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More murmuring about 99 cent iTunes TV rentals
Well now. The previous rumor about 99 cent rentals for TV episodes on iTunes was just your average, but now that we know there's an Apple event just around the corner, it's time to start making hay out of all the chaff floating around. A source now tells the Wall Street Journal that Apple is pushing hard for a deal with Disney to nail down cheaper 48-hour rentals, presumably to come through iTunes and the revamped iTV service. Resistance to the deal is coming from TV companies (surprise, surprise), who are leery about putting too much content out through online services, fearing that people will leave their monthly cable bills behind if another service arises. What's funny about that, of course, is that Apple sees that's already happening. Services like Hulu Plus and Netflix are already making cable customers rethink their monthly fees, and so Apple is finding itself with a limited amount of time to get in on the action. The Wall Street Journal says the company is pushing for agreements "before the new television season starts," but now that we know there's an event planned for September 1st, it's more likely Apple is trying to get agreements set up before the announcement. Of course, as Philip Elmer-DeWitt points out, the real economic tradeoff isn't between the $0.99 rentals and a more lucrative plan the studios come up with -- it's between Apple's proven iTunes-based economy and the free-range TV programming on BitTorrent. And with its ties to Disney, odds are that Apple will definitely have enough to go forward, even if it doesn't have every channel signing on the dotted line just yet. So here's the question: if Apple does announce a new iTV, and a way to watch new television on demand right away, will you choose a system like that over whatever cable bill you're currently paying?
Apple to hold 'special event' September 1st... we'll be there live!
C'mon, you saw this one coming, right? Just like they always do come fall time, Apple will be holding a "special event" on September 1st out in San Francisco, and we'll be on the ground reporting live. Think we'll see that new Apple TV we've been hearing about? Some iPods? A 'one more thing'? Yes, probably. Tune in here at 10AM PT / 1PM ET on the 1st to catch the best liveblog in the business! In case you haven't heard the rumors lately: Apple TV Exclusive: Upcoming Apple TV loses 1080p playback, gains apps, will be renamed iTV The next Apple TV revealed: cloud storage and iPhone OS on tap... and a $99 price tag iTunes Apple reportedly in talks with networks for 99 cent TV show rentals Yoko Ono regarding Beatles on iTunes: 'Don't hold your breath' iPod iPod touch coming in a 'few weeks' with dual cameras and Retina Display, suggests John Gruber Apple iPod touch LCD screen with front-facing camera slot spied? Everything else New iPhone, iPad model codes set up for iTunes activation bypass -- CDMA versions, maybe? Apple's Lala music team working on video streaming service for 2010 launch?
iTunes TV show rentals for 99 cents may be on the way
Here's another rumor about the new Apple TV (or "iTV" as some are calling it), which may be in the cards for the upcoming Apple event in two weeks. Bloomberg is reporting that Apple is in advanced talks with several media outlets to offer TV show rentals through iTunes for 99 cents an episode. Each episode would be made available within 24 hours of the episode's airing on television, allowing one to essentially rent the episode for 48 hours, commercial-free. This isn't such a huge surprise, really, though it does strongly support the idea of a new Apple TV device and cloud-based streaming services to handle these rentals. It'll be interesting to see if one would be able to get a discount on a season pass of streaming episodes. If you watch two shows every weeknight, that's about $40 a month. Depending on how many networks get on board, even at three shows a night at $60/month seems like a bargain against what some cable and satellite companies charge. Even a better deal, when they are commercial free and viewable on many devices.
Apple reportedly in talks with networks for 99 cent TV show rentals
We've already heard rumors that Apple was working to convince networks to offer 99 cent TV show rentals on iTunes -- and possibly on a forthcoming Apple TV / iTV as well -- and it looks like things might now be starting to firm up a bit. According to Bloomberg, "three people familiar with the plan" say that Apple is now in "advanced talks" with News Corp about offering Fox TV show rentals for 99 cents apiece, and it's reportedly talking with CBS and ABC-parent company Disney as well, although the state of those talks apparently aren't as clear. No mention of streaming-only episodes this time around, but those same people familiar with the matter do say that the episodes would only be viewable for 48 hours.
Apple rumor roundup: iTV, next-generation iPod touch
It's a new week, and with that comes a new batch of Apple rumors. This time we've got more hints about the forthcoming Apple TV (or is it "iTV") and what could be a new iPod touch screen. First, Digg co-founder Kevin Rose has been chatting up the new Apple TV. According to Rose, it will be launched in September and "change everything." He says that we can expect iOS apps, a la carte offerings from the major networks (goodbye, cable bill) and MobileMe picture and video sharing. The whole thing will interact with a remote control app on other iOS devices. He's pretty much in keeping with Engadget's report. We're starting to feel quite secure that the future Apple TV will run iOS apps. In other news, M.I.C Gadget has posted pictures of what it claims to be the front LCD and bezel for the 4th generation iPod touch. Labeled "Apple (c) 2010", the part bears a small hole near the top bezel that could conceivably allow a front-facing camera to peek through. It looks like the real deal to us. A front-facing camera on the iPod touch wouldn't be a surprise at this point. There's your Apple rumor round up for Monday. More to come.
Engadget Podcast 208 - 08.13.2010
It's the Engadget Podcast....to go! Would you like a little Joanna Stern with that? Easy on the Ziegler, buddy - and 86 the Paul, please. All that plus a special toy for kids ten and under that manage to listen all the way to the end. Update: If you've been unable to download the podcast in iTunes or Zune, it's because we had a naming issue -- it's since been fixed and should download properly once the cache breaks. Sorry for the inconvenience! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel Guests: Joanna Stern, Chris Ziegler Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: California Gurls 00:01:30 - The Engadget Show - 011: Peter Molyneux, Fable III, Milo, BlackBerry Torch, Windows Phone 7 00:01:40 - BlackBerry Torch review 00:12:48 - Exclusive: Sony Ericsson to introduce Android 3.0 gaming platform and PSP Go-like smartphone 00:18:38 - Microsoft to open mobile games studio, develop and incubate Windows Phone 7 titles 00:24:42 - Exclusive: Upcoming Apple TV loses 1080p playback, gains apps... and will be renamed iTV 00:36:10 - iPod touch coming in a 'few weeks' with dual cameras and Retina Display, suggests John Gruber 00:39:49 - CDMA iPhone in engineering tests, may arrive in January, says John Gruber 00:43:05 - Plastic Logic kills QUE, 'shifts focus' to second-generation ProReader 00:43:56 - Notion Ink Adam delayed, this time investors are to blame (updated!) 01:47:00 - Notion Ink Adam priced at $498, lives up to promise of being below $499 00:50:20 - Dell Streak on sale August 13 for $300 on AT&T contract, $550 without 00:51:14 - Off-contract Dell Streak is still SIM-locked to AT&T, wrongs still being done in the world 00:52:40 - Exclusive: Dell Thunder prototype rumbles into the wild (video) 00:57:05 - Motorola Droid 2 (and R2-D2 edition!) finally official: Android 2.2, Swype, $200 on contract 00:57:50 - Droid 2 R2-D2 edition spied in the wild, ready to repair your X-wing 00:58:30 - Motorola's Droid 2 in the wild, looking as blue as ever 01:04:18 - Motorola's Jha says MOTOBLUR brand will fade from view 01:05:22 - Epic 4G coming August 31st for $249.99 on contract (updated) 01:06:14 - HP CEO Mark Hurd resigns over sexual harassment investigation (updated with liveblog!) 01:07:35 - Former HP CEO Mark Hurd rewarded with a $40m severance after being forced to resign over fraudulent expense reports 01:09:42 - HP tells employees webOS tablet coming Q1 2011 01:11:20 - Pre designer Peter Skillman latest to leave Palm, entire senior staff now in exodus 01:14:56 - Google and Verizon announcing something policy-related at 1:30PM ET -- we're liveblogging right here 01:16:00 - Google and Verizon publish joint policy proposal for 'an open internet' 01:17:00 - Google and Verizon's net neutrality proposal explained Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com. Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @reckless @engadget @zpower @joannastern
British TV network angered over iTV rumor
The UK's oldest commercial television network, ITV, is supposedly livid over the rumor that Apple will rebrand the Apple TV as "iTV" in the near future. According to Mirror.co.uk, the network is already taking legal steps to "...stop the move." They're looking to prevent Apple from using the name "iTV" in any way. Mirror.co.uk quoted a source as saying, "We all take our ITV brand very seriously and we'll do everything in our power to protect it." Easy, folks. It's just a rumor. iTV may be what's coming as a new name, or it might not. Besides, Apple and Cisco were able to work things out when Apple renamed the iPhone OS "iOS." Can't we all just get along? [Via AppleInsider]
British network ITV responds to Apple iTV rumor, says it has 'vigorously defended' its IP before
This probably shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but British television network ITV has responded to the rumor that Apple plans to rename the Apple TV as... iTV. Now, Apple's no stranger to using names which are already trademarked -- if you'll recall, Fujitsu used to own iPad and Cisco owned iPhone before Apple took care of all of that with its gigantic piles of money. Well, someone at ITV is apparently not pleased to hear that iTV is one of the next Apple products, with a report in The Mirror this morning citing unnamed sources which described its executives as "furious," and hints that litigation is not out of the realm of possibility. Pocket Lint's contacted an ITV spokesperson for a more official take on the matter, and ITV's director of Communications, Mike Large, says that ITV has a "strong brand" with a "highly valued IP," that ITV is a household name in the UK, and that it has "vigorously defended" its IP in the past. Of course, assuming Apple does go ahead with the iTV name, it could always choose to call it something else in the UK, and it's also worth noting that ITV has been fighting to gain the US mark for the name since at least 2006, and has so far failed to do so. While ITV seems to have done a pretty good job at dodging any direct questions about lawsuits, it's pretty clear that the network wants to let everyone know from the outset that they're not going to ignore this one.
Engadget: Apple TV gets apps, new name in iTV
Our friends at Engadget have heard from a trusted source that Apple is indeed remaking the Apple TV, as was previously guessed based on its past trajectory. But the final product may surprise you: it won't have 1080p output, according to Engadget (which refutes earlier rumors), but it will keep that US$99 price, and bring apps from the App Store to the table. It's not yet known whether it will simply use iPhone or iPad apps (or get a brand new entry of its own), but Engadget says some connection to both the App Store and streaming services is going to happen. Internally, the box is supposed to be comparable to the hardware found in an iPhone 4, including one of Apple's own A4 chips running the show. And with all of these other changes, the device is reportedly getting a new name, the iTV. That makes a lot of sense, actually -- not only does it distinguish this new unit from the "AppleTV" hobby, but it brings the device in line with the iPhone, iPad, and Apple's other iOS devices. Engadget also notes that the iTV isn't a new name so much as it is a return to the old one, so if all of this turns out to be true, it would seem like Apple has a much more directed strategy for its set-top box this time around. Engadget says we'll see all revealed by sometime this Fall. It all sounds very interesting -- if Apple can squeeze all of that into a box that costs only $99, who wouldn't plug that into their television? Note: Over at The Loop, Peter Cohen points out that the existing Apple TV is a 720p-native device, so the hypothetical 1080p support that this hypothetical future iTV might or might not have sported... well, it's all hypothetical until the hardware hits the Apple Store.
Exclusive: Upcoming Apple TV loses 1080p playback, gains apps... and will be renamed iTV
You might remember that we broke news of an updated Apple TV headed to market just a few months ago. If your brain isn't working right, let us jog it: a trusted Engadget source asserted that the gang in Cupertino would be releasing a $99 version of the set top box, similarly sized and packed with internals akin to that of the iPhone 4 (A4 CPU, 16GB of flash storage), and will introduce new iTunes streaming services the box could take advantage of. Well we've gotten a little more info on the project, and it's not all good. Apparently the box won't be capable of handling (or enabled to handle) 1080i or 1080p video. Instead it will only push out 720p clips. The word -- and cause for much internal debate, we're told -- is that this has something to do with the A4's inability to crank on higher resolution content, but we don't see how that's possible considering the iPhone 3GS could play back full HD video. Furthermore, the device will be getting apps and presumably an App Store entry, though it's unclear if there will be cross-pollination between iPad and iPhone / iPod touch offerings and new Apple TV applications. Oh, and there's one more thing -- Apple will be officially changing the name of the device to iTV, abandoning the current moniker in favor of something a little more in line with its current iOfferings. Interestingly, that was the name of the Apple TV when it was originally announced by the company, so it appears Steve and friends aren't so much moving forward as going back to their innocent, untainted roots. Regardless of which direction the company is heading in name-wise, we can likely expect a full reveal sometime in the Fall... so hang tight. Update: To clear up any confusion, the loss of 1080p is in reference to the previous information we had (linked above, and here) about the new Apple TV -- not in reference to the current Apple TV.
Engadget HD Podcast 198 - 06.15.2010
The start of World Cup 2010 and launch of ESPN 3D gave us plenty to talk about, and that's before we got to Sony's 3DTV and Blu-ray 3D announcements, the 152-inch plasma shipping this fall from Panasonic, and ITV HD ruining the big game for an entire nation. there's plenty of sadness to go around however, with Boxee delays, DirecTV glitches and TiVo / DISH squabbling. Microsoft's new Xbox 360, along with ESPN3 access and an upgraded Netflix interface gave us plenty to talk about -- we'll see if it's actually whisper quiet. We wrap things up with the new TiVo remote and this week's Ask Engadget HD, HDTV or projector?Get the podcast[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace[MP3] Download the show (MP3).Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh (@bjdraw), Richard Lawler (@Rjcc)Producer: Trent WolbeProgram00:00:40 - Engadget HD Podcast 197 - 06.8.2010 - comments00:07:07 - ESPN 3D officially launches with FIFA World Cup coverage: live from Bristol00:12:57 - Exclusive: a look around ESPN's 3D Master Control room00:14:20 - Interview: Chuck Pagano talks ESPN 3D, mobile streaming00:19:00 - Looking for ESPN 3D on Comcast? Get an MPEG-4 cable box first00:23:38 - Sony has two 3D Blu-ray titles on deck for retail in 201000:24:08 - Sony 3DTVs go on pre-sale at Sony Style stores immediately, 'Cloudy' hits Blu-ray 3D June 2200:26:30 - US PlayStation 3 gets four 3D titles starting tomorrow00:27:42 - Panasonic's 152-inch 4K-resolution 3D plasma ships this fall00:29:00 - Panasonic announces 46-, 42-inch plasma 3DTVs for Japan00:31:04 - ITV HD fails to show England's first World Cup 2010 goal to the home fans (video)00:32:55 - F1 boss Ecclestone says no high definition feed until 201200:36:45 - DirecTV software update locks up HD DVRs nationwide -- Update: Fixed00:38:47 - Boxee Box delayed until November00:40:15 - USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again00:42:25 - PlayOn adds ESPN3 streaming for your World Cup viewing pleasure00:42:53 - ESPN3 comes exclusively to Xbox 36000:50:33 - Netflix for Xbox 360 adds search in November00:52:00 - New Xbox 360 gets official at $299, shipping today, looks angular and ominous (video hands-on!)01:06:37 - TiVo Slide QWERTY Bluetooth remote appears on the FCC test bench01:08:30 - Ask Engadget HD: HD projector or HDTV? 2010 editionLISTEN (MP3)LISTEN (AAC)LISTEN (OGG)
ITV HD fails to show England's first World Cup 2010 goal to the home fans (video)
While ESPN's World Cup presentation has improved by leaps and bounds over the 2006 effort, UK watchers got a nasty surprise on the high definition feed of ITV during yesterday's highly anticipated United States / England match. At the exact moment England scored its first goal, ITV HD inexplicably switched to a commercial (archived on YouTube after the break) ruining the first great moment of the tournament for many fans. Apparently this isn't new for ITV, which had a similar mistake last year when it made an automated switch to commercial just in time to miss the winning goal in the FA Cup. In this case, what's done is done and the network has already apologized for the "transmission error" (sounds familiar) let us know in the comments -- especially those outside the US -- how your network of choice is handling the beautiful game.
HD channel expansion roundup
Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say! Read - Comcast Rolls Out Extreme 50 High-Speed Internet Service in Indianapolis Area Read - Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) Debuts Live on the Big Screen Nationwide in High Definition with UFC 111 Read - High-def year for Brewers Read - Cable Operators rank ESPN, ESPN2 and Disney Channel the Top Three Most Valuable Cable Networks in Annual Beta Study Read - KWWL prepares to switch newscasts to high definition Read - Comcast offers more HD channels in Medford (Massachussetts) Read - Comcast Adds to High-Definition Lineup in San Francisco Bay Area With Launch of Hallmark Channel HD and HSN HD Read - ESPNU to Debut New Graphics as Network Breaks 70 Million Homes Mark Read - Time Warner expands HD channel lineup (Texas) Read - Stations turn on high-definition digital signals (Nebraska) Read - Fox Soccer ready for World Cup, HDTV Read - RCN Corporation to Be Acquired by ABRY Partners Read - Bright House To Add 15 More HD Nets In Central Indiana Read - Comcast: ITV Ready For 50 Networks Later This Year Read - FiOS on the way for Residents of Millis, Mass. Read - WEIU-TV transitions to high-definition (Illinois) Read - Vacation channel broadcasting in high definition (Missouri) Read - High-definition newscasts coming to some stations (Iowa)
Pioneer suing Garmin over three navigation patents
Pioneer's GPS products don't make huge waves in the Stateside navigation market, but it's actually got some fairly broad patents on route guidance and mapping, and apparently Garmin's infringing them. That's at least the story Pioneer's telling to the US International Trade Commission, where it's filed a complaint against Garmin and asked for a ban on sales of GPS products that infringe the patents. Obviously that would shake things up in a big way, but we clearly don't have the whole story here -- Pioneer and Garmin have apparently been negotiating for some time, and the two companies are currently fighting it out in the German court system as well. We'll see how this one shakes out -- stay tuned.
Freeview HD sets a date: December 2
Finally, after much delay, we have a date to expect Freeview HD service in the UK, at least for those in range of the Winter Hill transmitter (Manchester & Liverpool for sure,) it will go live December 2. elsewhere, you'll be waiting until at least 2010 to experience the joys of OTA HD as has been promised, but keep an eye out and the Beeb, ITV and Channel 4 should be coming your way. Anyone know if those New Zealand PlayTV Freeview HD adaptations will be back-compatible to the UK?
Fandango iTV app comes to DISH Network
We've never really understood the premise of at-home theater ticket buying unless you're trying to beat the crowd to a hot showing. Is it really that much more convenient to wait in line to present a Fandango confirmation compared to waiting in line to buy tickets? For DISH Network subscribers who've got it all figured out, you'll be elated to know that a new Fandango iTV application has just arrived to provide on-couch ticket ordering. Best of all, the functionality isn't set-top-box specific; anyone who tunes to channel 100 will have the option to buy, and all you have to do is show the credit card at the cinema to gain entrance. You can go ahead and color us underwhelmed and out of the loop simultaneously if you choose.
ITV programming made available to Virgin Media subscribers
While BT Vision is currently cooking up a way to bring major UK programming to one place via IPTV, Virgin Media is already taking things one step further by bringing thousands of hours of ITV on-demand content to subscribers. The agreement will, in essence, give ITV its largest ever potential on-demand audience -- you know, now that Virgin's 3.5 million customers can view hours upon hours of ITV1, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 material at their leisure. We're told that hit shows like Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be "made available for seven days after being broadcast as part of Virgin Media's free Catch up TV service," and there will even be a small subset of HD VOD programming to choose from. Not a raw deal at all for existing / to-be VM subs.
BT Vision's IPTV Project Canvas begins to solidify
We heard back in December that BT Vision was looking to link up with BBC and ITV in order to push out a revolutionary IPTV box, and unlike the ill-fated Project Kangaroo, this here initiative is starting to grow legs. Codenamed Project Canvas, the massive IPTV rollout would theoretically bring together major UK broadcasters in one location in order to provide on-demand content for free. BT Vision CEO Dan Marks is already calling this "one of the most important developments that [the UK] has seen in IPTV," and better still, he's locked onto a 2010 launch date. At first, the service will roll out in conjunction with BT Broadband, though Mr. Marks has assured the world that it will eventually be available to "any ISP that fulfills the technical criteria." There's still no definite word on how much high-def material is planned, but we certainly like the sound of all this, resolution be darned.
BBC, ITV and BT look to collaborate on IPTV set-top-box
We've witnessed the union of both the BBC and ITV before on like-minded projects, but now it seems the duo has rounded up a third party for something a bit more ambitious. Reportedly, BBC, ITV and BT will be locking hands in order to develop a set-top-box that would "deliver IPTV over one's broadband connection to their TV set." Technologically, we're not talking about anything atypical here, but it would be something rather unique for the flagging European TV market. If approved by the BBC Trust, the box could theoretically bring all BBC iPlayer and ITV OD content to one's TV set, and hopefully, more high-def material. Obviously, the deal is just now beginning to form, so we wouldn't count on having anything substantial to swoon over in the short term.
What's On asks 'WTF?'
Last week, Apple launched a special page [iTunes link] within iTunes celebrating the best of 2008 in all the various content categories. The Apps page [iTunes link] shows off the best selling (and presumably editor's picks) for paid and free apps in various categories. This is a great way for users to get a snapshot of the best and most popular and is surely a publicity boon for developers of those chosen apps.But what happens when an app goes from being featured to disappearing off the list in a matter of hours? This is the exact situation Napkin Studio's "What's On?" [iTunes link] found itself in. "What's On?" is an app that displays TV listings, lets you track your favorite shows and share show info via e-mail. It's similar to the i.TV app [iTunes link], but the focus is solely television and I think the interface is a bit more readable. When the iTunes 2008 list debuted, "What's On?" was listed as one of the Top Entertainment apps. If you look at the page now, "What's On?" is no longer listed.Andrew from Napkin Studio explained the situation to us via e-mail: ...we were eager to see if our application had made the cut. To our surprise, we had made it in the Top Paid Entertainment Apps list! We quickly notified all of our users via email newsletter, twitter and other channels to spread the news. Later in the evening, one of our employees looked and we were no longer on the list. We looked several places to be certain and sure enough, the Top Paid Entertainment list was down to 7 with an obvious hole where What's On once was featured. Andrew provided us with screenshots of the iTunes 2008 Apps page before and after. I went ahead and took a screenshot of the page as of this morning, and found even more discrepancies. Take a look: L. Top Entertainment with "What's On?" | R. Top Entertainment a few hours later Top Entertainment Apps on 12-6-2008 Both "What's On?" and "OneTap Movies" have been removed from the listing, replaced by "iLightr" and "Crazy Lighter."So what happened? "What's On?," like a number of applications, was available for free last weekend as part of a Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotion. Perhaps this change in pricing disqualified the application from Apple's paid listings -- though logic would suggest the choices were made before the Thanksgiving holiday. Napkin Studio emailed Apple and has gotten no response. My e-mails to iTunes PR have also gone unanswered. Of course, Apple is free to feature any applications it wants, but the discrepancies and changes in this case leave me scratching my head. For a small company like Napkin, which already started to publicize What's On as a featured app, the whole experience has been embarrassing as well.
