Front Row
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Skinning Front Row to look like Apple TV
You say your Intel Mac has Apple TV envy? It's understandable, as the Apple TV is suddenly everyone's favorite gadget. Boost its ego a bit with this trick for "skinning" Front Row to make it look more like Apple TV's UI. It's quite simple, really, as it's just a matter of replacing Front Row's image files with those from the Apple TV. You can even edit the default menus to display the "Apple TV" title. You can download all of the files you'll need - as well as the instructions - here (remember: Back up your resource files first!). When you're finished, it will look like the image above.
rex remote from Sik
All currently shipping Macs (with the exception of the Xserve) come with an Apple Remote free of charge! What a deal. As you know the tiny white Apple Remote lets you control Front Row, and when coupled with some third party apps lets you do even more.Sik looked at the Apple Remote and thought, 'Sure that's cool, but what if you could store that remote in an ExpressCard slot, like those found on the MacBook Pro?' Hence the birth of Rex, a replacement for the Apple Remote that is capable of doing everything the Apple Remote does, and can be stowed in your MacBook Pro's ExpressCard slot.The remote is $26.[via Uncrate]
Enabling Front Row on your Mac Pro - Bluetooth Mighty Mouse edition
Following up on yesterday's "How to enable Front Row on the Mac Pro" post, Sam Obletz sent us a note alerting us to the fact that the instructions don't work if you're using a Bluetooth Mighty Mouse. Fortunately, Sam included instructions that do work with the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse. The steps trick the Bluetooth controller, receiver, and HID driver into thinking there is IR present.First, read the original tip on on MacOSXHints.The following steps are what you must do after adding the boolean value for M19-0a, M19-0b, and M19-1: Click on the arrow to the left of M6. Click on the first property that appears, whatever it is. Press New Sibling, in the upper left of the window. A new model string will be inserted and rename it to HIDRemoteControl. Locate the new HIDRemoteControl line (it's in alphabetical order). Change the type from String to Boolean. Change the Boolean value to Yes. Click on the arrow to the left of M6-events. Click on the first property that appears, whatever it is. Press New Sibling, in the upper left of the window. A new model string will be inserted and rename it to HIDRemoteControl. Locate the new HIDRemoteControl line (it's in alphabetical order). Change the type from String to Boolean. Change the Boolean value to Yes. Thanks for the contribution, Sam!
TUAW Tip: How to enable Front Row on the Mac Pro
MacOSXHints reader posted a tip about how to enable Front Row on your Mac Pro. This trick will get around the problem of no Apple IR remote being detected, which causes Front Row to fail to launch. Front Row is already installed on Mac Pros - it just doesn't work. It just sits there, teasing you...All you have to do is edit a plist file and you'll be up and running. Which plist file to edit is dependant on which mouse you use, but if you don't use an Apple or Logitech mouse you might have to scramble a bit to get it working. For complete details, check out the tip on MacOSXHints. Of course you're still going to need some sort of remote to actually use Front Row, and there are a number of options available for that (a Salling Clicker-enabled cell phone, for example), but being able to activate it is a good first step. I don't have a Mac Pro handy to test this with, so let us know if you get it working on yours!UPDATE: We've added new instructions for users of the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse. See this post.
Switched On: Apple's DVR dilemma
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about technology, multimedia, and digital entertainment: Both Microsoft's Windows Media Center and Apple's Front Row provide a "ten-foot" interface for music, DVDs and photos. But, when used with a compatible video card, Media Center includes the ability to record television shows. In fact, small USB ATSC tuners now available or coming soon from the likes of Pinnacle are recognized by Windows Media Center. Apple has eschewed such a feature, probably for a variety of technological and business reasons. Modern Macs don't include TV tuners and adding them would increase cost. Setting up DVRs to work with set-top boxes via infrared blasters can be cumbersome and unreliable. Much of the complexity of Windows Media Center remotes that Apple has chided is due to their more comprehensive control and recording of television. And CableCARD – the ailing standard in which Microsoft and TiVo (to name a couple) have placed great faith for simplifying tuning by bypassing the cable set-top box -- is far from a universal solution. Meanwhile, the increased distribution of subsidized and well-integrated (if sometimes impaired) DVRs from cable and satellite providers makes the market a challenging one. Apple's omission of DVR functionality has also been relatively easy to understand or justify until now because of the iTunes store. Apple's novel channel for selling video has facilitated bringing television shows to PCs and iPods, emerging platforms for video. Despite Windows Media Center and other PC-based DVR products including Windows pioneer Beyond TV from Snapstream, Linux favorite MythTV, and consumer electronics crossover ReplayTV, DVRs remain overwhelmingly in the living room. And so it has stood -- iTunes-purchased shows local on the PC and recorded shows local to the TV. For Apple, though, that wall will melt like the transition effect in a sitcom flashback next year when the company releases the product known for now as iTV. The digital media adapter, which resembles a slice of Mac mini, will bring a Front Row-like interface to televisions.
SageTV headed for Max OS X
Despite the immense amount of shiny going on in Apple's own Front Row media app, the feature set falls woefully short of a full-blown Media Center killer for the Mac. Now it looks like the SageTV peeps are going to pick up the slack and port their well-loved media app to Mac OS X. Their latest edition of the software, SageTV V5 -- which is already available for Windows and Linux -- includes support for SageTV Placeshifter on Windows, so hopefully SageTV finds time to squeeze that into the Mac edition so Apple users can finally get down with their TV-on-the-go selves. Right now SageTV is seeking out beta testers for a closed beta that should take place in the next few weeks, so it doesn't look like the Mac heads among us will have too terribly long to wait.
Software Update: QuickTime 7.1.3 and Front Row 1.3
Software updates after a Stevenote? 'Natch! Fire up your Software Update, you brave souls, for there are new versions of QuickTime and Front Row.The QuickTime update is 'is an important release that delivers numerous bug fixes and addresses critical security issues. This update is recommended for all QuickTime 7 users and is required for playback of content purchased in the iTunes Store.' I hope this means, 'Video playback in iTunes no longer sucks.'The Front Row update 'provides for improved iTunes compatibility'. At the time of this posting these updates are only available through Software Update.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Apple iTV set top box announced: 2007
Apple is finally entering the living room with their long-awaited set top box, codenamed the iTV, due in Q1 2007. The box can stream video from a connected Mac/PC or directly from the internet. No word yet on HD content specifically, but with the component and HDMI jacks on the box it's certainly come to the high-def party with the proper attire. Besides that there are USB, Ethernet, RCA and optical audio connectors, plus included 802.11 "wireless component video". You can watch movies, podcasts, view photo slideshows all on your HDTV through an updated Front Row-style interface on this half-height Mac Mini lookalike, all for $299. Continue on for pics of the back and interface or check out Engadget's coverage of the event.Update: Engadget has a hands-on and close up photos of the unit and interface, it is tiny. Still no word on supported output resolutions.
Apple to release iTV video streaming box in 2007
In an unusual turn of events, Apple has pre-announced a wireless video streaming set-top box to be released in Q1 2007 with the tag line "you can take content to your computer or iPod, but now... TV." Going by the codeword of iTV, the box looks like a flattened Mac mini -- apparently it's around half the height -- and features a built-in power supply, USB 2.0, Ethernet, 802.11 "wireless component video", optical audio and HDMI ports, plus regular ol' RCA stereo audio ports. Controllable by the standard Apple remote, the iTV will come with an updated version of the Front Row interface that shares Front Row's smooth 3D graphics, but differs in that it has a menu on the right side of the screen. Apparently it'll work with both iTunes on both PCs and Macs, and will sell for $299.
EyeTV 2.3 adds Front Row-like menu
Elgato has released a fairly significant update to their EyeTV software that adds a Front Row-like menu UI for interacting with live TV, shows you've recorded and the program guide. Other sites are calling this 'Front Row integration', but I thought that was slightly misleading, as 'integration' simply means the top-level menu in this new version (pictured) has an option to start Front Row; nothing more. In fact, from glancing at the instructions in their 776 KB ReadMe file (link) about the update, it looks like this new version actually takes over the default Front Row keyboard shortcut of cmd + esc, forcing you to go through their menu if what you actually want is Front Row - though I could be wrong (btw, here's a tip Elgato: compress your PSD files to a JPEG or PNG before slapping them in a ReadMe).Other updates include support for two USB sticks from Hauppauge, exporting to Windows Media (as long as you've purchased the proper Flip4Mac QuickTime plugin), as well as a general export speed increase of 33%, and up to 500% depending on the source and exported format.This update is a Universal Binary, free to registered users of EyeTV 2.x and should be available from the app's own 'Check for Updates' menu.
Kittens like Front Row
really expensive cat toy was sent in by Brenden, and it is cute and scary all at the same time (I wouldn't like a kitten do that to my new MacBook Pro, but then again I'm a stick in the mud).Before anyone chimes in, I would like to point out two things: This video is really cute. I mean, a kitten and a MacBook Pro? Yes, it is a slow news day.
Ask TUAW: Where do you put your Apple remote?
"Where's the zapper?!"A time old phrase uttered countless times in countless living rooms across the world, usually accompanied by an expletive or two. Now that Apple has standardized Front Row and bundled a remote with nearly its whole range, Mac mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro owners are also screaming out for their lost "thingy", "zapper" and "remote control". iMac owners are in the clear: they've got a nice little magnetic section on the side of their machine that the Apple remote will elegantly stick to. Mac mini, MacBook and MacBook Pro owners aren't so fortunate. Apple's forgot to give us non-iMac owners a place to stash our remote! The MacBook, with its magnetic lid, offers a semi-viable solution. The remote will happily stick to the left and right corners at the top of the screen where the lid magnets are. It looks pretty stupid though.One solution that Apple could use, for the MacBook Pro at least, is to adapt the Apple remote so that it will fit inside the laptop's ExpressCard slot. That would allow users to store the remote out of the way while the machine was closed (our less than elegant solution shown above doesn't tackle that problem). Have any TUAW readers come up with a way to keep the Apple remote with their Mac when they're not using it? Guides for Velcro mods, tractor beam construction manuals and levitation how-tos are welcome!
Front Row 1.2.2
The Apple update elves sure have been busy! Not only did they release Quicktime 7.1 (for both Mac and Windows) and a Security Update, but Front Row 1.2.2 is upon us. Here's what is updated in this point release: Fixes a song shuffle bug Front Row no longer says 'Server no found' when downloading a large trailer Fixes some DVD compatibility issues Purchased movies located in the Movies folder are now correctly recognized And some other fixes. This update clocks in at 4MB.
Apple has Media Center contender in the works?
With Apple's general method of publicly denying the demand for a product until they announce its imminent release, Steve Jobs' words at today's annual shareholder meeting were quite telling. Without giving much away, Jobs stated: "The new products in the pipeline are the best I’ve ever seen in my life." But in response to a particular shareholder's request for Apple to develop "the ultimate media center" to give Microsoft's WMCE a run for its money, Jobs responded: "we hear you loud and clear." Quite the strong words from such a secretive man, though he was on a bit of a roll. In regards to the recent 17-inch MacBook Pro's release, Jobs let everyone know, "Everyone wants a MacBook Pro because they are so bitchin’." Thanks for that, Steve. Jobs also mentioned the possible demise of the CRT in their lineup, due to environmental concerns and their general lack of bitchin-ness.
Yahoo Go TV takes Meedio and does it for free
Instead of merely devouring DVR software developer Meedio and leaving us to wait months for the results, Yahoo is releasing their new Meedio-based Yahoo Go TV software a mere week after announcing their acquisition. There's minor Flickr integration, and the software seems bent on answering the call of Front Row, along with the standard WMCE fare. If sounds like your thing, we've got even better news for you: it's free. At least for now, Yahoo! has the public beta of Yahoo! Go TV as a free download, so unless you have a certain aversion deep blue and purple stylings (lets hope the theming community jumps on this one right quick) there isn't much holding you back from giving it a spin.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
Open Front Row to third party developers
JC, writing for Mac Geekery, thinks Apple shouldn't add a PVR (that's personal video recorder, folks) to Front Row like lots of Mac folks want. Nay, he thinks that Apple should include hooks into Front Row to let third party developers get their content into it.These Front Row plugins could be anything from El Gato letting you watch your recorded shows, to NewNewsWire displaying your RSS feeds in a Front Row like fashion.I think it is a great idea, what do you think?
Install Front Row (with Bonjour) on any Mac
So the new Mac minis are cool, and Front Row leveraging Bonjour is just plain smart. But what about the rest of us who can't afford to go out and buy yet another shiny new Apple product?Behold: instructions for installing the latest version of Front Row (with Bonjour support) on just about any Mac that can run 10.4.5 and iLife '06. A friend of mine turned me onto these instructions, and along with his Salling Clicker-enabled mobile phone, he has a pretty nice Front Row remote setup going on his 12" PowerBook. From the instructions it sounds like the setup is pretty simple, but as usual: this isn't exactly supported or even condoned by Apple (and is illegal since you're basically stealing Front Row and putting it on a non-Front Row Mac), so you're kinda on your own in case something doesn't go as planned.With all that said, enjoy (if you dare) the latest version of Bonjour-enabled Front Row for the rest of us.
Why doesn't the Front Row remote have a click wheel?
As I was writing up my previous post about a Designtechnica article praising the Front Row remote for its simplicity and iPod-like ease of use, a question came to mind: if the Front Row remote is another extension of Apple's easy-to-use ideals, why doesn't it posses a click wheel? That round white circle is one of the iPod's design fundamentals that has brought the device into so many households and pockets. More importantly, it's also just about the best darn UI for browsing through massive amounts of media - and isn't that what Front Row is designed to do? I see Front Row as Apple's "iPod for the living room." It is a really, really simple piece of software that wrangles all our content (just like the iPod) together for our viewing and listening pleasure in just about any room we want. From this perspective, I wonder if Apple dropped the ball on the remote's design. Don't get me wrong, I really like the remote (especially in comparison to its competitors) and I'm excited to one day afford a Mac mini for our living room. I just think it would be so much cooler if we could have a click wheel to control nearly all the media we have on our computers. Apple could easily have made the remote the size of something like the iPod nano which would still give it that "amazingly small" aura, as well as room to fit a click wheel and maybe even save some production costs. A click wheel Front Row remote would make it even easier to browse through the zillions of songs, videos and photos that people can now access from the comforts of their couch. Lastly, I think it would even help Apple to further the iPod brand, as users could now have the same UI on one of their home remotes as they have on the music player in their pockets.*Sigh* It's too bad Apple didn't give me a call when kicking around ideas for the remote. Maybe I'll get lucky with the 2.0 redesign version some day. Something tells me, however, that I shouldn't hold my breath.
Front Row now remembers video position
Reg mentioned this in a comment, but I didn't have a chance to test it out until now, and by golly it works (though getting screenshots of Front Row is a bit bothersome).As you can see above, I was watching a video (Channel Frederator) and then exited out of Front Row whilst it was still playing. Front Row automatically stops the playback, which isn't new, but now when you go back to the video you were watching you can either start from the beginning, or pick back up from where you were.
Front Row remote: "sophisticated simplicity"
Michael Greeson has written an article for Designtechnica purporting to see Apple's future in digital home media simply by analyzing their famously minimal 6-button Front Row remote and the new Mac minis. While it might sound like quite the leap, he's written a great article that gives some serious credit where credit is due in terms of the remote's wild departure from the accepted design norm. Dubbing a philosophy of "sophisticated simplicity," Michael believes many of Apple's careful design choices in products like the Mac mini, the iPod and this remote are finally striking the right chord with consumers who are tired of products with so many buttons and features that they're nearly indiscernible from an airline pilot's control panel.The article is a nice homage to Apple's design ideals, and I for one am glad to see someone appreciating Apple for what the company and their products are really worth, above and beyond the typical "hey there's no viruses" or "wow this iPod's great." Check it out.
