I had posted this on Macworlds forum for someone wondering why apple would leave the Ipod 5/5.5 Gen out of the movie rentals.
He thought it had to do with trying to sell more ipods.
Here is my reasoning as to why I feel they had to leave it out.
I don't not see any reason as to why apple can not release a 5, or 5.5 gen firmware update.
But there are a couple things that point to something as to the reason.
all Ipods that support movie rentals, also need accessories with chips in them to allow video out.
the appleTV is the only item that supports HD movie rentals.
I know that with HDMI and HD content on other products, the single has to be coded all the way to the TV.
So I'm wondering if this new chip is in place so that they can keep the Rental videos under control.
and that the appleTV only supports HD for the same reason. This would also make scene as the rentals also just get moved from a computer to an ipod not copyed. And you can not move rentals off the appleTV
So maybe the 5th gen is only a firmware update away from playing movie rentals, but apples hands are tied in order to offer the rentals. look at the Iphone and AT&T. apple needs to hold back on offerings in order to make things happen.
Hope this helps a little, Apple has a huge number of video Ipods out there, and it's probably killing them to know that 70% of those people won't be buying an ipod for another year or two. I don't see apple pulling this, I see the studios requiring a more locked down product in order to provide this movie rental deal.
He thought it had to do with trying to sell more ipods.
Here is my reasoning as to why I feel they had to leave it out.
I don't not see any reason as to why apple can not release a 5, or 5.5 gen firmware update.
But there are a couple things that point to something as to the reason.
all Ipods that support movie rentals, also need accessories with chips in them to allow video out.
the appleTV is the only item that supports HD movie rentals.
I know that with HDMI and HD content on other products, the single has to be coded all the way to the TV.
So I'm wondering if this new chip is in place so that they can keep the Rental videos under control.
and that the appleTV only supports HD for the same reason. This would also make scene as the rentals also just get moved from a computer to an ipod not copyed. And you can not move rentals off the appleTV
So maybe the 5th gen is only a firmware update away from playing movie rentals, but apples hands are tied in order to offer the rentals. look at the Iphone and AT&T. apple needs to hold back on offerings in order to make things happen.
Hope this helps a little, Apple has a huge number of video Ipods out there, and it's probably killing them to know that 70% of those people won't be buying an ipod for another year or two. I don't see apple pulling this, I see the studios requiring a more locked down product in order to provide this movie rental deal.