Front Row, Mac as HTPC

Apple introduced Front Row, a media management application, and minimalist iPod Shuffle-esque six button remote to be bundled with new iMac’s – allowing you to control music, photos, and videos from the couch. While it’s no DVR (see Eye TV) and you’re limited to the iMac monitor as a display device (for now), it’s definitely an exciting step in the home entertainment direction.

Apple says: You’ve got the best seat in the house. The full-screen Front Row media experience — with its intuitive menus, large text and brilliant graphics — lets you browse the music, photos and videos on your iMac as easily as you browse music on your iPod. And the new Apple Remote lets you do your browsing from anywhere in the room. So gather your friends and dazzle them with a slideshow of your vacation pics, a home movie or a DVD. iMac G5 was born to entertain.