Front Row (software)

Front Row is an Apple program, which provides media center functionality on the Mac. It was from 2005 to 2011 pre-installed on all Macs with Mac OS X. Also, the first software -based version of Apple TV Front Row, has since been replaced by a self-development.

The program Front Row can be controlled via the keyboard or by using the special remote control Apple Remote. The Apple Remote is also manufactured according to the setting of Front Row on and has since been renewed in a second generation.

History

On October 12, 2005, Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iMac G5 ( with built-in iSight camera) together with the Front Row software before, as well as some other new features in Apple's entertainment area (iPod with video capabilities, iTunes 6 and the Apple - remote ). Since then, not only music, but also music videos and short films by Pixar you can (now also feature films, and also from other film companies ) at the iTunes Store.

On 10 January 2006, alongside the new iMac introduced ( with Intel processor ) and the successor to the PowerBook, the MacBook Pro, which also Front Row supported.

On 26 October 2007, introduced a new version of Front Row with the operating system Mac OS X 10.5 ( Leopard). It can now be started as a program ( / Applications / Front Row.app ) and are stored in the Dock. In addition, the design has changed, it now corresponds in large parts of the Apple TV interface " Take 2 ".

On July 20, 2011 Front Row has been deleted without replacement with the release of the operating system Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion ). It is no longer part of the operating system and not available on the App Store. On older operating systems (eg Snow Leopard ) Front Row is still running, but is no longer being developed. By copying the program from older operating system versions Front Row can also be installed under Mac OS X Lion.

Supported media

In Front Row music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, photos, and if the Mac is connected to the Internet, movie trailers are considered ( depending on the compound and availability even in high definition).

Functions

Music: Playback of songs in the iTunes library.

Playback of movies and TV shows from the iTunes library.
Playing movies on the hard drive. All formats that iTunes and QuickTime are supported also can process (MP4, H.264 ).

Playback of video and audio podcasts from the iTunes library.

Can not play back photos from iPhoto as a slideshow in the current version.

Operation

Apple Remote

Apple introduced on 12 October 2005, the first generation of Apple Remote, an infrared remote control with only six buttons ( up, down, left, right, select, and Back (labeled "MENU " ) ), before, with one front can control Row.

Initially, the Apple iMac and MacBook models all remote was standard. Since September 2008, this is the case only for Apple TV and the Apple Universal Dock.

The Apple Remote the first generation was awarded the 2006 red dot design award.

The second generation of Apple Remote, presented on 20 October 2009, has an additional play / pause button, which is in fact recognized by Front Row Select. The case is now no longer made of plastic but from an aluminum block milled after the unibody design.

Keyboard

You can remotely control Front Row, even without the Apple. The start is then made by the key combination ⌘ esc. After that Front Row can be controlled by the arrow keys, Return and Escape.

IPhone / iPod Touch

Front Row can also be controlled using several remote apps. To this end, the Apple iPhone or iPod touch must are like the Mac on the same network.