12/30/2008, 10:50am, EST
Tuesday, December 30th
Macworld to bring updated Apple TV, Time Capsule?
People may be able to see a variety of new Apple products at this year's Macworld Expo, despite the company's diminishing emphasis on tradeshows, says Kaufman's Shaw Wu. The analyst notes that while the focus of Apple's keynote will likely be on new Macs -- and a preview of Mac OS X Snow Leopard -- sources indicate the possibility of a new "consumer device" being announced, even if its exact identity is unclear.
Wu dismisses speculation of a new iPhone or other touchscreen device, but says Apple may be ready to announce an updated Apple TV set-top, and/or a new Time Capsule backup drive, either of which could have features such as remote file access. The Apple TV has not been updated in some time, and is generally thought to have outdated storage and functionality, eclipsed by rivals such as the Popcorn Hour.
Wu contends that Apple may effectively need to refresh Macs at Macworld, as sales have gone slack. The analyst further recommends a price drop due to the global recession, although sales of the newer (and more expensive) MacBooks are nevertheless said to be healthy. The Kaufman price target for Apple stock remains fixed at $120.
Filed under: Investor, Apple
Other story tags: Apple TV, Macworld, Time Capsule, MW09
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What's better:
Western Digital HD TV Player, or Popcorn Hour A110?
re: What's better:
same here, i need a player for my canon .MTS files but my Mini can't handle them nor the dual G5. The Western Digital just had a software update for MTS but can't be accessed over the network, need a hands on to make a decision.
Lets hope Apple updates the aTV so it can compete with these two players.
well
I would argue that updates to Time Capsule and AppleTV would not indicate some kind of switch from Apple's "diminishing emphasis on tradeshows,". New Macs, sure. Minor peripherals like these, nope.
And Time Capsule already has remote file access, does it not?
A110
No doubt. The A110 is the first device that I have used that is an appropriate replacement for my 5 year old IOData networked DVD players.
DRM INFESTATION
I'm sure if Apple introduces some new media centric device it will be chock full of DRM infestation, and you can bet your next three paychecks it WILL NOT play all the formats you like. Got .avi? TOUGH. Got .M4V? TOUGH! If it's not an Apple format, you are SOL.......... until someone figures out how to hack it to play formats 99% of media players already play.
ATTN APPLE: Three things. ONE: lower prices to reflect the current GLOBAL economic slump.
TWO: take some of that 20 BILLION in cash you have an invest it in QUALITY CONTROL!
THREE: STOP nickeling and diming your customers! ALL computers except for the Mac Pro should have that Apple remote INCLUDED. And ALL pro laptops should have the mini-displayport adapters INCLUDED, like they used to be with the Powerbooks and early Macbook Pros.
Apple TV Formats
I've got to agree that AppleTV needs to play more formats. Imagine the dismal failure the iPod would have been if it didn't play the music you already had (ie, MP3s and ripping your CDs). There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to point the Apple TV to a folder on your computer and have is play whatever it finds there, just like FrontRow can already do.
WD vs Popcorn
I have tried both the WD Media Player and the Popcorn A110 and hands down the winner is the WD Media Player. I have had no problems with it and all but .mov files will play on it.
atv rox!
i ran the patchstick and boxee install and now my atv does EVERYTHING except DVR.play movies over wifi (g!) without a stutter--XVID movies.
also watching hundreds of shows off Hulu--and I haven't even scratched the surface. and i can't find a format it won't play.
if "WD" is some form of Windows (i don't know) then keep it the hell away from me! and since my ATV-centered home entertainment controlcenter works great i don't need to look for anything else.
check out boxee and atv-usb patchstickthings get suddenly real easy if you do.