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Apple Set Top Box?

arn

arn

macrumors god
Original poster
Staff member
Apr 9, 2001
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CNet's Rumor Mill reports that Apple may have had some interest in purchasing Moxi Digital. Apple's been on a bit of a buying spree... with various purchases centered around their Pro Video market. Moxi Digital would have been an departure... and a bit of a curiousity... Moxi Digital has their own version of the digital hub:

The Moxi MC is a set-top box design using the company's middleware, which runs between a modified version of the Linux operating system and interactive services, such as a digital video recorder, digital music jukebox, enhanced DVD playback as well as online capabilities including instant messaging, e-mail, Web browsing and chat.

Not a clear fit for Apple's (public) plans...
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2002/04/08/apple-set-top-box/
When I was at the Apple Store in Columbus around december. I saw a manual that said "Apple Set Top Box" on it. It was at the Geneus bar. Well on the cabinets on the back. I am not sure if this was a manual for the old one or a new one. But I kinda doubt it is a new one. But ya never know.
 
Originally posted by RicFlair
When I was at the Apple Store in Columbus around december. I saw a manual that said "Apple Set Top Box" on it. It was at the Geneus bar. Well on the cabinets on the back. I am not sure if this was a manual for the old one or a new one. But I kinda doubt it is a new one. But ya never know.
Click to expand...

prob for the old one...

arn
 
Moxi and Apple...oohh the possibilities

I've been following Moxi for a bit now and I can't wait 'till it's release. I think this a great concept and I would surly use it. I use Ultimate TV now(yeah, in know it MS) and it it awesome. I love the service. The PVR is great. I haven't used a VHS tape in a year. The added features of the Moxi would be awesome! And, if Apple got involved...that would truely be an ultimate TV! It would kick everyones butt.


'Beaver
 
This does seem a bit of a departure for Apple, but who knows, a settop box is another point that can be attached to the digital hub.

From the Moxi article,
Moxi debuts in what is shaping up to be the latest gold rush for technology companies. Microsoft, Intel, Apple Computer and the major PC companies, among others, are coming out with technology that will bridge the gap between the TV, a fixture in the home, and computer technologies.

Maybe Apples trying to prevent other companies from capitalizing on something they see being a big item, but maybe not for a couple of years. But Apple hasn't bought Moxie yet.
 
seems logical

while we're all posting rehashes about the next g4 speed increase apple is looking sooo far into the future. lets face it, even increasing their 5% share of the computer market doesn't guarantee long-term survival. and the computer market is going to change in ways that no-one expects. so they're diversifying into software, periph companies, becoming pals with panasonic, and maybe thinking about moxie's set-top box thingee.....

so at some point you'll use your mac and their video software to make your dvd that'll go out their new firewire co's technology to the moxie box that will bluetooth the content to every monitor in your house-and your phone will be the remote control.

obviously, i'm not inventing any wheels here but my point is that it's all going to be integrated and apple is taking the steps to be competitive in the future. i really doubt they'll look at themselves as a computer company in the next 5 to 10 years.

having said that, where's my dual 1.4, ddr, rapid i/o dream box?
 
I just want a good remote...

I just want standards for connecting and interfacing audio/video components.

We wouldn't stand for such hacks as the "universal remote" in Computer land.
 
I think it would be an area for Apple to research..... especially with the rise of Interactive TV......

I like what 3rdpath has to say, it seems quite grounded, and feasible and would definitly be cool!!!

I still see the TV as the main focal point of any living space, but I don't see why this can't all be linked to the Mac, and controlled directly from here??

Access any parts of your house from you mac for lifestyle, climate control, security etc, aswell as for entertainment puposes, such as audio in seperate rooms, itelligent video etc......

And links from the mac to kitchen appliances that are smart etc..... all this would really push the whole Digital Hub thing along...... it maybe a decade away, but I forsee something similar happenning in the not too distant future!!

Actually Bill Gates has such a system in his house running Windows 2000, thing is though, the system probably screws up and makes the house too hot in summer and freezes the place up in winter...... then crashes!!! so it'd need to be alittle better than that!!

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/tech/billgate/gatehigh.htm

Mayzin':p
 
I'm not sure if I believe it or not...

but at this point it wouldn't surprise me too much if Apple did get involved...

Apple is trying to fit into most categories where other computer companies have yet to scratch upon...and I think it's in doing so that Apple will gain more market share...

I predict an integrated system one day that all controls from a G4 (or G5)....tv...stereo...video....

it'll be a beautiful thing! :p
 
-Universal Remotes.

If we add 2 things to iPod we have the crossover device:

IRda

Bluetooth/Airport

Adding these two things could make for a Universal remote that can be programmed for any device. In addition it may be possible to transfer data through the iPod via Bluetooth/Airport to a set-top box. If the set top box is essentially an iMac............... Or perhaps an Airport base-station with built in Cable/DSL/56K modem, DVD, G3 1Ghz, nVidia GeForce 4.........Think "Y-Box" :D
 
Doh

while reading iGAV's post a light went off ( could be a detached retina...)

since the tv is the center of the house-what if these large screens from apple are really aimed at the future television market. yes, they're expensive but what if you didn't need both a tv and computer monitor. and have you seen the prices of the plasma screens anyway? once again, i think we need to look outside of the "apple" box.
 
Yep

I know I'd much prefer a 23" Apple LCD to my clunky old Panasonic TV. I'd also (of course) much prefer a G4 with AT LEAST an nVidia GeForce 2 MX.
 
Re: Moxi and Apple...oohh the possibilities

Screaming Beaver (I'll leave that alone, for now :))

I agree with you about Ultimate TV. I've had it for about 4 month's, but only had one LNB in my dish. Even with only one LNB, it completely changed how I use TV.

Last night, I had a dual-LNB element installed and the second line run. MAN, what I can do now!

I originally chose UTV over Tivo for three reasons. One, there was a rebate and it was $50 cheaper. Two, Tivo didn't have dual-channel at the time. Three, Tivo was in financial trouble at the time, and I figured that if anyone would survive a shake-out in the DVR business, it would be Microsoft!

Wow, how close to being wrong was I! As you know, MS had a shake-up a few months ago in it's TV department, and it was lookin' real bad for a while there. I saw myself with a $200 piece of hardware without programming support.

But, not only has that seemed to go away as a reason for worry, but the UTV 3.5 update they released and beaconed down last Friday is awesome, isn't it! It is so, so much faster, and they finally got rid of those stupid, STUPID big help buttons that took up 1/3 of the program listing when you called it up.

Along with about 20 other improvements.

I still have reservations for paying $10 a month for what comes down to a TV listing (especially when I already had one supplied by DirecTV), but I could never give this up now :)

TL


Originally posted by Screamingbeaver
I've been following Moxi for a bit now and I can't wait 'till it's release. I think this a great concept and I would surly use it. I use Ultimate TV now(yeah, in know it MS) and it it awesome. I love the service. The PVR is great. I haven't used a VHS tape in a year. The added features of the Moxi would be awesome! And, if Apple got involved...that would truely be an ultimate TV! It would kick everyones butt.


'Beaver
Click to expand...
 
I must concure with 3rdpath... apple is thinking way ahead on this one.

From what I have heard re: new internet protocals. Things are going to change and no one is safe if they continue on the same path of bigger HD's, more Ram, bigger processors = marketshare. Though this is not a bad thing. Just not the only thing.

This one is definately a "think Different" moment.
 
Nope

I don't think what we all hope for will ever happen: Apple will never go in the TV market. Steve Jobs once said that he doesn't believe that the PC/Mac will ever come together, therefore no Mac-TV-Box. Quote: "You go to your TV set when you want to turn your brain off. You go to your computer when you want to turn your brain on." Sure, Apple could just sell another set-top box, but would that help the digital hub strategy the way apple wants it, as a creative center?
 
Just wait....

Hey TechLarry:

I agree with you totally. The Upgrade the UTV was great. The "auto record" deal is great. Just plug in a name or keyword and it'll record any show that matches. I'm excited about the new "remote recording" feature they claim to release this summer. Supposedly you can log on to your account/receiver via the internet and set to record a show. You know how many times i'm at work and find out that there is somethin' I wanted to record?

These PVRs do change the way you watch tv. I watch when I have time. I try to tell people at work and they just don't get it. It's cool to actually talk to someone that understands.

Later-
 
apple's crystal ball

As much as I would like to see an Apple set-top box in my living room, I think they're right in staying away from it.

First of all, there's not much money in it. Set top boxes aren't like game consoles where companies can sell the boxes below cost and make their money back selling games. From what people are saying, $300 seems to be about the limit of what they're willing to pay for the hardware. There can't be much money left over. Remember, the iPod sells for $400; the margin on those things must be 50% or more. And I don't think set-boxes have much potential for secondary revenue streams.

Secondly, I don't think set top boxes will take over the living room and help expand Apple's presence in the digital universe, which is what some people are arguing. In the end, it's a glorified VCR. It's not gonna revolutionize anything. It's just a nice gadget to have in addition to the VCR, DVD player, and game console.

Apple is right in focussing on trying to make the computer better, make it do more and do it easier and more fun than any other computer out there. The idea is to market the computer as a powerful but user-friendly tool for doing creative and productive things, not some dumb appliance for checking email and recording TV. You don't need a lot of technology know-how or great design sense to record TV. Apple can't survive in that kind of low common denominator market. And there's a lot more money in the PC market, which helps.
 
Re: apple's crystal ball

Originally posted by dongmin
Secondly, I don't think set top boxes will take over the living room and help expand Apple's presence in the digital universe, which is what some people are arguing. In the end, it's a glorified VCR. It's not gonna revolutionize anything. It's just a nice gadget to have in addition to the VCR, DVD player, and game console.
Click to expand...

Hey dongmin, I beg to differ. A glorified VCR??!! Not even close! Do you have a PVR? Have you used one? I haven't used my VCR in a year. I don't mean to sound short with you, i'm just sayin' that these are far more than just a "glorified VCR" they DO change the way you watch television. My whole family can watch what they want when they want. Skip commercials with ease....and not to mention crystal clear picture. PVRs are going to make an impact.

Thats my opinion anyway.

'Beaver
 
Re: Re: apple's crystal ball

Originally posted by Screamingbeaver


they DO change the way you watch television.... PVRs are going to make an impact.

Thats my opinion anyway.

'Beaver
Click to expand...

In the end, you're still watching TV. Granted, the delivery system is different but it's TV all the same. I'll probably be eating my words six months from now when these PVRs are the hottest gadgets around, but I don't see that great a demand for these things. People seem pretty content with the existing TV viewing experience.

So that's my opinion
 
a comparison

tv is to pvr as radio is to the ipod.

its all about individual control. control of access, control of content and control of the experience.

these technologies may(or may not) be important to you now but they will be the norm by the time the general public catches on.

we're really all participating in some serious backwards consumer to producer R&D right now( and i guess our salary is the experience...)
 
dongmin

People may well be content with current TV........ but what happens if we don't evolve??

What would have happened had people stayed content with just the Ford Model T?? Or if we'd stayed content with Propellor driven planes?? Or computers as big as a room??

We can't just stand still.........:p
 
What is so wrong with ...

simply letting us use the 23" Apple LCD with the digital signal coming out of our satellite TV/ PVR box ?

If Apple doesn't want to make a box, we'll gladly pay our $500 to another corporation...but at least I will not have to pay twice for a 16 X 9 HD monitor !!!

Those suckers are expensive !!!

Doesn't Apple need the extra sales of 23" HD 's ????

I am sure it puts out a picture far superior to the CRT-based Wide TV's out there.

And , if I could hack an ADC port onto my FP iMac 800, ;) how beautiful with FCP !

I would love to have a slim 23" instead of a 300 lb. behemoth CRT in my tiny apartment living room and I'm sure many dorm dwellers etc. would too.

Also, I detect a bit of anti-TV snobbery. But not all of TV turns your brain off --
and there's plenty of brain-killing computing that goes on as well : there is some overlap there, even if it were desireable to have your brain powered up 24/7 .

---gooddog
 
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