Apple Downgrades Macbook
Once again, thanks to DRM, a new product ends up less useful than the one it replaces. This time, it’s the new family of Apple Macbook laptop computers that gets the downgrade.
When it launched the new Macbooks, Apple announced that they would sport a new digital video output connector, known as Mini DisplayPort. What Apple failed to mention, however, is that those connectors allow movies studios to force the computer to authenticate any external monitor before allowing playback of programs purchased or rented from the iTunes Store (Microsoft’s Windows Vista does something similar).
In other words, the HDTV monitor or projector that worked for you
yesterday, won’t work with your new computer tomorrow if Hollywood has
embedded a flag in the iTunes content you paid for.