NVinNYC

I’ve been using Front Row for a few weeks now and I thought I’d post a few of my observations about this new program from Apple. Please note, I’m assuming that everyone reading this has at least watched the Front Row tour or tried the program itself. There were a lot of problems getting Front Row working on non-supported machines after it was first released, so I wanted to hold back this little review until all the kinks seemed worked out. At first, I thought the release of 10.4.3 would change thing but it turned out not to help much. However, now that the Front Row 1.0.1 Update has been released and an individual has figured out how to trick Mac OS X to into thinking the remote device is present, it has a relatively painless install process exists. The whole method and software needed is explained on this MacUpdate page.

First off, let me say that though I think Front Row is an awesome product, it’s still very much a 1.0 version: there’s lots of room for both refinement and new features here.

Perhaps it’s easier to define Front Row in terms of what it is not. Front Row is not a program that you’re supposed to use while sitting at your keyboard. Nor is Front Row aimed at offering a “Media Center” like experience (though it might eventually evolve into something like that if some of the commentary & speculation out there proves true).

Let’s get to the “ises” (can I make that a word?). Front Row is an alternative interface for your computer. It has been designed from the ground up to be usable with a remote from across the room. As I stated above it’s not really meant to be used while sitting at the keyboard, in fact, Apple doesn’t provide users with a way to launch it without using the remote (though of course you can get around this limitation). Apple’s played the keep-it-simple attitude here (which should be a surprise to no one) and only put six buttons on the remote. These serve as up/down & forward/back in the Front Row menu system and volume, fast forward/rewind, play/pause, & back while playing songs or videos. For the most part it works very intuitively though I wish the left & right buttons served as forward and back in the menu system instead of being useless when browsing.

Because Front Row is designed to be controlled with a remote, Apple has designed the interface with very large fonts, icons, and interface elements icons throughout the program in order to maximize usability from a distance. This works very well, but again underscores “don’t use it from the keyboard” (unless you have a wireless keyboard across the room I suppose). The other thing worth noting is that not only are the interface elements large, they are all scaleable (and vector based wherever possible) so the user experience is largely resolution independent. This is exciting because it means that Front Row should look and work great when connected to a TV (which usually have significantly lower resolutions than computer screens) while retaining it’s beauty and usability on a 30” Cinema Display. Resolution independence with vector graphics is destined to be a key feature of next generation user interfaces, so it’s nice to see Apple really embracing it here (though Tiger already supports it to some extent).

I could wax lackadaisically about where I see Front Row evolving (think Apple Media Center) but I’ll save that for another post. For the time being there are a few more concrete improvements that I’d like to see. Mainly they revolve around Front Row is still being kind of slow. My PowerMac is significantly faster than an iMac in every respect but I’ve seen videos of people running it just fine on a Mac mini or worse, so I don’t think this is entirely processor dependent. There is a lot of room for software optimization here to make it seem much snappier. I’m thinking specifically about more OpenGL optimization and tighter integration with QuickTime, iTunes, iPhoto, and DVD Player. Maybe when they release iLife ‘06 Apple can finally allow everyone to use Front Row without hacks. In any case, interesting times lie ahead!

Update: There still seems to be some problems with this install in that it makes it impossible to eject DVD’s after playing them in the updated DVD player (you have to restart to get the disc out). As such, consider this a little warning, if you don’t know what you’re doing then don’t do it.

Logitech is a company that started out and made it’s name in mice. This may seem a bit strange if you think about it; a tech company that doesn’t even make computers. Consider this however, with the possible exception of typing, were does your hand spend most of the time when you’re on the computer? Exactly. It’s important to have a mouse that works well for your needs as this can improve productivity as well as making the computer much more pleasant to use.

My personal history with Logitech started when scroll wheel mice were first becoming available it was around the advent of the original iMac so the whole USB craze was just starting. I actually went to Fry’s and bought a PC only USB PCI card for my Performa 6400 (I got the card for $10 at a time when Mac cards were going for $60 and up). Then I downloaded development (non functional) drivers from Apple Developer Connection and modified them with ResEdit to work with my card according to some instructions I found on the internet. The whole reason for me to get that card however, was so I could use the original Logitech MouseMan. This guy was just about the coolest mouse available at the time with four buttons and a scroll wheel. Since Logitech didn’t support Mac OS 9 at the time, initially relied on Apple’s built in basic mouse drivers which (in version 8 or 8.5 added scroll wheel and right or control click support). Eventually a product called USB Overdrive came along that basically provided highly customizable generic mouse drivers. I’m still using it today, even though it hasn’t been updated in quite a while and Logitech now makes their own drivers (which are not as customizable). That original MouseMan was eventually replaced with a MX500 when they were released which proved to be super awesome as it had 3 buttons with to use for Expos? and replaced my dated ball mouse with a highly accurate optical sensor (hurray for no lint cleaning!).

Well I’m happy to report that my MX500 has now been replaced with an MX1000 (obviously it has double the power). It’s super smooth and wireless with a plethora of buttons. My favorite thing about Logitech’s high end cordless mice however is that they don’t just connect to a USB dongle, instead they come with a cradle that recharges the mouse’s batteries when connected. I don’t want to have to worry about replacing my mouse’s batteries while writing a paper (or worse, playing a game) and thanks to this feature I’ll never have to. I’m not sure why other mice manufacturers haven’t picked up on this one yet but perhaps they eventually will; since not only is it handy, it saves consumers money in the long run (see: iPod Shuffle).

In recent years Logitech has branched out from their mouse business a bit. They now make USB cameras (after acquiring the now defunct Connetix QuickCam several years ago), programmable remotes (since purchasing Harmony about year ago), various other computer & console controllers, and speakers.

Why would a peripheral company make speakers when there are so many other players you ask you ask? I don’t know either. What I can tell you is that for high end computer speakers, they blow away the competition: I present you the Logitech Z-5500 Digital speakers. After reading this review, I knew I had to have them for my new G5 (it would just be a shame not to use the optical out jack). I’m happy to say that they are pretty damn amazing. I’ve tested them out, but I haven’t had the guts to turn them all the way up yet (for fear of breaking windows or eardrums); these things get loud. I can say volume pretty dang high (like concert levels) without hearing any distortion and I’m not even using the optical connection yet (still waiting for the cable). This is basically the only audio experience that can come close to matching the precision of my E3c. The only downsides are that the subwoofer is freaking huge (it has a 10” diameter speaker), and the remote has a cheap feel to it (though it works fine), but these are minor quibbles in comparison to the amazing sound of the system.

The point I’m trying to make with all this is that Logitech makes some pretty awesome hardware (and not just stuff I’m mentioned in this article) that’s worth checking out if you’re a descriminating nerd like me.