Apple Made Me Decide!

I have a 5th Generation Video iPod, which goes everywhere with me. It’s the most useful electronic thing I own, and even plugs into hotel TV sets, so I can watch videos and listen to music through them when I’m away. It’s a 60Gb version, and now it’s running rather low on space. Apple have just released two different types of iPod though; the iPod Classic, available in 80Gb and 160Gb versions, and the iPod Touch, in 8Gb or 16Gb versions (on removable flash memory). Ideally I’d've liked the iPod Touch, but with a 160Gb hard disc in it… The Touch is really just an iPod nano. It does have the new iPhone interface, and looks very much like an iPhone too. It also has stuff like wifi, but no Bluetooth apparently. It’s really an iPhone without the phone bit. It’s a shame that you can’t get an iPod Touch with the hard drive too, but I guess they don’t want to kill the “traditional” iPod, which this would. I’ve ordered an iPod classic instead, which has the new UI including the cover flow interface like the Apple TV and iTunes has (as well as the iPod Touch and iPhone). I’m not too disappointed though as I’d like to get an iPhone when they come out here, and the iPod classic will be a good match with this. If I went for the iPod Touch, I’d end up with two devices – pretty much the same – but one doesn’t have phone functionality, so the Touch might not get used as much.

I’m really happy to update my iPod though, and it’s great to have all the space for vidoes etc – as I’d pretty much removed the videos on my older iPod to save space. I did leave The Mighty Boosh on there though as it’s my favorite comedy series, and I re-watch it a lot. Does anyone want to buy a good condition 5th gen video iPod? (^ ^)

Also, Apple has reduced the price of the iPhone to people’s annoyance. There is an open letter from Steve Jobs about it on the Apple site, offering a $100 credit note from the store. I guess you can’t get that annoyed when you’re an early adopter, as you do pay a premium to get things early.

From Japanese TV to Apple TV

I blogged last about Japanese TV shows, and a great source of clips is on YouTube. Normally I’d watch YouTube on my computer, but I need do that no longer.

The other day I got myself an Apple TV, which promises to revolutionise my TV watching. I do watch a lot of TV, but I’m not really a channel watcher. At least I don’t tend to sit down and watch whatever’s on TV, unless there is a particular programme I want to watch. Normally I’d download something – legally of course – or watch a DVD. I like to watch TV series episodes back-to-back, so I don’t have to wait for next week for the next episode. So during an evening, instead of watching a couple of hours of random TV, I’ll watch a few episodes of whatever series I like. One of my all-time faves is X-Files, which I love to watch again and again. Currently I’m watching LOST, My Name is Earl, Desperate Housewives and the fantastic Heroes. Generally I rip one of my DVD’s so I can watch it via Front Row on my Mac, but now it syncs wirelessly to my Apple TV so I can sit on the sofa and watch it on my telly screen, which is clearly genius. This is how I really want TV to be like: on demand.

The only things I’d add to the Apple TV is functionality to browse Flickr, and to have my Flickr stream available as a slideshow. That would get rid of the need to have one of those eStarling WIFI photo frames I’ve been lusting after for ages. It’d be really great to have a live feed of my Flickr contacts photos too. Also, I’d like to be able to stream DVD’s that are in my MacBook drive through my Apple TV – which would mean I’d not have to Handbrake everything I want to watch.

Watching YouTube videos on your TV through a device like this really makes you realise what the potential of the Internet really is for self-production of video. Now I have a TV channel which shows me content from all over the world, made by individuals….it’s pretty emancipating.

I also have my entire iTunes library available through my TV and speakers, so I no longer have to risk leaving out my Macbook when I have a party, or I’m really drunk – so it’s pretty damn good for that reason (^ ^).