Apple’s not-so-hidden advantage

As I recently mentioned, I’ve traded in my aging Mac Mini media center PC for a third generation Apple TV. The timing was right, and after some careful consideration I came to the conclusion that the Apple TV performed almost all the functions I asked of the Mac Mini. What few things it couldn’t perform were available via a somewhat overlooked feature built into both iOS and OSX devices- Airplay Mirroring. With this feature I can still display Safari-rendered web pages, ESPN3 content, and a host of other media that isn’t available yet on the Apple TV. In addition, the ability to push games from my iOS device to the television has made some games far more enjoyable. The newly released Need For Speed Most Wanted (easily my favorite PC racing game) benefits from the larger screen and better speakers, and I haven’t had the chance to try out some of the apps specifically designed for Airplay that take advantage of the dual screens that your device and TV afford.

Airplay isn’t perfected yet; my iPhone 5‘s screen dimensions require excessive letterboxing (even more than the iPad does) but the technology has added a great deal of enjoyment to an already well designed device. While the content afforded isn’t broad enough for the majority of households yet, my experience with the Apple TV has reaffirmed my choice to cut the cord and eschew all paid TV.

While composing my first impressions of Airplay the tight integration between the Apple TV and iOS I had a feeling of deja vu. I had discussed just this focus on integration between products in Apple’s ecosphere a few months ago when someone asked me about my opinions of smartphones. While all of the flavors of handsets have something to offer consumers, I’ve enjoyed the extra benefit of integration between my iPhone and all my other Apple devices. Messages, iCloud, Photostream, and Airplay are features that I use regularly that I would have to either cobble together via third party solutions or miss out on entirely had I chosen a different smartphone.

While Microsoft leap with both feet into the concept of a single operating system for both mobile and traditional devices, Apple has played it a bit more reserved. Microsoft’s once-named Metro interface is lynchpin of their integration strategy; they seek to offer an identical user interface on every device. Apple has chosen to build two distinct platforms and slowly allow them to grow together. I obviously prefer the second approach; the iPhone and iPad offer significantly different user inputs and experiences than a desktop or traditional laptop. The slow osmosis of successful facets of each OS and cross-platform cooperation has provided a more enjoyable user experience so far compared to my limited use of Windows 8 (best described in polite company as a hot mess).

Android is a powerful mobile operating system, and Google’s free product offerings are enticing- I use quite a few of them every day. Google has recently even begun attempts to copy Apple’s Airplay concept, but it will likely be much more difficult for Google to replicate due to the lack of a comprehensive hardware lineup. Google-enabled TVs  and set top boxes are out there, but they are have a long way to go before they even approach the levels of market penetration of Apple’s “hobby” device, much less the entire OSX line. I completely understand the perspective of my friends that swear by their Android devices, but for me the end point is more than just the handset itself. My choice is influenced by the entire product lineup and its integration. The synergy of my various devices has provided me much more utility than the sum of what competitors offer.

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Adventures in media center solutions

If you’ve read some of my earlier musings you’ve likely noticed I’m a rabid enthusiast of the Plex Media Center software. Apple‘s devices, from handheld iOS  gadgets to the entire Mac lineup, excel in the role of media consumption. My gateway Mac was an early 2009 Mac Mini, purchased specifically to act as a media center and server for my ever-expanding library of movies, TV series, and music. Thanks to the addition of Plex it excelled in that role.

The size of the Mac Mini made it perfect for my big screen TV’s entertainment center. It took up minimal space, and fit neatly into one of the media bays normally reserved for a cable box or other device (paired with an large capacity external hard drive). When interacting with Plex all that was needed was Apple’s minimalist remote; the flattened aluminum control worked perfectly and didn’t create too much clutter on the coffee table (unlike the multiple remote controls most seem to collect thanks to devices that don’t seem to want to play well together). The Bluetooth keyboard and magic trackpad were stowed away in a drawer in the coffee table, providing easy access should they be needed.

Sadly, this setup wasn’t a permanent one. After four years and a lot of use (the Mini was set up to never go to sleep or hibernation mode as it was configured to be a remote streaming server via the Plex iOS app), the bearings in the Mini’s fan finally started complaining. The occasional buzzing sound didn’t impact the Mini’s performance, but it was a sign that I’d have to make a decision soon- repair the Mini’s cooling fan (no minor job; swapping components out is doable but a bit labor intensive compared to other small PCs), upgrade to a new Mac Mini (enticing due to the dramatic improvements in power over the past few revisions and my uncontrollable gadget lust), or seek another answer for my media needs.

I was on the verge of choosing the newest generation of Mac Mini; trading the built-in Superdrive for an external USB model paired with a model of Mini that had a true HDMI port (my 2009 model had to use an adaptor and separate audio cable). Then I had the dawning realization that I really didn’t need that level of power; between my iMac and iPad I never used the Mini as a PC, just a means of getting media to a bigger screen. So if I didn’t need that much functionality, what were some other options?

Some of my friends at the dojo owned a version of the Roku and were fairly satisfied with it. I was intrigued; the price for the various models of Roku were much less than a Mini, and the streaming options were fairly robust. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a viable option as I have purchased several season passes of TV shows on iTunes, and my TiVo already provided access to Hulu Plus and Netflix.

The second option was the Boxee Box, but it was quickly discarded. I had tried the Boxee software about a year ago, and while it’s not bad I didn’t particularly care for the interface compared to Plex (and it had the same lack of iTunes compatibility as the Roku).

Google’s TV box wasn’t really fully considered. I was excited when I first heard of it, but Google hasn’t had much headway with providers after introducing their TV interface (even though it’s being built into some sets now, and Google’s Play store is growing). Were I primarily a Google customer (Android handset, Chrome laptop, etc.) I would likely have chosen this route, but since I’m already heavily invested in Cupertino’s products I opted for their living room solution instead- the Apple TV.

Apple’s favorite ‘hobby’ has fascinated me every time I ventured into my local (and horribly overcrowded) Apple Store. The diminutive device matched it’s competitors well, but afforded a few extra benefits that sealed the deal for me. Not only can it access my iMac’s iTunes library, the media purchased from iTunes need not be present on any local device- I can stream it directly from Apple’s servers. The device’s solid state construction makes it completely silent, and the device is almost the same size as my Bose speaker control module. Were it not for my Tivo I wouldn’t even need a media cabinet; the media hard drive has been relocated to the desk that sports my iMac (and the TiVo may be discarded entirely).

Then there’s Airplay Mirroring; the Apple TV’s ability to render the audio and screen of any iOS device. With a tap and swipe I was able to push audio, video, Safari, even games to my 54″ TV. This was more than just eye candy. Any functionality that the Apple TV lacked natively (like a browser or Pandora) could be used via Airplay; sometimes with better interaction than a native app would have allowed. This afternoon after coming home from work, I had only to turn on my TV and push Pandora to the Apple TV; I was able to advance tracks and switch stations from everywhere my Time Capsule router (and the sound output of my media setup) could reach.

I’ve had the Apple TV for just over a week now, and have been more than pleased with it. Streaming video is surprisingly better than what the TiVo offered- Daily Show episodes via Hulu no longer look pixellated during the busier moments of the intro, and the interface is easier to navigate and control than what Tivo had built into their device. Now the only reason to change my TV’s input was to watch a rare live broadcast; since I don’t have cable or satellite everything we watch in my household is available through iTunes or streaming services: Hulu, Netflix, or dedicated iOS app via Airplay.

Sadly, even the best setup has disadvantages. My old Mac Mini had a Superdrive built in; without it if I want to watch a DVD on the TV I’ll have to push the video from a Mac with an optical drive (while they still exist!) or purchase a dedicated DVD player. I’ve considered shopping for a Blu Ray Player, but watching movies via DVD is so rare I’ve held off for now.

The Apple TV does offer paid sports programming via the NBA, NHL, and MLB apps built in. Sadly, the only major sport that interests me is football- NCAA or pro; there’s nothing else that gets me pumped. While I do have some access thanks to the ESPN and CBS iOS apps, it is a bit limited. I will dance a jig in the front yard the day that Apple negotiates the rights to broadcast NFL Sunday Ticket or develops a dedicated NCAA app, but that’s not going to happen in the forseeable future. Should you prefer one of the other major American sports, you’re all set.

While I do obtain quite a bit of media from iTunes, it’s not my only source. Plex has almost the same level of flexibility as VLC (my go-to video player and ultimate media multitasker); no matter what type of video format I threw at Plex it handled it with ease. iTunes is far pickier; it prefers MP4 files for video. I’ve slowly begun weeding out the AVI and MKV files for conversion to something iTunes-friendly with HandBrake, but the going is slow. In addition, Plex automatically added metadata to media (posters, background info, even theme music to TV shows when browsing your library); iTunes recognized some of my movies but almost a third of my library had to be manually given artwork.

Enjoying local content isn’t without its trifles: to stream content the host computer must be on and running iTunes,meaning my iMac’s power settings had to be altered so that it wouldn’t need to be aroused from sleep mode should I want to browse it’s library from the living room. Easily done, but still something to bear in mind; if I had obtained all of my video from iTunes I could have relied on streaming directly from Apple.

Lastly, I’ve lost my remote media server as iTunes won’t provide the out-of-home-network access that Plex will. I didn’t use my remote connection to the Mini’s Plex library often, but it was nice to have on occasion. While I could configure my iMac to run the Plex server software, I haven’t made the decision to do so yet as there are already plenty of apps running in the background on my primary desktop.

I’m still exploring the intricacies of the Apple TV, but I am fairly enthusiastic about it so far. The benefits have been more numerous that I had anticipated, and the cost savings over a new (or repaired) Mac Mini are considerate. Should I come to the conclusion that I just can’t live outside of the comforting confines of Plex, I may still stick with the Apple TV- it’s possible to hack it and install Plex as an app!

 

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The next wave of devices

For those of you that haven’t been keeping up with the Apple rumor mill, there’s big news brewing. Several sources have confirmed a September 12th Apple media event to announce the release of the next wave of devices from Cupertino. The only question is what are the devices that will be launched?

The device most likely to be talked about is the next generation of iPhone. Whether it’s the New iPhone or iPhone 5, we’ve had too many bits of evidence for it not to be close to being in the hands of consumers. We know some likely aspects: a larger screen, LTE integration, and some changes that will make accessory manufacturers cringe like a new, smaller sync port and the headphone jack being moved to the bottom.

There is strong evidence for a refreshed line of iPods as well. The iPod Touch is likely to be updated to take advantage of the production lines of the new iPhone. The iPod Nano is believed to have been reconfigured too; the updated chassis will look like a shrunken iPod Touch instead of its current quirky square form.

The last strong possibility is the long-rumored iPad Mini. The form is said to be identical to the existing iPad, just shrunken from 9.7 to 7.8 inches. The smaller tablet form factor has been shown to be a viable niche (contrary to the opinion of the late Mr. Jobs) and Apple would be negligent to leave the Nexus, Kindle Fire, and Nook Color unchallenged. No word yet on exact prices or construction; Google sells the Nexus at or just below cost, something Apple has had no interest in doing to date so I’d wager the starting price to be slightly more than the Nexus’ $199.

There are some not-so-likely devices that have been bandied about the rumor mill  as well. The Apple-produced television has been talked about for some time, but there has been no concrete evidence that such a device is even close to manufacture (if it will be made at all). Google is still attempting to gain traction with their Google TV line of set top boxes and integrated television sets made by partner firms, but to date it hasn’t been embraced by consumers. The Apple TV has sold respectably well for a device dubbed as a “hobby”, but it’s a big leap from making the diminutive input device to a full fledged TV set.

Lastly there’s the not-so-widely rumored changes to the Apple TV itself. Some have stated that Apple could make the Apple TV a competitor to lower-end gaming platforms like Nintendo’s Wii if they added Bluetooth and the ability to run iOS apps on the device. Access to the App Store would also open up a world of new content to the device, from TV shows via Hulu or streaming video from HBO Go or other provider-specific apps. While AirPlay provides a way to enjoy these services over an Apple TV now, a second device to push content is required; having native apps on the Apple TV would be a boon. The devices already runs a limited version of iOS and contains the same system-on-a-chip internals as other iOS devices, so the leap isn’t unreasonable even it if is unexpected.

I for one am rabidly anticipating getting a new iPhone (my current iPhone 4 has been a great handset, but I’m ready to upgrade). Thanks partially to AT&T’s two year contracts I held off upgrading to the iPhone 4S (the second ‘S’ version I’ve skipped). While I see the benefit of an iPad Mini, I doubt I’ll be buying one unless I have a couple hundred dollars lounging about with nothing else to spend it on. The smaller size would make it easier to hold in one hand and might be a bit better for personal media consumption, but I can’t see replacing my current iPad with one. The smaller form wouldn’t mesh as well with Bluetooth keyboards (like my current ZaggFolio case) and the extra screen space is handy when working with something like iWork Apps.

No matter what iOS device you prefer, you’re likely going to have some decisions to make come September. Start saving those spare coins now, the latest and shiniest doesn’t come cheap!

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Is the Apple TV becoming more versatile?

The diminutive and sometimes under appreciated Apple TV may be on the verge of becoming a great deal more interesting. MacRumors reported recently that Apple will be releasing a software development kit (SDK) for third parties to create apps for the TV accessory.

The second and third generation Apple TV run a version of Apple’s mobile operating system iOS; the same that powers the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (the first generation ran a pared-down version of OSX, Apple’s desktop and laptop operating system). Both run on processors shared with other Apple devices; the second gen sporting the A4 chip shared by the iPhone 4 and the third gen the A5 shared by the iPhone 4s and iPad 2. The similarities in operating systems and components would make porting apps over to the Apple TV fairly straightforward; the only question unanswered is what would be used for interaction. The iOS-using Apple TVs only have infrared input, currently only used by Apple’s diminutive remote. While fine for control of the Apple TV’s multimedia playback, the Apple Remote wouldn’t suffice as an input for controlling many apps. One possible solution would be to rely on the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch via a wifi connection- both devices can be used as remote controls for the Apple TV via a free app.

The addition of even a portion of the iTunes iOS App Store would make the Apple TV an interesting addition to anyone’s entertainment center. If done well I would strongly consider switching to one when my current Mac Mini media center needs replacing.

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Apple and ESPN may make the Apple TV a lot more enticing

Numerous sources reported today that Apple is allegedly in negotiation with ESPN to bring the streaming WatchESPN to Apple’s streaming TV appliance. For those of you that haven’t heard of it, WatchESPN (or ESPN3 in some circles) is ESPN’s streaming online portal, offering access to a variety of sporting events both live and recorded. ESPN currently has an iOS app, but it requires the user to have ESPN via certain affiliated content providers. While it is possible to view sporting events via this app on a TV it would require an iOS device with the app, the account information of someone who has ESPN via an approved TV service provider, and an Apple TV to play it on the bigger screen via AirPlay. A native app on the Apple TV would be a huge boon in two ways- it offers an elegant alternative to the cobbled-together existing method, and would give those of us who have cut all ties to paid TV providers an avenue for more sporting events.

I cut the cable over a year ago; my Mac Mini media center and TiVo have performed perfectly (and far less expensively) than either the cable or satellite providers in my hometown. I have access to ESPN3 via browser thanks to my ISP and have watched it many times both on my iMac and on television via Mac Mini, and was impressed with the overall quality of the image. While it didn’t have the clarity of a paid TV signal the feed was still enjoyable to watch. Access via Apple TV gives those that are considering cutting the cable a much less expensive (and much smaller) option than putting together a media center PC. The Apple TV already provides some sports access via the MLB, NBA, and NHL apps; ESPN3/WatchESPN would allow access to a much wider range of sporting events (including some NCAA football).

The only area of entertainment the Apple TV doesn’t completely cover is sports. While three of the big four are included, Apple won’t likely be able to negotiate their way into the realm of the most popular North American sports: the NFL and NCAA football. Football is king in the US and demands gigantic sums of money for broadcasting rights that the major networks would never allow to be shared willingly. Maybe instead of paying a dividend Apple should use a portion of that titanic pile of cash they’ve accumulated to just buy ESPN?

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