Opinion: The new Apple TV.

Given the rumours have been going on a long while around Apple reinventing the TV space, it would seem that their recent efforts seem lacklustre. 

The new Apple TV has the following hardware specifications:

• 64-bit A8 processor
• 32GB or 64GB of storage
• 2GB of RAM
• 10/100Mbps Ethernet
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• 1080p resolution
• HDMI (1.4)
• New Siri Remote / Apple TV Remote

So the HDMI spec will be 1.4 (not 2.0) which means no vastly improved audio which could have aloud for features such as Dolby Atmos. 1.4 can support 4k video but that brings me to my next point. The marketing so far states 1080p and and they used their A8 processor instead of the A9 so it's technically a generation behind from the offset. 

One thing that people have also noticed is the lack of optical out this time around. Some customers who were using this (particularly with Amp setups) will not be pleased there. 

My last point is on gaming, I haven't seen a reference design for a controller or set layout for buttons which would add consistency for game devs. I think they are going to struggle to make real gains here without that. 

ISP PlusNet Highlights Rising UK Demand for Netflix Video Streams

I think for the major ISP's willing to host Netflix's Open Connect platform this is simply an issue of staying on to of capacity. For smaller ISP's without this hardware it must become tricky managing the  evening congestion on their peering / transit and making sure there is enough capacity at all times.  Especially with events such as the iOS release coming up in September where ISP's usually have a bit of a meltdown in terms of consumer traffic.

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2014/08/uk-isp-plusnet-highlights-rising-demand-netflix-video-streams.html

Getting a Logitech G510's Windows key to work as the command key on OSX

So the G510 has a joystick stick on the upper row of the keyboard next to mute and MR button. If this is on the Logitech Gaming software doesn't detect the Command key when you try to detect the button.

Click the plus sign next to the word 'Command', detect it and add it to your keystrokes list. Its also worth saving it to a separate profile if you switch between PC's a fair bit.

Report: Apple defines specs for Lightning headphones with 48kHz output

I'm all for better sound quality but I think if Apple was to remove the 3.5mm audio jack and opt for a lighting only connection it was cause outrage.

It would be nice if they could push for USB3 compatibility with the connector first.

As Netflix pushes the video on demand market forward with 4K HTML5 DRM enabled browsers, are apple looking to do similar with audio while locking customers into their ecosystem with the promise of definition?

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/06/report-apple-defines-specs-for-lightning-headphones-with-48khz-output/

Apple makes it official: $3 BEEELLION for Beats

Personally I would have thought Monster were a better fit in terms of hardware but I guess they don't have a online music store presence.

Whats really interesting is suddenly Apple now makes apps for Windows phone (Try getting Google to do that) and Android!

From The Inq:

Apple has confirmed weeks of speculation, announcing that it has agreed to acquire Beats Electronics for $3bn.

The company on Wednesday issued a formal announcement revealing a deal which will see the House that Steve Built shell out $2.6bn in cash and an additional $400m in payments that will vest over time to bring Dr Dre and company on board. The final price was slightly lower than the $3.2bn figure which circulated when word of the deal first broke in May.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/05/28/apple_makes_it_official_3_beeelion_for_beats/

Beats Music will still be available on Android and Windows Phone after the deal, @Tim_Cook tells @FT. "It’s all about music." Story @FT soon

— Tim Bradshaw (@tim) May 28, 2014

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/28/5759014/apple-now-makes-android-and-windows-phone-apps

Apple users: Try these five tips for better Mac security

Some good points made in the article. Surprised by the slow Enterprise uptake of Mavericks!

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/03/21/apple-users-try-these-five-tips-for-better-mac-security/

OneNote for Mac

Microsoft Office blog:  http://blogs.office.com/2014/03/17/introducing-onenote-for-mac/

OneNote in the Mac App store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-onenote/id784801555?mt=12

Apple Mac OS X 10.9.3 to feature 'Retina' mode for 4K displays- The Inquirer

Apple Mac OS X 10.9.3 to feature 'Retina' mode for 4K displays- The Inquirer

Samsung Galaxy S5 preview - Engadget

Not as impressive as I thought it might be. Most things seem to be under the hood. No stereo speakers which I had hoped for. The heat rate monitor is pretty cool for the health conscious.

I'm a little more interested in the second revisions of their gear lineup if they bundle that with the phone in some good deals.

http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/24/samsung-galaxy-s5-preview/

Apple Building Out Their Own CDN To Deliver Content To Consumers

Looks like it's bad news for Akamai's (and Level 3 to a lesser extent) business if Apple make a major shift away from them. It'll be interesting to see if Apple only go into the IPX's or if they take a Open Connect approach like Netflix have and deal with ISP's as well.

http://blog.streamingmedia.com/2014/02/apple-building-cdn-software-video-delivery.html

Apple: Random iOS 7 crashes to be remedied in “upcoming software update”

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/01/apple-random-ios-7-crashes-to-be-remedied-in-upcoming-software-update/

OS X 10.9 brings fast but choppy Thunderbolt networking.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10/os-x-10-9-brings-fast-but-choppy-thunderbolt-networking/

Samsung acquires 7.4 percent of Gorilla Glass maker Corning, signs long-term supply deal

Samsung certainly know how to not keep all their eggs in one basket.... Apple certainly knows this as they try to move away from fuelling Samsungs revenue lines... There are always sapphire displays as a alternative.. 

http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/23/samsung-acquires-7-4-percent-of-gorilla-glass-maker-corning/

Mavericks is free!

Yep, Apple have released it for free and its in a App store waiting for download.

Live in the UK and want a Mac Pro, take a free holiday...

I could fly over there, pick one up and still have change to spare! 

I could see a fair few video editors / graphics designers etc taking a trip over to buy one, take it out the packaging and stuff it in their luggage (5kg) to bring home.... 

It really is a rip off considering America  is the home of UPS and FedEx even when you take taxes into consideration.

New iMacs are out!

Apple have refreshed the line up with new processors, better wireless & graphics. The Nvidia graphics are a particular nice boost. Hopefully these will come with a discount or free offer for OS X's next iteration coming out in a few months (Mavericks). 

http://store.apple.com/uk/mac/family/imac

BBM for iOS rollout underway, Android versions still taking it's sweet time.

Not really news worthy to me with the prominence of message apps like Whatsapp.

I'm not really sure what they are trying to achieve with diversifying their messaging system.

Blackberry (formally RIM) really needed a bigger marketing push and awareness with the news OS and phone refreshes. Maybe some new business focused ideas to push at the corporate market.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/09/21/psa-bbm-for-android-available-on-play-store-now-ios-incoming-t/

OS X 10.8.5 update more than doubles 802.11ac file transfer speeds

Apple's latest update squashes a speed-sapping bug in the 2013 MacBook Air.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/09/os-x-10-8-5-update-more-than-doubles-802-11ac-file-transfer-speeds/

New iPhones. The iPhone5 is no more.

iPhone 5s

iPhone 5c

They look nice, esp now the iPhone 5s has a 64bit proc, they'll go down well with devs.

http://store.apple.com/uk/iphone/family/iphone/compare

INFINITE LOOP / THE APPLE ECOSYSTEM Rendering bug crashes OS X, iOS apps with string of Arabic characters.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/08/rendering-bug-crashes-os-x-and-ios-apps-with-string-of-arabic-characters/

And for another recent OSX sudo issue see:
http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/08/unpatched-mac-bug-gives-attackers-super-user-status-by-going-back-in-time/

Not a good time for Apple devices! Although this won't help I always recommend Mac users use a anit-virus package. There is no excuse really as there are free ones out there such as Avast's: http://www.avast.com/en-gb/free-antivirus-mac . I also recommend their Android security software which is awesome and much better than Apples built in 'find my phone' feature set.