As reported by Reuters, looks like Apple is on the verge of signing a deal with CBS and Disney. Before you know it, we might be saying goodbye to the nice folks at the cable companies!
The planned subscription service by Apple may offer television shows from major networks for a monthly fee, which could significantly alter the television business, the paper said, citing people familiar with the matter.
Apple is aiming to complete licensing deals and expects to introduce the subscription service in 2010, the paper said.
The video strategy is part of Apple’s plan to overhaul its iTunes store, which sells downloadable music, video and games, the paper said.
Apple, CBS Corp and Disney were not available for comment.
(Reporting by Sakthi Prasad in Bangalore; Editing by Dan Lalor)
AppleInsider is reporting on a patent filing from Apple that describes a Wii-like remote control. The patent was filed in May of 2008 describes how the remote could be used to interact with many applications including an illustration application and a media application which displays the Apple TV logo. Now, is Apple actually developing this remote for its inclusion with a new Apple TV? I’ll leave that for all of you to decide.
Rumors have resurfaced about a potential Apple-branded HDTV. Presumably a widescreen flatscreen TV with built-in AppleTV software. Apple’s partnership with LG could mean more than just small screens for the laptops and desktops. The same rumors are reinforcing the DVR functionality which Apple has recently filed patents for.
Jason Calacanis of Malhalo.com has been predicting this since last October. It does seem a strange possibility since TVs are such a competitive market but a few years ago no one would have predicted the iPhone and its success in a competitive market.
So, if Apple builds a TV, what will they call it? Apple TV is taken already….
[SlashFilm] Download These NOW: iTunes Offering 10 Free Sundance Short Films Until January 25 – Ninety-six short films were selected to be at Sundance this year and, starting right now, 10 of them are available for download on iTunes for free! To get the films, all you need to do is go to http://www.itunes.com/sundance (you must have iTunes already installed).
[Gizmodo] How Porn Will Shape our HD Future – Many adult sites have turned to internet distribution to peddle their wares because it’s cheap and it can be accessed from any computer—affording a little privacy in the process. As HTR points out: “Digital Playground is rolling out an entirely new HD download center where clients can download 720p video directly to their iTunes library or for use with their AppleTV. Pink Visual is already distributing HD downloads for use on your computer and others are following suit. It is only a matter of time until the bandwidth expands and we can all freely download 1080p porn over the Internet.”
Update – As commentor Nate mentioned, it appears as though the Dolby Digital markings are back on the Apple TV for the appropriate titles. Great news other then the fact that we have to go back through a weeks worth of titles to backtrack what titles really did contain DD 5.1 surround sound. Thanks Apple!
If you’re an audiophile, and have noticed recently that Apple has been offering up less and less titles with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, then you are not alone. First and foremost Dolby Surround is not available with all SD rentals, and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound is not available with all HD rentals. Since we track these movies everyday we have a pretty good idea of what titles contain DD 5.1 and what doesn’t and it seems as though Apple has wiped all signs of any titles containing DD 5.1 sound either on the Apple TV listings or iTunes Store. For instance, as in the screen shot above, we know for a fact that Iron Man did contain DD 5.1 when it was released as an HD rental.
Now what does this mean, who knows. If I was a betting man, and knowing Apple’s track record with these kinds of things, I would say it was a glitch in Apple’s system. All though, what if Apple was upgrading the sound quality, or audio tracks in general, of these titles. Time will tell.
Anyone who has been following this site knows that we usually aren’t the ones starting rumors, were usually the ones jumping on them, but this particular little nugget I found myself, so I thought why not post about it. (more…)
Apple Movie Junkie, formerly Apple TV Junkie, is the official blog of Cinemira. We provide a helpful service for users of the iTunes Movie Store and the Apple TV. AMJ was born out of a surprising shortcoming on the Apple TV after noticing that there was no easy way to find a list of all new HD & SD rental titles released on a daily basis. AMJ fills that niche with a daily list of new movies.
Update – As commentor Nate mentioned, it appears as though the Dolby Digital markings are back on the Apple TV for the appropriate titles. Great news other then the fact that we have to go back through a weeks worth of titles to backtrack what titles really did contain DD 5.1 surround sound. Thanks Apple!
Anyone who has been following this site knows that we usually aren’t the ones starting rumors, were usually the ones jumping on them, but this particular little nugget I found myself, so I thought why not post about it.
