mpw_amherst

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mpw_amherst
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  • Apple releases HomePod software update 14.1 with Intercom

    mpw_amherstmpw_amherst
    jcbigears said:
    Is intercom only available in certain countries? I’ve updated to 14.1 and intercom is nowhere to be seen. In Australia. 
    Same here in UK
    watto_cobra

  • Apple releases $99 HomePod mini smart speaker

    mpw_amherstmpw_amherst
    Any word on audioOS 14 or whatever the HomePod update for ios14 is called? They always seem to announce new features with previews of iOS and then it gets lost and left way behind the iOS launch. 
    watto_cobra

  • Apple offering CBS, Showtime as a $9.99 Apple TV+ add-on bundle

    mpw_amherstmpw_amherst
    Would like to see a UK offer. Maybe a bundle of MUBI and BFI channels? Better still, NOW TV packages for sky sports, cinema and entertainment. 
    Scot1

  • Apple TV with A12X ready to go at any time, claims leaker

    mpw_amherstmpw_amherst
    mbdrake76 said:
    Yup, one can use a networked iTunes library on ATV today. 
    Okay, if we were to go down a NAS route: for sharing downloaded iTunes files what  If Apple were to bring out their own compact NAS unit that supported both Time Machine backups and iTunes library support which could automatically download iTunes content from a designated Apple ID as soon as it was purchased (or hit one button and it'd grab whatever wasn't already downloaded) and make it automatically configure any Apple TVs, iPhones and iPads to stream movies and TV shows from it when they're connected to the same network (Wi-Fi or ethernet).  Taking your Mac, iPhone or iPad somewhere - download movies or audio from the NAS directly into Apple TV or Apple Music app on your device locally rather than from Apple's own servers.  That would go some way of resolving the whole purchase/disappearing content problem.  You make the entire process as automatic as possible.  The user just plugs the thing in, configures networking and other settings via an iPadOS/iOS/macOS app, and that's it.  Oh, and add Apple Photos library support too.

    Add options to automatically back up the iTunes Library to a cloud service of the user's choosing (iCloud(*), Backblaze, Amazon, whatever), along with the ability to restore.  That way if the Apple NAS died, you'd just get a replacement and your library is redownloaded EITHER from Apple or through the backup service of your choice (which would be preferable if the content has vanished from the iTunes store).

    In short: a NAS that follows the Apple ethos of simplicity and practicality.  No fussing about.  

    I'd buy that in a heartbeat.  A single device that manages Apple Media everything.  Is (hopefully) relatively inexpensive.   Just works.  A complete idiot could work it.

    * iCloud storage options would have to go beyond the current 2Tb ideally for those with large iTunes libraries.
    Although this is all moot as if AniMill’s correct than even if you’ve downloaded it, any pulled title flags as unplayable anyway. 
    watto_cobra

  • Apple TV with A12X ready to go at any time, claims leaker

    mpw_amherstmpw_amherst
    AniMill said:
    mbdrake76 said:
    It's pity they're not putting storage capacities in the terabytes on these things to allow you to download all your iTunes movie purchases - because if you don't download them, and the content provider pulls it from the iTunes store - you're screwed. 

    The problem here is even if you download your movies, if it’s pulled from the Apple library, it’s flagged as unplayable. So unless you’ve decrypt the original file, your still screwed.

    This is why I still buy 4K Blu-ray disks, I get the iTunes code for convenience and physical media should it ever get pulled. And for some reason, the sound with Dolby TrueHD sounds better too.
    Is this true? I had exactly the same issue as mbdrake - in that a 2014 film purchase from Apple was pulled a year or two ago. No notification from Apple or anything, I just found one day it wasn’t there. At first they denied it and said it was only ever a rental but once I found proof of purchase Apple said the studio had pulled it from the store and if I wanted any refund I’d have to take it up with them. They told me - as posters did here - that I should have downloaded and kept a version on local storage. (Apple’s policy re 4K purchases now negates this argument). However, if it would have been unplayable even then I don’t see they have a leg to stand on. I love the convenience of Apple TV and NOT having loads of discs needing storage. However, it does make me come to your side of the argument that perhaps I should go back to discs. 
    razorpitmbdrake76watto_cobra