In a previous article of mine I describe a new type of subscription service. It was more of a try before you buy solution.

I believe that Apple can have a plan to start a subscription based service for music. But unlike all of the comments about how people don't want to rent music, this is more like XM Radio. Imagine paying a small monthly fee to Apple in exchange for unlimited listening to many channels of music. I don't think the service will work if Apple doesn't automatically make channels get music for their particular genre. Nearly identical to the way that XM has an 80's channel. It would need to be similar to a radio station.

Apple would need to differentiate between renting music and a music station with many different channels. All songs are purchasable, the channels only play songs that you can buy. Unlike radio where you listen to what they want to play, with The iTunes Station you pick the channels you want to listen to and you may even have options to filter it specifically to your tastes. For instance, I like 80's music, but only from about 84-89.

Apple probably already had something like this in mind and the newest iPods and iPhone are fully capable of playing music channels from The iTunes Station.

I would certainly consider trying it to see or hear rather some new music. Since I listen to mostly my own music instead a radio stations I'm sure I miss out on songs I would buy.

You can take this a step further and Apple could provide The iTunes Station for free with advertisements between songs just like a regular radio station. They could also provide this service over the internet as an internet radio station. There would be a ticker tape that could be clicked on taking you to the iTunes track in the iTunes Store for purchasing. How would they benefit? They would focus on playing music you don't already own (when local to your machine). This way if you hear something you want to buy, click a Buy button while the song is playing from The iTunes Station and you own it. There are several models that could be used for this type of service, I describe just two of them.

The key for Apple is to remove the perception of renting music. Presenting it as a radio station (WAPL The Apple) will accomplish that.

I don't read the spoilers online or go looking for upcoming information about shows because I know it would ruin it for me.

I'm the only person I know that didn't know Arnold was a good guy in T2. That's why it was so great. I hate it when that feeling is ruined.

But sometimes some things just come to me. I recently saw the promos for the new episodes of LOST.

If you can remember, all of the LOST episodes were suppose to be from 2004, except for one. That one episode was from the future, but what future.

This got me thinking last night that the new season will show the characters not from 2004 but from 2008 (or what's considered to be now).

This means that some of the characters got off of the island for 3 years and now plan to go back. It also means that those who stayed will have 3 years of back-story on the island.

This is an awesome concept. It makes me wonder if the future episode was from 2007 and they are back on the island now or if it's from now and they want to get beck on the island.

This will also explain why Walt is so tall and older. It could mean that Sun's baby is 2 years old and Claire's baby is 3 years old.

I'm seriously looking forward to the new season.

Tags: Lost

There will be several ways to watch iTunes Movie Rentals assuming the rumors are true.

First and foremost the movies will be rented from the iTunes Store. So you can watch it on your computer.

But how do you watch it on your TV? A couple of ways, first would be the Apple TV. It connects to your TV and you can tell it to download all new content on your computer.
The second way would be if you have and new iPhone, iPod touch, iPod nano or iPod classic. You would sync your movie rentals to one of these devices and with the use of a special $50 Apple Composite AV Cable or Apple Component AV Cable you can connect all of these devices your your television. You can even buy a special Universal Dock if you want to control the playback with the Apple Remote.

I have an iPhone, the Composite AV Cable and the Universal Dock for watching content from my iPhone on my TV. I looks quite good with the videos I've tried.

My predictions for the January 15th 2008 MacWorld Expo Keynote presentation by Steve Jobs:
1. New less expensive Apple TV, I'm guessing around $150. This hasn't been in the rumors at all it just makes sense to me.
2. New hi-end Apple TV with 1080p output and 5.1 audio, DVD (Blu-Ray upgradable). Possible combining of the Mac mini and Apple TV.
3. Movie Rentals.
4. New MacBook Pros. Redesigned.
5. New MacBook Pro to replace the un-replaced 12" PowerBook.
6. New Apple Universal Remote.
7. New MacBook that has built-in 3G network from AT&T, that way it's connected from everywhere.
8. New Apple displays with HDMI. Easily connect to Apple TV
9. New iTunes 8 after the show.
10. iPhone update with new features never been announced.

We'll probably hear about Starbucks, Microsoft Office 2K8 with Roz Ho, AT&T Pres about 3G and the show will end with musical talent (possibly a black male).

Tags: Apple, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, Movies

In a recent MacWorld article about the release of Quicken Online they have clearly stated it runs in Flash. Then they go on to say that it will run on an iPhone.

But iPhones can't run Flash, I know. Also revealing about the article is that Quicken Online will be released exactly one week before Steve Jobs will give the MacWorld Expo Keynote.

My assumption is that Steve and Co. will announce Flash for the iPhone. Perfectly logical, I know.

Tags: Apple, iPhone

Here are few links to bring yourself up to date on Pushing Daisies if you're not already familiar with the show. IMDB Wikipedia ABC

Digby is Ned's dog and the first living thing Ned ever brought back to life. Ned at the age of 9 years, 27 weeks, 6 days and 3 minutes old learned that touching something dead once equals life, touch it again and it's back to being dead.

Ned was fortunate to have learned this before touching Digby a second time. Therefore Digby is alive and well in Ned's adult life now 19 years, 34 weeks, 1 day, 59 minutes later. He just can't touch him.

The plot of the show is based around Ned's love for someone he made alive again. That someone is Chuck and they can never touch. Or can they?

Theory #1
My first theory is that at the end of season one Digby and Ned will touch accidentally but Digby will not die (Season One Cliffhanger). The end of season one will put Ned and Digby at over 20 years from the first touch. This will lead Ned to wonder how long after he touches something can he touch it again and it not return to being dead. Wanting to know how long before he and Chuck can touch again he will probably setup an experiment with many dead insects, choosing those with the longest life span. Using predetermined times to touch the insects again, after an hour, a day, a week and a year bringing us all the way to the end of the second season (Season Two Cliffhanger).

Is 20 years the magic number? Will it be 20 years before Ned and Chuck can touch?

Theory #2
My second theory is based on Digby being a Golden Retriever. The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 13 years. Digby was 3 years, 2 weeks, 6 days, 5 hours and 9 minutes old when he died so today he would be over 22 years old. That leads us to the conclusion that Ned's first touch of life alters the natural life span of whatever he touched. This could lead Ned into another experiment. Only this time Ned gathers some insects with very short lifespans. After touching them and bringing them back to life he waits to see how much longer they live past their natural lifespan.

Tags: Pushing Daisies

My previous article is about the iPhone connecting to my TV. This would give me the ability to watch TV shows and Movies from the iTunes store on my television.

But why not take it one step further? Apple has already given iTunes similar functionality to that of Sony's LocationFree. With an Apple TV you can connect to different iTunes enabled computers to stream audio and video. And you can stream audio from iTunes to different Airport Express (Airtunes) routers. That indicates that data flow can be both directions. Apple TV pulls data from your iTunes enabled computers and iTunes pushes data to the Airport Express.

Apple, give me the ability to browse iTunes media on my local network with my iPhone and the iPod touch.

Let's say that I have an iPhone (and I do) or iPod touch and I want to view something on an iTunes enabled computer. I wake my iPhone or iPod touch and click the SHARED button (Apple already uses the SHARED directory in iTunes when it detects other iTunes on the same network). After pressing the SHARED button I would be presented with a list of all iTunes enabled computers. Upon selecting one I would be presented with the options to choose between the different types of media: Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts and so on.

I think this is similar in functionality to the way a PSP can view media from LocationFree or a PS3.

This would give me the ability to watch or listen to anything on any of my iTunes enabled computers on my local network. This would work the same way if I was at a friend's house and he was sharing from iTunes.

Or what about the new deal with Starbucks. Imagine going into Starbucks and being able to listen in full to the same music that's being played instead of 30 second clips of the previously played songs.

I doubt I'm suggesting something that those Apple Ninjas haven't already thought of but I want to go ahead and say I want it. Apple likes to claim they think of stuff we want before we even know we want it. Most of the time they really do give me something I hadn't thought of or knew I needed but when I have it I can't do without it.

This time I want something before Apple told me I wanted it.

Tags: Apple, iPhone, Apple TV

As Microsoft announced the Spring Dashboard Update they also introduced the TID. Because one of the main features of the upcoming dashboard update is text messaging with Windows Live users. We all know what a pain it can be to input text using the controller alone. Now with the TID text entry will be easy.

But this is isn't the real reason we are getting the TID. Yes, I know it ties in nicely with the Live IM network and it's all very plausible. But there is a more valid reason for this device.

The upcoming Xbox Live Browser. They probably will not refer to it as a stripped down IE for good reason. Too many negative comments and references about spyware and viruses.

Very few people are going to get the TID because of text messaging. But shortly after the TID is in the market for sale the browser will be announced. The browser will probably be tied to the Fall Dashboard Update. Will you have to pay for the browser? I doubt it, but expect to be told about the $19.99 TID repeatedly.

Like many of you I will not get it for text messaging. But give me a browser and that thing is mine. YouTube on my TV here I come. And hopefully the Xbox Live Browser will have the newest version of Flash unlike the Wii Browser which is running Flash 7. I also expect the browser to not have every feature that my computers browsers have.

The Xbox and Live Network are extremely secure and I don't want any damn browser that will change that. Neither does Microsoft.

So is Major Nelson sporting betas of the Xbox Live Browser on his Xbox? It's quite possible but even he isn't privy to everything. And if he does have it he has done a great job of not accidently spilling the beans.

SIDEBAR: The Spring Dashboard update is going to be awesome. Why you ask? Because of MPEG-4 and H.264 video support. As a Mac user I use Connect360 to play Music, Movies and Pictures on my 360. With the new Dashboard update and Connect360 Update I'll be able to play 90% of the videos on my computer through the 360 without conversion. Good Times, Good Times.

Microsoft just introduced Silverlight, which is suppose to complete with Flash and QuickTime. They are positioning it as a Mac and PC plugin for your browser with superior video capabilities. With the pending release of streaming video on your Xbox360 it seams to me that Silverlight is the heart of that technology. Especially since it's capable of 720p.

Xbox Live Streaming Video or IP TV will greatly increase the content available through your Xbox. I think it's safe to say that Microsoft will use the Zune as a testbed for the technology and the upcoming Xbox handheld. Silverlight may even be the OS that runs the Xbox Handheld.

Tags: Xbox 360

One of my most beloved and biggest problems with the Mighty Mouse is the scroll ball. I've been waiting for a Mac compatible mouse with a scroll ball since I saw something similar back in 1997. The scroll ball is perfectly placed and has a good tactile feel to it.

So if it's so great what's the problem. Dirt, yes dirt. Get the slightest piece of dirt on or under the scroll ball and scrolling becomes extremely frustrating. I keep a can of compressed air near my Mighty Mouse so I can blow it out when it starts acting up. Which is about once a day.

I would rather clean it more than once a day than do without it. It's that good.

So why would Apple introduce a new one if the current one works so well? Eliminate mechanics with electronics, that's why. Remember what they did with the first iPod? It has a physical wheel, then was replaced with a faux wheel. None of the functionality was lost. Look at the iPhone, one button, the rest is touch sensitive.

What does this mean for the Mighty Mouse? It means the scroll ball will be replaced with something that resembles the scroll ball exactly in size, shape, height and placement. What will be replacing it will be similar in functionality to that of the track pad. They will even place a switch under the new scroll ball for clicking. None of the functionality will be lost. Since the new scroll ball will be stationary it will lose it's tactile feel and become very smooth for easy finger movement. The only movement of the new scroll ball will be the downward click. The click could be replaced with a tapping function on the faux scroll ball eliminating the need for the click switch.

There is also the possibility (my preferred option) during development of the new scroll ball that Apple will simply incorporate the scrolling feature on to the new Mighty Mouse invisibly. Meaning they will add scrolling the same way they enable the right click. You can't see the right click button but it's there. Another example of electronics replacing mechanics. The new scroll ball could be invisible to the eye but functional to the finger with finger tapping to replace clicking. This would make the new Mighty Mouse look like Apple's previous wireless mouse. Only this one would have right and left click with scrolling.

Which will Apple choose? I can see the reasons why they would choose to use the faux scroll ball but in the end the invisible scroll ball will win because it also eliminates the click with a tap. It also eliminates parts. Do I think I could use a Mighty Mouse with no visible buttons or scroll ball. Yes, it all becomes second nature.

Steve Jobs and Apple do a great job of making stuff I didn't know I needed or wanted. This time I'm beating them to the punch. They may have designed the Might Mouse but I know what I want from the Mighty Mouse 2.0. There was a seemingly long time between the release of the Mighty Mouse and the wireless Mighty Mouse. Hopefully this new design won't take as long to come to market.

Tags: Apple, Mighty Mouse

Xbox Live Arcade will be one of it's big selling points.

I believe that a handheld Xbox will incorporate the exact same XLA (Xbox Live Arcade) games that you can currently get through your 360. What's cooler is that you will probably be able to browse and download demos directly to the handheld. These will be the exact same games and since the handheld will probably be wide screen you will get the benefit of the wider games.

Think about this, Geometry Wars Retro Evolved in your hand. Sounds damn sweet.

They will release a handheld with the benefit of dozens of games that it can already play. If you bought it on your 360 you can play it on either system because it will log into the internet to confirm your account. You should also be able to buy from the handheld and then play it on your 360.

XLA is an awesome platform that they are going to take advantage of, think of the fighting game about to come to XLA.

Like the 360 the handheld will probably also include a similar blade like interface and yearly updates. I think it's safe to assume it will play music but if they tout it as an iPod killer it will die.

Will it play movies? Yes, but what kind? Definitely MOVs, WMVs and those types but what about Hollywood Movies? Probably but don't expect another proprietary format like the UMD (bad move Sony). They may be working on a downloadable format similar to what Apple is rumored to be doing right now.

What's in a name? I've said in the past (and I was correct) that the Xbox name would be like Nintendo in the fact that it precede the device name (ei. Nintendo DS, Xbox 360).
With that kind of logic we can assume that it will start with Xbox and end with it's own name. Examples, Xbox Orbit, Xbox Orbiter, Xbox Satellite, Xbox Comet, Xbox Radar, Xbox Nucleus (my favorite), Xbox Portable, Xbox OTG (on the go), Xbox TriPod (just kidding), Xbox Hero, Xbox Gauntlet, Xbox Matrix, Xbox Hugo (handheld unlimited gaming online), Xbox UHGO (pronounced "you go" (unlimited handheld gaming online), Xbox Punch, Xbox Sandbox, Xbox Icon, Xbox Thunderbird, Xbox Caffeine, Xbox Micro, Xbox Jammer, Xbox Carbon, OK that's enough.

Robby Bach, if you pick one of my names I get a free handheld, only fair.

Will it browse the web and check your email, probably. Will it have a touch screen, probably not but I think it would be cool if it did or at least a keyboard or virtual keyboard. Anyone who has used the PSP to browse the internet knows what a pain it is without a keyboard.

Will it survive with Arcade games only, not a change. So what else will this thing do? They will give it an awesome gaming engine but i imagine they will through every other feature possible at it to make it compete with the DS, PSP and iPod.

How big will it be? I think it will have a very similar looking screen to the PSP but the device will not be as tall or wide. Mostly due to the lack of a disk drive like the UMD. It could have a removable hard drive though.

If I'm only a little close to some of the specs it will rock. Handheld Halo anyone.

Tags: Xbox, Xbox Live Arcade

This is completely unfounded and nothing more than my opinion. I've been in Steve's world long enough to guess many things with accuracy.

My main prediction for Leopard or Mac OS X 10.5 is that the operating system will include built-in virtualization.

What does that mean? It means it will have something very similar to Parallels built-in to the OS for the ability to run nearly any current OS on your Mac.

Why do I think this? Who would have ever thought Apple would openly allow Windows like they have with Boot Camp? Very few.
I think Boot Camp is nothing more than a test bed for a much larger function in Leopard.

We shall find out very soon, WWDC.

Tags: Apple, Mac OS X, 10.5, Leopard, Virtualization

I think the new leather iPod cases from Apple were really designed for an upcoming iPod, possibly the one with the fullsize screen.

April 1st is Apple's 30th birthday (April 14th is my 35th) and I think we may see a huge product release that day.

I would like to see Apple ditch the 12" PB and come out with a 13" widescreen MacBook (not Pro) to replace all iBooks and then release a 17" MacBook Pro.

Tags: Apple, iPod

I believe that if Apple hadn't been able to produce the Intel based computers in 2006 that the new Dual-Core G5 processors in PowerMacs would have actually been dubbed the G6.

It's not that far of a stretch. These were the first Dual-Core processors used in Macs and had the typical benefits over the previous processor.

So why didn't Apple call it the G6, I think that they did not want to create a brand that would soon be eclipsed by Intel. And it would have been.
And why create a new brand that wouldn't make into all of the products anyway.

Questions and answers about the Intel chips.

Tags: Apple, PPC

Why would Apple use the word "Pro", possibly because the next iBook will be renamed MacBook. Apple apparently wants the word Mac on it's computers.

Which leads me to the PowerMac. Since Apple is dropping the Power then that would rename the PowerMac to MacTower Pro.
They could go with TowerMac Pro but TowerMac is too close to PowerMac to be different. And Mac need to be first.

iMac, well, it looks like the iMac was good enough to leave alone.

Those are my predictions for this year.

Tags: Apple, MacBook Pro