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TUAW talks to boxee and brings you invites
Happy Thanksgiving! I'm super thankful that I have been able to spend the last 13 months blogging for TUAW and interacting with all of you. On a more superficial note, I am also thankful for my Macs and all the cool stuff Apple products enable me to do. The newest member of my Apple family is the Apple TV. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk to Avner and Andrew from boxee, the company behind the social media player of the same name. Boxee released an update earlier this week, but the next big version is set for December 4, 2008. Avner and Andrew were nice enough to answer my questions, share some details about the future of boxee and best of all, provide a link so that TUAW readers can join in the fun! If you want to try boxee on your Mac or Apple TV, enter your e-mail address at http://boxee.tv/tuaw and you should get an invite within 24 hours. In the comments, on Twitter and via e-mail, many of you have asked questions about boxee, its limitations and its future. I took these questions and comments to Avner and Andrew, and here's what I got back. On .MKV support for Apple TV Boxee supports the .MKV container and if you are using a Mac mini, MacBook, iMac or Mac Pro, boxee can play back 1080p .mkv files without a problem. Apple TV is limited by its processor and GPU, and it maxes out playing back 420p and 720p .MKV content. I don't usually deal with .MKV, but a quick Google search turned up a lot of information about programs that can be used to convert files. Apparently, the PS3 has this same limitation. Hulu performance A number of users have complained about the quality of boxee's Hulu playback. I also noticed a decrease in quality after the latest update. The update on December 4 is going to address this. The big problem, for Apple TV owners, is once again the limitations of the hardware. Seeing as Apple TV's can stream HD content from iTunes (when downloading anyway), I think this is something that can be greatly improved, but it might take some time. Boxee is still in alpha and the goal is to enter beta sometime next year, so while I think the fact that Hulu is supported at all is fantastic, the Apple TV experience might take some time to fully evolve. If you are using a Mac for boxee playback, your performance will be much better.
Boxee is updated for Apple TV 2.3
We've covered boxee, a fantastic media center application that can run on your Mac or Apple TV. With its attractive interface and support for Hulu, boxee is what convinced my boyfriend and me to order an Apple TV. Predictably, the day our second Apple TV arrived from Apple (the first unit broke after watching just one movie), the 2.3 software update was released, nullifying our boxee goodness.Fortunately, the boxee team has updated boxee to support 2.3. Even better, the geniuses behind USB Creator -- a tool that makes installing boxee and the XBMC on an Apple TV a snap -- have updated their awesome software to make the whole process seamless.If you want to install boxee and XMBC on your Apple TV, this is what you want to do. You will need a USB flash drive (minimum of 512 MB, though 1 GB or higher is recommended):
Boxee / XBMC now available on Apple TV
If you were curious as to why Boxee suddenly became available for OS X 10.4 users, here's your sign. The underpinnings of the Apple TV are indeed based on Tiger, thus paving the way for Scott Davilla, a developer for the aTV-bootloader project, to announce that Boxee and XMBC can now be installed on Apple's set-top-box. In order to take advantage, you'll need the aTV Flash bootloader on a bootable USB drive, an Apple TV and the software in the links below. Currently, things are setup to run on Mac only, though PC / Linux versions are promised for next week. After signing up for a Boxee invite, jump on past the break for the step-by-step guide to getting this going. %Gallery-33129% Read - ATV Bootloader siteRead - Boxee Alpha signup
Boxee opens its doors for OS X 10.4 "Tiger" users
Boxee, the open-source media streaming software that launched this summer, has always had a soft spot for Mac users. So soft, in fact, that it has just launched a new version that's completely compatible with OS X 10.4 (Tiger). The update also improves performance of multimedia library browsing and makes a few other minor changes / fixes sure to make heavy users smile. If you're still holding onto Tiger and want to know what the buzz is about, today's your lucky day.
XBMC remote for iPhone
Following the newly updated Remote application from Apple, there's now a new remote application (iTunes Link) that allows you to control your XBMC Media Center with the iPhone. Obviously to use it you'll have to have a computer (or Xbox) running XBMC, which is available in versions for Xbox, Mac, Linux, and Windows. Features include: Play, queue and shuffle the media on XBMC View cover art for albums, TV Shows and movies View artist and album reviews and information 'Standard' remote mode. Control XBMC with standard remote buttons I have seen reports that it will work with the Mac-only XBMC fork Plex (though perhaps without images). It basically looks like it does for XBMC what Apple's Remote app does for the Apple TV.XBMC is available from iTunes for $4.99.[via Gizmodo]
Microsoft planning La Veuve de Media Center?
Our friend Chris Lanier's sources report a potential headless Media Center-powered CE appliance is under development. The current implementation on desktops and laptops gives it exposure, but the possibility of a more focused device could help potential users understand just what the package is for. On the other hand, competition from entrenched STB manufacturers and service providers could squeeze prices too low for whatever system is being cooked up in Redmond, which clearly considers our preferred "throw bags of money at the XBMC dev crew" strategy unsound. Barring convict redemption ideas cribbed from obscure French romance flicks released early this decade, what do you think Microsoft should do next?[Picture courtesy of Thomas Hawk]
XBMC 'Atlantis' landing in around two months
No sooner did we ask the audience which PVR application was best than the XBMC team reveals the next major installment of XBMC Media Center. A post over at the official website informs us that Team-XBMC "has hit a feature freeze in anticipation of an upcoming stable release of XBMC, codenamed Atlantis." The software is set to be released for Windows, Linux, Mac and Xbox simultaneously in around two months, and the crew is asking for your help in discovering bugs early in order to get a stable release out the door in short order. So, you planning to pitch in?[Thanks, Michael]
Boxee media center for Mac
Boxee is an interesting new media center application for the Mac based on the XBMC. Separate from the OS X branch of XBMC (now called Plex), Boxee focuses on a social networking experience by allowing you to get (and give) recommendations to friends who are also on the service. You can also share your media activity with friends and vice versa.Once installed, Boxee scans your hard drive for videos, music, and pictures. It also interfaces with various streaming sources, both for audio and video, including last.fm, revision 3, YouTube, etc. Even when playing local content it will download things like album covers and descriptions from the internet. All in all, Boxee looks like an interesting entry into the media center competition and its social networking features set it apart from more straightforward implementations like Plex. Boxee is presently in a closed alpha test, but they're expecting to open a public beta by the early autumn. You can sign up to be notified when the open beta is available. Since it's based on XBMC it's Intel Mac and Leopard only.
Boxee launches for Ubuntu 7.10 and 8.04
Surely you remember Boxee, right? After launching in June on the Mac with the promise of a Linux distro (and Windows, too) not far behind, this open-source media streaming application has finally gone live on Ubuntu 7.10 and 8.04. The creators reckoned that by covering Gutsy Gibbon and Hardy Heron users, most everyone interested would be covered, and we have to say we agree with that assessment. It should be noted that said software still has potential kinks, and there are currently a number of alpha testers toying with it in order to send in feedback and get things ironed out. More intriguing here, however, is the possibility for this version to slide into set-top-boxes or standalone players that are built on Linux-based platforms, but for now, why not hit the read link and give it a go on your very own machine. Let us know how it turns out, alright?
Boxee: open-source media streaming software heads for alpha
As the media streaming game heats up, quite a bit of focus is being placed on the software side. Take Boxee, for example -- this open-source application is designed to enable users to "control their media from a PC-connected TV," but in due time, it hopes to spread the program to set-top-boxes, cable company-issued HD DVRs, etc. Operating in quite the inverse manner, the system is slated to hit alpha next Monday, but it will only support Mac and Linux operating systems. Of course, a Windows-friendly version is due out soon, and given that it is based on XBMC, we have all ideas that it will be at least decently useful. As it stands, Boxee can support 1080p content, but DRM-laced material is still a no-go. The startup is hoping to round up a few alpha testers to get things moving in the right direction, and if you think you're the perfect candidate, tap the read link and get involved.
Apple TV linux bootloader
If the native hackability of the version of OS X on the Apple TV isn't enough for you, there's now a convenient boot loader that allows you to install linux. This also opens up the possibility of running linux based video software, particularly MPlayer, Myth TV, and XMBC. Further, since there are linux drivers for the NVIDIA hardware decoder in the Apple TV there's also the possibility of higher resolution 1080i output as opposed to the 720p it's normally limited to. Unfortunately, this is project is still in the early stages and none of this is working perfectly yet. Nonetheless, it's a interesting development on the Apple TV hacking front.[via Apple TV Hacks]
XBMC on OS X releases version .1
Those following the XBMC (a.k.a. Xbox Media Center, although they'll probably need a name change soon, considering all the platforms they've jumped off to) development for the Mac have some good news coming to them: the release has reached version .1.It's still as shaky as these things come, but new to this version are fullscreen support, "bleeding edge" ffmpeg libraries, and a regular FPS in video playback. It's still not anything the average user should be running, but as I said, for those interested in following along with the development, it should be welcome news.The download is available from the wiki, and we're told it's now super simple to install (though actually running stably may be a little tougher) -- just drag into your Applications folder and cross your fingers. Thanks, Yuval!Update: They got that name change: here's the new site.
XBMC being ported to Leopard
Xbox Media Center (or XBMC) is an open source media program designed to run on an original Microsoft Xbox game console-- for an open source app designed on a "hostile" platform, it's actually got one of the better media center interfaces around (and it's easy to plug into-- you can even use your iPhone to control it remotely). And so the crew over there has recently been porting it back to work with Linux itself-- all of the Xbox Media Center, none of the actual Xbox.If it's on Linux, it shouldn't be too hard to get it back running on OS X itself, right? At least that's what elan on the XBMC forums thought-- he hacked together a close-to-working XBMC port on Leopard. They haven't released it in any fully workable form yet (if you want to dive in as a developer, you can probably start here, and good luck, you're going to need it), but as a few people say, there's definitely a call for a terrific open source media center for OS X, because Front Row doesn't cut it for everyone.Thanks, floris!
MC360 XBMC Superman Returns theme
The lameness of most of the themes available on Marketplace (shift a color here, shift a color there) makes this sweet Blackbolt Superman Returns theme for the MC360 XBMC skin look that much cooler. Once again the hacking community puts the pros to shame. Put some effort in it Microsoft, especially if you're going to charge us for this stuff.
Xbox 360 hacked for homebrew and bigger hard drive?
An anonymous yet trusted source in the Xbox hacker community just released a few sceenshots to show his rather impressive progress -- if it turns out to be legit. One shot displays an expansive 451GB of free space on the default hard drive -- implying he's managed to finagle a new 500GB drive into the 360 -- while the other two purport to be views of Xbox 1 homebrew running on the 360. Both capabilities would be pretty major developments, but they'd also make for a couple of rather easy Photoshop jobs, so we'll just have to wait to see what comes of all this. Even if they've managed to emulate Xbox 1 hardware, the development community will have just as much of an uphill battle as the backwards compatibility team at Microsoft does to get things like XBMC running full-on (total redevelopment notwithstanding). And that's a big if.
Bloom off the Rumble Rose?
When Rumble Roses XX was released to catcalls months ago, I defended the game from snooty reviewers who were suddenly too respectable to admit playing with digital Barbie dolls can be fun -- especially when they're dressed in thongs and beating the crap out of each other. But after re-visiting the game via the demo on XBLM, I'm starting to wonder if the bloom is off the rose. Sure, the passable wrestling gameplay and "photo shoots" still hold a certain amount of Japanese perv appeal, but no amount of T&A is worth wading through the awful menus. Note to Konami: next time, more bouncy balls, less text.
Devil in the details for 360 modchip
Devil360 may have generated enough hits to crash their site after bragging about a working 360 modchip (Supposedly unrelated to the known DVD firmware exploit), but they haven't generated much faith in the modder community. Most eager chipsters are taking a "show it or shut up" approach to the Devil's claims of hacking glory:The Devil360 will be a modchip for the Xbox 360 console, the 'small' security hole has been found! This device is in no way related to the DVD firmware exploits - it's a totally different approach. However we did not manage to get the product ready for today (6/6/6), because we are working hard on improving it to:* Try to protect it from any type of update* Make it programmable via PC* Boot unsigned code* Allow to swap HD with larger drive with a special interface between the 360 and the HD (all types IDE/SATA).After the ICE modchip fraud, nobody is going to believe this blather without concrete proof. The cutesy Devil-6/6/6 correlation doesn't help. Still, the prospect of unsigned code (Read XBMC360) is enough to make your inner geek self-delude for a moment, no matter how low your tolerance is for shady mod squads.
Video: XBMC MC360 "blades" looking sharp
The 360 would be so much cooler if Xbox Media Center wasn't around to remind you of the next-gen console's crippled potential. In this video, Seth and Sean from ActionCorp show off Team Blackbolt's MC360 skin, a slick reproduction of the recently updated dashboard we all know and love. XBMC just keeps getting better. More info and high-res trailers here.
XBMC versus XBOX 360 and MCE
XboxSpace has an interesting, if cursory, comparison of the open-source media player for the original Xbox, the Xbox Media Center (XBMC), and the Xbox 360's Media Center extender functionality. The feature list on XBMC is monstrous, supporting many of the most popular codecs, streaming from SMB volumes, iTunes streaming, and more. The major shortcomings are that it requires a modded Xbox to run and additional storage capacities are strongly recommended.The Xbox 360's functionality on the other hand is notably sparse in comparison, featuring limited codec support, video streaming only from MCE, and a similarly small 13GB hard drive. They conclude, "In sheer terms of Media Center functionality, XMBC is superior to the 360 in every respect. It is an application that you have to use to understand just how good it is."What is upsetting is that this functionality far surpasses Microsoft's own, but they refuse to allow even trivial concessions like DivX support. Let's hope future Dashboard updates, and maybe even Vista, expand the feature set.
