From:
http://9to5mac.com/trick-wifi-ipod-touch-iphone-unlimited-storage-2343452
I've been wondering about this myself. If the new
iPt can stream data through the browser, why not just post your catalog content on a web server and stream your library collection?
You could save your must-have-favorite songs, videos and movies on the
iPt and anticipate merely streaming your remaining iTunes library.
-joedy
You're definitely on to something... more than you probably realize.
I've been thinking about this for a while and I've come to the conclusion that the next stage in Apple's "digital hub" strategy is to extend that capacity out to the Internet. That is:
Steve Jobs described Apple's long term strategy as making the computer the digital hub of your lifestyle. The first stage was the introduction of a suite of products like iMovie, iPhoto, iTunes, etc. that enabled connection to digital "appliances" that added value to the Mac.
The second step was in introducing an appliance, the iPod.
The third step was in introducing the content... iTunes Music Store... to help facilitate demand for the iPod.
The fourth step was in introducing products like iPhone and AppleTV to extend the range of the "digital hub" to the living room and on the go.
And I believe the next step will be giving these devices interconnectivity over next generation technologies like 4G/WiMax, etc. for high quality distribution of content from your computer network to anywhere you are mobile.
Apple has introduced the iPhone and iPod touch as two mobile communications platforms... let's not forget that WiFi is key to the iPod touch. But they also seem to be developing laptop like devices incorporating multitouch on an even larger scale with built in WiFi and/or EDGE, 3G or 4G technologies for constant mobile connectivity.
A year or so ago a report came out that noted that mobile access to the internet (e.g. at wifi hotspots, over 3G, EDGE, etc.) has been exploding and Apple is very keen on this.
Apple's "experiment" AppleTV has also seen some proposals in patent filings whereby they want it to be two-way accessible by remote devices. Possibly allowing you to communicate to it on the go from iPhone or iPod touch to navigate your entire network's library and call up any movie you want to stream it directly to your portable, be it an iPod touch, iPhone, or (in the very near future) MobileMac (as the division is being called).
We might also see these technologies integrated directly into cars. Mercedes Benz and BMW have both been working with Apple. In Benz's case, there's talk that Apple may take over the development of their onboard navigation/entertainment systems. You might see a built-in "mobile mac" and the ability to dock your iPhone to the car's systems for in-dash navigation of both your iPhone, onboard AND LAN-based libraries.
I think this is precisely where Apple is heading as this degree of technological convergence is extremely desirable right now.
