New Apple Digital Device?

[MacRumors]

Appleinsider rekindles (http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=375) rumors of an Apple Set Top Box.

The vague details describe "a device that will allow consumers to wirelessly broadcast their iTunes play libraries--from an iPod or PC--to a home stereo, among other things".

Other reports claim iPhoto and iDVD compatibility with this media hub.

Rumors of an apple "Set Top Box" go back years, but match recent pre MWSF hints (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/01/20040102174411.shtml) as well as a entry in the 2003 rumor reject pile (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/12/20031230043507.shtml). Meanwhile, Appleinsider recently claimed (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2004/02/20040203170740.shtml) that Apple would be producing a 'home appliance' of some sort in the near future.

[SpaceMagic]

Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised. Would Apple be willing to enter another niche market? Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.

I always think it'd be nice to have my iTunes playing on my Hi-Fi via a small wireless receiver but if apple are going to make something then surely it wont be a small device, it will have plenty of features meaning plenty of size, something you wouldn't want on top of your HiFi? but under your TV.

[arn]

Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised.

With Appleinsider's more frequent updates, their reliability has been more variable.

They do seem to have some real info, but have had misses too. (PowerMac updates at MWSF for example).

arn

[HexMonkey]

Personally I'd find something like that completely useless. Surely Apple are doing something more exciting than that (although maybe there are enough people that want it that it would be a good investment for Apple).
I don't take much notice of these types of rumours anymore. Very few of them seem to come true, so I'll wait to get excited about whatever the current rumours are until that product is released, at least until the rumours become more accurate (if that ever happens, after all rumours and accurate are pretty much an oxymoron ;) ).

[warmd]

i wish they'd let this one die, i predict that nothing about it will turn out to be true.

a wireless gizmo for transmitting iPod tunes is reasonable, but that's more on the level of a nifty peripheral than a major new appliance.

[BWhaler]

I for one, hope this is true. I would love a beautiful and easy way to play my digital music on my stereo while pictures play.

I think it is going to happen, but may not this year given, as others have pointed out, it's still a small market. On the other hand, Apple loves to be first and sooner or later it is going to be a problem that iTunes and only iTunes can play your iTMS music. Apple needs to ensure that Windows media formats don't seem more "open."

[Dahl]

Well, if Apple can make a great product, I will welcome it.
I'm a die hard music fan with a huge record collection and I use iTunes more and more while most of my CD's are gathering dust,
so I think other people are getting ready for a product like that as well.

[vannote]

I would have to say, If it allowed us (broadband customers) to use it to wirelessly pipe iTunes radio, and paid music over our A/V system, effectively replacing our old 80+W A/V receiver, we are in.

We have 801.11 throughout and we NEVER use FM anymore.

The Apple logo would just be icing on the cake...

;)

Regards

[djdarlek]

I reckon apple are going to release a projecter aimed a joe public.. not costing $2,000 (closer to $600) this highly portable projector will be able to project to just 1.5 square metres, but is ideal for travelling and people who want big without having to carry a tv everywhere.... intergration with itunes visualiser and iphoto slideshows.

just an idea

[nagromme]

Apple has clearly said there WILL be other "DLDs."

I have no idea whether any real info on them is lurking in the AI report. But don't expect whatever (whenever) "it" is to be something everyone "gets" at first glance. Look at how folks here decried the original iPod :D

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=500

[Kelvin]

http://www.arcadyan.com/
This box will most likely support streaming from iTunes over Wi-Fi. Not sure when, but soon.

Possibly even iPhoto slideshows.

[virividox]

i dont want a stupid home appliance i want a kick butt apple computer

[jwhitnah]

Originally posted by nagromme
Apple has clearly said there WILL be other "DLDs."

I have no idea whether any real info on them is lurking in the AI report. But don't expect whatever (whenever) "it" is to be something everyone "gets" at first glance. Look at how folks here decried the original iPod :D

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=500

This ref has gotten a lot of milage. Don't forget when the flat panel iMac G4 came out everyone was praising apple for the revolutionary design--I thought it kicked ass and that it would surely sell more than the original imac design. On the other hand, we (some naysayers in the macrumors crowd) might be right--to me this DLD is a waste.

[greenmetalx]

Well, I know the rumor has been around for quite some time now, but to me, it makes sense. Apple is trying to position itself as the center of one's digital lifestyle. Beyond the incredible systems, you also have the iPod, iLife, iTunes, the Music Store, etc, etc, etc. An item along these lines is not really that far fetched as it would fit in with the business model that they are portraying.

Personally, I would welcome such a device. I have damn near 1000 CDs that I'm ripping onto a firewire drive and play through iTunes more then anything. Being able to pipe those, as well as the internet radio, through my stereo would be great.

[booshtukka]

Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Do AppleInsider ever get things right? This rumour has been round a lot yet nothing has materialised. Would Apple be willing to enter another niche market? Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.


You can't actually get TiVO in the UK anymore, hence why none of your friends have it!

I have SKY+, and I have to say, it's fantastic. But I don't need an apple box to do that.... I have my mactop connected to the tv and hifi already (as well as my record decks with Final Scratch) and it works fine. MP3s, movies, all I want. So why would I want a set top box to do that instead?

What I would really like, is an option like "make legible on the telly" that makes all the fonts big and clear for use on a tv.

[non fiction]

I think this is a great idea. I don't even think it is a 'niche' market or an attempt to enter a 'new' market.

It is just another terrific way for Apple to extend the computer out through the home. I think people want to play their computer/ipod based music on their stereos and play image slideshows and quicktime/DVD movies on the massive and expensive widescreen TV's, without having to burn it first.

Great idea. Whack the ibox on the TV or stereo - plug it in away you go - Wireless sound and movies.

[Masao[RY]]

Personally, I'd rather see Apple spend time updating the iMac/Powerbooks/eMacs right now then work on some media centre box.

So far the rumor looks good, hopefully Apple does such, but lets get on to updating the lines!

[grouse]

Having got a load of apple devices, the iPods, into people's homes and having so far no real evidence that large numbers of these iPod owners are going out and buying iMacs (hence the iTunes for windows gig), giving them something that enhances their existing product specifically is a great idea.

Seeing the large range of peripherals and cosmetic items that have sprung up around the iPod from other manufacturers, which is always a good sign (remember when all those manufacturers started using iMac-like coloured translucent plastics?) it shows that there is a market for upselling based on owning the iPod.

So if Apple craftily creates the digital hub, less computer, more lifestyle, then they've got another item that completely circumnavigates the OS argument. Who gives a monkey what operating system the iPod runs, it's "platform independent". Same deal, possibly, for the hub device thing.

I've no idea whether they're developing one or not, but it would make utter commercial sense.

[appleface]

imagine more than tivo: it can wi-fi connect to all your tvs, so you can play your itunes in every room that has a tv, so even if you don't have your house wired with speakers, it will act that way. it will record dvds, and it can copy a dvd that's in your superdrive. apple is creative. they could make a rad hub for my digital world.

[dukemeiser]

I would certainly buy one, if the price was reasonable.

[Gimzotoy]

I'm still of the opinion that an Apple set-top box would sell wonderfully. Microsoft has already cleared the way and demonstrated to investors that all the pieces are in place (thier Media Center Edition PCs are wonderful, if not stable. I have one myself.). Apple could come in like it did with the iPod- make it pretty, add some features no one's thought of, make it stable and easy to use. Basically, I think the groundwork has been laid and Apple could easily make a Media to TV hub mainstream.

They would make a killing, in my opinion.

[pmd]

Originally posted by SpaceMagic
Here in the UK, I don't think I have any peers who use a TiVO despite being on sale for a few years. Sky Plus is a similar service but I don't know anyone who uses that either.


You just don't have the right friends ;-)

I'm in the UK too, and know 8 people with Tivo (including my parents, who show it to everyone who visits them), and two with Sky+. I've got my own Tivo too, which I purchased second-hand off eBay. My old housemate had one, so when I moved out I had to buy my own, Even two weeks without one was torture!

I'm very wary of other PVR products - the software is *extremely* important, and Tivo had got it absolutely spot on. One of the best UIs of any device - ever. If the others don't have a decent UI then they'll be crap.

[rotorblade]

Here's another Digital Media Player:

http://store.yahoo.com/intcad/eydimepl.html

Elgato http://www.elgato.com/

[sbrown01]

I think this is a good idea.

iTunes and iPhoto are both ready to share with Rendezvous.
Add a few more features to a box, maybe something TiVo like, and you have an awesome file server for you music and photos and if we are lucky TV programs all over the house.

The only reservations that I have are..

Will it be compatible with Windows machines?
If they aren't this product will have some troubles selling to the masses.

Will the price be something that we can afford?
Always an issue, especially here at MRs.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

And for all those gripping about Apple losing focus... I have confidence that they will produce new PMs, iMacs and PBs by the end of the year, they are waiting on other factors like IBM before they make their move.
Take a pill, one that chills and be ready for an "awesome year" its only Feb.

[hughdogg]

"a device that will allow consumers to wirelessly broadcast their iTunes play libraries--from an iPod or PC--to a home stereo, among other things".

Other reports claim iPhoto and iDVD compatibility with this media hub.


Um, I think this is wishful thinking. I don't see how from the iTunes perspective this is any better than buying an extra dock, and connecting your iPod to the stereo. Think of it, spend $150 - $200 on a box that allows you to stream your iTunes library or spend $250+ on an iPod that allows you to hard wire the device to the stereo (much better sound quality), and still have a portable player.

Now, if it does do iPhoto and iDVD that might be cool, and worth the price, but from a strictly music perspective...I don't think so.

Maybe the Bose connection mentioned in the article is some sort built in connectivity of the iPod to the Bose lifestyle system that allows control though the Bose system. (Think Alpine car stereo) Press Release (http://www.alpine-usa.com/company_info/press_release/010804_ipad.html)

Cheers,

[Photorun]

And Apple will release a PDA (iPDA), the portable tablet (iWalk), and a pony for you kiddie dreamers (iPony).

Ugh, this ugly rumor rears it's ugly head again?
Geez people, let it go, ain't happening. Go back, there's nothing to see here. You've got a better chance of seeing the G5 Powerbook next month (which, also isn't happening).

[kansast]

Wireless streaming of mp3 is something I would have thought was cool years ago. But once iTunes came out.. and I began seriously converting everything I have to .mp3s . I then bought a stereo system for my office, and hooked my mac directly up to that.. and then wired the house with speakers and speaker switch box in my office. So where ever I want music I got it.. and it all runs off my computer.

[Phobophobia]

Let this rumor die, it won't happen. (Plus, I don't think streaming iTunes to TV's is a very big market.)

[1macker1]

Do apple still make computers?

[Some_Big_Spoon]

Originally posted by 1macker1
Do apple still make computers?

You beat me to it.. Mine was going to be "Remember when Apple made computers? Anyone? Anyone?":rolleyes:

Pink iPods for ALL!!:rolleyes:

[dongmin]

The AI report seems to be just a summary of all the old speculation floating around about an Apple set-top box. Nothing new. My guess is that there is a rumors wheel somewhere with the set-top box, video-Pod, Tablet, and PDA. In the slow weeks, they give this wheel a spin, and voila, a bunch of extra traffic.

[starflyer]

Originally posted by virividox
i dont want a stupid home appliance i want a kick butt apple computer

http://www.apple.com/g5

[midwestshooter]

I wish that Apple would apply their design and ingenuity team to improving the Tivo type devices that record TV programs. I have an older Sony system (DirectTV and satellite) With UltimateTV by Microsoft and it is really is a pain to use. You have to do 3 steps to get anything done, when 1 would do. If I say "earase", then erase - don't show me another page that says "erase?" It is slow and cumbersome, and Microsoft closed down the division.

Apple could out Tivo Tivo if they put their mind to it. I'd like to see them try. I don't need another stero unit and my iPod works just fine as it is.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[beerguy]

I opted not to wait for something like this and built my own a few months ago. The only caveat is that it's Windows based. I'm using a VIA EPIA motherboard with 5.1 audio and svideo onboard. The whole unit is the size of a large book and runs iTunes for Windows. It's on my wireless network so it will play from any shared iTunes library in my house.

My whole library sits on my iMac (which is also my access point). An added bonus is seeing the visualizer fullscreen on a 50" set. :)

[Corpus_Callosum]

What Apple is doing is obvious. There is a market opportunity that is opening because of HDTV.

More specifically, DVDs are low resolution when compared to HDTV. There are no HD-DVD players, no HD-DVD videos and nothing even being talked about.

So along comes Apple with an HD Set Top Box (iPod for your home theater), MPEG-4 Movie Store (Protected MP4 downloads to the HD Set Top Box) and an entirely new market niche is carved out. What is the niche? It's Apple's standard niche of early adopters and video/audiophiles. It's the people who are willing to put up $1000 to have a device that can store 100 HD movies (perhaps more with a swappable drive module or something). It's the perfect opportunity, after all, who is their competition for digitial distribution of HD movie content?

[iggyb]

Originally posted by virividox
i dont want a stupid home appliance i want a kick butt apple computer

I must agree. This sounds okay, but I'm waiting for new computer announcements!

[dashiel]

Originally posted by virividox
i dont want a stupid home appliance i want a kick butt apple computer

you're in luck check this out (http://www.apple.com/powermac/). i don't think it's been covered much, but after years of increasing performance gaps between apple and intel, apple has released a chip and mobo that is very competitive with intel... and not in just that "photoshop bake off" nonsense.

[iggyb]

Originally posted by beerguy
I opted not to wait for something like this and built my own a few months ago. The only caveat is that it's Windows based. I'm using a VIA EPIA motherboard with 5.1 audio and svideo onboard. The whole unit is the size of a large book and runs iTunes for Windows. It's on my wireless network so it will play from any shared iTunes library in my house.

My whole library sits on my iMac (which is also my access point). An added bonus is seeing the visualizer fullscreen on a 50" set. :)

Holy crap, beerguy! That's quite impressive! ;)

[TorbX]

Originally posted by virividox
i dont want a stupid home appliance i want a kick butt apple computer

Agreed! I've got all the peripherials I need for now. Give me a headless iMac G5 already! (...or something like that. A new cube is my highest whish)

[PDubNYC]

Originally posted by Masao[RY]
Personally, I'd rather see Apple spend time updating the iMac/Powerbooks/eMacs right now then work on some media centre box.

So far the rumor looks good, hopefully Apple does such, but lets get on to updating the lines!


__________________
-Masao
Proud owner of a PowerBook165 [33MHz MC68k, 4mb of ram, 7.5.5], PowerMac8100 [G3 250MHz 1mb L2Cache upgrade card, 88mb of ram, Mac OS 9.1] and hopefully one day a PowerBook G* :-)


What do you care? you haven't bought a Mac in 7 or 8 years, judging by your signature. No offense but it's not like Apple has a certain size employee pool to pick from, and assigning people to work on such a device detracts from PowerMac development. They are completely separate departments.

[iggyb]

Originally posted by PDubNYC
What do you care? you haven't bought a Mac in 7 or 8 years, judging by your signature. No offense but it's not like Apple has a certain size employee pool to pick from, and assigning people to work on such a device detracts from PowerMac development. They are completely separate departments.

Perhaps Masao[RY] will purchase a new one when Apple announces new Macs. :D

[iPC]

Originally posted by appleface
imagine more than tivo: it can wi-fi connect to all your tvs, so you can play your itunes in every room that has a tv, so even if you don't have your house wired with speakers, it will act that way. it will record dvds, and it can copy a dvd that's in your superdrive. apple is creative. they could make a rad hub for my digital world.
That is too simple.

1. wifi transceiver added to a TiVo-type box, bluetooth capable
2. wifi adaptors to connect to each TV (preferably powered off the TV itself)

The problem with this is the wifi (802.11) frequency itself. It is too busy, and too easy to interrupt (cordless phone, microwave, etc).

Need a higher bandwidth, secure, and less open to interference solution. I am somewhat sure that DRM of some nature would be required, lock down the hardware so that it is Apple only (at least in the beginning a al iPod), and try to get the content providers involved (a la iTMS).

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Pixar would be used as leverage to get a studio on board with this new wave of media distribution.

Ideas?

[1macker1]

This makes no sense. Apple has a large development team, and the PowerMac G5 isn't their only computer product. It's not even their best selling computer product. The PB/iMac/eMac are do for a little revamping action.
Originally posted by PDubNYC
What do you care? you haven't bought a Mac in 7 or 8 years, judging by your signature. No offense but it's not like Apple has a certain size employee pool to pick from, and assigning people to work on such a device detracts from PowerMac development. They are completely separate departments.

[PDubNYC]

Originally posted by 1macker1
This makes no sense. Apple has a large development team, and the PowerMac G5 isn't their only computer product. It's not even their best selling computer product. The PB/iMac/eMac are do for a little revamping action.

What part of it doesn't make sense to you? The part where someone who has not purchased a Mac in at least 6 or 7 years is complaining that Apple needs to update their product line? Or the part where you fail to see my point all together, that R&D into such a device does not detract from R&D for their computer lines. No where did I say that the lines couldn't use a refresh.

Thanks, though.

[iggyb]

Originally posted by PDubNYC
What part of it doesn't make sense to you? The part where someone who has not purchased a Mac in at least 6 or 7 years is complaining that Apple needs to update their product line? Or the part where you fail to see my point all together, that R&D into such a device does not detract from R&D for their computer lines. No where did I say that the lines couldn't use a refresh.

Thanks, though.

First of all, I fail to see how someone who hasn't purchased a Mac in a while takes away their credibility that they think Apple needs to send out new products. Maybe that person will buy it, who knows? Point is, the opinion is still valid.

Second, R&D from one development team can certainly take away from another. Not saying this is the case or not. Unless you have control over their R&D spending, nobody knows.

[PDubNYC]

Originally posted by iggyb
First of all, I fail to see how someone who hasn't purchased a Mac in a while takes away their credibility that they think Apple needs to send out new products. Maybe that person will buy it, who knows? Point is, the opinion is still valid.

Second, R&D from one development team can certainly take away from another. Not saying this is the case or not. Unless you have control over their R&D spending, nobody knows.

I think we will have to agree to disagree. :D

[iggyb]

Originally posted by PDubNYC
I think we will have to agree to disagree. :D

I can do that. :)

[jacg]

I just wish there was a wi-fi add-on for my SKY+ (HD satellite receiver) so I can download MPEG programmes to my laptop for viewing later (or stream to any other wi-fi device in the house I guess).

There's this digital access panel which says "do not remove"...

The whole iTunes/iPhoto streaming to TV idea sounds a bit late now that people are streaming video around the place - there are loads of wi-fi "media centres" appearing. After kickstarting wi-fi with the iBook all those years ago, Apple seems to be getting left behind.

[New Guy]

With many more people buying laptops these days having a large central storage device (that does not cost $1000s) for all your music, pictures, movies, etc would be great. Laptop harddrives do not have the capacity to hold as much as I'd like. If I could store the raw footage on a central set top server box and edit it on my laptop I would not have to keep deleting material. I know I could attach an external firewire harddrive but the point of a laptop is not to be tethered to a desk.

[wordmunger]

Originally posted by New Guy
With many more people buying laptops these days having a large central storage device (that does not cost $1000s) for all your music, pictures, movies, etc would be great. Laptop harddrives do not have the capacity to hold as much as I'd like. If I could store the raw footage on a central set top server box and edit it on my laptop I would not have to keep deleting material. I know I could attach an external firewire harddrive but the point of a laptop is not to be tethered to a desk.
Now THERE's an idea! Basically it's a home fileserver that interfaces with both home A/V equipment and home computers. If it had a big enough capacity (in the 200-gig range) and was reasonably priced (<$500), this thing could be HUGE. Even bigger than the iPod, imho.

If it's too hard to make one that cheap, I'd suggest an upgradeable one--a base 80-gig model with no wi-fi for $399, and the tricked-out 500-gig airport extreme gigabit ethernet model with Superdrive and iPod dock for $999.

[rfenik]

I don't think i would want something like that...

however!

A PDA sized remote for my powerbook would be great. Something with a brilliant looking LCD screen... with a touch screen pen. That way I could set my powerbook across the room and access by itunes, browse the web, and do everything that my computer can do - but in the palm of my hand. Have the thing run on bluetooth so I can be fairly far away and have it still work. It could be small because it would not require that much memory or processing speed, or a keyboard or anything... it would leave the thinking all up to the powerbook and just transfer data from it, like the video signal and everything.

Basically, a wireless display that allows me to do everything I can in front of the computer - but able to be held in one hand.

Or just fit a powerbook into a pda.

-ko

[mrsebastian]

here we go again... i love a good rumor like anyone, but this is getting old.

[blybug]

I've had the Elgato EyeHome (http://www.elgato.com/products/eyehome.html) for about a week now and it is really amazing for a 1.0 product. The box is about half the size of a snow iBook and is essentially a web cleint that interfaces via Rendevous over Ethernet with the EyeHome server software running off any Mac on your local network. It has a very intuitive, easy to navigate interface that can display [list=1]
TV programs recorded with Elgato's EyeTV (http://www.elgato.com/products/)
Any other movies in your movie folder (like ripped DVDs or home-made movies)
All your iTunes music and playlists, MP3 or M4a
Your iPhoto Library and albums
Web based internet content (ie a simple web browser) including a selection of internet radio
[/list=1]
I've been kind of used to having my iTunes and iPhotos available via the TiVo Home Media Option (http://www.tivo.com/4.9.asp) but EyeHome does this better in a few key areas, such as AAC support and playing music with slideshows. But the unexpected and surprising thing for me, and this is to the naysayers of the "Personally I'd find something like that completely useless" type comments...the EyeHome has done for video what my iPod did for my music...makes it all easily accessible, all together, and readily available. I don't think you can really imagine what this is like or appreciate it until you've used it...much like you can't really understand the appeal of the iPod until you've held it and played with it.

We have stacks of home videos on VHS and DVD, but never really watch them. We're never really sitting around thinking "Gee I'd like to watch my sister's wedding" or "Hey, let's watch the baby's first steps" and even if you did, hunting through the pile of tapes and discs, putting it in the machine, fastforwarding to the part you want to see...just kind of a pain. I've copied over most of my family iDVDs (the EyeHome can read VOB files) and now we've had a great time watching these videos, clicking through them much like you can jump song to song or album to album with the iPod. The kids love it! And I've ripped a few DVDs into 600MB avis in my Movies folder and now they can instantly start up Finding Nemo or The Lion King without having to mess with the DVD or player. The only limitation is the size of your hard drive

What I expect from Apple after using the EyeHome is an advancement of the iPod with an advanced dock that has a video output and a remote. Creating an entirely new "Digital Lifestyle Device" for this purpose seems redundant, when with a larger hard drive and the capability to output a video signal (which the FireWire interface already has), the iPod could essentially become a "portable" EyeHome. Sync it up with all your iTunes, iPhotos, and iDVD files, dock it to your TV/stereo or take it to Grandma's and plug it into her TV, and there's all your stuff. No need for an itty bitty color screen on the iPod, just let it output to whatever TV you are near...watch iPhoto slide shows, movies, iTunes with full screen visualizer...this is where I expect Apple to enter the advanced media player market, not with a separate device. And when the kids go off to college and want a copy of their family photo album, buy them an iPod, sync it up, and they've got their life's story in the palm of their hand.

While it does not yet have all the shine and polish of a typical Apple-branded product, the EyeHome works as advertised out of the box and is really revolutionary in the same way as the original iPod...one of those products that seems so obvious you can't believe nobody had already made it, and you wonder how you managed without it. Elgato customer support seems very dedicated to upgrading and improving the software based on user feedback so I imagine after a few more 1.x iterations the EyeHome is going to be absolutely fantastic.

[Corpus_Callosum]

Originally posted by Corpus_Callosum
What Apple is doing is obvious. There is a market opportunity that is opening because of HDTV.

More specifically, DVDs are low resolution when compared to HDTV. There are no HD-DVD players, no HD-DVD videos and nothing even being talked about.

So along comes Apple with an HD Set Top Box (iPod for your home theater), MPEG-4 Movie Store (Protected MP4 downloads to the HD Set Top Box) and an entirely new market niche is carved out. What is the niche? It's Apple's standard niche of early adopters and video/audiophiles. It's the people who are willing to put up $1000 to have a device that can store 100 HD movies (perhaps more with a swappable drive module or something). It's the perfect opportunity, after all, who is their competition for digitial distribution of HD movie content?

Originally posted by wordmunger
Now THERE's an idea! Basically it's a home fileserver that interfaces with both home A/V equipment and home computers. If it had a big enough capacity (in the 200-gig range) and was reasonably priced (<$500), this thing could be HUGE. Even bigger than the iPod, imho.

If it's too hard to make one that cheap, I'd suggest an upgradeable one--a base 80-gig model with no wi-fi for $399, and the tricked-out 500-gig airport extreme gigabit ethernet model with Superdrive and iPod dock for $999.

These are not incompatible ideas. You could even use an iPod as additional storage, allowing one (via the iPod) to take downloaded HD Movies on the road and play them on other users' HD Set Tops (e.g. like bringing a DVD to a friend's house). The HD-Movie store / iTunes-Music store would probably be accessible via the remote for the Set-Top, so it should be possible to purchase music and movies using the device.

You could probably use the Superdrive to burn MPEG-4 HD Video that is playable on other HD Set Tops (perhaps with DRM to appease the MPAA?)...

Interesting... Hell, I'm getting excited - I want one of these!

[virividox]

Originally posted by dashiel
you're in luck check this out (http://www.apple.com/powermac/). i don't think it's been covered much, but after years of increasing performance gaps between apple and intel, apple has released a chip and mobo that is very competitive with intel... and not in just that "photoshop bake off" nonsense.

cheeky cheeky

yeah well that doesnt cut it anymore...i want something to kick my butt then wipe my face all over the floor!

os x is the strongest part of apple's aresenal imo, so they should spread it around more by releasing new computers that people can experience the power of os x on

[booshtukka]

Originally posted by jacg
I just wish there was a wi-fi add-on for my SKY+ (HD satellite receiver) so I can download MPEG programmes to my laptop for viewing later (or stream to any other wi-fi device in the house I guess).

Just a hack of the proprietary Sky software and serial cable would do me!

[Wonder Boy]

whatever it is, just release it.

[ClimbingTheLog]

It can't just be a wireless iTunes box. I have a $3 cable to hook my iPod to my stereo. I have a $12 50' headphone cable for my computer. People won't abandon the value proposition for a white fruity logo.

[L1Video]

http://www.rokulabs.com/products/

They seem to make a couple of products that fit the description. They work with iTunes too.

[Dahl]

OK, I'm no tech wiz, but couldn't something like that be built in a next generation Mac ?
I want less gadgets/products on my desk, not more.

[rfenik]

What i want to do is carry everything my powerbook has to offer in one hand. It seems obvious to use a 'newton' type bluetooth enabled pda to be an extention of the powerbook, as a remote control to all the capabilities and power that the powerbooks have. It would be great to write down notes on a pda and have them typed out on the powerbook on the fly... and it's totally possible.

-ko

[DangerDiabolik]

the only way this would be cool, is if i could broadcast quicktime movies to my TV.

other then that...

just forget it.

[Foocha]

I think a home server is a great idea. It needs to have a built-in ADSL card & Airport, be completely silent with no fan so you can have it on all the time in the living room, have a pre-configured firewall, and the ability to be run headless with a great admin app for your Mac. This would enable multiple Macs to share a single broadband connection and share iTunes, iPhotos etc.

We currently have a Linux home server from Hush:

http://www.hushpc.net/

It's really cool, but you need to know plenty about Linux to set one up securely (lucky my partner is good at this sort of thing). A plug & play Mac OS X one would be cool.

[Rico17i]

How about a set top box for video and audio using the Motorola UWB chipset for 1 gigabit per second transfer rate with 30 to 60 feet range? 802.15.3 streaming.

[ratspg]

I've always wanted a set top box from apple, I'd love to stream iTunes to my Bose stereo system, it would be amazing, and i'm sure so well designed too.