Intel Viiv Platform... and Apple?

[Mainyehc]

AirPort and Bluetooth should be standard by now. All of this cannot be cheap.

Only the low-end $499 Mac mini has those as a BTO/upgrade option... Even the low-end iBook has those standard, so expect the Mini to follow suit.

But, I still don't see how a Mac Mini or any other Mac can come with an Intel CPU in January. Tiger is far from being Gold Master. There are few apps from Apple themselves X86-aware (as far as I know, iTunes is the only one). Can anyone seriously tell me there will be huge developments in a month as far as Tiger X86 and Intel-ready apps are concerned?

I think it's actually the opposite... AFAIK, iTunes is a Carbon-based app, which means it's not as straightforward to port as the other i-Apps. I'm not sure about this, but last time I read, most of the apps included with Tiger were already ported to x86, iTunes being one of the last to make the transition.

And as for the dead-line, if what Steve said on WWDC is any indication, porting apps to the x86 is a fairly quick process... Besides, Apple was the very first company to know about the transition (duh 🙄 ). Since Apple developers must sign an NDA anyway, it wouldn't be surprising if many of them knew about the PPC-to-Intel transition in advance...

That being said, 10.4.4 should be ready by the end of the year... Hopefully, if the development of PPC and x86 versions of OS X is in sync by then, I'm guessing since 10.4.3 doesn't have that many bugs to iron out, the x86 Tiger GM will be a killer OS! I'd be much more concerned with the Rev. A Intel-based hardware, not with the OS... 🙄 😀

 

[mlrproducts]

Really? I didn't know about that! What exactly sets apart the new iMac G5 screens from the old ones (and the 20'' ACDs)? Brightness, viewing angle, colours? AFAIK, the resolution of the 20''er is still 1680x1050...

Anyway, I'm still very happy with my Rev. A 20'' iMac G5... Apart from the buzzing fan issue... (those guys from tech support should really give me a call already, I've been waiting for a replacement fan for more than a month now... And besides, my iMac is under the extended warranty program... It has been chugging along for a year now, so I'm hoping those capacitors won't fry my logic board anytime soon, but you never know... 😱 ) /rant

I second the wish to know the difference...

 

[plinkoman]

hrmmm, sounds nice....

maybe...

they could have picked a better name??

perhaps...

i mean, seriously, Viiv?

...

 

[ibook30]

Mac Media Center domination ...my hope. My next purchasing decision has been affected by the rumors of "all media" integration (movies, TV, music, pics, etc... everything but a sock puppet show on my computer, with a remote).

Make it happen Apple!

 

[boxandrew]

The picture on the TV on this intel page seems to be a choice of movie trailers. I think it looks pretty familiar. And what's this about using a simple remote control. Sounds like the control for front row...? 😎

 

[budugu]

That sounds 100% apple to me!

I agree, but don't get too hung up on the whole HMDI thing - HDMI is nothing more than DVI and audio wrapped in the same cable for 3 times the price (over-simplistically).... 😉 It is great for a lot of people, but for some people it definitely wouldn't be as necessary depending on their setup/requirements.

But yes, this would be a very welcome product - one I would definitely consider buying myself. 😎

single wire, Expensive, 3x price, Nothing better than the current tech! yeah that is classic, neo classic or what ever APPLE!

 

[budugu]

I second the wish to know the difference...

probably the contrast ratio, luminance and response time...

 

[aafuss1]

Really? I didn't know about that! What exactly sets apart the new iMac G5 screens from the old ones (and the 20'' ACDs)? Brightness, viewing angle, colours? AFAIK, the resolution of the 20''er is still 1680x1050...

Anyway, I'm still very happy with my Rev. A 20'' iMac G5... Apart from the buzzing fan issue... (those guys from tech support should really give me a call already, I've been waiting for a replacement fan for more than a month now... And besides, my iMac is under the extended warranty program... It has been chugging along for a year now, so I'm hoping those capacitors won't fry my logic board anytime soon, but you never know... 😱 ) /rant

I'd also love to see a upgraded Cinema Display, with a similar screen to the 20" iMac's and maybe a lower pixel response time (say 12 or 4ms)

 

[Mechcozmo]

It was my understanding that VIIV is like Centrino except for multimedia.

A Concern.....
If this VIIV technology will be driving a new revolution in media distrobution...what happens to the million who don't have it? Apple can't expect everyone who wants to watch movies on demand to buy a new mac mini. So maybe this chip(set) will offer faster(?) or better media experiences. I'm confusing myself, so I'll stop.

"Use the Intel certified stuff so we get paid a lot and it will work great!"

Centrino concept is nice... but I'm not certain I like the Intel Integrated graphics being required, etc. I hope that if Viiv is a Centrino-like thing, they do it right.

optional Bluetooth/IR/RF color-screen fully programmable remote, and a slick application to program it with.

One hell of a remote... not too Apple-like. But everything else would be cool. Take up a lot of space, however. Lots of connections. Not Apple-like. Hmmm.

 

[makman]

Is viiv really such a positive for apple?

Apple is kicking serious ass building a multimedia distribution ecosystem. Why would they go and hand the keys over to Intel to commoditize everything they've done?

From the release -

"This is about Intel Viiv technology-based PCs not only connecting to the TV, but also delivering the latest movies at home, creating ‘music DJs,’ playing games and showcasing home photos and videos – it’s a ‘one-stop-shop’ for entertainment.”

Doesn't Apple want to be in the drivers seat as far as to the rulebook the content providers play by? Intel's and Apple's interest don't seem to be aligned here.

 

[EricNau]

😕 😕 😕

I have to admit, I have no idea what Apple has up their sleeve, and I don't expect to know until they release it. Anything at this moment would be a complete stab in the dark.

Every time I think I have it figured out, another rumor comes out that ruins what I had thought before.

 

[JoeG4]

For what it's worth, I don't care what the rumors say now. Whatever it is, I'll just wait and see what it all means at MWSF.

What's the point of trying to draw a picture with a bunch of broken crayons?

 

[yoda13]

Yeah, I am fairly confused myself at this point. I will be waiting to see what is unveiled with great eagerness, but I am more clueless after having read this thread than I was when I first posted at the beginning. Oh well.😱 😀

 

[mac n cheese]

Intel is just building the chassis

Apple is kicking serious ass building a multimedia distribution ecosystem. Why would they go and hand the keys over to Intel to commoditize everything they've done?

From the release -

"This is about Intel Viiv technology-based PCs not only connecting to the TV, but also delivering the latest movies at home, creating ‘music DJs,’ playing games and showcasing home photos and videos – it’s a ‘one-stop-shop’ for entertainment.”

Doesn't Apple want to be in the drivers seat as far as to the rulebook the content providers play by? Intel's and Apple's interest don't seem to be aligned here.

You're overlooking the fact that whomever controls the formats and the security/encryption is in the driver seat, Intel is just providing a playing field. Intel isn't providing content.

Your assumption is the equivalent of assuming that Motorola controls TV just because they make cable boxes.

Apple will be in the driver's seat. Their content will get hacked, of course, but the mainstream will far out weigh. iTunes hasn't gone belly up.

 

[nagromme]

All very confusing! Anything seems possible. Most of our hopes and dreams will probably turn out to be just that--hopes and dreams.

My main one: a good Mac-based high-def PVR. (Preferably in a PowerBook, or something that can attach cheaply to one.)

Anyway, I don't see the Mac Mini becoming a totally different product. Informally, people are using it for home entertainment, but it's marketed as the LOW-END LOW-COST MAC. That's all.

I expect the Mac Mini will continue to fill that role, so I don't see it gaining much more than a FrontRow remote--if even that.

However, some NEW product, with a new name, sharing some elements in common with the Mac Mini, is possible. Sounds too soon for that to me--but if Apple has Done Something Right again (a la iPod) then who knows?

PS: Trivia... I think Viiv is pronounced to rhyme with "Ive." (But I keep wanting to rhyme it with "Steve.")

But, I still don't see how a Mac Mini or any other Mac can come with an Intel CPU in January. Tiger is far from being Gold Master. There are few apps from Apple themselves X86-aware (as far as I know, iTunes is the only one). Can anyone seriously tell me there will be huge developments in a month as far as Tiger X86 and Intel-ready apps are concerned?

It's a month until MWSF. It's about two months until early February when such machines might ship. It's about THREE months until late Feb./early March, which is ALSO a likely ship date. Late March? Possible too.

Combine that 2-3 months with the fact that we might not KNOW about all the progress Apple has been making, and I do think a MWSF announcement is possible (probably not immediately shipping).

As for Intel-ready apps, there were huge developments on that front 6 months ago 😀 Apple couldn't have released Intel Macs a year ago before there were ANY apps. And they can't wait until ALL apps are ready. A compromise must be made. Shipping SOME models now could work very well. iLife is there. Office runs. Photoshop runs (not at top speed). LOTS of third party apps are ready, including some games, judging by developer reports of smooth progress in porting certain apps. And yes, lots of apps aren't ready--but Rosetta might just do what it's meant to: fill in that gap for a few months.

 

[Peace]

I fail to see where this is an Apple/Intel only thing.From the article I read on Intels site it says that viiv will run on ANY PeeCee that meets the requirements.
Meaning Dell could just as easy do the same thing.As a matter of fact Intel kinda implies THEY are gonna build a PC that utilizes it.

Me thinks Apple may have got itself into a bad barrel..

This part kinda implies they are talking Apple :

"With an Intel Viiv technology-based PC and supporting devices, you can enjoy a growing universe of digital media content∇. Plus, the power of Intel dual-core processors combined with networked Digital Media Adapters means that multiple family members can use the same PC to enjoy content in different rooms at the same time. For example, one family member can download a movie on the Intel Viiv technology-based PC in the family room, while another enjoys music being streamed from the same PC to the living room stereo"


Sure sounds like my Airport LAN set-up in my house.

 

[Voidness]

I'm not too excited about this. All this "media center" stuff doesn't catch my attention at all. I'm only into the "real" computers Apple has to offer for the x86 transition.

But it's still nice to see what Apple has to offer anyways! 😀 😛

 

[makman]

You're overlooking the fact that whomever controls the formats and the security/encryption is in the driver seat, Intel is just providing a playing field. Intel isn't providing content.

Your assumption is the equivalent of assuming that Motorola controls TV just because they make cable boxes.

Apple will be in the driver's seat. Their content will get hacked, of course, but the mainstream will far out weigh. iTunes hasn't gone belly up.

From the quote I provided, sounds like Intel wants to add more value than simply providing a standard hardware platform. Why does their press release talk about home movie delivery, showcasing photos, etc? If Intel isn't going to the protocol standard level, what value is Viiv providing?

And what Intel is doing is definitely not targeted to the Mac. The value they bring with Viiv will also be there for Microsoft, etc. I still don't see how Viiv will help Apple's ecosystem development.

 

[Platform]

Dual Core Intel mini with decent HDD and GPU.....😱 😱 😀 😀

Wooo...

 

[GregA]

And all of this starting at a mere $499? If we get a multimedia Mac Mini, it better damn well have a decent GPU, CPU, HD capacity, and connections.

I think the point of ViiV is that there are several integrated chipsets - you lose the uniqueness of the hardware, as well as any exceptional abilities, but gain on a lower cost.

the x86 Tiger GM will be a killer OS! I'd be much more concerned with the Rev. A Intel-based hardware, not with the OS... 🙄 😀

Actually, if Apple sticks closely to Intel's standard (at least to start with), the hardware should be quite mature.

Apple is kicking serious ass building a multimedia distribution ecosystem. Why would they go and hand the keys over to Intel to commoditize everything they've done?

It's interesting that the ViiV allows you to watch & record live TV... and they also want to allow you to download movies. I assume we'll have similar hardware to some HPs out there, same capabilities of watching FTA, downloading movies, music, etc - but with OSX as the defining difference. I mean - XP Media Centre vs OSX FrontRow.

The interesting question would come when Apple has to decide if it'll sell OSX FrontRow for HPs media centre with identical chipsets.... but lets not get distracted 🙂

 

[chubad]

Viiv is for secure delivery of content.
The technology will allow content to be locked down, limiting what consumers can do with movies or music they buy in digital format, even if it's within their "fair use" rights.

You guys are excited about this? Doesn't sound too good to me.😡

 

[GregA]

Viiv is for secure delivery of content.
The technology will allow content to be locked down, limiting what consumers can do with movies or music they buy in digital format, even if it's within their "fair use" rights.

You guys are excited about this? Doesn't sound too good to me.😡

Apple already tells us what we can and can't do with our downloads - this is just an extension of that. I expect Apple to make their stuff more secure and Intel does something related to that. I'm not sure what the difference is.

Of course, if Intel technology becomes the standard for media decoding, that would be bad for the industry. We need competition!

ps. Another promise of the ViiV technology is on the fly re-encoding of content - to change the format of something downloaded into something different (eg: download widescreen digital TV, and have it convert it to 4:3 lower quality when syncing to your iPod? or to an easily streamed version?)

 

[Jesus]

people seem to have forgotten about the new iMac and in particular, FrontRow, and the simplicity and ease of the interface, and the great remote, all you have to add is a new icon, TV, and thats it, perfect, whats for tea?

 

[GregA]

people seem to have forgotten about the new iMac and in particular, FrontRow, and the simplicity and ease of the interface, and the great remote, all you have to add is a new icon, TV, and thats it, perfect, whats for tea?

I'm confused. What makes you say we've forgotten?

 

[generik]

single wire, Expensive, 3x price, Nothing better than the current tech! yeah that is classic, neo classic or what ever APPLE!

Supports DRM too!