If it was an iPod world before, it's now an iPod invasion. Between the media saturation and consumer reception, it's hard not to feel left out. That's right; since I last wrote about this about a year ago (http://www.i711.com/my711.php?tab=2&article=37), a lot has changed yet nothing has changed at all.

To understand this paradox, simply follow the Apple trajectory. Last year, Apple announced the ability to download a handful of TV shows to the iPod and your computer. None were captioned. This September, Apple announced iTunes 7, which includes upgraded software, more TV shows, just-released movies, and an increase in the video quality of TV shows. Before, the resolution used to be less than stellar, and now it's TV quality. Unfortunately, this upgrade does not include captioning.

In addition, movies will become available on the iTunes store the same day they're released on DVD, with new releases priced at $12.99 when pre-ordered and during their first week of availability, and $14.99 thereafter, and library titles available for just $9.99 every day. Curious George - which was just released this week - is $15.87 at Amazon.com and Target, and $21.99 at Blockbuster. So now we have to fork over more money too.

Some statistics: Apple now has over 75 movies to choose from. The iTunes library has expanded to over 220 TV shows from over 40 networks. A new Apple device temporarily called iTV is coming out in 2007 that will allow iTunes customers to view movie and TV shows on most flat-screen televisions.

With all this change, Apple clearly had a number of different opportunities to provide closed captioning. It's not as if they're blind to the issue. I brought it to their attention when I researched my column last year, and there are also customers who are extremely unhappy with Apple's continued neglect of this large demographic. Some of them have even asked for refunds.

While Apple has announced plans for better handling of traditional closed captioning in their next operating system, details on this improvement and whether it will lead to captioned content in iTunes are absent. Unfortunately, the new operating system, Leopard, is not due until the spring of 2007. If this truly is their plan, we'll have waited approximately 1.5 years longer than our hearing peers for iTunes video content.

When I contacted Apple again, inquiring about plans for closed captioning iTunes video content, whether iTV will support closed captioning or even if the iPod will eventually support closed captioning, the response I got was, "Apple has a clear policy on not discussing future product plans so we will have to decline the opportunity to respond to your questions at this time." However, when I asked about the present, why there still isn't any closed captioning despite the major upgrade, repeated queries garnered no response.

How about some iAccountability, Apple?

© Copyrighted material, used by permission. This article can not be copied, reproduced, or redistributed without the express written consent of the author. Author's views not necessarily those of i711.com.

View Comments  |  Add Comment  |   Email this Article