What is "One more thing..."?
Oct 5, 02:51 pm in Technology
Apple has according to MacCentral this week sent out invitations to a special event in San Jose next week (12th Oct). The invitation says “One more thing…” So what is it?
Lately there have been reports about a last update to the PowerBook line before the Intel machines arrive, new iPods and of course something video. A Powerbook update is probably due and following the success of the Nano and the new design there is probably more iPods in that form factor to come.
But are they of the gravity that Apple wants to announce it at a special invitation only event? Usually, when Jobs uses the words “One more thing…” it is for something significant. Like a new product. like video.
What if this is the launch of Apple’s much anticipated entry into the movie distribution business. iTunes are already letting users browse for music videos and trailers as well as playing them in iTunes. The MacMini comes with a DVI output so that it can connect directly to a new television set in HDTV. Apple by now have a large loyal customer base that are just waiting for Apple to put them in awe again. If next week’s event indeed is about video I think there could be two scenarios unfolding with some common parts.
The commons
- iTunes gets an update or a sibling application iFilms or whatever. iFilms supports viewing films and managing your film library like iTunes for music today. It also enables Apple to control and enforce a strong Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution.
- Apple Music Store grows in to the Apple Media Store and allows customers to browse, buy/rent and download movies. The question is which movie studies that have signed up. Pixar is a likely candidate ;) One would assume that this will not be launched until there is a critical mass of films available.
I guess there are a range of factors why this should not be happening right now. Bandwidth would be the first one. How many people can download multi gigabyte files in a reasonable time today? Sure there could be a scheduled service that let’s you download during the night etc. but then it’s not really Video on Demand.
Serving the Mac user base
- The MacMini has quietly been updated in the last couple of weeks with a stronger processor. Probably it is just a normal upgrade of processor speed or is it important to provide a little bit more processing power to the next set-top box?
- A new Airport Express with DVI output to cater for all Powerbook and Powermac users. Run iFilms on your computer in the office and show the movie on your brand new plasma screen in the den. Not sure how the remote control would work though. Even with the MacMini it would be awkward to run your “VCR” from the keyboard/mouse. They don’t mix well with movie snacks.
Doing something really cool for everyone else
- Wi-Fi enabled iPod. All above stays the same but with the addition that you can download the movies to your iPod and play them via Wi-Fi on your television with the new Airport Express. The iPod’s excellent user interface could also work great as a movie remote control even if you’re playing the movie off your computer. I realise that this is in conflict with the likely CPU cycle requirements mentioned before, but hey Apple may have found a way to fit a G4 equivalent processor in the iPod.
There seems to be some technical challenges to be overcome before movies are going to work smoothly and be attractive for normal customers. Bandwidth issue, remote control, processor requirements to play full screen HDTV/mpeg4 movies. Apple may have worked there magic again or are they are building up to it and the release next week is a “just” a new generation of Wi-Fi enabled iPods – now that would still be way cool.
Connect at a Hot Spot to Apple Music Store, play it over an Airport Express to your home/car stereo and Sync and share files wirelessly and so on…
Well, it’s always fun to speculate. However, if they release anything of the above be sure to find me beating down the door at my Apple Store.
