Tag: Steve Jobs

  • Apple launches TV interface

    Apple launches TV interface

    MUMBAI: Apple is moving steadily towards its aim of changing the way consumers view entertainment in the digital arena. The company’s founder and CEO Steve Jobs has unveiled a new mobile phone and a set-top box that allows people to stream video from their computers to their televisions.

    Apple TV, the company says allows users to wirelessly play iTunes content from the Mac or PC onto the teelvision. This service can be used for movies, TV shows, music, photos and podcasts.

    Using Apple TV’s interface, one can browse and view his/her entire collection of digital media from across the room using the simple and intuitive Apple Remote. Apple TV connects to almost all modern widescreen television sets.

    Jobs says, “Apple TV is like a DVD player for the 21st century—you connect it to your entertainment system just like a DVD player, but it plays digital content you get from the Internet rather than DVDs you get from a physical store.

    “Apple TV plays the same iTunes content that users enjoy on their computers and iPods, so now they can even watch part of a movie in their living room, and watch the rest later on their iPod.”

    Apple TV has a 40GB hard drive to store up to 50 hours of video, 9,000 songs, 25,000 photos or a combination of each and is capable of delivering high-definition 720p output. Apple TV can be connected to a broad range of widescreen TVs and home theater systems and comes standard with HDMI, component video, analog and optical audio ports. Using high-speed AirPort® 802.11 wireless networking, Apple TV can auto-sync content from one computer or stream content from up to five additional computers right to your TV without any wires.

    The integration of Apple TV and iTunes lets users choose from over 250 feature-length movies and 350 TV shows in near DVD quality; four million songs, 5,000 music videos, 100,000 podcasts and 20,000 audiobooks.

    Apple also unveiled the iPhone. it has partnered with and Cingular which cloaims to be the largest wireless carrier in the US. It will be Apple’s exclusive US carrier partner the iPhone. As part of this multi-year partnership, Apple and Cingular are working together to provide innovative new features to mobile phone users, such as iPhone’s pioneering and unique Visual Voicemail, a first on any mobile phone in the world.

  • Apple unveils new iPod shuffle

    Apple unveils new iPod shuffle

    MUMBAI: Apple has introduced the new iPod shuffle, nearly half the size of the original, it claims to be the world’s smallest digital music player. It is half a cubic inch in volume, weighs just half an ounce and features a all-new aluminum design and a built-in clip.

    The new iPod shuffle contains one gigabyte of flash memory which holds up to 240 songs, and is more affordable than ever at Rs. 5,600.

    “It’s hard to believe the new iPod is a real music player when you first see it,” said Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs. “But it is real, and holds up to 240 songs in an incredibly compact and wearable design that weighs just half an ounce.”

    iPod shuffle is based on Apple’s popular shuffle feature which lets users enjoy their songs in random order. Or listeners can simply flip a switch to listen to their songs in order, such as when listening to a new album. iPod shuffle features up to 12 hours of battery life.

    Users connect the new iPod shuffle to their Mac or PC with the included dock, and iTunes’ innovative AutoFill feature automatically syncs the perfect number of songs from their music library. Seamless integration with iTunes 7 and the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) allows customers to choose from a selection of over 3.5 million songs from the digital music store.
    The new iPod nano models are now available through Apple authorized resellers across the country for Rs. 5,600 (INR).

  • Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    Apple to showcase Disney, Pixar, Touchstone & Miramax movies on iTunes Music Store

    MUMBAI: Apple Computers’ has announced that the iTunes Music Store will carry movies from The Walt Disney Co. studios. This was in conjunction with the launch of their online movie service on 12 September 2006.

    As announced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, more than 75 films will be available from Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax. New releases will be priced at $12.99 (euro10.22), when pre-ordered and during the first week of sale, or $14.99 (euro11.79) afterward. Library titles will be sold for $9.99 (euro7.86) each, informs an official release.

    Similar services like Amazon’s movie service which was launched last week, signed distribution deals with seven studios however, excluded Disney.

    In addition, Jobs also showcased a device that will make it easier for consumers to watch the videos on television. The gadget, dubbed iTV will allow consumers to watch movies purchased online as well as other digital content stored on a computer on a connected television set. It will be available for $299 (euro235) by early next year.

    Jobs also announced a new iPod nano with a 24-hour battery life and new games for the portable media player. The new iPods will come in five colors, and will priced between $149 (euro117) and $249 (euro196), adds the release.

  • Disney completes Pixar acquisition

    Disney completes Pixar acquisition

    MUMBAI: Advancing its strategy of developing outstanding creative content, The Walt Disney Company president and CEO Robert A. Iger announced today that Disney has completed its acquisition of animation company Pixar. In the all-stock transaction, 2.3 Disney shares will be issued for each Pixar share.

    Former Pixar president Dr. Ed Catmull will serve as president of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Iger and The Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook.

    In addition, former Pixar executive vice president John Lasseter, will be chief creative officer of the animation studios, as well as principal creative advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world. Lasseter will report directly to Iger.

    Former Pixar chairman and CEO Steve Jobs has joined Disney’s board of directors as a non-independent member. With the addition of Jobs, 11 of Disney’s 14 Directors are independent.

    “For the last 15 years, Disney and Pixar have shared one of the most successful partnerships in entertainment history. From Toy Story through The Incredibles, the success of these animated films was due to the creativity, innovation and immense talent of the phenomenal Pixar team, led by Steve, Ed and John. We also fully recognize that Pixar’s extraordinary record of achievement is in large measure due to its vibrant creative culture, which is something we respect and admire and are committed to supporting and fostering in every way possible. As we begin the next chapter, all of us at Disney are pleased to welcome the incredibly talented Pixar team to our company to continue to create quality entertainment for audiences to enjoy around the world,” said Iger.