An Apple A Day...

     Apple yesterday, had an "event" in which they announced new editions of their famous iPods (Apple's mp3 player), changes to the famous iTunes, as well as a new version of Apple TV.  With yesterday's announcements came much more user controlled content let's examine, shall we?

New iPod:
     Apple's new iPod will continue to have access in the infamous App Store in which users can download a variety of added entertainment to their music playing device such as games, movies and TV shows.  Such features are considered "on demand" in which the user can choose to download and play/watch such entertainment now or save for a later time.

iTunes 10:
     We all have heard of iTunes and most of us have probably even used it once or twice.  This music downloading software was a hit for Apple when it first launched years ago, perhaps the biggest advantage to iTunes is its ability to be used across other platforms other than just Apple's Mac line.  Take myself for instance, I choose to use iTunes for my music library on my Windows PC.  Steve Jobs announced yesterday that at the current rate of downloads, iTunes will soon eclipse CD sales and will become the single most accessible way to shop for music.  With that said, Apple knew of their success with iTunes and added some new features.
     Perhaps the biggest feature is "Ping".  As Jobs describes, it's Facebook meets MySpace, meets iTunes.  What Apple is essentially doing is making iTunes into its own Social Network for music.  You can see what others are listening to, what they've downloaded, and even if they're going to concerts.  While it's not as big as Facebook, this is still a big addition to an already popular tool.

Apple TV:
     This is perhaps the biggest announcement made by Apple yesterday.  While Apple TV has been around for a few years, Apple hasn't had as much success with this platform as hoped.  The idea is Apple TV (a box that connects with your TV) will become the newest way to watch television and even stream movies to your television.  The newest version is a little bigger than a hockey puck and can easily fit in the hands of the owner.
     The features of this product are fascinating.  Once connected, you can download or "rent" and watch your favorite TV shows (currently only ABC and FOX but I'm sure others will follow) for only $0.99.  Not only does this play TV shows but you can also sign in with a Netflix account (a movie download/streaming service) and instantly watch movies both old a new.  Not to mention access to various of applications as well as picture and audio streaming from other Apple devices.  Apple TV basically puts you in charge of what you watch when you want to watch it!  In all reality, you become a program director of you home.
     Perhaps the best feature of this new product is the ability to move items over other platforms.  Say you're watching something on your TV with your Apple TV box and then you need to go somewhere, you can easily  transfer what you're doing to your iPod, iPhone, or iPad.  It's all compatible and can be easily done.  With such capabilities it would appear we the consumer now in theory have full control over when and what we watch.
      Some things I've thought about:
1.  Are we still a society that schedules our lives around the favorite shows we watch?
2.  Are we a society that would rather record shows/entertainment to watch at a more convenient time?
3.  Do you own a VCR/DVR/or other form of recording device that records off of your TV?
4.  Do you prefer to watch programs live as they are programmed to show or do you prefer on demand?
5.  With this new technology how television responding?  Will we still have Must See TV?