer product.

While the Macs are powerful computers Apple has also made them to be the most consumer friendly ones as well.

Just like Sony, Apple has taken the emphasis on computers and more of the consumer digital life and computers are just one aspect of that life.

Mark my words. Apple will be the next Sony. The next big brand in consumer electronics.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple To Be The Next Sony

That’s what the Apple TV was relegated to, “The Other Product” status. It’s not to say that the Apple TV is a bad product. The iPhone just over shadowed the Apple TV. It wasn’t as revolutionary as the iPhone.

What’s the Apple TV you ask? Why it’s the center of your entertainment life. The Apple TV connects to your TV via HDMI or component audio and video ports. You then pair your Mac or PC’s at home (up to 5) and it then syncs your iTunes content to the Apple TV. This allows you to watch your media in the comforts of your living room. Sync your media via WiFi or ethernet connection. The Apple TV supports the draft 802.11 n protocol. This means super fast transfers.

Apple TV also comes with a 40GB hard drive which allows you to save data in the unit. This actually cache’s the media to prevent lags from occuring while watching, listening or viewing your photos.

Now having seen the Apple TV specs and description at the Apple web site, I find it good but it’s not a must have for me. In this world I live in, a gadget seriously needs to compete for my dollars/pesos. It needs to be compelling enough for me to part with my hard earned money. Somehow I just don’t see the Apple TV that much of a must have. It would be nice to watch my media on the TV but hey, I don’t even have that great of a TV. So I guess that should be bought first.

Post from: EveryJoe

Apple TV: The Other Product In The Keynote