Hasta La Gadget!

It’s time to get realistic about all the Apple TV rumors – with an Apple TV device that’s essentially a box and a controller that hook up to any TV you like, there’s no reason for Apple to take any other steps. Today’s inside tip comes from the Wall Street Journal where they say Apple is speaking with cable providers to get an in on wired content not provided by iTunes. While it does make sense that they’d head out and make sure they’ve got all the right connections in the industry before releasing a product, this simply does not fit with Apple’s way of doing business.

If you’ve got a product that’s selling moderately well, you don’t go out and make a much more risky product that does essentially the same thing as the first. The Apple TV as it exists today is a conduit through which iTunes can function and users can bring the Apple entertainment experience to any display they like. Apple also sells displays .

Apple does not needlessly combine products when they’ve already got them on the market selling at least moderately well. An Apple Television – that is to say a full television set, not just a box that connects to any large display – would be a product made to be limited.

With iTunes, Apple has been keeping everything in the family for many years – media, operating system, hardware, and even support. Apple even sells products from their own store, which they run. It does not follow that they would meet up with networks in the television industry to grab their service 3rd hand.

Therefor hear this: Apple will not make a television set any time soon. Unless they make the current Apple TV into a magical hot item and top seller – it currently is not – they will not move forward in the television industry. It just doesn’t make sense for them to do so.

Apple doesn’t want a full television set is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you’re a Vita owner, then this week must feel like running through rain of joy, as new features and functionality keep coming. Well, why not splash in a puddle or two along the way, as we learn what treats the next firmware update for the handheld — version 1.80 — will bring. First up is the ability to use the console’s buttons on the home screen and within some applications — yeah really! In addition to that mind-bomb, you’ll also be able to fast-forward and rewind video, import playlists from the PS3 and iTunes (10.6.3 or later) as well as use the rear touchpad for scrolling and zooming in the browser. There’s a bunch of other minor tweaks, too, just skip down to the source for the breakdown or wait until “late August” for the download.

Filed under: Gaming

PS Vita firmware update adds button controls, iTunes playlists and more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 06:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  PlayStation Blog  | Email this | Comments

This week it appears that Apple is taking the war to Google in more places than just the courtroom as the dedicated YouTube app long-present in the basic build of iOS for iPhone and iPad has been nixed in the beta for iOS 6. This move by Apple has the potential to deal a massive blow to Google as the owner of the world’s most popular online video service, while no sign has been shown yet of what Apple intends to replace the omnipotent mobile staple with. Apple has included YouTube as an app on every version of the iPhone since its launch in 2007 – until now.

Apple has taken the time to comment on the situation with a statement sent to the press that includes confirmation that they will not be including YouTube in future builds of iOS for the time being. Apple’s cutting of this application is due to their license with Google being expired and they’re recommending that users visit YouTube in their own Safari web browser for the time being.

“Our license to include the YouTube app in iOS has ended, customers can use YouTube in the Safari browser and Google is working on a new YouTube app to be on the App Store.” – Apple

This comment appears via Apple on The Verge where they hypothesize that Apple had planned on cutting the app at this time to schedule it right alongside their own Apple Maps release. This Apple Maps app has been shown by Apple to be a next-generation mapping app that will replace their own reliance currently on Google Maps. Meanwhile MacRumors notes that the embedded viewer will still be working on current iOS devices until further notice.

Google is reportedly working on both a Google Maps app and a YouTube app that will fully replace what they’ve currently still got on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Stay tuned as SlashGear continues to investigate and find how Google will deal with this one-two punch from Apple from their hero mobile device collection.

YouTube kicked from iOS 6, Apple comments is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

A day after upgrading its cloud music player, Amazon has delivered a native Amazon Instant Video app for iPad (not iPhone or iPod Touch, yet) to the App Store. It has access to streaming Prime Instant Video for subscribers, as well as downloaded or streamed video on-demand. Other key features include access to the Watchlist / queue, and automatic access to any shows subscribed to with a Season Pass the day after they air on TV. The free app is available in the iTunes store right now, however like the sudden appearance of Hulu Plus on Apple TV yesterday we don’t have any official PR to share just yet.

We’ve had a chance to play around with it and we must say, Amazon is really coming after Netflix with this one. The app runs smoothly, and while the video player itself gets just the bare bones iOS treatment, every other part of the app seems polished, including the Watchlist. Add in the fact that you can watch things via subscription and seamlessly jump to fresher / premium content available for purchase or individual rental (with the notable caveat that you can’t actually browse the VOD content, or purchase or buy it from within the app itself) and there’s a serious competition going on.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablet PCs

Amazon Instant Video iPad app now available, iPhone and iPod Touch still left wanting originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9to5Mac  |  iTunes  | Email this | Comments

The Total Recall Game just launched on Android and iOS to mark the upcoming feature film based on a remake of the 1990 movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The new movie is expected to have a different plot compared to the original, and the first-person shooter game will follow the same storyline as the remake.

Gamers who decide to download the app will play as the film’s main character (Douglas Quaid) and will play by fighting their way through New Asia while traveling to the Earth’s core in a mission to search for the “ultimate truth.” The game is said to feature cutting-edge 3D environments taken right out of the film and features comic book-style scenes for each mission. As you continue to make your way through the game, you gain the opportunity to use several different weapons to shoot your enemies.

The game has intuitive touch controls and currently features eight missions with seven more to come. The new film isn’t scheduled to come out for about another week, but the game is now available to purchase from both the iTunes App Store and Google Play for $1.99.

Total Recall Game available for Android and iOS is written by Elise Moreau & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.