Mac World Highlights...

[Bryancd]

As expected, Apple on Tuesday announced iTunes Movie Rentals featuring movies from all the major movie studios including 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Lionsgate and New Line Cinema.

Starting today, iTunes users can rent movies for as low as $2.99 and watch them on their Macs or PCs, all current generation iPods, iPhone and Apple TV.

Apple said it plans to offer over 1,000 titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles in high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound which users can rent directly from their widescreen TV using Apple TV. iTunes Movie Rentals are priced at $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases, and high definition versions are just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 and new releases at $4.99.

"iTunes Movie Rentals instantly brings great movies from all the major studios directly to your iPod, iPhone, TV or computer -- without having to drive to the video store or wait for DVDs to arrive in the mail," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "Movie lovers can now discover and enjoy movies as simply and easily as music lovers discover and enjoy music today on iTunes."

Once a movie is rented, it starts downloading from the iTunes Store directly to iTunes or Apple TV, and users with a fast Internet connection can start viewing the movie in seconds. Customers have up to 30 days to start watching it, and once a movie has been started customers have 24 hours to finish it -- or watch it multiple times.

An all new version of the Apple TV software delivers an entirely new user experience centered around iTunes Movie Rentals, allowing movie fans to rent and watch movies right from their widescreen TV, with no computer required. Users can also view photos from their computers, Flickr and .Mac Web Galleries on their widescreen TV as slideshows or screen savers, and anytime photos are updated on Flickr or .Mac they are automatically updated on Apple TV.

"Apple has created an incredibly easy and innovative way to rent and enjoy movies," said Jim Gianopulos, chairman and chief executive officer of Fox Filmed Entertainment. "Millions of movie lovers will be able to watch wonderful movies from Fox and the other major studios whenever and wherever they want, be it on their computer, TV, iPod or iPhone."

Apple TV users can now also browse and enjoy the iTunes Store podcast directory of over 125,000 video and audio podcasts, view over 50 million originally created videos from YouTube, or choose from a selection of six million songs, over 600 TV shows and 10,000 music videos to purchase directly from their Apple TV. Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user's computer for enjoyment on their computer, iPod or iPhone.

Apple TV easily connects to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort 802.11 wireless networking, Apple TV now automatically plays all of your iTunes content without setup or management.

Pricing & Availability

Movie rentals from the iTunes Store for Mac or Windows require iTunes 7.6, available as a free download immediately from iTunes.com. iTunes Movie Rentals require a valid credit card with a billing address in the country of purchase. iTunes Movie Rentals are available in the US only and are $2.99 (US) for library titles and $3.99 (US) for new releases, and high definition versions are priced just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 (US) and new releases at $4.99 (US).

The new Apple TV software will be available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers later this month. Apple TV, which includes the Apple Remote, is available from the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price $229 (US) for the 40GB model, and for $329 for the 160GB model. Apple TV requires an 802.11g/n wireless network or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition widescreen TV. iPod games will not play on Apple TV.

[Bryancd]

Apple introduces new Apple TV software, lowers hardware pricing

By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 01:00 PM EST
Presenting at the Macworld Expo on Tuesday, Apple unveiled an all new version of its Apple TV software that allows movie fans to rent movies on the iTunes Store directly from their widescreen TV, and also lowered the price of Apple TV hardware to just $229.

Related AppleInsider articles:


With iTunes Movie Rentals and Apple TV, users can just click a button on their remote to effortlessly rent movies from a catalog of over 1,000 titles by the end of February, including over 100 titles in high definition video with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, with no computer required.

DVD-quality iTunes Movie Rentals are $2.99 for library titles and $3.99 for new releases, and high definition versions are just one dollar more with library titles at $3.99 and new releases at $4.99. Apple will provide the new Apple TV software free of charge to existing Apple TV owners when it releases the new Apple TV priced at $229 in about two weeks, the company said.

"With the new Apple TV and iTunes Movie Rentals, movie lovers can rent DVD-quality or stunning HD movies from their couch with just a click of a button," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "No more driving to the video store or waiting for DVDs to arrive in the mail."

Once a movie is rented, it starts downloading from the iTunes Store directly to Apple TV, and users with a fast Internet connection can start viewing the movie in seconds. Customers have up to 30 days to start watching it, and once a movie has been started customers have 24 hours to finish it -- or watch it multiple times.
With Apple TV, users can also view photos from their computers, Flickr and .Mac Web Galleries on their widescreen TV as slideshows or screen savers, and anytime photos are updated on Flickr or .Mac, they are automatically updated on Apple TV.

Apple TV users can now also browse and enjoy the iTunes Store podcast directory of over 125,000 video and audio podcasts, view over 50 million originally created videos from YouTube or choose from a selection of six million songs, over 600 TV shows and 10,000 music videos to purchase directly from their Apple TV. Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user's computer for playback on their computer, all current generation iPods or the iPhone.

Apple TV easily connects to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort 802.11 wireless networking, Apple TV now automatically plays all of your iTunes content without setup or management.

Pricing & Availability

The new Apple TV software will be available as a free automatic download to all Apple TV customers later this month. Apple TV, which includes the Apple Remote, is available from the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $229 (US) for the 40GB model and $329 (US) for the 160GB model (US and Canada). Apple TV requires an 802.11g/n wireless network or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet networking, a broadband Internet connection and a high definition widescreen TV. iPod games will not play on Apple TV. iTunes Movie Rentals are available in the US only.

[Bryancd]

At the Macworld Expo on Tuesday Apple announced a free software update for its iPhone handset that allows users to automatically find their location using the redesigned Maps application; text message multiple people in one message; create Web Clips for their favorite websites; customize their home screen; and watch movies rented from the new iTunes Movie Rentals right on their iPhone.

Related AppleInsider articles:

New iPhones shipping from the factory will include the software update and existing iPhone customers will automatically get the update for free when they sync their iPhone with iTunes, the company said.

"iPhone doesn't stand still -- we're making it better and better all the time," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. "We've delighted millions of users with this revolutionary and magical product and it's great to share these improvements with them."

Maps, one of the most popular and helpful applications on iPhone, has a new interface that is simpler and easier to use and adds incredible new features such as the ability to find your location automatically. With just the tap of a button, iPhone can now triangulate your position using nearby Wi-Fi base stations or cellular towers. You can use this as a starting or ending point for directions or to find local points of interest. The new hybrid map view combines map view and satellite view so you can see major street names overlaid on satellite imagery.

Users can now also create Web Clips -- icons on the home screen that take you directly to your favorite websites, including to the exact spot you have zoomed into. Web Clips are a great way to easily track websites that you frequently check such as news, blogs, sports sites and movie listings. In addition, users can now customize their home screen by repositioning any of the icons, and even create up to nine different home screens that they can easily flick between.

iPhone's new software update also adds the ability to send the same SMS text message to multiple people, and iPhone saves a history of your text messages, so with one tap you can send a new message to the same group.

With Apple's new iTunes Movie Rentals, movie fans can rent movies on their computer, easily and quickly transfer them to their iPhone, and watch them anywhere on iPhone's 3.5 inch screen. Users can also now navigate forward or backward through their movies by chapters, select alternate language tracks and view subtitles, if available.

Pricing & Availability

The iPhone software update 1.1.3 is available immediately for free via iTunes 7.5 or later for all existing iPhone customers in the US, UK, Germany and France. New iPhone products shipping from the factory will include the software update and existing iPhone customers will automatically get the update for free when they sync their iPhone with iTunes

[Jen]

I'm excited about the movie rentals... may have to get Apple TV once we purchase our new HD television. Thanks for the updates Bryan.

[Rico]

If they had put a tuner in that Apple TV I'd be in for one, but it's still not there for me.  I'm more than happy with Netflix.  Movies get to me in one day and it's much cheaper per movie to watch that way.  I'm still very doubtful of their ability to stream HD content.

On the "Mac Air" super thin laptop I just have to say, why?  Is it so hard to carry a "normal" laptop around?  Over priced and I would miss having the optical drive inside.

[Bryancd]

I'm sorry, I didn't realize technological innovation was a waste of time.... ;)

Seariously, though, progress needs to be made, should we just accept lap tops have only one form factor?

[Rico]

Ah Bryan - here we go again.  Where did I say that this is "a waste of time?"  These products are just not for me - that's all.  And I would suggest you visit your local Best Buy or other computer store.  There are a vast number of laptop form factors out there.  Different size screens, weights, with and without drives, etc.  Many companies already offer an ultra portable laptop.  Trust me, I do know the computer scene very, very well. 

But, I'm also sure Apple will sell a lot of these.  Again, just not to me.

[Jen]

I don't use Netflix... I find iTunes convenient and I already purchase my music there. So I would be one of those who will check it out. As for the lap top... I can't even afford to buy a new G5 to run Photoshop for my side business and edit video for our podcast. I had to juice up my old G4... to limp along fast enough to run Leopard. Don't get me wrong, super thin lap tops are cool, but I was looking forward to something that was touch screen and tablet shaped. Let's get away from the "Book" design Apple. To quote the guys on Make It So: "Come on Steve Jobs! I want Star Trek!"

[Bryancd]

On the "Mac Air" super thin laptop I just have to say, why?  Is it so hard to carry a "normal" laptop around? 

Gotcha, I was just referring to this comment, which is an indictment of small lap tops as being a waste a opposed to "not yot cup of tea" You have to admit, that's how your post reads. :)

[Rico]

Oh, there is certainly a use for them.  I just don't personally have a use for something that limited in a laptop.  It's funny, what I see most people doing with their laptops on long flights.  Two things:  Solitaire or watching a DVD.  Hey, maybe I should email Steve and suggest a new Apple product.  A DVD player with a couple of simple games built in.  I'm serious - I think that would be a winner!  But see, if you convert it or buy a digital version of a movie you can do this already with an iPOD or an iPhone.

[space_invader64]

I love netflix and don't think I would use the apple rentals BUT I love competition because it causes customers to win.  What I really want is for them to get netflix instant viewing working on the mac without bootcamp/parallels.

The iphone got a nice update, glad they added the gps-like feature.

Right on Rico, there needs to be a tuner in the appletv.  Or at least enable support for an external tuner and burner. It was just a big clunky ipod for the tv which isn't exactily what I was ever looking for to begin with. But they did take a big step in the right direction.

Time capsule is a nice product but I doubt it would do me much good because I download, edit, then deleate lots of video.  It would just get full.

The air is more of a statis symbol than a compter.  Like a motorolla razor.  I just hope they drop the prices of the other notebooks in the product line now that they have something new.  And I hate the fact that it doesn't have a cd drive!

[Rico]

Just had to post this....
from:  http://pcweenies.net/

[Bryancd]

LOL! That's great.....and so true. I was speaking with a client today, a doctor down in Palm Beach FL., and he says three of the doc's in his practice have all ordered one just because they are so slick.

[space_invader64]

I think it's a statis symbol more than a computer.  Just like the new ipods.  I like the imacs and mac books for computing because of their ability to edit video and audio.  Why use something without firewire?  Isn't mac the great video editing platform?!