This week Netflix announced that it would offer Mac support for their popular Watch Instantly feature by the end of 2008. The announcement came on the heals of three other big Netflix-related news items. Here's a look at all four.
To absolutely no one's surprise, Apple has announced a new iPod lineup, featuring improved versions of the iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch. Read on for our take on the cool new features (and those that weren't present).
Okay, Einstein, let's see what you think is worth hearing. Huh. Well, that's actually pretty smart. Apple adds intelligence to building playlists that match up disparate interests in iTunes with its Genius feature. iTunes 8 sports a new interface for organizing and viewing music, and the iTunes Store brings high-definition television shows - and the return of TV shows from NBC.
The media-selling giant finally supports Mac users with its digital video rental and purchase service (previously Amazon Unbox) through a browser-based Flash player.
Apple isn't saying what was fixed in the just-released iTunes 7.7.1, but we dig through the discussions to find details on five areas in which the program may address significant bugs.
iTunes 7.7 contains a subtle bug that can convert accented characters in artist and track names into other characters, rendering the names incorrect or even unreadable. Never fear, though, since there's a workaround.
iTunes 7.7 is now available, bringing support for the upcoming iPhone 2.0 software and a new Remote application for the iPhone and iPod touch.
Microsoft decides to continue allowing music purchased from its MSN Music store to be transferred among legitimate machines until 2011.
Own a Slingbox? Want to watch your TV on an iPhone? It could be possible with a proof-of-concept version of SlingPlayer Mobile from Sling Media. The only problem? Apple hasn't accepted the company's iPhone developer application yet.
Owners of the Apple TV can now purchase movies directly from the entertainment device, and do so from an expanded collection of movies. Also, several studios are making rentals available on iTunes and the Apple TV the same day as the movies are released on DVD.
Microsoft has chosen to cut the legs out from under customers who bought music from the MSN Music store up until late 2006. Starting 31-Aug-08, that music can no longer be played on computers that weren't previously authorized.
Apple has revised the $99 AirPort Express Wi-Fi base station to use 802.11n, the fastest wireless networking flavor now available, including support for both frequency bands.
Apple's AirPort Express is great for when you want to send music to your stereo wirelessly, but what if the source of your music isn't iTunes? Or if you want to send the audio to a Mac or PC? Enter Rogue Amoeba's AirFoil 3.1. Rich Mogull gives a real-world look at what it's good for in this review.
Airfoil for Mac OS X and Windows now has full support for streaming to the new Apple TV release. Airfoil Speakers now works under Windows, too.
After discovering that my Apple TV wouldn't play a rented movie because of the way it's connected to a Dell LCD display, I took an unorthodox route: I contacted Apple customer support. It all worked out in the end, but beware if you're in a similar situation.