Kibbles & Bytes Blog

Earlier this week, Apple discontinued the 40GB Apple TV and slashed the price of the 160GB Apple TV from $329 to $229. While this was seen as a positive move, it also caused people to wonder anew about Apple’s long terms plans for the device.

Right now, Apple TV is designed to deliver the iTunes experience to your living room. You can use Apple TV to rent or purchase HD movies and TV shows, stream iTunes music from your Mac to your living room stereo, watch podcasts and YouTube videos, and view your digital photos, all on your big screen TV from the comfort of your couch. Apple TV also makes it very easy to stream and download media from from networked Macs. In my experience Apple TV delivers these functions as promised.

However, like many people I’m wondering where Apple is ultimately going with Apple TV. Code hidden in iTunes 9 seems to hint at an upcoming Apple TV software update that will a least support some of iTunes 9’s new functions, such as iTunes LP and Home Sync (updates for Apple TV have always been free in the past).

Industry commentators and consumers are wondering if the Apple TV will ever become a full-fledged DVR, or if it will allow full Internet access from the couch. People also wonder if Apple TV will ever support streaming services such as Hulu or Netflix.

All of those functions are possible via the Mac mini, which is now $370 more expensive than the Apple TV (though it is considerably more powerful and of course works as a full-fledged computer).

I agree that among Apple’s mature product offerings, the Apple TV is sort of an awkward teenager. However, many actual Apple TV owners seem to appreciate it for what it is–a simple, easy to use device for getting the iTunes experience on a big television. I could come up with a long wish list for a future Apple TV, but that might simply complicate it and ultimately reduce its appeal.

Do you own an Apple TV? Are you thinking of getting one? Let us know what you think of the device and we’ll post your comments in a future Kibbles & Bytes!

Further reading on Apple TV:

“Why Apple TV Must Evolve to Avoid Extinction”:http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/apple-tv-price-cut

“Apple TV: What happens now?”:http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/14/apple-tv-what-happens-now/

“Apple Drops 40GB Apple TV and Discounts 160GB Model to $229”:http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/14/apple-drops-40gb-apple-tv-and-discounts-160gb-model-to-229/

“Click here to view the Apple TV on sale at Smalldog.com”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|Apple_TV

Greetings, loyal Kibbles & Bytes readers!

I just wanted to update everyone on the Garage Sale status. Change of plans: we have been burning the midnight oil to get everything listed, and we’ve had to push the start back to 4PM today. We also had hoped to get the full list to our Kibbles & Bytes subscribers a week ahead of time (as per tradition over here), but we were a tad overwhelmed at all the stuff in our warehouse to be listed!

For all of you who have waited, we’ve included the entire list in this week’s special Garage Sale issue. *Orders will be taken online only via our website, and there are no phone orders permitted.* Get ’em while they’re hot.

We hope that you do find exactly what you’re looking for (a fitting phrase, since I will be heading to U2 in Boston this weekend!), and we’ll be back next week with our regularly scheduled Kibbles & Bytes.

Happy shopping!

“View it at 4PM and buy here!”:http://www.smalldog.com/garagesale

_Dear Friends,_

Happy Rosh Hashanah! It is year 5770 of the Jewish calendar as of sunset this evening. In particular, I wish a happy New Year to my mom who holds a sedar every year and I have many fond memories of family celebrations of the exodus of the Jews from slavery under the Pharaoh.

It is a Garage Sale issue and once again, I must ask for your patience as our pipeline gets full with people trying to buy the various clearance items in the sale. We only take Garage Sale orders via the internet so please, no phone call orders for this sale. We are happy to talk to you about anything else–we are set up to take regular orders–but we must make the Garage Sale an automated process or it gets out of control. We receive many orders, and it is truly a first come, first served situation for items that have limited quantities. Please do not be too disappointed if someone beats you to the “Buy” click.

I was up in Burlington at a meeting last evening and I must have a reputation for scorn for those who do not use Macs, because the first thing that happened was the one person using a Dell apologized to me for not having a Mac. I like that attitude and hope it spreads like wildfire! It seems to be getting easier and easier to get people to switch these days as the Mac becomes even more powerful and compelling with the release of Snow Leopard. If you have not upgraded yet to Snow Leopard, I highly recommend that you do. It is a solid upgrade and well worth the $29.99!

The leaves are beginning to change and I am still surprised at how fast the days shorten and the nights cool. I have been grazing at my Arctic Kiwi plant which has fruit this year. The grape-like fruits taste just like those brown fuzzy kiwis in bite-size non-fuzzy format. The autumn “leaf peeper” events are starting and I think we are in for an early fall foliage season this year.