I got so caught up in the hype that I called the toll-free number for Apple the day after the keynote and quizzed the sales rep about the new software. My question was whether the models on the floor in the Apple retail stores *right then* had the new software. If so, I wanted to run out and buy one.
+Those reading this thread today certainly know the answer, but on the 16th, I had it in my head that Mr. Jobs suggested during the keynote that the new software was available immediately. I obviously know now that was wrong.+
Anyway, the sales rep checked, and double-checked, and came back and said that the stores had the old software, but that if I ordered from her, I'd get one with the new software. +I made sure she knew what I was talking about -- the new interface just shown in the keynote -- and she confirmed again.+ And she'll overnight it to me for free, so why not go ahead and order now?!
I had no reason to doubt her, and was amazed just generally at the 21st century when my order, direct from China per the FedEx tracking, was on my desk 36 hours later. Unfortunately, I learned later that night that, of course, it was 1.1.
Had I known that I'd have to wait for the new software, I would have ordered it from another retailer to save cash -- at least on the sales tax. So I was unhappy, and called back to tell Apple about it. After much back and forth about when the software was actually due out (I never got a date) versus what I was told when ordering, Apple offered to credit me $40, which I accepted as a good faith accommodation.
anyway, i think i'm goin' to bed. i lost hope 😟 checked like crazy for the update today! it's almost midnight here in germany... i'm disappointed. i was so excited about today! the 2 weeks are OVER mr. jobs! pleeease... okay, I'll check one more time and then go to bed...
c ya
Anyone really expect this today? I am losing faith as the hours tick towards the midnite hour. Call us impatient but 29 January was given as the release date.
I actually did kind of expect it today...but oh well, no big deal. Just hoping for it soon...and hoping for a majory update in what is actually available to rent. Otherwise I'm signing back up for Netflix 🙂
I said before that two weeks didn't make much sense from a software development standpoint. If they had a stable beta they could have moved up the release date. If they didn't have a stable beta there was no guarantee that it could be released in two weeks. If we don't see it in another day or two I'd say they still have some significant issues to resolve (i.e., it's still not stable enough for release).
It reminds me of the first public beta for the Mac version of the SlingPlayer. It was going to be released "any day now" for about three months before it was finally put online.
Still, SJ did say two weeks and there has been no public adjusting of that date. When it comes right down to it, one or two days isn't that huge of deal, (not for me anyway) but if they can't deliver on what they said, they need to at least acknowledge the delays, be open about a new release date etc.
To not do so is to invite negative PR and accusations of over-hype which doesn't help anybody (besides Netflix anyway 😉
Apple is slipping when it comes to their software. I thought the release date delay was to accommodate features in tandem with the Air. Screen sharing on the ATV. Apparently not -- the software just isn't ready yet.
All in all, movie rentals has been a great experience. All we need now is the Apple TV update and a vast library to chose from... Just for the record... iTunes + Apple TV/iPhone + Movie Rentals = the death of Netflix for my family.
Don;t forget the international stores, since an ATV is quite useless without a movie store, let alone a movie rental store.
I got home at like 1:15 AM from out of town... I found update and went to bed... although the update didn't get pushed out for AppleTV... my sister-in-law pushed out a baby. Which I have to say was a pretty spectacular event. Really pales in comparison.
Maybe by the time he's old enough to watch the update will be out! Happy waiting.
As you may have noticed (if you read this thread) nobody really knows when it is being released. When SJ said 2 weeks, that would mean that yesterday it would have been released which did not happen. I am going to assume that the update will be sometime in February, along with all the other releases (macbook air, iphone SDK, etc.)
k-man55 wrote:
TW, just wanted to confirm something I've been wondering about. If I travel internationally with my US notebook with the US version of itunes I'll be able to rent movies on my notebook while say in a hotel overseas? Seems like that's what you did but just wanted to confirm that I can wait to rent the movies once I'm there.
Yes. As long as your account is associated with the US store and you have a US credit card with a US billing address you can buy/rent and download from anywhere. I travel to China for extended periods and I've never had any trouble buying, renting, and downloading movies and TV shows.
